The New Version of PlayStation Plus is Live

Microsoft has its game pass and Sony has launched a new PlayStation Plus with different tiers that are a little confusing but (they hope) will compete with what Microsoft has. Now you can have the bare-bones level (Essential) which is what used to be the only version of PlayStation Plus. You can use that to play online and get a few free games, a higher level (Extra) that gives you a chunk of PS4 and PS5 titles. There also is the Premium tier which brings with it even more and older PlayStation games plus trials of stuff and other bonuses, I imagine. 

I don't play a ton of games so for now I'm good with the most basic option that allows me to join others online when I'm doing, "Fall Guys," for my son to giggle at and otherwise get a free title now and then. That said, if you want a big catalog of titles on the Playstation to stream, you've got some options now.

Video-Game of the Year: Fall Guys and Its More Recent Seasons--2021 in Review

Yes, I am aware that, "Fall Guys," did not come out in 2021. However, some of the most fun expansions/new seasons have been released during this year. I also probably played, "Fall Guys," more than any other game this year on my PlayStation 4 as Clarkson loves watching it. He laughs at the little characters as they run around and bump into each other, and will often request, "Fall Guys," on his PECs board (we have a PECs symbol for it).  Season 6-the latest one--has been a gas and, "Fall Guys," is a great game to play when you don't have a ton of time to dedicate to some massive adventure/crafting/whatever title. You can just join a game, play some rounds, and go on about your day. It's good fun!

"Fall Guys," Season 6--My Initial Thoughts

I've written previously about how our household enjoys the game, "Fall Guys." Clarkson always laughs when I play it and the little players run around. The game just launched is sixth season. The last one was a jungle theme which was fantastic. Before the jungle theme, some other seasons happened that involved medieval vibes (it was okay) a weird electric sci-fi style (it was decent), and a snow theme (that was one cool). The sixth season is all about parties. It is a celebration theme and it's full of wild see-saws, water balloons, and tubes straight out of a Mario game. It's pretty cool.

With any new season, it takes a bit to adjust to little tweaks in the gameplay. That's part of the fun, however. "Fall Guys," always manages to keep players on their toes and throws little twists into the game that allows everything to stay just a smidgen unpredictable. This new party theme is good fun and I quite like it so far.

The Sonic-Themed, "Fall Guys," Outfit is Terrifying

I enjoy playing, "Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout," and my son, Clarkson, loves watching thanks to the bright colors, fun sounds, and wild way the Fall Guys bump into each other. One big element of the game is unlockable and purchasable outfits. There is going to be a crossover with Sonic in that there'll be an outfit that...I want to say looks like him? It is actually scary, with the torso looking like a mouth and...it just ain't good. The idea of the outfit isn't to scare us, but that is just what it does. 

The whole thing looks off-kilter and out of proportion. Perhaps this is because Fall Guys have some odd physiology that makes having them look just like Sonic kind of tricky. Maybe the designers of the outfit just didn't think things through. Whatever the case, this new outfit is nightmare-fuel and I'll be sticking to keeping my Fall Guy in his outfit of a pigeon head and gym shorts.

Some August 2020 Links and News

August = Hot

Alright, I live in Missouri. Right now we've got smokey haze coming from Calfornia wildfires, a bunch of rain moving-up due to the hurricanes in the South, and it is hot as Hell right now in general. In other words, it is a good time to stay indoors even if there weren't a pandemic and just enjoy some links.

News, Links, and Such

"New Mutants," is finally coming to theaters, but it won't be on-demand. Special digital review versions are not even being provided to reviewers either, which has resulted in many news outlets refusing to review the flick. If their reviewers can't see it safely and have to go to a theater and risk COVID-19, they ain't gonna have any part of it. There is a certain irony to a movie that was delayed for years now not even getting reviewed.

Speaking of stuff that's been in the works for years, that, "Batman: Three Jokers," comic finally is being released. I've seen one review that compliments the art by Jason Fabok but finds the story by Geoff Johns lacking. I saw an absolutely glowing review as well. Plus, a review that said it is risky and might work or fall apart. Basically, everyone can agree the art is stellar, but that's about it. I clearly need to read it and post my own review to contribute to the debate!

John Carpenter has essentially retired from filmmaking. He prefers to play video-games and make music for fun now, which when you have a career as impressive as his, he has every right to do. That said, I did get excited thinking he might be involved in any way with an apparent new reboot of, "The Thing."

I hate flying. It stresses me out, makes me nauseous, and otherwise isn't very fun. Perhaps a video-game titled, "Airplane Mode," that simulates you riding as a passenger on a flight from New York to Iceland will help give me some exposure-therapy and get me over my issues. That, or I'll just get sick to my stomach at home instead of on an actual plane. It's a 50-50 odds.

The Democratic National Convention was last week and struck a positive, hopeful chord with an amazing line-up of speakers. This week is the Republican National Convention and it has a more apocalyptic and fearful tone with such speakers as...um, the MyPillow guy?

There has been a random theory that DC will have Superman lead, "The Authority," even though that group works better in its own comic-universe than mashed-up in the mainstream DC one (look at the New52 failure of the series for proof). Bleedingcool seems eager to throw fire to this rumor which seems far-fetched, but with Grifter suddenly showing-up in, "Batman," and DC going through so many changes, who knows what is reasonable or outlandish anymore?

"Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout," is a fun and hilarious game. It has become extremely popular and now people are modding Fall Guy characters into other games for fun too.

I thought DC's Fandome event went pretty well, and apparently, WB agrees with me. News is that WB execs are, "Giddy," at how well it went. It was actually split into two days, so we will see if the September edition goes swimmingly as well.

Let's close on something absurd. I heard that a video-game tournament had the organizers dub-over fart noises whenever they thought it would be funny, which is incredibly crass, irresponsible, and admittedly kinda humorous. Apologies have been made.

Avoid the Sun

Stay cool, stay calm, and avoid the Sun until September when things hopefully cool off.

"Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout," is a Hoot

"Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout," or as most people simply call it, "Fall Guys," is an absolute hoot of a game. It is bright, colorful, and competitive in a manner that is more joyous than stressful. Plus, my son loves watching it on the television (it makes him laugh a lot). "Fall Guys," is kind of like those battle royale games that have taken over in that you start with 60 players and it is whittled down to one winner. That's about where the comparisons end, however.

"Fall Guys," takes your wobbly and colorful avatars and puts them in various rounds (sometimes in small teams, sometimes as a free-for-all). Within these rounds, a certain number of players need to make it through a course to qualify for the next round, knock beachballs around, or avoid falling into slime before enough people have lost that you're golden. It is super fun.

When I put on, "Fall Guys," it got Clarkson's attention with its peppy music, bright colors, and hilarious ways all the little fall guys trip over each other and obstacles as they race about. Seeing him giggle at the cartoonish graphics and funny action made Samii and I all warm and fuzzy for sure. Clearly, whether you're an adult or a young child it is easy to see how, "Fall Guys," is stellar.

I played,"Fall Guys," on my PlayStation 4 but you can also give it a whirl on STEAM. Now, it does have some dreaded in-game currency, but that is only for buying, "Kudos," to customize your character. You can also earn kudos in-game and they don't give you any sort of advantage when playing beyond looking snazzy. That slight gripe aside, "Fall Guys," is adorable, exciting, and worth trying out.
5 out of 5 stars.