The Age of Spiritual Machines
Book
Ray Kurzweil is the inventor of the most innovative and compelling technology of our era, an...
Around the World in a Napier: The Story of Two Motoring Pioneers
Book
In the nineteenth century, Jules Verne imagined a journey round the world. At the start of the...
Gareth von Kallenbach (980 KP) rated the PlayStation 4 version of Gravel in Video Games
Jun 19, 2019
I do want to say at the start that I am horrible at driving games. My preferred method of braking often is using the wall, other cars, and obstacles to redirect my vehicle or slow down, but it does not stop my appreciation for them.
GRAVEL is a very fast paced and enjoyable game that mixes online and offline racing and allows players to use and customize trucks and cars as they race on tracks and outdoor courses. Everything from the Pacific to Alaska and Africa come into play and there are even some amazingly difficult night races where you have to make your way with only your headlights to keep you on the ever changing off-road course.
I had hoped for a few more locales, but there are variations on each locale and you can expect more maps and possibly modes will come down the road.
The graphics are fantastic and playing the game on a PS4 Pro with a 4K television brought the visuals of the game into amazing focus as it was easy to become immersed in the game from the very start.
The menus do take a bit of getting used to as it was at times unclear what form of racing I was about to embark on but I was up to speed in no time.
Matchmaking was fairly easy but it did seem to match me with drivers of a far superior ability time and again which makes it hard to see anything other than a last place finish should I make one mistake on the course.
While the game may not have the depth of other racing games, I found it to be instantly engaging and very fun which is saying quite a bit considering I usually do not play many racing games. Joseph is a fan of racing games and he was able to successfully complete many of the races in our PAX West meeting with no issues and often in the top position.
In the end GRAVEL is a fun entry for those looking to dip their toes into some off road racing or for diehards, but some hardcore racers may want more depth and variety.
http://sknr.net/2018/03/10/gravel/
Riding: A Beginner's Guide
Stephanie Bateman and Stef Eardley
Book
The book includes everything the new rider needs to know, from where to ride and what to wear, to...
Cling to Me Like Ivy
Book
Samantha Ellis' play was inspired by a chance remark by Victoria Beckham in 2004 which sparked a...
Ginger Baker: Hellraiser
Book
Ginger tells his story for the first time. It's often harrowing but outrageously honest as he...
David McK (3562 KP) rated Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1982) in Movies
Mar 22, 2022
Perhaps it's better to say this is the middle of the Mel Gibson era of Mad Max films.
It's also hard to believe that this is nearly 40 years old now, holding up remarkably well for its age. That, I think, is probably due to its reliance on practical effects for most of the scenes of vehicular mayhem that occur throughout (in the post apocalyptic wasteland) rather than CGI.
In my books, this is definitely a step up from the first movie.
Mary Ellen Mark recommended The Road (La Strada) (1954) in Movies (curated)
Lovecraft Country
7.0
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Book
The critically acclaimed cult novelist makes visceral the terrors of life in Jim Crow America and...
Horror