Poor Thor. His recent film sits at the bottom of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in terms of critical reception. Despite the fact that most of the characters seem to be merely going through the motions of saving the cosmos, when it comes to entertaining special effects extravaganzas you could do far worse.
11. Iron Man 2 (Metacritic Score: 57)
After Iron Man became an international break out hit, the sequel frustrated many by being surprisingly soulless. Let's face it: competing with the charismatic Jeff Bridges as a villain may have been too tall an order for Mickey Rourke and an army of drones.
10. Thor (Metacritic Score: 57)
For a film adaptation of the legendary son of Odin's adventures, Thor is a rousing and exciting action fest, notable for its imaginative take on the world of Asgard. Ranked among its fellow Marvel films, however, Thor comes up slightly lacking with a plot bogged down in backstory and explanations. It's still worth a watch for fans of the Norse hammer-wielding god.
9 The Incredible Hulk (Metacritic Score: 61)
The Incredible Hulk may have arrived too soon on the heels of Ang Lee's awkward arthouse rendition in 2003 to receive a fair hearing. This update does a considerably better job at capturing the spirit of the character, and at the time, its special effects were unparalleled.
8. Iron Man 3 (Metacritic Score: 62)
After the disappointing Iron Man 2, Marvel swung back again with the third film in Stark's storied saga. While the plot of Iron Man's showdown with the Extremis virus never quite reaches the heights of the original film, it definitely manages to inject back some of the heart missing from Iron Man 2.
7. Ant-Man (Metacritic Score: 64)
Ant-Man might be the smallest of the Marvel superheroes, but he makes up for it with his big heart and super strength. Paul Rudd (The 40-Year Old Virgin) plays ex-con man Scott Lang who is out to save his mentor Dr. Hank Pym in this action-packed, yet hilarious summer blockbuster.
6. Captain America: The First Avenger (Metacritic Score: 66)
Captain America definitely scratches that retro itch for everyone looking for a classic WWII comic book fable. With a fun pulpy style reminiscent of Indiana Jones, Captain America finds the perfect balance between action thrills and corny nostalgia.
5. Avengers: Age of Ultron (Metacritic Score: 66)
Technically, Age of Ultron scores a direct tie with Captain America: The First Avenger in terms of critical reception, but its stellar box office opening gives it a slight edge. The second Avengers adventure doesn't quite top their first film; however, its sincere sense of fun easily secures it a top slot as one of the best Marvel movies.
4. The Avengers (Metacritic Score: 69)
You knew only good things would result when they combined the maverick talents of Joss Whedon with an all-star lineup of fan favorite Marvel characters. The Avengers runs neck and neck with Guardians of the Galaxy as the most fun of the Marvel films, with its witty script and playful banter.
3. Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Metacritic Score: 70)
The most recent Captain America film barely edges out The Avengers in a surprising critical upset. Steve Rogers may have a classically simple superhero name, but it's the movie's moral complexity and breakneck action that appealed to audiences, making it one of Marvel's highest grossing films worldwide.
2. Guardians of the Galaxy (Metacritic Score: 76)
Guardians of the Galaxy delivered a breath of fresh air to the often overly-serious world of comic book movies. A collection of scruffy underdogs with an unending barrage of witty jokes make it an easy film to fall in love with. An upbeat catchy soundtrack that captures the movie's energetic spirit catapults Guardians to its status as a new classic.
1. Iron Man (Metacritic Score: 79)
The film that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe remains king of the pack. The first Iron Man simultaneously revitalized Robert Downey Jr.'s career and, along with Batman Begins, made comic book movies very cool again. Ten movies later, Iron Man is still the Marvel movie to beat when it comes to worldwide critical acclaim.
Ben Affleck will take over the role of the Caped Crusader. His new suit and Batmobile made all kinds of waves when first released by director Zack Snyder.
Superman Returns
Of course. Henry Cavill will reprise his role as the Man of Steel. But still, we can't stop wondering: Why are he and Batman battling each other?
Wayne Tower Gets Demolished
Ben Affleck's Batman has retired the cape and cowl–that is, until the Wayne Tower is destroyed by what looks to be Superman's laser vision. Batman, loyal to his city of Gotham, reveals his conflict with the Man of Steel, saying, "He has the power to wipe out the human race ... And we have to destroy him."
The Joker is Terrorizing Batman ... Again
With Jared Leto firmly entrenched as the new Joker, there are hints in the trailer that the Clown Prince of Crime could play a role in the film. He presumably scribbled "you let your family die" on a newspaper and vandalized a suit that reads "Hahah joke's on you Batman."
Lex Luthor is the Big Bad Guy
Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network) will play the iconic role of Lex Luthor, as seen in this sneak peek first revealed by Entertainment Weekly. In the trailer, Luthor proclaims, "The redcapes are coming," a nod to Paul Revere. But does that signify that Luthor views Superman as a savior and not just one of his enemies?
And He Has Kryptonite
Lex Luthor might have hair and government allies in Batman v Superman, but the biggest revelation is the kryptonite fragment shown in the trailer. The impact that kryptonite will have on Superman definitely will be something to keep an eye on.
The Man of Steel Kneels Before Lex Luthor
In one of the more thought-provoking shots from the trailer, Superman is kneeling in front of Lex Luthor. Is this because Luthor has weakened the Man of Steel through kryptonite, or maybe something even worse?
Gal Gadot Debuts as Wonder Woman
Gal Gadot (maybe you saw her in Furious 7?) will bring Wonder Woman to the big screen in the Man of Steel sequel. In the trailer that debuted at Comic-Con, Wonder Woman can be seen using her Bracelets of Submission to cause an explosion. But whose side is she on?
Jeremy Irons is Alfred Pennyworth
As in most Batman films, Alfred Pennyworth will play a huge role in the upcoming film. Jeremy Irons will take over the part of Bruce Wayne's staunchest ally. In the Comic-Con trailer, Alfred returns to the Wayne Manor to question why Batman is warring with Superman, proclaiming that the Man of Steel "is not our enemy."
There's a Brand-New Batsuit
The new suit and smaller ears have been a hot topic since the reveal of Ben Affleck's Caped Crusader outfit.
General Zod Makes an Appearance
General Zod's role is unknown after Superman infamously killed him at the end of Man of Steel. Could Lex Luthor use Zod's body to find a weakness in Superman?
The Batmobile Looks More and More Like a Tank
Batman's new ride looks sleeker, faster and only a little less militarized than Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight-era Batmobile.
Christian Bale Gave Ben Affleck Batman Advice IRL
After running into Christian Bale, the last man to put on the batsuit, Affleck sought out advice for playing the beloved character. Bale's words of wisdom? Make sure you can pee in that suit.
Jason Momoa as Aquaman
Good news! Everybody's favorite Dothraki, Jason Momoa, will bring Aquaman out from the deep ... to unite the seven, apparently.
For one Reddit user, a hobby has turned into a full-time job at the developer of , Deej explained that the Destiny community has grown too large for one person to manage. "The fact of the matter is that there are too many of you for me to handle alone," he wrote. "Sure, I have urk [community and marketing relations manager Eric Osborne] to lead the way, but we both get pulled behind the scenes more and more to make sure you’re informed about the next evolution that Bungie will be hurling at you. But what about the front lines?"
As a result, Cozmo will be engaging with the community, most likely through social media channels and in the forums on Bungie's sites. Deej will still write the Bungie Weekly Updates.
Since he's now an employee of Bungie, Cozmo is stepping down as moderator of the subreddit.
This is likely a move to prepare for the upcoming release of Destiny's next expansion, The Taken King. The expansion launches on September 15 and will cost $40.
The prize pool for Valve's upcoming , for $10. Valve gets a 75 percent cut of each purchase, which means the developer is making a nice chunk of change for this record-setting year.
Now entering its fifth year, The International takes place at the KeyArena in Seattle August 3-8.
In a surprise move today, tech giant Apple has announced a refresh of its iPod Touch.
The new Touch has received a number of changes and improvements from its predecessor, including a better processor, camera, and motion sensor. The changes have made the iPod Touch pretty much equivalent with the iPhone 6 in terms of power.
The new processor, Apple's A8 chip that powers the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, will help the iPod perform faster and run tensive games. It also helps extend the iPod's battery life. Its new camera lets iPod users shoot in slow motion and burst mode for the first time. Additionally, the new Touch includes a better motion sensor and a greatly improved Wifi receiver.
The iPod will continue to have a 4-inch screen. It has a similar metallic body to the iPhone 6. It comes in six colors: space gray, silver, pink, gold, blue, and, exclusive to the Apple Store, red. It'll cost you $199 for a 16 GB model, $249 for 32 GB, or $299 for 64 GB. A 128 GB model is available for $399 only through the Apple Store.
Apple has also changed the iPod Nano and Shuffle lines to have the same colors and look, although their internals have stayed the same.
The new iPod ships with iOS 8 and is on sale now. Will you buy a new iPod Touch? Let us know in the comments below.
Excelling in sport means knowing when a moment is outside of your control and recognizing when an opportunity is there to seize. In Rocket League, both events occur countless times in any given match--not surprising for a game heavily inspired by soccer. It caters to the competitive realist who thrills in having sole control of the ball for a few seconds despite knowing it can be snatched at any time. The best part is that you get to kill opponents' dreams and agonize in your own losses from the comfort of a very, very fast car.
Every moment in Rocket League demands split-second judgment. Are you the assertive type who takes control of the immediate situation at the risk of being in the middle of a chaotic, unpredictable scrum? Are you more of a long-term planner, one who watches your cohorts fight over a ball in a corner with the confidence that the ball will inevitably escape. When this happens, are you ready at the top of the penalty arc with the hope that the loose ball will roll between you and the goal? This echoes Wayne Gretzky's words of wisdom: "A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player plays where the puck is going to be." Rocket League offers countless opportunities to be Gretzky--or Nostradamus.
Rocket League thrives on speed and momentum. This is best exemplified by the gravity-defying excitement of driving up the side of any of the game's arenas. This ability is useful as well as thrilling. Without the curves along the edges of the pitch, cars would simply bang into the wall. Constantly having to reverse and make three-point turns over a five-minute match would be a disappointing series of momentum-ending buzzkills. Rocket League has none of these obstacles. The curved corners means you do not lose momentum. Your tires will smoothly caress these bends as you ride the walls horizontally, chasing the ball in parallel with rest of the cars on the pitch. Given that the ceiling is also fair game, every player will feel compelled to attempt a gravity-defying loop across the width of the roof. The game's physics and your limited boost will prevent you from completing such a stunt, but you'll attempt it anyway.
The ball in play is comparable to that perpetually bouncing beach ball you find at every music festival, only slightly less buoyant. It bounces and flies in unpredictable directions when touched by two parties at the same time. This is where fortune favors the Rocket League sportsperson who embraces chaos. Transcendence comes when you realize you don't have to be in control of the ball at all times; you should chase it only when you think you can make a difference.
Getting a "first touch" credit during a drop ball is as tough as it sounds.
A goal scored ends the fleeting, yet fulfilled, existence of a ball. In its death, the ball's life is celebrated with a literal bang. It's a colorful, smoke-filled explosion that sends all the cars flying away at heights and velocities that would kill any human in real life. It is so spectacular that you can't help but savor the blast, even if you weren't on the team that scored. Rocket League is that rare kind of video-game sport where you're compelled to play your best, even when you're being blown out 5-1 and there's only a minute left on the clock.
There's no shortage of advanced ball handling in online multiplayer. In Rocket League, experience leads to tactical thinking. Tactical thinking leads to performing with finesse. You cannot open car doors to use them like arms; that would be the equivalent of a handball in soccer. Instead, you can spin your car forwards, backwards, and sideways, which is analogous to bicycle kicks and headers. Once you learn to use these moves to advance the ball, you are soon ricocheting shots on goal. Over time, you also discover that your chances of scoring are boosted by hitting the car closest to the ball rather than the ball itself. It's all obvious highlight reel material, which is why the replay save option is so welcome. Learning and mastering these advanced moves makes playing Rocket League endlessly absorbing, even after you've logged over 50 matches.
The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match.
. The only variables are the team sizes, A.I. difficulty, and season lengths. This lack of flexibility adds legitimacy to the sport, mirroring the steadfast traditions within many professional sports, some of which are over a hundred years old.The only thing better than a car with a Viking helmet and bubble exhausts are detailed blades of grass.
This thoughtfulness extends to the studio's crafting of a convincing world where Rocket League is the number one sport. You see it in the multi-tier, sold-out arenas and you hear it from the indistinct chants of allegiance from the fans. The crowd goes 'Oooohhhh!' or 'Aaaaahh!', whether it's a goal or a key ball hit at midfield. These sprinkles of realism aren't strictly necessary but are greatly appreciated; for instance, the pitch itself features blades of grass that all move independently. These manicured fields are best admired during the pre-match camera shots, but you can't be faulted for staring at them in the middle of a game. They are complemented by the myriad customization parts, from wildly swinging antenna flags to neon-blue engine exhaust trails.
The joy of Rocket League rests on the countless plans that are conceived and discarded every other second in any given match. Trying to predict where and how the ball will bounce next is a game within the game. Despite the use of cars, Rocket League emulates the emotional surges typical of The Beautiful Game, such as the rush of an unexpected fast break or a well-timed header into a goal. With Rocket League, the promising concept of combining two wonderful things--cars and soccer--is equally magnificent in execution. You can't say the same thing about, say, combining cake and fruit to make fruitcake, as the comedian Jim Gaffigan observed.
Miguel Concepcion finds Rocket League delivers all the refinements and improvements befitting a sports sequel, and is a brilliantly boisterous and enthralling game in its own right.
Have you ever wondered what Sonic the Hedgehog would look like running around a gorgeous open environment created using the Unreal Engine 4? Wonder no more.
The character roster for Blizzard Entertainment's free-to-play his enemies and, in the process, reduce his death timer so that he can get back into the action more quickly. When he does respawn, he'll do so at the location of his wraith.
King Leoric becomes the third character from the Diablo franchise added to Heroes of the Storm as part of its Eternal Conflict update. The others are Johanna the Crusader and The Butcher.
With the tragic passing of Nintendo CEO Saturo Iwata, Justin, Peter and Danny take a look back at his greatest achievements and ponder what this means for Nintendo's future.
The majority of game fans in the UK still prefer to buy boxed software over digital downloads, a new study has claimed.
Of about 2,000 people surveyed, only a quarter said they preferred to download their games.
In a survey conducted by Broadband Genie, about 39 percent of 2,000 UK gamers said they preferred to buy physical software over digital. By contrast, a quarter said they preferred to download their games. The remaining 36 percent said they had no preference.
Everybody loves (Jade) Raymond. EA's opening a new studio called Motive, and this is a really good thing. Honest.
Watch extended gameplay footage from God of War III Remastered featuring the Giant Bomb crew.
Check out the first eight minutes of Arkham Knight's Batgirl DLC.
Miguel Concepcion finds Rocket League delivers all the refinements and improvements befitting a sports sequel, and is a brilliantly boisterous and enthralling game in its own right.
With the tragic passing of Nintendo CEO Saturo Iwata, Justin, Peter and Danny take a look back at his greatest achievements and ponder what this means for Nintendo's future.
