Star Wars Battlefront review: The Force is strong while it lasts

It exists in its own world – but what a world that is, a crisply rendered, gloriously soundtracked facsimile of a handful of key Star Wars locations in which to do battle with heroes and villains. Hoth, Endor, Tatooine, Vader, Palpatine, Skywalker, Millennium Falcon – the names alone will be enough to give fans a shiver.

Unlike many modern shooters, Battlefront developer DICE attempts to tell no story bar the ones you write yourself. Nor is the game crammed with dozens of weapons or a complex levelling-up system.

Instead, it presents a nostalgic playground filled with echoes of the original trilogy and invites to you to toy with its box of tricks. And when it works, it works magnificently.

Single-player mode hasn’t much going for it, save to serve as a tutorial for the basic mechanics, to teach you the 12 maps and to introduce the recharging perks system (eg, jetpack, automated gun turret, etc). Kudos, though, for the old-school nod to split-screen enthusiasts who like to game in the same room.

Multiplayer changes everything, with Supremacy mode the standout. Up to 40 players tussle for three control points on the map. It’s thrilling stuff, with some players on the ground, some in aircraft and occasionally an appearance from the likes of Luke or Darth. These superheroes or villains can easily turn the tide of the battle so, thankfully, the power-ups that turn players into one or other are shortlived and relatively scarce.

One mode pits X-Wings versus TIE Fighters in an aerial dogfight but it turns out much less fun than you’d expect thanks to unremarkable handling.

A series of less crowded ground-based fights including 6-vs-6 and 3-vs-3 provide a modicum of variety but nothing tops the sensory overload of the 20-vs-20 Supremacy mode and its close analogue Walker Assault featuring lumbering AT-ATs.

Yet there’s a slight hollowness at Battlefront’s core. The shooting lacks the satisfying precision of, say, Destiny, and the limited number of maps soon becomes overfamiliar.

Given that Battlefront is a close cousin of DICE’s revered Battlefield series, the lack of strategic options ranks as a disappointment. Limited customisation and loadout variety indicate that DICE doesn’t want to alienate a mainstream audience with overcomplication. But the decision limits the game’s long-term appeal.

More maps and modes are promised but, for now, Battlefront proves a shallow though enjoyable romp.

The Nathan Drake Collection review – The maestro of adventure remastered

It’s fitting that almost a year after Microsoft released the Halo: The Master Chief Collection, Sony’s star should get his turn in Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection.

In the box you get the original three adventures: Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune; Uncharted 2: Among Thieves and Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception.

Each title has been remastered by Bluepoint Games, who had form with such sacred tasks after successfully delivering revamped versions of God of War, Ico and Shadow of the Colossus.

Booting up the collection is like walking in to a local bar after years of being away. The stories sound familiar, the walls have had a new lick of paint and it soon forces a smile at remembered good times.

Naughty Dog’s now renowned respect for narrative and character development shines from the very beginning of Drake’s Fortune. Nate still has the roguish charm to make him instantly likeable and the effort is extended to the majority of main characters. Each game sets up a story that's easy to get engrossed in and ultimately feel satisfied by.

Bluepoint have done an excellent job making the graphics suitably impressive, at least initially. New textures and lighting effects make an eight-year-old game shine again. There’s a comparative wow factor at first, but it soon begins to fade, limited by the foundation Bluepoint had to build on.

Of the three games, only Drake’s Fortune actually feels like an obvious remaster. There are points where the new textures look great, worthy of a photograph, but around the next corner is a dated particle effect or design decision forced by graphical limitations. Of course, the good news is the other two games look great throughout.

Uncharted 2 was a major progression at its time of release and has taken nicely to the new graphics. As a near-unanimous game of the year winner, Among Thieves’ class still shines through. Both Uncharted 2 and 3 get very close to feeling like native PS4 games and only rare moments of flat textures remind you of the truth.

Bluepoint have made the three games feel like a genuine collection. Combat is more consistent over the trilogy and new animations give the feel that you’re playing with the same character throughout. The bump up to 60fps across the board is a noticeable improvement, adding to the fluidity of affairs.

To add a little spice to the mix, three new modes have been included. Speed Run sets up a timer for certain parts of the game, allowing you to scramble with a purpose across familiar levels. Explorer mode is for players focused on the platforming and story elements, easing off on the combat that can admittedly feel like a chore at times. Finally there’s the addition of Brutal Difficulty mode, providing an extra challenge for players who think they’ve conquered all before.

Additional features include new trophies and a photo mode to capture all those fancy new graphics. Multiplayer modes have been stripped out, but it's a case of good riddance.

While the three new modes certainly allow for a replay without the exact same experience, there’s the slight niggling that there could have been more included. The collection updates the feel of the three games and little more. There’s no ‘making of’ style content or additional service for fans. With Uncharted 4 marking the final game centred on Nathan Drake as a protagonist, chances are the reverential ultimate Uncharted bundle will span the treasure hunters whole career, while this collection is merely bringing PS4 owners up to date on his adventures.

Seems odd to release “The Nathan Drake Collection” while the old boy still has one run in him.

In a time when binge-watching and box-sets rule the roost, it’s good to be able to do the same with games of this quality. This collection allows you to kick back with an old reliable friend that’s not Tony Soprano for once and not feel cheated. The stories are still strong, the set pieces still impressive and the experience enjoyable.

Uncharted: The Nathan Drake Collection gives a new lease of life to three great games. For big fans and those who have never been dazzled by Drake’s cheeky smile, it’s surely a must-buy. For veterans looking for something more, the €74.99 asking price may be too much for a cosmetic makeover, but the collection will still bring at least a smile. You’ve definitely never seen the old boy look so good.

Forza Motorsport 6 review: The new raining champion

The previous instalment impugned Forza’s impeccable credentials with a paucity of courses and cars, not to mention an intrusive microtransaction model. But developer Turn 10 appears to have learned from the backlash and Forza 6 delivers the goods in spades.

Raw numbers don’t make a game but with 450 machines and 26 tracks, Forza 6 doubles the content and restores the franchise to the lofty heights of Forza 4. But the new game goes considerably further, polishing up the visuals to a dazzling sheen, intensifying the handling and introducing a stunning wet-weather system.

Not every one of the 26 tracks had been modelled in the wet but on those that have, the racing changes out of all recognition when the rain comes down. Puddles gather at corners and rivers cross the straights. Just as on a real road, the cars aquaplane and skid dramatically when you hit the water.

Somewhat disappointingly, however, the effect of rain isn’t dynamically modelled. The pools of water always form in the same places and in the same shapes, which detracts from the pleasure of repeated exposure to the elements.

Elsewhere, though, Forza’s thrilling racing stretches across several disciplines – except rally, sadly. New “perk” cards – such as extra grip or more power – modify the challenge from race to race, according to taste. These cards – called “Mods” – require in-game currency earned from skilled racing.

Thankfully, Turn 10 has resisted the temptation for now to sully the perks with microtransactions – but hasn’t ruled out reintroducing some form of grubby money interactions in a future update. Alas, the curse of launch-day DLC does besmirch Forza’s reputation, with no fewer than three packs available already, each with their own exclusive cars.

Nonetheless, what’s on the disc offers a wealth of content and will keep you racing for yonks. An expansive single-player mode includes Stories of Motorsport, which straddles street racing to open-wheelers. Interspersed at regular intervals are Showcase events, which drop you into a random supercar or event that gives you a taste of the high end of motoring.

Best of all in career mode, there’s no more unskippable voiceover from Jeremy Clarkson, though James May and Richard Hammond put in appearances. But you can’t have everything.

Forza 6 isn’t perfect – we’re still waiting for fully dynamic weather, for instance – but with its gorgeous car porn and challenging opponents, it takes console racing to a new level.

Extra screen time 'hits GCSE grades'

An extra hour a day of television, internet or computer game time in Year 10 is linked to poorer grades at GCSE, a Cambridge University study suggests.

The researchers recorded the activities of more than 800 14-year-olds and analysed their GCSE results at 16.

Those spending an extra hour a day on screens saw a fall in GCSE results equivalent to two grades overall.

"Reducing screen time could have important benefits," said co-author Dr Esther van Sluijs.

Activity monitored

The researchers analysed the habits of 845 pupils from schools in Cambridgeshire and Suffolk at the age of 14 years and six months.

The pupils heights and weights were recorded, and they had to wear a physical activity monitor for five days including a weekend.

They were also asked to complete a questionnaire detailing the amount of time they spent on:

homework
reading for pleasure
physical activity
watching TV
playing video games
non-homework time online

The researchers correlated the data with the pupils' GCSEs, taken the following year.

Pupils who did an extra hour of homework and reading performed better than their peers, while extra physical activity appeared to have no effect on academic performance.

On average, the 14-year-olds said they spent four hours of their leisure time each day watching TV or in front of a computer.

The researchers found an additional hour of screen-time each day was associated with 9.3 fewer GCSE points at 16 - the equivalent of dropping a grade in two subjects.

Two extra hours of screen-time was associated with 18 fewer points - or dropping a grade in four subjects.

The results also suggested extra time spent watching TV had the most detrimental effect on grades.

Pupils who put in an extra hour of homework or spent the time reading, did better in their GCSEs, scoring 23 points more than the average.

But even if pupils spent more time studying, more time spent watching TV or online, still harmed their results, the analysis suggested.

Extra time on moderate to vigorous physical activity had no effect on academic achievement.

'Reliable snapshot'

"We believe that programmes aimed at reducing screen time could have important benefits for teenagers' exam grades, as well as their health," said Dr Van Sluijs, of the Medical Research Council's Centre for Diet and Activity Research at Cambridge University.

"It is also encouraging that our results show that greater physical activity does not negatively affect exam results.

"As physical activity has many other benefits, efforts to promote physical activity throughout the day should still be a public health priority."

Lead author Dr Kirsten Corder said the measurements taken on the Year 10 pupils represented "a reliable snapshot of participants' usual behaviour".

She added: "So this is roughly equivalent to two grades lower for one subject, one grade lower in two subjects.

"We followed these students over time so we can be relatively confident of our results and we can cautiously infer that TV viewing may lead to lower GCSE results but we certainly can't be certain."

"Further research is needed to confirm this effect conclusively, but parents who are concerned about their child's GCSE grade might consider limiting his or her screen time."

Dr Corder suggested there could be various reasons for the link, including "substitution of television for other healthier behaviours or behaviours better for academic performance, or perhaps some cognitive mechanisms in the brain".

Fantastic Four Movie Review: It's Not So Fantastic

Let me just save you some money this weekend and tell you not to watch Fantastic Four… or should I say NOT SO Fantastic Four.

It's sad, really. The reboot of Fantastic Four had so much potential. The hype that it built up with its amazing trailer was off the charts, the cast was phenomenal, the CGI was terrific, but somehow it still fell short.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely LOVED the first 45 minutes of the movie. I loved the buildup of the friendships and the characters. I loved the cast. I loved the easy way the story flowed.

I cringed a little by the try-hard way they made the audience laugh, but shrugged it off coz everything else was going pretty smoothly.

In fact, I was so invested in the characters, I almost cried when I saw The Thing and I hated Reed with a passion for a short lil while. But that's when I still loved the movie.

And my gahd, did I squeal when they reached the other dimension. I also died of happiness a little inside when they all got their powers. And then, right after the return of Doom, they lost me. Completely.

Not lost in the sense that I was confused or anything. They kinda just rushed everything after that. Not to mention the fact that the setting was very Terminator Genisys. Except Genisys was better. And that's not saying much.

And the worst part? We waited til the end of the credits with hopes that the after-credits would salvage the movie. THERE WERE NO AFTER-CREDITS. So yeah, that was even more time wasted.

Fantastic Four ruined what could have potentially been a great new beginning for the team. Is it better than the old one? Yeah, I'd say so. I like the darker mood. I like the cast. But they definitely should not have rushed the second half like that.

Is it worth your time and money? I'd say not. Go watch Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation instead. Now THAT's an AMAZING movie. But hey, have I mentioned that I like the cast?