I love old-school RPGs and a new release hit me in the nostalgia | 90T3OQC | 2024-05-04 15:08:01
SUIKODEN is one of the best JRPG series, but it had its heyday back when the PS One was king.
Eiyuden Chronicle is the spiritual successor to the Suikoden series and it almost lives up to its incredible legacy.
I love old-school RPGs and a new release hit me in the nostalgiaRabbit & Bear StudiosEiyuden Chronicle is perfect for old-school gamers[/caption]
More than anything, Eiyuden Chronicle is a tribute to the fans, and a new entry to the series in everything but name.
It offers a fresh take on the Suikoden games, while offering everything that gave the classics such a huge fanbase.
You're a young commoner that is given the task of building a resistance farce to fight against an imperial army with crooked nobles.
As the name Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes suggests, you can recruit up to 100 people to take part in turn-based battles.
These come in three types: your traditional combat, duels, and wars. It also has other traditional Suikoden features like base-building, minigames and a virtual economy.
You might have 100 people in your army, but you can only take up to six characters in traditional battles, though large allies will take up more than one slot.
This means you can make good synergies within your team by adding heroes who buff, heal and deal physical or magical damage.
Every character has their use, and you'll find that missing a piece of the puzzle will significantly reduce your chances of success.
Then you need to consider who sits in the front or back row based on how much damage they take and deal, and it adds a further tactical layer.
Some won't like the way Eiyuden Chronicle approaches random encounters, where even basic fights can be a grind.
However, you can auto-battle these and save your strength for the gruelling boss fights.
The focus – as with all Suikoden games – is on building your base and your army, and this is where it shines.
You collect resources as you travel, and different partners will use specific skills to build up your base.
Wars play out like most strategy games where you build small units to take on the opposing army.
Then it switches things up again by introducing one-on-one duels for specific conflicts and rivalries.
The strength of having this huge amount of characters is that there are dozens of compelling ones, so everyone can find a favourite.
The minigames aren't as compelling as you'll remember from games like Suikoden 2, and the war battles are relatively simple when you have the strength in numbers.
Fans of Suikoden will certainly enjoy Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes as a worthy successor, but it may be a little inaccessible to modern players.
If you want to read more about upcoming games, check out our Hades 2 preview.
Get the lowdown on more of the latest PS5 releases from our expert reviewers.
I love the games and the Fallout TV show blew all my expectations away | 90T3OQC | 2024-05-04 15:08:01
THE Last of Us opened up the world of video game stories to those who only watch TV, so it seems right that another post-apocalyptic series would try to take the crown of best video game adaptation.
Despite the similarity of the situations, those who have played both game series know the tone is completely different.
I love the games and the Fallout TV show blew all my expectations awayThe humans on the surface aren't what Lucy was expectingPrime Video
Even on console, The Last of Us is a dark drama about relationships and loneliness, while Fallout has a goofy sense of humour that carries over into the show.
Set in an alternate, retro-futuristic 1950s USA, the show begins with the dropping of a nuclear bomb on LA.
Then there's another, and a few more, and it works as a horrifying backdrop to American suburbia.
We fast forward a few hundred years, and humanity now lives entirely in underground vaults.
Lucy MacLean wanders out into the wasteland that is post-apocalyptic LA in search of her missing father, only to find that humans still live on the surface, in a way.
The humans left on the surface have morphed into immortal ghouls via the radiation, and have little humanity left.
Lucy's naivety to the horrors going on above ground works as a great entry point for the audience who are equally in the dark.
Instead of dark drama, the situation is played for laughs as shootouts are balanced out with jaunty '30s tunes.
There are still moments of horror though, from the brutal militarism of The Brotherhood of Steel, to a remorseless ghoul bounty hunter.
Aside from Lucy, Maximus of the Brotherhood, and The Ghoul round out our trio of protagonists all with intertwining stories.
Fallout shines in its execution, with line delivery that catches you off guard, and wacky situations that trip you up.
It's this marriage of the horrific with the hilarious that makes Fallout so endearing.
It can be gruesome at times, with the show not afraid to carve off a limb or split a head in two, but there's a lightness of touch that offsets the weighty themes of nuclear destruction.
Fallout also explores the world before the apocalypse, something that you don't see in the games.
Britney Spears' pals 'don't like ex Paul Soliz' & fear 'weirdos from the past' are back on scene after hotel 'breakdown' | 6470B42 | 2024-05-04 13:08:02
BRITNEY Spears' friends are not fans of her on/off boyfriend Paul Soliz and fear 'weirdos from the past' are back on the scene after her reported meltdown at a Los Angeles hotel.
Britney Spears' pals 'don't like ex Paul Soliz' & fear 'weirdos from the past' are back on scene after hotel 'breakdown'GettyBritney Spears hit back at claims she had a near mental breakdown in a series of Instagram posts[/caption]
Britney Spears' pals 'don't like ex Paul Soliz' & fear 'weirdos from the past' are back on scene after hotel 'breakdown'Coleman-RaynerShe has been romantically linked to her former housekeeper, Paul Richard Soliz, since her separation[/caption]
Britney, 42, was seen with marks on her knees and looked disheveled in photographs published by The Daily Mail as she stepped out of the hotel followed by Soliz and her security guard.
Sources reportedly told law enforcement a woman matching her description was "harassing and threatening hotel employees and guests," and was crying and shouting in the hotel corridor.
Now, an insider has told The U.S. Sun that friends are not impressed she is back with Soliz and fear bad influences from her past have been circulating to try and take advantage of her.
In February, she insisted she was single, but has been linked to Soliz ever since she split from her ex-husband Sam Asghari, who filed for divorce in August 2023.
"We know that a few weirdos from her past have been trying to get back into her life," the source said. "But all we can do as her friends is give her legal reps the heads up if we think any of them could cause problems for her."
They said her attorney, Mathew Rosengart, who has been praised by the singer since the incident, is "very proactive."
"None of us want her to go to Boston and this is the first time we'd heard of it, but she doesn't feel safe in LA," the source continued.
"Do any of us trust this Paul guy? No. But she knows she can't trust her parents either.
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"It's easy for predators to target her because they know she doesn't have the protection of her family. But yes, none of us like Paul. We are concerned about her.
"She needs support and someone who has their eye on her heart and not her hard-earned cash.
"To some of us, it feels like he came out of nowhere and we don't trust that he isn't just a grifter.
"Once again, if her parents were stand-up people she could turn to them for guidance but she knows they aren't so she can't."
The U.S. Sun has tried to track down Soliz who has not spoken publicly about their reported romance.
Britney's rep and lawyer also failed to reply to comment calls.
Following reports of her hotel situation, the source added that Britney "believes that she is the target of a smear campaign".
'PHYSICAL ALTERCATION'
They said, "She finds it comical that some are concerned that she can't manage her own life, but were very confident that she could manage the stress of live performances and TV appearances when they're making money from her."
Police arrived at 10:30 pm at the Chateau Marmont on Wednesday but left as they felt there was no issue with the star.
Britney and her boyfriend went back to her hotel room at 11 pm, where sources claimed they got into a physical altercation and she injured her leg.
"I really twisted my ankle last night like an idiot just to show proof. Don't look at my feet I need a manicure," she later said in an Instagram video.
"It's so bad. F***ing idiot here tries to do a leap in the living room at the Chateau and I fell, embarrassed myself and that's it."
She claimed that paramedics caused a "huge and unnecessary scene" and that "all she needed was ice."
Britney then blamed her estranged mom Lynne for law enforcement being called.
"I know my mom was involved!!! I haven't talked to her in 6 months and she called right after it happened before the news being out!!!" she wrote.
The reported meltdown came after news she had finalized her divorce with her ex-husband, Sam, 30.
Britney Spears' pals 'don't like ex Paul Soliz' & fear 'weirdos from the past' are back on scene after hotel 'breakdown'Getty
Her ex Sam has not publicly commented on the hotel incident after their divorce was finalized this week[/caption]
Britney Spears' pals 'don't like ex Paul Soliz' & fear 'weirdos from the past' are back on scene after hotel 'breakdown'Getty
Britney claimed paramedics overreacted after someone phone 911 and she only needed ice for her injured ankle[/caption]
Britney Spears reveals ankle injury in video after 'fight' with boyfriend Paul at LA hotel – but singer blames mom Lynne | 6470B42 | 2024-05-04 13:08:02
BRITNEY Spears has revealed the injury she received while at a hotel in Los Angeles, California.
Britney Spears reveals ankle injury in video after 'fight' with boyfriend Paul at LA hotel – but singer blames mom LynneInstagram/britneyspearsBritney Spears has shared a video of her ankle injury[/caption]
Britney Spears reveals ankle injury in video after 'fight' with boyfriend Paul at LA hotel – but singer blames mom LynneGettyOn Tuesday night, it was reported that Britney and her boyfriend Paul got into a 'fight' at the Chateau Marmont[/caption]
Britney Spears reveals ankle injury in video after 'fight' with boyfriend Paul at LA hotel – but singer blames mom LynneGetty'I really twisted my ankle last night like an idiot,' the singer said[/caption]
That evening, sources claimed that the two got into a fight in their hotel room and when paramedics came, witnesses said she hurt her leg.
On Thursday, Britney, 42, showed her 42 million Instagram followers her ankle injury in a few videos.
In the first, the Toxic hitmaker revealed her swollen foot, "I really twisted my ankle last night like an idiot just to show proof. Don't look at my feet I need a manicure.
"It's so bad. F***ing idiot here tries to do a leap in the living room at the Chateau and I fell, embarrassed myself and that's it.
"Paramedics came to my door illegally, of course, caused this huge scene which was so unnecessary and all I needed was ice.
"It is actually pretty bad but s**t happens."
In the second video, she compared her left ankle to her right, which is the one that's swollen.
'I KNOW SHE WAS INVOLVED!'
The last slide was a picture of her lawyer Mathew Rosengart.
In her caption, the Crossroads actress blamed her mom Lynne for the incident.
"I know my mom was involved!!! I haven't talked to her in 6 months and she called right after it happened before the news being out!!! I was set up just like she did way back when!!! I wish I had grandparents!!! I can't stand her!!! I honestly don't care I will say it.
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"Psss this man is wonderful!!! He's like a father to me and he got me through last night!!! I adore you and admire you mister Mathew."
WHAT WENT DOWN
Before Britney and Paul's alleged fight, TMZ reported that a woman matching the pop star's description was threatening and harassing the hotel employees and guests.
Officers arrived at the scene around 10:30 PM, but left due to no signs of disturbance.
That's when Britney and Paul went upstairs to their room when authorities were called.
On Thursday morning, Britney was spotted leaving the hotel while covering herself in a blanket and holding a large pillow.
That same day, Britney released a statement about what really happened.
"I would like respect at this time for people to understand I am getting stronger everyday!!! Truth sucks so can someone teach me how to lie???
"Goddesses out there, I'm reaching my higher power and furthermore, I hope you guys are too!!! I need a new toothbrush right now. PS… I need an espresso.
"PSS… Not sure why I feel I need to share this… I guess I'm just a girl and I'm on my period so I'm bitchy… s**t. I also twisted my ankle last night and paramedics showed up at my door illegally.
"They never came in my room but I felt completely harassed. I'm moving to Boston!!! Peace."
Britney Spears reveals ankle injury in video after 'fight' with boyfriend Paul at LA hotel – but singer blames mom LynneGetty
Britney blamed her mom for the huge incident, I know my mom was involved!!! I haven't talked to her in 6 months and she called right after it happened before the news being out[/caption]
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Britney Spears reveals ankle injury in video after 'fight' with boyfriend Paul at LA hotel – but singer blames mom LynneGetty
Britney claimed in the clip that she tried to do a leap in her hotels living room and hurt herself[/caption]
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationship | 6470B42 | 2024-05-04 13:08:02
BRITNEY Spears has shared a throwback photo with her teenage sons as she has been attempting to mend her relationship with them.
The pop sensation shared a rare Instagram photo of her lying in bed with Jayden James, 17, and Sean Preston, 18, when they were young kids.
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipInstagram/britneyspearsBritney Spears shared a rare throwback photo while cuddling her sons Sean and Preston in bed when they were young kids[/caption]
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipInstagram/britneyspearsBritney's newest upload comes as a source recently revealed the pop singer is attempting to mend the relationships with her now-teenage sons[/caption]
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipGettyBritney's sons currently live in Hawaii with their dad, Kevin Federline, and his wife Victoria[/caption]
The sweet photo started off her carousel post, which was completed with a mix of different photos and videos.
Britney, 42, was seen lying down between her two sons as the three cuddled with their eyes closed.
The Circus hitmaker included other throwback shots with her sons in the carousel, along with a selfie video and photos to show off her outfits.
She also included an inspirational quote and a photo of cane sugar in the upload.
For the caption, the singer went with a flower between two star emojis.
In 2022, Kevin revealed that Sean and Preston hadn't seen their mom for months and chose not to attend her wedding to Sam Asghari.
Britney and Sam split in August 2023, and their divorce was finalized just this week.
After Britney's sons asked their mom to stop stripping and dancing on Instagram, the singer said she "gave them everything" and was "saddened" by their comments.
The pop star also deleted her Instagram earlier this week, just hours after saying she had been "hurt" by her family.
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BUILDING BRIDGES
The Wednesday upload comes after The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed Britney was attempting to mend her relationships with her now-teenage boys.
A source said that after a "perplexing and stress-filled few weeks," Britney has been trying to "build bridges" with her two sons.
The Las Vegas insider said Britney is scared she could "lose touch forever with the boys" after an up-and-down last few years.
"This legal issue and loss with her dad has made her want to patch up her problems with the kids," they said.
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Britney has also been dealing with the lost battle of making her dad "pay for her conservatorship."
After the singer failed to make her dad, Jamie Spears, be held accountable for controlling her life over the past 13 years, the source labeled Britney as "numb."
"Britney has felt like her voice has been taken away again because she thought that a trial against her dad could show the world how she felt mistreated and cheated," they stated.
"But now that possibility has come to an end, she has been reflecting on rebuilding her family, or at least trying.
"Her relationship with her sons has not been non-existent in the last couple of years. But she wants to try again and get them back in her life.
"There is a sense that after feeling let down by her father she doesn't want her boys to ever feel that way with her.
"She has reached out to spend some time with them over there and move forward.
"They have kept their distance from her, preferring to be with Kevin and Victoria, but Britney is open to making peace with everyone and building into a modern-day family."
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipGetty
Britneys relationship with her sons has been on the rocks over the past few years, with them refusing to attend her wedding to Sam Asghari[/caption]
'
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipInstagram/britneyspears
Britney hit back and said she was saddened by her sons comments after they showed distaste over her revealing Instagram content[/caption]
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"In recent weeks she has spoken more about making sure the boys really know how much 'mom misses them,'" the source added.
Kevin has been married to Victoria Prince since 2013.
RECENT VERDICT
Britney's lawyer, Mathew Rosengart, recently revealed the conservatorship case with her estranged father had ended.
The celeb wanted to fight in court over payments made from her accounts and her father's control during the 13-year conservatorship.
Britney claimed her father was an abuser in 2021, saying he forced her into a mental health facility and controlled multiple facets of her life.
Jamie responded by saying that he was only protecting his daughter as she went through various struggles.
Another insider close to Britney said she just wanted "justice" and told her lawyer to push the case that Jamie had stolen money from her.
They also claimed that Britney now has to pay her father over $2.2 million, with her lawyer receiving a similar amount.
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipGetty
Sources said Britney has reached out to her sons and wants to spend more time with them moving forward[/caption]
Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipInstagram
Britneys lawyer recently revealed the conservatorship case with her estranged father, Jamie, had officially ended[/caption]
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Britney Spears shares very rare pic with sons Sean, 18, and Jayden, 17, as singer tries to mend their relationshipGC Images
Britney attempted to put up a fight regarding her dads 13-year conservatorship but will now reportedly have to pay him over $2.2 million[/caption]
Britney Spears' sister Jamie Lynn only 'worried' about singer's well-being after latest social media insultsITVBritney Spears' sister Jamie Lynn is reportedly unfazed by the star's harsh comments about her[/caption]
Britney Spears' sister Jamie Lynn only 'worried' about singer's well-being after latest social media insultsInstagram/britneyspearsBritney ranted about her sister earlier this week in a since-deleted Instagram Story video[/caption]
However, according to TMZ, Jamie Lynn, 33, isn't bothered in the slightest by the Toxic singer's words and thinks her outbursts are a good thing.
A source reportedly told the outlet that Jamie Lynn's only focus is on Britney's health and well-being and that she doesn't mind her smack talk.
They claimed that the Zoey 101 alum welcomed the performer's remarks because it meant she was still alive.
On Tuesday, Britney went off on Jamie Lynn while driving down a windy road with her assistant.
Britney Spears' sister Jamie Lynn only 'worried' about singer's well-being after latest social media insultsDisney General Entertainment ConJamie Lynn is reportedly only concerned about Britney's health and well-being[/caption]
While in the jungle, Jamie Lynn expressed how much she missed her two kids: Maddie, 15, and Ivey, five.
Britney joked about her sister being on the show and her behavior throughout her short-lived appearance.
"They bathed her in the jungle, little s**t. She said, 'Bathe me cause I'm stuck in the jungle and I miss my kids. Oh! Cater to me.' Little b***h," she said.
The actress continued her rant by noting that if she went camping in the jungle, she would be rescued by helicopter, seemingly mocking Jamie Lynn's departure.
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Britney captioned her post, "I like talking like my assistant… she's British! I wanna be a little bitch and get a bath in the jungle like my sis."
The video quickly circulated online before it was deleted, and fans shared their thoughts about Britney's tirade.
"Love the entire story she posted. She seems to be in great spirits! And how I missed her laugh!" one person wrote on an online forum.
"This is so cute and it's nice hearing Brit talk for the first time in ages," said another.
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"I just love anything where Brit is having fun. She seems like she's fun and has a great sense of humor," chimed in a third.
"I love to hear her laugh and joke…she's so funny. I'm glad she's getting out and living her life.
"I hope each day she heals a little bit more than the day before," someone else added.
Based on Britney's other posts – including one where she admitted it's "good to be alive" – it seems the superstar is keeping her spirits up despite having a rough week in the news.
LEGAL BATTLE
On Friday, TMZ reported that Britney's years-long legal battle with her father, Jamie, 71, had ended.
The outcome, however, wasn't what the Mickey Mouse Club alum hoped for.
Jamie was initially looking for compensation of more than $2 million for hiring legal help for Britney during her 13-year conservatorship and for her to pay his legal fees.
Britney was released from her conservatorship in 2021, and she's since bashed her family for their treatment of her while under her father's care.
Britney Spears vows to flee LA and 'move to Boston' after cops tended to barefoot star over 'fight' with boyfriend Paul | 6470B42 | 2024-05-04 13:08:02
BRITNEY Spears has responded to the recent reports of her needing medical attention earlier this week.
Britney Spears vows to flee LA and 'move to Boston' after cops tended to barefoot star over 'fight' with boyfriend PaulBritney Spears has responded to reports about her getting into a fight with her boyfriend PaulInstagram/britneyspears
Britney Spears vows to flee LA and 'move to Boston' after cops tended to barefoot star over 'fight' with boyfriend PaulGettyOn Thursday, She shared her statement on her Instagram[/caption]
Britney Spears vows to flee LA and 'move to Boston' after cops tended to barefoot star over 'fight' with boyfriend PaulINSTAGRAM/BRITNEY SPEARSIt was reported that Britney and Paul got into a fight at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, California[/caption]
On her Instagram, she wrote, "Just to let people know… the news is fake!!!
"I would like respect at this time for people to understand I am getting stronger everyday!!! Truth sucks so can someone teach me how to lie???
"Goddesses out there, I'm reaching my higher power and furthermore, I hope you guys are too!!! I need a new toothbrush right now. PS… I need an espresso.
"PSS… Not sure why I feel I need to share this… I guess I'm just a girl and I'm on my period so I'm bitchy… s**t. I also twisted my ankle last night and paramedics showed up at my door illegally.
"They never came in my room but I felt completely harassed. I'm moving to Boston!!! Peace."
WHAT WENT DOWN
On Wednesday night, TMZ reported that Paul and Britney got into a fight at the Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, California.
It was also noted that a woman matching Britney's description was allegedly threatening and harassing hotel employees and guests.
Officers arrived at the scene around 10:30 PM and left due to no signs of trouble.
Britney and her beau reportedly went up to their room around 11 PM where witnesses revealed they got in an altercation.
One source said she injured her leg during their physical argument.
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Authorities returned to the glamorous hotel where the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed to The U.S. Sun that one female was injured.
Their statement said, "No specifics regarding the injury were provided. One paramedic was dispatched. No one was hospitalized. There was no police.
"The LAFD left at 1:17 AM."
THE NEXT DAY
On Thursday morning, The Daily Mail reported that Britney was escorted out of the hotel.
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She had a blanket wrapped around her body as she was still in her pajamas and held onto a white pillow
