Video Review: Metal Gear Rising

A few thoughts as I play the long awaited demo of Metal Gear Rising

Podcast: Resident Evil 6

Trimmed down from a 20 minute podcast recorded for a University project.

Film Review: Robot and Frank

Clever, funny and moving tale of an old man and his robot.

Retired jewel thief Frank, who refuses to accept his memory trouble, is given a robot care assistant by his son. Frank soon realises he can exploit the robots programming, and the unlikely pair soon try their luck with a multi-million dollar heist.

Set in the near future, Robot and Frank explores the difficulties of old age dementia in a unique and touching way, revolving around Frank’s relationship with his unnamed companion. He resents the robot at first, believing he is capable of looking after himself, but a strange kind of friendship slowly develops, pushed forward more so when Frank discovers the robot’s programming means he will put his new owners well being above even the law. The relationship is both comical and moving as Frank begins to accept the robot as friend despite its inability to display any real emotion or feeling, while the onset of dementia pushes him further away from those closest to him. 

The casting is near perfection, Peter Sarsgaard’s comforting, yet monotonous voice proving a wonderful contrast to the low rasps of Frank Langella. Chemistry between the supporting characters is consistently believable and often very powerful. Susan Sarandon is wonderful as an old fashioned librarian, working in a library which has become something of a hipster relic in a time where technology has moved beyond printed information, the underlying romantic tension between herself and Frank makes for one of the most interesting love stories to be commited to film in recent years.

The beauty behind Robot and Frank is that it tackles the difficult subject old age dementia, and evokes strong emotions from the audience without ever being too heavy. There are many moments throughout the film which genuinely tug at the heartstrings; notably Frank’s refusal to accept that the robot has no feeling as he becomes more attached and the films climax manages to leave barley a dry eye in the house without being melodramatic. This is offset throughout the film with subtle humour in Frank’s incredibly cynical, often sly yet lovable nature bringing a perfect balance to what could have been a very sombre tale.

A real gem of independent cinema, which puts you through all the emotions some of Hollywood’s film makers could only dream of. A sharp script, wonderful cast and plenty of charm make Robot and Frank a must see.

Video Game Review: Online

Metal Gear Solid HD Collection: Review

Revisit some of the finest moments of Playstations biggest series in this lovingly restored three game collection. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater and, previously exclusive to PSP Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker are all rendered in beautiful HD for the first time. The collection will be available on both PS3 and Xbox 360 which is great news for many fans as the Xbox is sorely lacking in Metal Gear titles.

Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons Of Liberty

The second instalment I the Metal Gear Solid series, originally released in 2001. The game spans across two missions, The Tanker Incident, and The Big Shell Incident both taking place just miles off the coast of New York. The former being the only time in this bundle that you actually play as series protagonist Solid Snake, a one man army intent on ridding the world of the high-tech nuclear behemoth that is Metal Gear. The second chapter places you in the shoes of rookie special forces agent, Raiden, who’s first mission outside of VR training involves recuing the President, destroying nuclear robots and ultimately saving the world from total destruction.

Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater

Effectively the first instalment of the series takes us back to 1963 at the high of the Cold War. A Russian scientist has developed a weapon so powerful it threatens the very existence of life on earth. You take control of Naked Snake (genetic father of Solid Snake) as he infiltrates the wilds of the Russian jungle. Encounters with some of the most outrageous, yet original boss battles help this game secure its place in the video gaming hall of fame. From an hour long showdown with a one-hundred year old sniper, to the final showdown with the enormous nuclear war machine the “Shagohod” the game delivers an incredible cinematic gaming experience.

Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker

For the first time available on console this may well close the deal for any returning Metal Gear veterans. Despite its release in 2009, many fans will have been deprived of this title due to its exclusive nature. Not exactly a direct sequel, but a follow on from Snake Eater. Naked Snake, now Codenamed Big Boss, and his band of mercenaries “militaires sans frontiers” are hired by an operative from Costa Rica (A country without a military). A mysterious armed force is shipping nuclear weaponry into the area and it up to you to find out why and drive them out of the country. All the wile recruiting new members for your private army and expanding you mother base through a unique management sim.  The story plays out in bite sized missions originally designed to be played on the go, so it may not always seem appropriate for console, but with a riveting story and countless side missions there is plenty to keep you busy.

This is a set that combines both quality and quantity to create the most impressive collection of video game classics ever compiled into one box. A must buy for returning fans of the franchise and new gamers who may have missed this incredible slice of gaming history the first time round.

Bellow: Mock-up of the article on The Guardian website