Raycevick Recommendations: May 2019

Le Mans by Lee H. Katzin

It's amazing to revisit something from your childhood as an adult, and see qualities you might've subconsciously registered, but now recognize and respect.

The atmopshere of this McQueen classic is simply incredible. It's compilation of beautiful cinematography, sound-design, and spectacle immerses you in this 200mph+ circus. You could almost smell the engines, rust, and burning rubber through the screen. Dialogue's extremely light, but I found myself hanging on almost every word as a result, and frankly, Le Mans itself is the real character in this film.

Driveclub OST by Hybrid

Hybrid's a group I've been following since hearing one of their best tracks featured on F1-Career Challenge on the PS2, so I was rather excited to see what they could do when making their own original material for Driveclub. 

I cannot yet comment on how Hybrid's work is implemented, but the music itself should appeal to Electronica fans. The core-five songs are distinct with their own tone, pacing, and atmosphere with the instrumentation connecting them. But wait, just five songs? 

Well, that's where the experiment comes in. Similar to NFS: Shift 2, Driveclub relies heavily on remixes. That might sound lazy on paper, but it's rather remarkable how much mileage all the artists get out of Hybrid's work and even the original composure's mess with their own material to make something new. Previously cinematic tracks can become moody ambient melodies and slower-tracks designed for menus can be thumping heavy beats that push your subs. Anyone should be able to find a few tracks to their taste.

Soul Calibur VI by Bandai Namco

I'm a fighting game scrub. Similar to RTS's, they're something I play almost exclusively with friends and rarely on my own time. But occasionally, there'll be a title that shockingly clicks and Soul Calibur VI was that title for me, picked up during a sale and quickly surprised with its free-flowing combat & combos, engaging cast of characters, and simplicity.

It unfortunately features one-button-supers that at this point, I don't believe any fighting game will convince me of their value, but that doesn't make the immediate enjoyment of its fights with friends invalidated.

BONUS - Splitgate: Arena Warfare by 1047 Games

I'm throwing this in for those that didn't hear my praising this game on Twitter. Splitgate's Beta is already an excellent game with superb optimization and gameplay. Those who've played Halo 5 will feel right at home with visuals, weapons, and levels that are very reminiscent (if not a rip off) of that game but with the added twist of Portals that just like Valve's series, carry your momentum. 

Combine these two things with jump-jets, and you've got a game that only needs a few tweaks to be up there with the best.

P.S. Discord Hangout plans will be posted tomorrow.