Rise of the Tomb Raider: Liked it, but Didn't Love it.

Rise of the Tomb Raider is the newest installment in the Tomb Raider series and, interestingly enough, takes you back in time to the beginning of Lara’s adventures as she follows in the footsteps of her father. This game is full of action-packed gameplay, whether you’re climbing an ancient ship stuck in a glacier or taking down enemies with your arsenal of firearms.  It doesn't stop at that though, you get bows that progressively increase in size and quality as the game goes on and as you discover new upgrades. 

The one, the only, Lara Croft

This game has areas that felt like a small, open world that you are struggling to survive in. To survive in this mini world, you have to craft arrows, health packs, and different types of ammo altogether just to survive. The game has a lot to explore too, including the extra tombs with creative puzzles.  These tombs were actually my favorite part of the game because everything else felt odd. In the game, you also have some survival mechanics, but after a while, you realize the only thing that’s dangerous in the world that’s not humanoid enemies are predators like wolves and bears. With that, you don’t have to find food or shelter other than the one time you have to make shelter when you fall off a mountain in the first part of the game. For the rest of the game, you run around in the freezing cold and swim in water only polar bears and penguins can enjoy.  I didn't really get the point of this because, while you are constantly trying to survive in the game, Lara acts like nothing ever happened, even though she just jumped in subzero water... My point is: the game introduced this feeling of needing to be resourceful and to hunt to survive and then they never follow up on it; they focus mostly on action, which I think is problematic. In the same breath, the action in this game isn’t half bad, however the fact that Rise of the Tomb Raider prioritizes action over other parts of the game succeeded in neglecting that survival aspect of the game that could have made the overall gaming experience much better. 

<<the game introduced this feeling of needing to be resourceful and to hunt to survive and then they never follow up on it; they focus mostly on action, which I think is problematic.>>

Pardon my French, but what a badass! -Ed.

Another thing that bothered me was the two or three areas that felt like small open worlds to explore, but did not offer much in terms of tasks and exploration... In fact, the primary function of those areas was to connect the linear parts of the game, or the plot line, together. To me, this made the gaming experience a tad superficial, as these areas basically forced you into the plot line. I have no problem going with a nice plot line, but when a game sometimes tries to be realistic, survivalistic, and even a bit free roam, it seems almost cheesy to abandon the realism for areas that serve only as plot armor. Granted, there were some cool things in these big areas, such as collectibles and big game to hunt like tigers, but these parts of the game generally left me disappointed and wanting to explore more.

The extra optional tombs you’ll find while exploring were the most interesting and tough parts of the game, which makes them the best part of the game in my opinion. This is because you don’t have to just shoot a guy ten times or go to a specific area to progress; you can take your time and solve puzzles that actually get pretty hard and might take some time. The optional tombs also have upgrades and supplies at the end of each, and that makes the effort worth it. On a different note, the combat in this game is done pretty well. I mean, it’s pretty cool to craft a grenade out of a can on the fly and take out the opposition. You can be stealthy also, but I found it to be inconvenient and not as fun as running around with my double barrel shotgun while tossing around homemade explosives. There’s even a new kind of ancient enemy you encounter further in the game that makes you feel like you’re a one woman army that can take down anything. 

One more thing I'd like to mention is that you can replay sections of the game and try to beat high scores, all while beating challenges the game gives you. You can collect floating blue fire things and stack points too, but you have to be quick or your point multiplier times out after a couple of seconds. I liked this because it kept the pace of the game going pretty fast. I thought for a second it would make the game a little better if this sort of gameplay were incorporated into the game as an entirety, but then I realized that it would break that immersion effect and make Rise of the Tomb Raider seem more like an arcade game if they did that.

So what's the general assessment for this game? First of all, I would give it a 70 out of 100 because it's a quality game, but not the best I've ever played. What about the audience type? Well, if you’re into action games with a little bit off the beaten path exploration, Rise of the Tomb Raider is probably for you. Just keep in mind that some parts of the game will leave you wanting more.

Andrew Cherrington 

(Pragmus Pi)

Video Game Reviewer

*Edited by Sigma

Dissecting the Comedy Frog

E.B. White once said, "Analyzing humor is like dissecting a frog. Few people are interested, and the frog dies of it." Many seem to agree with White because it's kinda true; that is, who wants to look at something funny, pick it apart and, thus, kill it? That sounds like it would basically defeat the purpose of a surprising humorous moment, doesn't it? Well, even so, analyzing humor and why something is or is not funny is really useful because it can teach us what causes that impulsive bodily reaction we call laughter. So folks, I'd say it's time to get over killing the frog because, I mean, it's already dead and injected with formaldehyde once we hear the joke more than once or twice, so may as well not waste a perfectly dissectible lab frog, right? ;)

Comedy is a difficult medium to use to reach people because there are just certain things some people find funny that others don't. There are also those particular instances in comedies when people believe the jokes used have crossed that fine line between funny and offensive. So, due to the variables of the "What is funny and who is it funny to?" question, it's very hard for comedy films to reach a general audience and make everyone laugh at a certain joke because humor is so subjective. This may be one reason why comedies--even good ones--are rated relatively low.

Let's look at the new comedy Keanu, for example. On Rotten Tomatoes, it's rated pretty high for a comedy at 77%, while other big name comedies such as Scary Movie or The Bee Movie (see our review of Bee Movie here) didn't make it out of the 50% range. The sequels to comedies are much worse though. I mean, get this: The Hangover was rated at 79% while the sequel was rated at 33% and the third part was rated an astonishingly low 19%. Similar trends follow for other recent comedies with sequels.  But why is this a thing?

I have a theory: jokes wear out fast. Like, really fast. When a joke is fresh, it's interesting and new. When the same shenanigans and jokes are repeated over and over again however, the comedy falls flat because we've seen it before. It simply becomes trite and boring after several times. And interestingly enough, many film studios seek to build on the popularity of high-grossing, high-rated comedy films by releasing sequels when the reality is that sequels are typically not that funny. Why would that be? Well, it's always best to follow the common adage "Quit while you're still ahead"--especially when it comes to comedy.  

So, the moral of the story is that, although Keanu is a pretty good film with a decent following and some great humor, if it had a sequel, that sequel would likely be rated pretty low. There's just no way to recapture the effect of the original material, no matter how well-constructed the jokes are.

I guess it was pretty useful to dissect the frog after all because we know more about it now and have some useful advice for Hollywood: the best way to not kill a joke is to not tell it again and again and again and again... *Sarcasm dripping here*  Nah, the best way to kill a joke is to put it on repeat like a broken record, and that is fine, I suppose, if all you want to do with a film is make money on it due to its close association with a preceding famous film.  However, if you want to truly produce a quality comedy film, it's super important to get fresh, new ideas out there because one of the most important parts of comedy is the surprise of it.  Don't forget that, Moneybags! Oops, I meant "Hollywood!" ;)

H. Logan Christensen
(Pragmus Alpha)
CEO of Pragmus Media

Edited and co-written by Corey Cherrington

Beauty and the (Can you believe it?!) Beast!

I'm sure by now that most or all of you have at least hear somethig about the Disney live action version of Beauty and the Beast that is set to come out March 17th, 2017.  The film features Emma Watson and actually seems very promising. Check out the Teaser Trailer below to feel oh-so-teased by the beauty that this film promises to be.  Gah!  I think I won't be able to chill and sit still until that film comes out and is finally revealed to the world!  I'm confident that it will be an instant classic the moment it hits theaters--if only for the mass anticipation it it has instilled in the states and abroad. Wow, really, I can't wait!  One downside: I only heard like one line from Lumiere's character, but what I heard seemed to be a very fake french accent.  It could have just been the fact that the snippet for the teaser was too short to really get any major impressions of any characters, but that is what I got.  Thanks, Pragmus fans!  Keep rocking our socks and please don't go too crazy with anticipation for this film!  ;)  We know the feeling all too well, and it's an impossible hunger to satisfy that will only be cured by the film's debut.  Ciao!

Corey Cherrington
(Pragmus Sigma)
Blog and Social Media Administrator

The Big Dogs: Best Alternative Rock Bands (Post #4)

BLIND MELON

This is a great band because you can chill to their music,
but their lyrics and music videos will make you think.

Heard of 'em?  Well, perhaps most of you have heard people say "blind melon" in everyday speech because it is such a goofy, iconic name that just stuck with people.  However, not many people appreciate the band itself or even know who they are.  This is totally surprising to me because they are a quintessential alternative rock band with a great sound that differs from any other band.  Maybe you've heard their song called, "No Rain?"  This was their most popular song by far, and the rest of their work was great too!  Their other music was probably just a little too alternative for a general audience.  If I were you though, I would totally listen to some of their other songs!  They really deserve more attention for how cool they were.  I'd personally recommend, "Soul One," "Life Ain't so Sh*tty," and others (shoot us an email if you'd like more suggestions ^_^).  Like I suggested for Smashing Pumpkins, I'd give a listen to an entire Blind Melon album just to get a glimpse of their overall sound, which is psychedelic yet rocking.  And the music video for "No Rain" is something you won't regret watching either!  It is funny, fun, sad, and liberating all at the same time.  I won't spoil too much of it for you, so just click on the video above to watch it for yourself.

<<This is "No Rain"--I think this is easily Blind Melon's 

best song/music video and it has a sound that reflects alt. rock very well.>>

ALICE IN CHAINS

I really like this band!  They are among my favorite alternative rock bands, and I think they need wayyyyy more attention than they get.  What's so great about these guys?  Well, they have a chill sound to their music, but they are somehow able to be pretty intense at the same time, which I think is a very positive quality for any alt. rock band. My favorite albums from the band (and I think their best albums) are called "Jar of Flies" and "Dirt."  There is just sooo much great stuff on these albums that I think will literally blow your mind!  Alice in Chains is truly great not only for their sound, but also for their music's general attitude and the sense of alt-rock-ness you get from chilling out to an Alice in Chains album.

"Jar of Flies" album cover.

I'll let the music speak for itself with this band because I think that it is fully capable of doing so!  :) In my opinion, their best songs are many, including, "Nutshell" (my personal favorite!), "Them Bones," "Rooster," "I stay away," "Brother," and "Don't Follow." Yeah, this band is pretty much amazing and is one of my all-time favorites.  :)

<<I LOVE this song!  Especially the unplugged version...  

Gah, they just have a great sound!>>

That's all for now!  Check back tomorrow for another post about the best alt. rock bands!  Please comment so we can have more opinions on the best alt. rock bands!  Thanks! :)

Corey Cherrington

(Pragmus Sigma)

Blog and Social Media Administrator

Star Wars: A New Epic

Think Odysseus on his long journey.

Epic. The stories of grand scale, the fall and rise of empires, small flaws felling monarchs, farm boys becoming heroic conquerors, hardened mercenaries gaining honor, and integrity to ideals redeeming the fallen. I love the epic. Star Wars perfectly exemplifies the qualities of story and character that made the mythologies and epics of old, combining them with the visuals of space opera science fiction, and the most advanced practical effects ever conceived. I enjoy all of the Star Wars movies for their sense of scale, the dedication to ideals, and belief in right and wrong. Armies and planets and the ability to influence the universe are the bread and butter of the series. When one important man falls, the entire galaxy pays the price. One woman can change the odds of a rag-tag rebellion from impossible to assured. The fate of all the multitudes of races and creeds of every planet and galaxy changes with the decisions of these actors. One misstep plunges the universe into chaos and agony, one noble sacrifice ensures a better future for everyone.

Although enormous and overarching in scale, individual decisions in Star Wars hinge on the same ideals that made and destroyed the Empire and Rebellion. We feel some great pity and catharsis for those moments where characters decide to hold grudges or skip out early to save friends, or lie because the truth will hurt more than help. The victories of this expressionistic universe don’t come from armies or Death Stars or even the Force, but from individuals learning self-control, nobility, and courage. 

Leia was technically the first Disney Princess to hold a gun!

Without question, the real governor of this universe is an acute belief in right and wrong, something simple and yet so audacious both in the 80s and especially today. Although most believe in relative morals, a moral absolute governs the universe in Star Wars that rewards and punishes absolutely for the great and small moral choices of every character we see. The Jedi fell to pride long before the Emperor’s order. Anakin fell to grudges and lust long before his name was Darth. Leia, Han, and Luke succeed not according to prowess, skills, or luck, but by their dedication and integrity to their ideals. Leia gave her life to ensure the plans escaped, and willingly gave herself to her execution instead of betraying the noble Rebels, and was rescued.

Luke risked his life to save someone he didn’t know and became a trusted hero of the rebellion. Han let go of pride and his survival for the greater good of the universe in the Rebellion. Even if moral absolutism sounds arbitrary and old-fashioned, the way it makes this universe feel captures something of ourselves and our desire for a better tomorrow without the confusion and ambiguity which we all face in this world.

Although unrealistic and hopeful, we are still finding enjoyment both intellectual and emotional from this series. These stories capture something of the classic myths and epics into a unique universe with awesome powers while never letting go of what makes the powers special and specific- the dedication and integrity shown to the most noble ideals. Regardless of missteps in writing, direction, and effects, all six movies string together these beliefs so well it is worth owning all six to view them if not as flawless movies individually, as an unparalleled achievement of making a six part movie epic, of a second birth to mythologies and epics in modern media. We love interconnected and continuing stories and world-building in every form of consumable media under the sun thanks in no small part to the six movies dedicated to the tragedy and redemption of great Jedi and terrible Sith.

Pragmus Omega
(Clyde Northrup)
Chief Editor and Co-Founder

*Edited by Sigma (Corey)

Grave of the Fireflies: the Pragmus Review that is no More

Thanks, Melberries... NOT.

A Pragmus Review that sadly is no more...

There are sooo many people lately who have been harassed by a certain con for a company called “Melberries” (I know, even the name is awful…).  What these guys do is look for YouTube videos that have any reference at all to Studio Ghibli films or other sorts of anime, and many other types of visual media.  Then they slam small-scale YouTubers with copyright claims because, as the sleazy company they are, they know that the YouTubers with less hits are pretty much not likely to get support from YouTube against the copyright claims.  You know what is really silly about this though?  People who reference the media that Melberries claims is unlawfully used are actually not doing anything against the law (that is, unless they actually post an entire episode of a show or a full-length film).  There is something called “fair use,” which is a copyright law protecting critics of the media being presented.  In all reality, it makes no sense to stop critics from using bits and pieces of full media texts because banning such use would be a strict form of censorship, barring fair criticisms of various media texts.

So, why are we talking about Melberries?  Well, this company has actually fought against us at Pragmus, saying that “fair use does not exist in Europe,” and threatening to take our review for Grave of the Fireflies down.  This, my friends, is not even a valid claim.  You see Alpha (Logan) and I (Corey, or Pragmus Sigma) looked pretty deep into this legal situation and found specific legislation in the European Union Law, called the "Copyright Directive," a.k.a. the "Directive 2001/29/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 May 2001 on the harmonisation of certain aspects of copyright and related rights in the information society."

The section of this document talking about copyright laws and, in effect, fair use policies, is section 3D, which states the following:

• (d) quotations for purposes such as criticism or review, provided that they relate to a work or other subject-matter which has already been lawfully made available to the public, that, unless this turns out to be impossible, the source, including the author's name, is indicated, and that their use is in accordance with fair practice, and to the extent required by the specific purpose...

Roger Ebert--one of the greatest critics of our day.

<<Just imagine what the film industry would be if people like Roger Ebert were shut down for copyright claims that critics should be protected against by Fair Use laws.  We'd be missing out on some of the most important aspect of film--criticism and analyses.>>

HMMMM…  I don’t know about you guys, but I’d say that this law obviously indicates that fair use does indeed exist in the European Union.

Melberries, however, begs to differ.

What happened to us next is this: after we sent an email to Melberries in effort to explain the existence of this EU law, they stopped contacting us through email and cracked down even harder on their copyright claims for our film review.  Ultimately, because of their incessant claims against us, our video was deemed to be forcibly taken down from Youtube.  Sometimes people like us--smaller-scale YouTubers--not only have videos taken down, but their entire YouTube account is frequently suspended or terminated altogether.  This is a major problem because it effectively shuts down growing Youtube channels for the monetary gain of the copyright claim filing industry.  This is unjust and, quite frankly, downright uncool. 

What the even?

So, from here, we hope that media companies will get the hint. Fair Use and reviews are an excellent way to get publicity and attention. In this new age of the internet, we must push for a greater emphasis on the freedom of speech. We have a right to review and a right to critique!  If you feel strongly about this as well, we ask you to please leave a comment about this on the the fair use petition site some big-name YouTube critics have put together.  You can access the site here.  Thanks, Pragmus fans!  We hope this was somewhat informative for you.  Keep rocking our socks, friends!

Pragmus Sigma

(Corey Cherrington)

Blog and Social Media Administrator

Image of the "Take Down Abuse" petition site

UNDERTALE: the Hit Game that Reveals Your True Level of Awfulness!

Such a cool game!

Undertale.  It's a game that shows you just how much of an awful person you are!  In all seriousness, Undertale is an amazing game and I couldn't recommend it more.  The game features a morality mechanic unlike previous iterations of the idea, like Dishonored or inFamous. In Undertale, you play as the "Fallen Child," who has fallen into a cave of Monsters who are trying to take your soul.  The twist here is that the Monsters are all very emotional creatures, and so you can play on their differing psychologies to pacify or SPARE them.

THIS

THIS?

OR

<<There are all sorts of mysteries in Undertale!>>

Playing through Undertale, you have three options as far as playstyles go: Pacifist, where you don't kill ANY Monsters and get the canonical ending; Neutral, where you spare or kill who you wish; and Genocide, where you meticulously slaughter every single Monster in the Underground. For the sake of avoiding spoilers, I will avoid explaining the endings, but I will say each ending matches the tone of your actions, from the hope and enduring optimism  of the Pacifist route to the nihilism of the Genocide route.

Lastly, Undertale features a beautiful music score by Temmie Chang, with recurring motifs, memorable and distinct themes for every character and environment, and even music matching and including the sounds characters make when they talk.  Because of all these factors, Undertale is a seamless experience of a game, and I couldn't support Toby Fox for making it, or support people playing it, more!

Pragmus Epsilon

Pragmus Team Contributor

Here's some sample music; it's so pleasingly cheesy!