With two episodes of the third season already in the books, fans have been eagerly waiting to see what our beloved Gemstone uncle, Baby Billy, has been up to. And boy, did he deliver with an absolute showstopping performance of his hit song "There'll Come a Payday" to start off the episode.

The wholesome musical tone of The Righteous Gemstones has consistently been one of the series' standout qualities, and "There'll Come a Payday" proudly claims its spot among the show's greatest hits, which rivals the likes of Season 2's "Misbehavin'". Moreover, Walton Goggins continues to hit all the right notes with his pitch perfect portrayal of Baby Billy.

Every time you believe he has delivered his best performance, he surprises us once again with another remarkable display of talent. True to his nature, Baby Billy is far from content with his current Zion gig. And with Auntie Tiffany expecting yet another Baby Billy baby (no, the irony is not lost on us), he's going to be desperate for that cash, now more than ever.

At the Gemstone Manor, everyone's staring at Chuck and Karl Montgomery, who are gobbling food down like a pair of zoo animals. Yet, one must sympathize with the duo, for their voracious appetite suggests a hunger so primal that they must have been living on scraps in Peter's Waco compound.

Judy, never one to hold back, fires off a quick retort, but Mama Montgomery isn't having none of her cheek, and proceeds to 'kungfu her larynx.' For a split second there, you can notice Eli grinning in the background. Despite all the fussing about having to now share their home with their cousins, Eli lays down the law that they must find a way to coexist peacefully under one roof.

Meanwhile, Amber is still trying to keep up the facade of a perfect family, which now includes preventing Judy's affair from turning into a full-blown scandal. With the megachurch facing a rapid decline in followers, the last thing the Gemstones need is Judy's dirty laundry getting any kind of publicity.

But at this point, it seems like everyone, except for poor BJ, is privy to the scandalous affair. Even when Baby Billy throws Judy a zinger about "running the church and running around" later in the episode, BJ joins in the laughter, completely oblivious to the fact that he's the unwitting punchline.

Tim Baltz's portrayal of BJ has consistently been the heart and soul of the show. His ability to seamlessly transition from a deeply tragic character to a dazzling husband sporting pink rompers is a testament to his exceptional acting prowess. Nothing gets to him, no matter how much flack he gets from the Gemstone siblings.

The real standout moment of the episode, though, happens during cousin's night. Baby Billy steals the spotlight as he unexpectedly crashes the event, and gives Jesse and Judy an earful for not acknowledging baby Lionel (toilet baby) as their cousin. But the fun doesn't end there.

When his pitch for 'Baby Billy's Bible Bonkers' gets rejected (a clear ripoff of Family Feud), he ups the ante by pitting the eldest cousins against each other in a head-to-head game show battle. We always had a sense that Jesse wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, but when he confidently answered that Joseph was locked up in prison with his cupbearer and butler, it was a whole new level of stupidity.

Chuck correctly answering the question only makes things worse, as Jesse pulls out a knife to defend his intelligence (whether there's much to defend is a whole other story). Luckily, Karl becomes an unlikely hero when he suddenly chokes on his food.

With his towering stature, it takes the collective efforts of all the Gemstone siblings to execute a successful Heimlich maneuver, resulting in a hilarious moment, including Keefe's unforgettable "lick his what?" remark.

Danny McBride's unique approach of using moments of chaos and conflict to bring the Gemstones closer is truly remarkable. What appeared to be an episode brimming with tension ultimately culminates in a heartwarming and poignant reunion, where the cousins find common ground and Eli embarks on a path to mend his fractured relationship with his sister.

Yet, the lingering mystery of what transpired between Aimee-Leigh and May-May remains, and we can only hope that the show will delve into their story as the season progresses.

Drop a comment down below and let us know what your favorite moment from Episode 3 was!

The second episode kicks off with Stephen getting an earful from his wife after confessing to losing his job at the church (to which she concludes that he must be using coke again and proceeds to knock some hard-hitting sense into him with a blender).

Meanwhile, at the Gemstones' residence, Gideon's parents have had enough of him bumming at home following his on-set accident. As a result, Gideon is forcefully assigned the job of chauffeuring his grandfather around.

At the same time, Judy takes a decisive stance to nip her "roadhead affair" in the bud by offering Stephen a payoff to go off into the sunset. However, Stephen isn't willing to go down without a fight and reveals his disturbing devotion to Judy by admitting that he would go as far as murdering his family for her.

On the other hand, Eli pays a visit to the militia installation where his sister's children have sought refuge with their father (props to the showrunners for that Sturgill Simpson cameo).

There, he meets Peter, Mary's husband, and their sons, who reside with the Brothers of Tomorrow's Fires. The whole setup looks like a Waco siege waiting to happen, and true to the irony, it unfolds as the authorities launch a raid on the compound just after the Gemstones' departure.

Back at the church, tensions rise as the church ministers summon the Gemstone siblings for a meeting, which, from the past, is a sure sign of trouble ahead. Seeking assistance from their father, the Gemstone siblings find themselves caught up in a series of unexpected events.

Despite promising to resolve matters with the ministers, Eli's attention is diverted when he rushes to aid Mary's sons, who are on the run from their father. As a result, the responsibility of leading the meeting falls upon the Gemstone siblings. As expected, chaos ensues, leading to a comical shoe fight, all while Kelvin echoes his chant in the background, "We, the three, and you."

The highlight of the episode, however, arrives when Eli and his nephews get caught up in a thrilling car chase. Gideon, showing off his Hollywood skills, pulls off a daring stunt straight out of the Fast and Furious playbook, evading the pursuers and proving to his grandfather that he's the right man for the chauffeur job.

Season 3 wastes no time in establishing Peter and his militia as the primary antagonists moving forward. And though it's too early to make definitive judgments, Gideon's impressive driving prowess might just be the key to wooing Dusty back into the fold, especially now that Jesse's idiotic antics have sparked a personal vendetta with the Simkins.

The pieces of the puzzle are falling into place for this new season, and it's shaping up to be quite a ride. Now, all that's left is to see how Baby Billy Freeman, with his knack for misbehavin', will shake things up before the season's grand finale.

The second season ended with the Gemstones making amends amongst themselves and thwarting their rivals, the Lissons, who exposed themselves as the main villains of the season in comical fashion. But if two seasons have taught us anything, the not-so-righteous Gemstones rise to fame has brought them a lifetime's worth of adversaries to contend with.

Episode 1 begins with a flashback to the year 2000, where we see Aimee-Leigh getting violently attacked by a woman by the name "May-May", before being rescued by an unknown savior.

Back to the present, we learn that the family's patriarch, Eli Gemstone, has finally let go of the reins, deciding to leave his three incompetent children to take charge of the family business (calling it a church at this point feels like a bad joke).

At the newly launched Zion resort, Jesse is up to his usual shenanigans with his boys club. He promptly fires his father's driver for blabbing family business to the "Christian Times". On the other hand, Judy has returned from her tour, but she's acting strangely around BJ. Meanwhile, Kelvin and Keefe have embarked on their latest youth mission, the Smut Busters, with one objective: to rid the world of all sex toys.

However, the situation at the church takes a nosedive when Martin drops the bombshell that Dusty Daniels, a prominent benefactor and former race car driver, is cutting ties with the congregation. With over $200 million at stake, the Gemstone siblings pull out all the stops to win Dusty back, only to face unexpected competition from the Simkins.

In a playful twist, Dusty challenges the two families to a race, pitting them against each other for his money. Unsurprisingly, Jesse suffers a humiliating defeat at the hands of the eldest Simkin.

Turning our attention back to Eli, the semi-retired preacher is blissfully enjoying his newfound tranquility before it gets disrupted when an unexpected visitor from his past resurfaces. Surprise, surprise, it's his estranged sister, Mary, who happens to be Aimee-Leigh's assailant from the flashback.

Deep-seated animosity and an untold history have tainted their relationship, yet Mary now pleads with Eli for assistance from her recently released convict husband, who has absconded with her sons.

Remember how we mentioned Judy's strange behavior around BJ? Well, the cat's out of the bag now that Jesse and Kelvin have uncovered that she's been cheating on her husband with her band's guitarist, Stephen. But that's not all. In retaliation for losing the car race to the eldest Simkin, Jesse sets his numbskull friends on him as the first episode concludes.

Jesse seems to have learned nothing from the first season, when he antagonized a fellow pastor, John Seasons, and Chad paid for his misdeeds. If there ever was a time for him to step up as the eldest of the Gemstone siblings, now would be the perfect time.

As for Judy's betrayal of BJ, a character who has won the hearts of fans over the past two seasons, it's safe to say audiences aren't loving this particular subplot. Despite being the perpetual butt of the joke in the family, this could be the opportunity for BJ to prove that he's far from the spineless man his brothers-in-law believe him to be.

Founded on June 11, 1983, Capcom started as a company that produces arcade machines. The name literally is a portmanteau of the words "capsule" and "computers", referring to the arcade games the company manufactured. While its first game was the coin-operated Little League, Capcom’s first true video game was Vulgus, a vertical scrolling space shooter. Since then, Capcom has become one of the most successful video game companies in history, with multiple blockbuster franchises, such as the recently released Street Fighter 6.

What can fans expect to find at the Capcom Town website? Read on for the details.

The Capcom Town website was officially launched on June 12, 2023 and announced on Capcom’s social media channels.

Happy Monday everyone! We've just launched Capcom Town, our 40th anniversary website!

Come visit and discover lots of cool content, including free retro games and game development documents from past titles! #Capcom40th #Capcomtown

https://t.co/mGuXXJuj4Q pic.twitter.com/YNnxwc8gQB

— Capcom Europe (@CapcomEurope) June 12, 2023

Visitors to the Capcom Town website can navigate via the radio button on the top right corner, or they can choose the interactive map. The animated map features familiar Capcom franchises, including Resident Evil, Monster Hunter, Mega Man, Devil May Cry, Street Fighter, and many more.

But perhaps the best feature fans can find at the Capcom Town 40th Anniversary website is the retro games section. Visitors can play classic games like Mega Man, Mega Man 2, Final Fight, Street Fighter 2, and Mega Man X. These games are emulated and can be played directly on the browser, without the need to install a plugin.

Control options include keyboard, gamepad, or touch (for mobile devices). There is a default key mapping for the controls, but users can also manually change and assign buttons themselves. We tested the games with an Xbox controller for the desktop version, and they all work very well, with no noticeable input lag.

Aside from the games themselves, each entry on the Capcom Town website includes a brief description, game cartridge art, and PDF versions of the instruction manuals that were originally included back when they were released.

According to the Capcom Town page for the current roster of games, Mega Man, Mega Man 2, Mega Man X, Street Fighter II, and Final Fight will be available until September 28, 2023. No official word has been released on whether other retro games from the Capcom library will be rotated for free online play in the future.

While there have been hundreds of remakes, one of the most recent and popularized is the Resident Evil 4 remake. The game has reignited interest in the franchise, and Capcom is certainly capitalizing off it, as we can see based on the current hype surrounding the franchise and not just the remake itself.

However, while the Resident Evil series has seen its fair share of remakes from Resident Evil 2 to Resident Evil 4, numerous other games deserve recognition.

This article explores some of the best remakes worthy of recognition not associated with the Resident Evil franchise. The remastered versions of the games listed in this article are not ranked. They are simply listed. The games listed here prove that with improved technology and resources, classics can be enchanted into a whole new game while retaining the nostalgia and captivating old and new players alike.

Remake vs. Remastered

Before we delve into the list of games, it is important you understand the difference between a remastered game and a remade game. Players often tend to confuse the two and conclude they are the same. While there is a blurred line between the two, they are two entirely separate concepts in the gaming industry.

While both revisit the classic titles and improve upon them, the approaches taken in both cases are very different. Mainly the extent to which they change or improve upon the original game.

A remake of a game means completely building a game from the ground up. This usually involves changing and improving the gameplay mechanics, the narrative direction, and the visuals. The main objective of a remake is to completely overhaul an old title to appeal not only to nostalgic fans but also the newcomers. More often than not, the remade versions of the games use new and improved technologies, such as an updated engine to provide a better gameplay experience, improved audio, and better gameplay mechanics and controls. A remade version may include new quests and even features.

A remastered version of a game is improved but to a very limited capacity. In a remastered version of the game, the developers focus on improving certain aspects of the game without making any significant changes to the main story or gameplay. The Grand Theft Auto Trilogy: Definitive Edition is a good example of this. The gameplay is exactly the same, but the graphics are far better than the original. The primary focus of a remastered version of the game is to improve the graphics, frame rates, and resolution.

We believe it is important you understand the difference between the two, as not knowing the difference was one of the main factors that led to the negative reception of the Grand Theft Auto Trilogy. While the games were already marketed as "remastered" versions of the three classics - GTA 3, Vice City, and San Andreas, players expected a complete overhaul, which is only possible if the games were built from the ground up.

And if you've played the games, you would know there was no way they were built from the ground up. The gameplay mechanics were almost exactly the same, with slight quality-of-life updates for convenience, such as the addition of a weapon wheel seen in GTA 5.

With that being said, in no particular order, let's dive into one of the best remakes worthy of your recognition.

Demon's Souls

Demon's Souls is one of the first soul-like games known for popularizing the genre. The game first came out for PS3 in 2009 and is considered one of the most brutal souls-like games. Demon's Souls was already a well-established game in 2009, but thanks to Bluepoint, it got even better with the release of a remake in 2020. The Demon's Souls remake completely eliminated all the issues players faced in the original and improved upon it for the next-gen console, PS5.

The game had such a big visual improvement that you would be tricked into thinking it is not a remake but instead a sequel to the classic 2009 version. Demon's Souls is one of the first games released for PS5, and it showed what the future games could look like on the console.

Bluepoint had to remake all the assets, and it did not disappoint. Everything from lighting down to the minuscule details of the textures was rebuilt from the ground up to provide a better visual experience. The remake not only improves the graphics but also features new weapons, items, and even new armor.

It also features some new mechanics related to the weight system, and the music in Demon's Souls is re-recorded with the help of a full-fledged orchestra. It also features higher-quality re-recorded dialogues. If you own a PS5, we highly recommend trying it out.
 

Final Fantasy 7 Remake

Final Fantasy 7 is a game that Square Enix can flaunt to its competitors for years to come. The original was released in 1997 and was received extremely well thanks to the story and the turn-based mechanics. However, the remake of the classic has completely overhauled the game with improved graphics and a brand-new real-time combat system.

Final Fantasy 7 remake features a lot of improvements and even changes to the main story. However, the "changes" are more of an addition to enhance the narrative direction of the overall game. There's the addition of Whispers that prevent Cloud's death after falling from Sector 5, a boss fight with Cloud's mom Jenova, a brand new area, Jessie's backstory, side-quests, and of course, the most controversial one revolving around the Cloud's war friend, Zack. We will let you guess that one.

Despite the story changes, the game has really outdone itself. Square Enix has managed to create such a beautiful game that breathes new life into the classic, ensuring they deliver a truly remarkable experience through their visuals and a deeper understanding of the characters and their relations with each other, especially Cloud's.

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2

Tony Hawk's Pro Skater is one of the most highly-acclaimed skateboarding video games published by Activision and endorsed by the game's namesake, Tony Hawk.

The game series had multiple sequels, including Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 5, until a remake of the first and second games came out in 2020 for the newer consoles. The remake of the most popular games features a diverse roster of pro skaters, detailed customization for your characters, and upgraded graphics.

The first and the second games were released in 1999 and 2000, respectively. The remake for both was developed by Vicarious Visions almost two decades later, which got all the nostalgic fans excited for the game.

Besides the obvious graphical improvements, the game also featured nostalgic songs. The songs in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater have been a staple feature defining the game series. It also has a 'create a park' mode that allows players to create their own skate park.

One of the highly-requested features added to the new game was the addition of the manuals. This was not seen in the original games until much later. A manual is a gameplay mechanic that allows players to manually link different combos to create a chain of special combos and score higher.

The players were already used to this gameplay mechanic in the latest games, and it wouldn't make sense for the developers not to include it in the remake version of the classics. And so, listening to player feedback, the developers decided to include this much sought-after feature. It is rare to see developers listening to their player base nowadays.

The game also featured some new levels and added a host of new easter eggs (in addition to the originals) for players to discover and indulge in a nostalgic time pass.

Shadow of the Colossus

Released in 2005 for the PS2, Shadow of the Colossus took the gaming industry by storm, setting a new benchmark for its competitors. Japan Studio and Team Ico did an incredible job developing this melancholic atmospheric land with limited hardware in 2005.

However, while the game was limited due to technological limitations back then, Bluepoint Games saw the potential and decided to remake the classic in 2018. Make no mistake as the game still stands the test of time.

Bluepoint Games is the same studio responsible for developing Demon's Souls remake, and it decided to do the same with Shadow of the Colossus. The studio managed to improve the graphics while staying true to the "source material," making something truly special for the PS4.

All the assets seen in the game were rebuilt from the ground up, while the core gameplay mechanics were retained from the original with the addition of some new control schemes. Bluepoint Games used the same code in the PS2 version to retain the original gameplay mechanics but opted for their in-house proprietary engine for the rest of the work.

Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy

Crash Bandicoot redefined the whole platformer genre as it was one of the first few platformers to transition from 2D to 3D platformer and take the genre to a whole new level. Originally, the Crash Bandicoot franchise was a PlayStation exclusive. But, it has branched out to other platforms over the years, increasing accessibility.

Although there have been numerous Crash Bandicoot games, the first three still hold a special place for every fan. And rightfully so. It certainly holds a special place in my heart as well. The first three were classic, and if you owned a PlayStation console in 1999, there's no way you didn't play Crash Bandicoot on your console almost exclusively.

Fast forward 18 years, and fortunately, Sony Interactive Entertainment and Activision decided to publish a remake of the first three Crash Bandicoot games in 2017. Developed by Vicarious Visions, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy offers players an enhanced experience of the most fun 3D platformer.

The remake improves the graphics and overall gameplay mechanics. One of the changes that stood out the most was the jumping mechanic. Each game had a slightly different jumping mechanic from the original three games. However, in the remakes, jumping physics was universal across all three games. The physics used in all three games was based on the jumping mechanics from the third game, Crash Bandicoot: Warped.

The jumping mechanic being universal received mixed reviews from the fans, as the mechanics from the third game were not suitable for the environment of the first game and vice versa. However, you get a hang of it with a bit of practice.

The second remake game also allows players to control Crash's sister, Coco, more often. She has been a fan-favorite for several years.

Speaking of 3D platformers, the next game is closely related to Crash Bandicoot, so much so that they had an in-game Game Boy Advance collaboration. If you guessed Spyro: Reignited Trilogy, you're a true veteran of these games.

Spyro: Reignited Trilogy

Like the Crash Bandicoot trilogy, Toys for Bob reignited (no pun intended) the spark of the first three games of Spyro. Spyro is a classic 3D platformer that many grew to love and adore. Spyro is a purple dragon who is fierce and cute at the same time and has become a staple icon for Sony's PlayStation. I've been a huge fan of the Spyro series, which played a significant role in my life growing up.

The game's core gameplay mechanics are still intact, but Toys for Bob managed to elevate the game's physics. Spyro's movement physics are much better in the remake, where he can freely glide and charge just like the originals but it gives a feeling of more depth.

The original Spyro was released in 1998, with the sequels (Ripto's Rage! And Year of the Dragon) released in the following years: 1999 and 2000. Since the release, fans have asked for a remake of the originals as they were some of the best memories for kids owning a PlayStation console.

Luckily, in 2018, Toys for Bobs decided to give fans what they requested, and it turned out beautifully. The vibrant colors of the game and the cartoony look give it so much life. In addition to the beautiful graphics, the game introduced many QoL updates, such as the camera controls.

When Spyro first came out for the PS1, the 3D games were still relatively new in the gaming industry. It was still something the studios were getting used to, so the camera could only be controlled using the L1 and R1 (or L2 and R2) buttons. However, in the remake, now that the game is remade with the newest technology in the market, the players can conveniently move the camera around using their mouse (on PC) and their right-analog stick (on a console).

If you've played the Spyro games, you know about the rescuing adventure of other dragons. However, the dragons in the classic were not unique. There were a handful of dragon designs, and they tend to repeat as you rescue more dragons.

Overall, Toys for Bobs has stayed true to Insomniac Games' original game design and core mechanics and improved the game not just for the old fans but for the new ones too.

The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening

This is a classic that was released for Game Boy 30 years ago. Almost three decades later, we get a remake of the first ever game in The Legend of Zelda video game series. The original was an action-adventure developed and published by Nintendo that was a commercial success for Nintendo.

Seeing the original's success, it was only right that the remake of the first-ever Zelda game was released for the Nintendo Switch.

The remake of Link's Awakening was developed for Nintendo Switch by Grezzo and published by Nintendo. It was released worldwide in 2019. The game follows the same isometric perspective and story but now in much greater detail. The remake features a more cartoony and "toy-like" character design, with a world design taking inspiration from a diorama.

The remake was very well received by the fans, thanks to its improved gameplay mechanics while still staying faithful to the original. The layout of the game is still the exact same as the original.

On top of the visual improvements, the game also featured QoL updates and customizable dungeons. Players could create their own dungeons, contributing to the game's replayability aspect. QoL features like map marking, fairy bottles (to avoid death), and better rewards for the final quest are all welcomed additions.

Yakuza Kiwami

Yakuza Kiwami is a remake of the classic Yakuza, originally released for PS2 in 2005 for Japan and in 2006 worldwide. Yakuza Kiwami improves upon the original's flaws, such as the clunky mechanics, which was one of the complaints from the consumers.

Fast forward a decade, and Ryu Ga Gotoki Studio develops a remake of the original Yakuza with improved graphics, framerates, and resolution. This third-person action-adventure game has an open-world environment with slight role-playing elements. 

The game's remake takes Kiryu, the protagonist, on multiple new side quests that were not present in the original. This allows players to explore the town of Kamurocho a lot more than they could in the original game. In addition to the side quests, the remake also offers a ton of new side activities introduced in the form of mini-games, such as bowling, pocket circuit racing, pool, darts, karaoke, poker, roulette, blackjack, and more.

Karaoke was one of the widely known features of the game because of the popular meme based on Kiryu singing the song called Baka Mitai. This has unintentionally become a signature "Yakuza OST" due to how popular the meme got over the years following the game's release.

The game is known for combat, and the remake offers an upgraded combat system, one of the most welcomed changes. The primary change in the remake is that in addition to the Dragon fighting style, Kiryu can now utilize all three fighting styles (Brawler, Beast, & Rush).

Dead Space (2023)

When discussing remakes and survival horror games, we cannot forget the 2023 remake of the classic Dead Space. The original was released in 2008, developed by EA Redwood Shores, and published by Electronic Arts.

The remake was developed by Motive Studios and once again published by Electronic Arts in 2023, where the whole game is rebuilt from the ground up but maintains its terrifying environment and haunting aspect from the original.

Motive Studios used Frostbite Engine to fully rebuild the game assets and systems to introduce dynamic and volumetric lighting features. Most importantly, the remake removes loading screens to create a more immersive and seamless experience.

The characters are also more expressive in terms of dialogue, as the whole script was rewritten to give everyone more dialogue. This is especially important for the protagonist, Isaac Clarke. He now speaks more often. I know he speaks much more in Dead Space 2 and 3, but the remake ensures Isaac is heard more often in line with the other games.

There are newer missions with the addition of hidden easter eggs. While newer objectives in the remake bring a fresh experience, it also modifies existing objectives to be more in line with the narrative delivery aspect of the game. Previously the world-building was done through audio and text logs, but the remake encourages players to learn more about the world of Dead Space through the exploration of Ishimura (the spaceship).

One of the biggest changes in the remake is the addition of a secret ending available in New Game+. New Game+ also features new Necromorph types and more. The game has certainly lived up to the hype and continues to captivate newer and older players alike.

The Last of Us Part 1 (Remake)

Finally, this list would be incomplete if we didn't include one of the best remakes of all time, The Last of Us Part 1 Remake. The Last of Us series is a PlayStation exclusive and has been around for almost a decade, with Naughty Dog constantly improving upon its original release.

The first Last of Us was released in 2013 for PS3 and PS4 and gained massive popularity for its brutal post-apocalyptic setting and story. The horrific tale and adventures that Joel and Ellie embark on do not just end with the first game, but a sequel. However, before we even began talking about the sequel, Naughty Dog decided to release a remastered version of the game for PS4 in 2014, which was again received extremely well.

Now, not even a decade has passed, and they decided to completely rebuild the game from the ground up with brand new assets to take the visuals and gameplay of the original Last of Us to the next level.

One year later, the game was also released for PC, allowing more players to try out the game without needing to purchase a PS5. Naughty Dog expanded upon their updated game engine that was used to develop The Last of Us Part 2 and recreate the first Last of Us game. And it certainly turned out well.

Everything from player models to lighting and texture to resolution was rebuilt. The game had highly detailed models and environment, adding more to the eerie atmosphere the game offered originally.

The facial animations, enemy AI, visuals, and accessibility options resulted in positive reviews. Although the PC port was a bit rough, it still managed to rack in many players. Regardless, the issues were solved following hotfixes and patches released by the devs. It is exciting to think of experiencing the Last of Us world with our friends in such details once multiplayer comes out.

That wraps up our list of some of the best video game remakes. Of course, numerous remakes still didn't make the list. But if we were to keep adding more, the list would be crammed with amazing games. Unfortunately, while the other games are also amazing, we had to reserve the spots for the best, relatively.

The long and short is this: physical copies are becoming a thing of the past, like the VHS tapes of yesteryears. Meanwhile, digital releases, which are quick and convenient, have been all the rage for the better part of the past two decades. But, as with any change, especially one this monumental, there's more to it than meets the eye.

Stalwarts believe there's something special about holding a copy of a game in your hand, especially if it contains the actual game and not just a physical box with a digital code. It's argued that you can't beat the sense of ownership, nostalgia, and connection that you get with having a physical copy over a digital version.

These folks, like this one guy who collected Game Boy copies for years, see collecting as an opportunity to preserve their memories, support local game stores, and get the thrill of the chase of finding a hidden gem in a second-hand shop.

Finally, there's the topic of game preservation. Many games these days can no longer be bought from digital storefronts, leaving the only way to access them is having a physical copy or pirating them from less-than-ideal sources.

Now, on the other hand, we've got the case for digital copies.

They're more convenient, easier to access, and they reduce carbon footprint. Financially, they're also cheaper to produce for publishers as well, which is why Alan Wake 2 is digital only. Plus, let's not forget the rise of video game subscription services and online games. It's like everyone has signed up for the Xbox Game Pass or PlayStation Plus. And, with services like these, digital libraries have become the new game shelves. All you need is to look up a game in your library and boom! You're ready to play. You don't have to worry about scratching your disc, losing your cartridge, or, heaven forbid, a cluttered gaming shelf.

It's clear each choice comes with its own advantages and disadvantages. But, while digital releases are understandable from indie companies, even larger studios are opting to go this route.

Going back to Alan Wake 2, a game by Remedy Entertainment, the game is going down the digital-only path to save a few pennies. True, it will sell for a lot less than most games these days, but a lot of gamers are crying foul that those who can afford a physical release should do it. At this point, it begs the question, is Remedy really thinking about saving costs and padding its bottom line or are they just following the trend? The jury's still out on that one.

Again, the biggest thing here is preservation. Without physical copies, games become harder to archive and keep available. As licensing issues continue to rear their ugly heads every now and then, possessing digital ownership of a game isn't like being able to hold it in your hand. When games start selling for $70 a pop, it's understandable gamers want assurance that it won't just vanish into thin air. A physical copy, even when the servers for updates are switched offline, solves this problem.

At the end of the day, it doesn't matter if we're for or against digital distribution. But, just like how some people collect the darndest of stuff, the stubborn love for physical releases will continue to persist for time immemorial.

After all, in our fast-paced, digital world, isn't it comforting to hold a piece of your favourite hobby in your hands? Maybe, just maybe, we'll find a middle ground that satisfies both who prefer digital and physical copies. Because, let's be honest, we're all here for the love of gaming, aren't we?

It doesn't matter if our games are on discs or if they're in our digital libraries. It's the thrill of playing that keeps up coming back for more, And that, my friends, isn't going anywhere, digital or not.

Some existing and also would-be game developers have also jumped on this blockchain bandwagon, with many games centered around cryptocurrencies and the use of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs) having been released. But, despite all the hype, a closer look at this trend suggests some major problems.

First off, the quality of these crypto games is terrible. It's shocking to see games with huge crypto budgets that can't deliver even a basic level of fun. Indie games, made with just a tiny slice of these budgets, are consistently beating their crypto rivals when it comes to gameplay, story, and overall gaming experience.

The heart of this problem is that crypto game developers seem to have their priorities all mixed up. Instead of focusing on creating immersive, enjoyable experiences for players, they're often more interested in pushing their own cryptocurrencies. The game ends up being just a platform for their digital token, a move that totally misses the point of gaming as a form of entertainment and artistic expression.

Secondly, the wider gaming community isn't exactly thrilled about crypto gaming. Gamers are voicing their dislike for crypto games and crypto NFTs more and more. They see the current models of crypto games, which mostly follow the Play-to-Earn (P2E) principle, as just thinly disguised money-making schemes. And honestly, they've got a point, given the flood of new game-specific tokens and the constant push to buy, trade, or hold these tokens within the gaming environment.

To date, the gaming world has thrived on two main models: the traditional, one-time purchase, and the increasingly popular free-to-play, pay-to-win approach. These models have stood the test of time, delivering both profits and player satisfaction, for the most part. They keep the focus on the game itself and the player's engagement, rather than on some unnecessary token economy.

So, throwing tokens into gaming seems like a misstep at this point in time. Unless they serve as in-game currency (which we already have without blockchain, just think of RuneScape's gold pieces), they don't really add anything to the gaming experience. Their spread seems to be more about cashing in on the crypto craze than making cool games.

That said, it's worth noting that bringing blockchain tech into gaming isn't a bad idea in itself. The potential benefits, like giving players more ownership over their digital assets and creating new revenue streams, are definitely worth exploring. The real challenge is finding a balance between using these benefits and keeping the focus on the gaming experience.

Here's the bottom line: gaming is all about the player's experience. No matter how fancy or groundbreaking the tech behind a game is, if it doesn't deliver a fun experience, it's not going to last. Right now, crypto gaming is struggling to balance between pumping tokens and delivering a great gaming experience. Unless something changes, the future doesn't look too bright.

But instead of seeing this as a knock on blockchain in gaming, developers should take it as a challenge to find better ways to use this tech in gaming that actually benefits the players and makes their gaming experience even better.

In the eighth episode of the show's final season, titled "America Decides", the Roys are faced with a crucial decision: who to support in the US presidential election. The two candidates are Jeryd Mencken, a far-right populist who has (had) the backing of Logan Roy and his network ATN, and Daniel Jimenez, a moderate Democrat who is opposed by the Roys.

The election is very close and essentially comes down to the state of Wisconsin, where a fire at a polling building delays the vote count and casts doubt on how 100,000 subsequently lost ballots would have turned out.

Roman Roy, the youngest son of Logan, who is increasingly becoming more delusional as the season continues, makes a deal with Mencken: if the Roys support him and Mencken wins the election, Mencken will block the merger between Waystar Royco and GoJo, a rival company owned by a Swedish billionaire, Lukas Matsson.

Together with his brother Kendall, Roman pressures Tom Wambsgans, the head of ATN and the husband of their sister Shiv, to call the election for Mencken before the official results are in.

This move has huge implications for the show. By calling the election early for Mencken, ATN could influence the public's perception and pressure Jimenez to concede, even if the results are not final or accurate.

It could also undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process and even the democracy of the United States portrayed in the show.

Calling the election early might also create a self-fulfilling prophecy where people accept the outcome as inevitable and do not challenge it.

It also goes without saying that it demonstrates the Roys' preparedness to sacrifice anything to get what they want, potentially even the stability of the United States.

However, calling the election early does not necessarily guarantee that Mencken will be the president, as there could be legal disputes, recounts, or protests that could change the situation. Moreover, Mencken is a controversial and dangerous figure who flirts with fascism and has radical views on immigration, climate change, and civil rights. His presidency could have disastrous consequences for both America and the world.

The episode also reveals, to Kendall, that Shiv has been secretly collaborating with Lukas Matsson, the owner of GoJo, to push the merger deal through. Her plot is discovered by Kendall, who exposes her double-dealing to both Roman and Tom.

At the end of the episode, Shiv is left isolated and angry as she watches Mencken's victory speech on ATN, vowing to fight back and stop her brothers from ruining their father's legacy.

Mencken, played by Justin Kirk, is a Republican presidential candidate who has a near-fascist ideology and wants to use the power of the Oval Office to benefit his allies and harm his enemies.

He is considered "bad" by some viewers and characters because he represents a threat to democracy, human rights and the free press.

Mencken first appeared in season 3 of Succession when he met with Logan Roy (Brian Cox), the patriarch of the Roy family and the founder of Waystar Royco, the parent company of ATN, a conservative news network.

Mencken offered Logan his support in exchange for favorable coverage and influence over ATN's editorial decisions. Logan agreed to endorse Mencken, despite his controversial views and policies.

In Season 4, Mencken's campaign gained momentum as he appealed to a base of loyal and radical supporters, dubbed "Menckenists" by Shiv Roy (Sarah Snook), Logan's daughter and former head of Waystar's news division.

Shiv opposed Mencken and secretly worked with Lukas Matsson (Alexander Skarsgård), who's company GoJo is about to take over the Roy family business, in order to facilitate the deal, as she had worked out a private arrangement of her own with Matsson.

However, her brothers Kendall (Jeremy Strong) and Roman (Kieran Culkin) had different plans. They wanted to keep Waystar in the family and saw Mencken as a potential ally who could block the merger if he became president. They are trying to tank the deal.

On election night, a suspicious fire broke out at a Milwaukee vote-counting center, calling into question the results of 100,000 lost ballots that could swing the state of Wisconsin, and thus the election, to Mencken's opponent Daniel Jimenez (Elliot Villar), a Democrat.

Mencken seized the opportunity and promised Roman that he would kill the GoJo deal in exchange for ATN's support. Roman convinced Kendall to join him and they pressured Tom Wambsgans (Matthew Macfadyen), Shiv's husband and the new chief of ATN, to call the election for Mencken, despite the incomplete vote count.

Mencken then delivered a stirring and sinister victory speech in which he said: "It's now clear I've won sufficient electoral votes to be declared the next president of the United States... The election has been called by an authority of known integrity."

He also vowed to "cleanse" America from its "pollution" and "corruption" and to restore its "greatness" and "glory".

Many viewers have compared Mencken to former president Donald Trump, who also had a contentious relationship with the media and made claims of election fraud in 2020. However, the actor who plays him, Justin Kirk, has said that Mencken is different from Trump in many ways.

In an interview with Variety, Kirk said: "I don't think Mencken is the same dude [as Trump]. But that thing on CNN was a reminder of the Ghost of Christmas Future — well, hopefully not future — but it was certainly reminiscent." He was referring to a town hall event that CNN hosted with Trump in 2016, which some critics said gave him too much airtime and legitimacy.

Kirk also said that Mencken is not a "cartoon villain" but a complex character who has his own motivations and beliefs. He said: "He's not Marjorie Taylor Greene or whatever. He's not just saying crazy shit for attention... He believes what he believes."

Kirk added that he enjoyed playing Mencken and exploring his psychology and charisma. He said: "He's fun to play because he's smart... He knows how to work a room. He knows how to work people."

Whether Mencken will remain president or face legal challenges or public backlash remains to be seen in the final two episodes of Succession.

Xfire dove deep into the data oceans of Google Trends and churn rates, to reveal how the winds of change are sweeping across Netflix's subscriber base.

Our method

To gather this data, we used Google Trends data for each state to identify the relative interest in the search term "cancel Netflix" over the past three months. This allowed us to estimate the interest level in canceling Netflix for each state, which we then adjusted based on each state's population to get an estimate of the number of such searches per 100K people.

By analyzing the search volume for "cancel Netflix" in each state, we were able to estimate the number of searches and adjust for population to get a more accurate estimate of the interest level in "canceling Netflix" in each state and therefore, which states are likely to be in fact cancelling Netflix at a greater rate than others.

Findings

The data we gathered showed that the following states had the highest intent to cancel Netflix:

• California
• Texas
• Florida
• New York
• Illinois
• Ohio
• Georgia
• Michigan
• North Carolina
• Pennsylvania
• Washington

Conversely, these states showing the lowest intent to cancel Netflix:

• Vermont
• Wyoming
• North Dakota
• Alaska
• South Dakota
• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• Montana
• District of Columbia
• New Hampshire

Takeaways

High cost of living and alternative entertainment options in states like California, Washington, and New York could contribute to the high cancellation rates. People in these states have access to outdoor activities and vibrant nightlife, reducing their reliance on streaming services.

Tech-savvy populations in the top 10 states are more likely to adopt new technology and trends. This could result in increased competition among streaming services, leading to a higher churn rate for platforms like Netflix.

Lower income levels in states such as Mississippi and Louisiana may play a role in fewer searches for "cancel Netflix." People in these states may prioritize other necessities over streaming services or not subscribe to Netflix at all.

Limited access to reliable internet and prioritization of other expenses in lower-income brackets could contribute to the reduced search rates for "cancel Netflix" in certain states.

Conclusion and Overall Findings

The trends observed in the data suggest that economic, demographic, and lifestyle factors all play a significant role in shaping people's decisions to cancel or continue using Netflix.

By understanding these intricacies, streaming services like Netflix can adapt their strategies to cater to diverse customer needs and preferences in different regions. Addressing these challenges could help Netflix and other similar platforms enhance retention rates and sustain their market position in the ever-evolving world of digital entertainment.