NEWS
NOSTALGIC NEWS 5 YEARS AGO
5 YEARS AGO
Reece Beckett
Louise Chase
The Life of Pablo was released
Firewatch was released
Kanye West needs no introduction, especially with recent controversies seeing him run for President and the switch from hip-hop to Gospel rap; but his music remains some of the most innovative in contemporary rap and hip-hop. The master producer is responsible for 10 incredible albums and has produced hundreds of singles, too.
In a year full of high paced action games, Firewatch was a breath of fresh woodland air. Being able to slowly walk through the summery woodlands of Wyoming woodlands. As Henry, players spent a few hours in a first-person view of trees and life, and for a “slow-paced” game you can get completely engrossed in the story around you.
The Life of Pablo (TLOP) was West’s eighth studio album released on February 14th 2016, after many name changes, to critical acclaim, quickly going platinum thanks to the gigantic scope of West’s sound and the plethora of other artists involved, from Kendrick Lamar and The Weeknd to a hushed inclusion of Madlib on the beat for ‘No More Parties In L.A.’. TLOP shows West at his most vulnerable and most braggadocious, with the album going from the celebratory song ‘Facts’ to the more introspective ‘Saint Pablo’ and ‘Real Friends’, the only consistency being that almost every song is excellent.
The bold yellows and oranges from the sunlight are wholesome and comforting during the scenes set in the day, which makes the once welcoming sets atop the tower or the refreshing lake feel almost cold and a different world entirely when revisited in the dark. A twisty ending which fell flat for some, actually speaks more about humans and the characters we never get to see; at the revelation surrounding the conspiracy we feel disappointed that Henry and Delilah are not special, they’re just human. And Firewatch is a human game, for the lack of humans that we interact with.
5 YEARS AGO
Stardew Valley was released Maddie Lock
I will be the first to admit that, upon initially seeing my brother play Stardew Valley, I did in fact say “is this like Minecraft?”. However, after picking up the controller myself, I noticed why this question caused his rage, and how the two do in fact differ. Stardew Valley is a beautifully animated escapist game, whereby you’ll notice the days and nights changing in-game, but not realise the sun has now set outside and you’ve been playing it for 6 hours straight. You can farm, fish, shop, mine, chop down trees, have a pet dog, and even go to the numerous events that the local villagers put on. What more do you need? Though it is similar to games such as Minecraft, and the 2020 mega-hit Animal Crossing: New Horizons, it’s unique in its FarmVille-aesthetic, mesmerising soundtrack, and it’ll keep you entertained for hours without having to worry about those dreaded Creepers or billionaire Tom Nook. If you haven’t already, get yourself a copy of Stardew Valley, and prepare for hours and days lost in this entrancing world of your making.
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Images courtesy of CAMPO SANTO and GOOD
