Month: August 2024
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 is a turn-based RPG with beautiful artistic flair
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 first appeared with an intriguing trailer as part of Microsoft’s summer showcase, teasing a dream world where squads of adventurers fight in a bid to defeat “The Paintress” who is gradually shaving years off the maximum life that people could live.
It’s a very JRPG-sounding premise. It’s the first title from new French studio Sandfall Interactive, set in a bleak, ethereal world inspired by Belle Époque-era France (spot the twisted Eiffel Tower), adding slightly more reason to battle this powerful, mysterious Paintress. You’ll play a team of Expeditioners, exploring fantastical landscapes and fighting monsters to defeat the Paintress. It sounds vague because well, I don’t quite understand what the hell is going on. I went back to the trailer – perhaps that will help clarify things.
Clear as mud. But that’s fine, this is a fantasy RPG — I didn’t expect to understand the story from the outset. I recently watched some hands-off gameplay with Guillaume Broche, Creative Director for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the game’s producer, François Meurisse.
We toured a handful of levels and locations, also introducing a handful of the party characters. You’ll start the game with Gustave. Each party member has their own unique battle mechanic, which charges up during battles. You can increase the charge speed with judicious guarding, dodging and parrying. With Gustave’s robotic arm, for example, he can build up a shock attack that he can unleash early for extra damage, or charge up further for an extra aggressive strike.
Maelle, Gustave’s adoptive sister who goes missing early in the game, has a stance technique that can augment her battle stats after an attack from her fencing saber. The game is turn-based, with enemies and allies able to attack (or recover) in a predetermined order. This is augmented with some action RPG touches and QTEs (quick-time events) where you’ll need to defend with precision timing. Get enough parries in a row, and characters will damage the enemy heavily. I got to see a boss monster strike my entire party — fortunately, you only have to nail the dodge once for the entire team to block or parry. The fights themselves are reminiscent of Persona 5, with dramatic camera-angle shifts, inky, paint-themed special effects and a focus on the beautiful character (and monster) design. Special attacks and spells use ability points, which are also replenished from successful guarding and QTE timing. In short, you will still have to pay attention during battles. Sorry.
Alongside Maelle and Gustave, the party in the demo was rounded out by Lune, apparently the team’s mage. You’ll come across the rest of your expeditionary party during the adventure, in typical JRPG style. Broche told me at the outset that Expedition 33 was a tribute to the classic RPGs of the ‘90s, even if it looks nothing like them. Outside of pixelated Switch adventures, turn-based RPGs have long fallen out of favor, replaced by action RPGs, even for remade titles. This is Sandfall Interactive’s attempt to reinvigorate the turn-based RPG for 2024.
Each character has a dedicated weapon type that can be gradually enhanced and strengthened, adding new abilities as the character grows. I caught a glimpse of a complicated skill tree that players will get to chip away at. Elemental attacks will depend on the weapon your character is wielding, likely meaning some careful party creation (or customization) will be needed later in the game.
Beyond elemental weaknesses, some enemies will also have shielding that will protect them from your attacks. As you progress, some will have visible weaknesses that players will have to shoot at – usually with visual tells, like the weak spots on early anchor enemies. This free-aim system is also used in the environments. I saw a few ‘shooting’ puzzles used to unlock treasure and other rewards. Expedition 33 will be separated into different thematic areas, each offering alternative routes (some may offer extra treasure or tougher enemies) and visual landmarks that will offer more insight into the world and lore. The developers said that much of the story will have to be unearthed by players themselves, hunting down collectible notes from the husks of failed expeditions of the past.
Sandfall Interactive
The early environments I saw of Expedition 33 were gorgeous. One of the initial areas is built as if you’re walking along the bottom of the ocean, laced with plankton, coral and curtains of seaweed. In fact, the beautiful world is only outdone by the character models. The team seems to have put a lot of effort into making its heroes emote and react in a way you wouldn’t have seen in RPGs of old.
I’m wary of how much of an RPG epic the Sandfall Interactive team will be able to make, given its size. While I didn’t get to play Expedition 33 at this point, I wonder how much exploration will be possible in the finished game and whether it will reward players’ curiosity beyond plot lore and mournful letters from dead expeditions.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and PC.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/clair-obscur-expedition-33-is-a-turn-based-rpg-with-beautiful-artistic-flair-130050721.html?src=rss
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 first appeared with an intriguing trailer as part of Microsoft’s summer showcase, teasing a dream world where squads of adventurers fight in a bid to defeat “The Paintress” who is gradually shaving years off the maximum life that people could live.
It’s a very JRPG-sounding premise. It’s the first title from new French studio Sandfall Interactive, set in a bleak, ethereal world inspired by Belle Époque-era France (spot the twisted Eiffel Tower), adding slightly more reason to battle this powerful, mysterious Paintress. You’ll play a team of Expeditioners, exploring fantastical landscapes and fighting monsters to defeat the Paintress. It sounds vague because well, I don’t quite understand what the hell is going on. I went back to the trailer – perhaps that will help clarify things.
Clear as mud. But that’s fine, this is a fantasy RPG — I didn’t expect to understand the story from the outset. I recently watched some hands-off gameplay with Guillaume Broche, Creative Director for Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and the game’s producer, François Meurisse.
We toured a handful of levels and locations, also introducing a handful of the party characters. You’ll start the game with Gustave. Each party member has their own unique battle mechanic, which charges up during battles. You can increase the charge speed with judicious guarding, dodging and parrying. With Gustave’s robotic arm, for example, he can build up a shock attack that he can unleash early for extra damage, or charge up further for an extra aggressive strike.
Maelle, Gustave’s adoptive sister who goes missing early in the game, has a stance technique that can augment her battle stats after an attack from her fencing saber. The game is turn-based, with enemies and allies able to attack (or recover) in a predetermined order. This is augmented with some action RPG touches and QTEs (quick-time events) where you’ll need to defend with precision timing. Get enough parries in a row, and characters will damage the enemy heavily. I got to see a boss monster strike my entire party — fortunately, you only have to nail the dodge once for the entire team to block or parry. The fights themselves are reminiscent of Persona 5, with dramatic camera-angle shifts, inky, paint-themed special effects and a focus on the beautiful character (and monster) design. Special attacks and spells use ability points, which are also replenished from successful guarding and QTE timing. In short, you will still have to pay attention during battles. Sorry.
Alongside Maelle and Gustave, the party in the demo was rounded out by Lune, apparently the team’s mage. You’ll come across the rest of your expeditionary party during the adventure, in typical JRPG style. Broche told me at the outset that Expedition 33 was a tribute to the classic RPGs of the ‘90s, even if it looks nothing like them. Outside of pixelated Switch adventures, turn-based RPGs have long fallen out of favor, replaced by action RPGs, even for remade titles. This is Sandfall Interactive’s attempt to reinvigorate the turn-based RPG for 2024.
Each character has a dedicated weapon type that can be gradually enhanced and strengthened, adding new abilities as the character grows. I caught a glimpse of a complicated skill tree that players will get to chip away at. Elemental attacks will depend on the weapon your character is wielding, likely meaning some careful party creation (or customization) will be needed later in the game.
Beyond elemental weaknesses, some enemies will also have shielding that will protect them from your attacks. As you progress, some will have visible weaknesses that players will have to shoot at – usually with visual tells, like the weak spots on early anchor enemies. This free-aim system is also used in the environments. I saw a few ‘shooting’ puzzles used to unlock treasure and other rewards. Expedition 33 will be separated into different thematic areas, each offering alternative routes (some may offer extra treasure or tougher enemies) and visual landmarks that will offer more insight into the world and lore. The developers said that much of the story will have to be unearthed by players themselves, hunting down collectible notes from the husks of failed expeditions of the past.
The early environments I saw of Expedition 33 were gorgeous. One of the initial areas is built as if you’re walking along the bottom of the ocean, laced with plankton, coral and curtains of seaweed. In fact, the beautiful world is only outdone by the character models. The team seems to have put a lot of effort into making its heroes emote and react in a way you wouldn’t have seen in RPGs of old.
I’m wary of how much of an RPG epic the Sandfall Interactive team will be able to make, given its size. While I didn’t get to play Expedition 33 at this point, I wonder how much exploration will be possible in the finished game and whether it will reward players’ curiosity beyond plot lore and mournful letters from dead expeditions.
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 will be released in 2025 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S and PC.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/gaming/clair-obscur-expedition-33-is-a-turn-based-rpg-with-beautiful-artistic-flair-130050721.html?src=rss
The Rings of Power season 2 is the thrilling and faithful Lord of the Rings show I’ve wanted all along on Prime Video
I’ve seen The Rings of Power season 2’s first three episodes – here are my spoiler-light thoughts on the hit Prime Video show’s return.
I like The Rings of Power. I appreciate it’s not to everyone’s taste, especially long-time The Lord of the Rings fans who felt it betrayed J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary literary works. Some of the criticism leveled at The Rings of Power season 1 was valid, but I maintain that it’s a good show; one that, without the weight of expectation that Tolkien’s source material brings with it, would have been judged more kindly.
You can replace ‘good’ with ‘great’ in my eyes now, because The Rings of Power season 2 is even better than its predecessor. A few issues linger from the high-fantasy show’s first season, but overall I believe the hit Prime Video series strikes a largely pleasing balance between Tolkien’s literature and its new material as it forges its own path through Middle-earth’s Second Age.
And in the darkness, bind them
Khazad-dûm’s residents, including Prince Durin and Princess Disa, are in for a rude awakening this season (Image credit: Prime Video)
Season 2 finds Middle-earth’s races still reeling from events in The Rings of Power season 1 episode 6 and its season 1 finale. In Lindon, the elves not only quarrel over what to do with the three rings that were forged last season, but also Sauron’s (Charlie Vickers) return, which Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) unintentionally aided and abetted. Over in Khazad-dûm, the superstitious dwarves contend with a potentially calamitous earthquake – generated by Mount Doom’s creation in season 1 – and the familial fallout between King Durin (Peter Mullen) and his son Durin IV (Owain Arthur).
Things aren’t good in Númenor, either, with a civil war brewing after Queen Regent Míriel’s (Cynthia Addai-Robinson) fateful decision to aid the Southlanders in their fight against the orcs resulted in many Númenóreans’ deaths. The triumphant orcs now reside in the newly-formed Mordor under Lord-Father Adar (Sam Hazeldine), but their existence continues to be threatened by outside forces. Oh, and let’s not forget about The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) and Nori (Markella Kavenagh), who are heading to the mysterious lands of Rhûn in search of answers about the former’s past.
Sauron is the centrepiece around which The Rings of Power’s second season is built
Directly or not, season 2’s various storylines are bound by a common thread: Sauron. Just as Galadriel was positioned as the protagonist of season 1’s expansive ensemble, The Lord of the Rings‘ iconic foe is the centrepiece around which the show’s second season is built. Hey, its creators couldn’t say season 2 is “all about the villains” and not install Sauron as its new primary character.
Sauron’s ambition to rule Middle-earth sees him take on another alias, Annatar, in season 2 (Image credit: Prime Video)
To that end, like Galadriel in season 1’s opening sequence, Sauron is the beneficiary of a trauma-laced backstory this time around, albeit one that’s creepier, more blood-soaked, and more supernatural than his cohort’s was. It’s a prelude that adds a rudimentary flavor to Sauron’s motivation to ‘heal’ (read: tyrannically rule) Middle-earth, and purposefully amplifies his tragic-villain status.
The outset of Sauron and Celebrimbor’s dynamic… has the makings of a magnetic character pairing
Armed with a new strategy – one centered on creating a new alias, Annatar, to dupe the elves into crafting more rings for dwarves and men, and perhaps the One Ring itself, so that he can enslave Middle-earth – the ever-cunning Sauron becomes the grand orchestrator of season 2’s events. It’s a role Vickers inhabits with aplomb, too; the actor grabbing proceedings by the scruff of the neck and driving the plot forward through the Dark Lord’s skilled sense of manipulation and sorcery, which he portrays with captivating subtlety and extravagant theatrics.
Sauron (left) disguises himself as the Lord of Gifts, to trick Celebrimbor (right) into making more of the titular rings (Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)
For said plan to come to fruition, Sauron needs help from Eregion’s master elven-smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards). After meeting and forging the three elven rings together in season 1, the duo’s reunion is tackled in a wholly original way in Amazon’s TV adaptation; one of numerous creative diversions from the source material that diehard fans will likely be vexed by again this season.
Nonetheless, their dynamic, one which initially sees Sauron prey on Celebrimbor’s weaknesses before evolving into an engrossing power struggle, has the makings of a magnetic character pairing. Vickers’ deceit-filled performance notwithstanding, I can’t recall seeing a more enthralling, multifaceted acting performance so early in a season than Edwards’, who seamlessly moves between joy, wistfulness, exasperation, curiosity, and being awestruck in season 2’s three-episode premiere. If this is what their two-hander stage play-like scenes, which see them locked in a whirlwind of metallurgic creativity and emotional exploitation, starts out as, I can’t wait to see more as the season progresses.
Empires always fall
Elrond and Galadriel’s friendship has become strained heading into season 2 (Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)
There’s plenty of spicy melodrama developing outside of Eregion’s walls, too. The straining of Elrond (Robert Aramayo) and Galadriel’s friendship, born out of their disagreement over the elven rings and Galadriel’s erroneous decision not to tell Elrond about Sauron, is not only a core element of their character arcs, but also speaks to division sown within elven ranks by the rings’ existence. Whether it’s the dramatic one-upmanship they engage in, or High king Gil-galad’s (Benjamin Walker) yo-yoing allegiance between them, the discourse is well executed.
Similar praise can be lavished on the disunity between other races and pairings. From the edginess of Durin IV’s relationships with his father and wife Disa (Sophia Nomvete), which may become more fraught by the dwarf rings’ crafting, to the collapse of Arondir’s (Ismael Cruz-Cordova) surrogate dad-son bond with Theo (Tyroe Muhafadin) for reasons I won’t spoil, there’s reams of ripe character-driven spectacle to become immersed in.
There’s plenty of spicy melodrama developing outside of Eregion’s walls
The assassination of Míriel’s character as the scheming Pharazon (Trystan Gravelle) makes a play for Númenor’s throne could be season 2’s narrative joker in the pack, however. Okay, it has the makings of being a vanilla-lite Game of Thrones, but there’s a potency to the island kingdom’s royal and political upheaval that has the potential to metaphorically catch fire if it effectively executes its civil war storyline.
Indeed, the unexpected aid Pharazon receives from characters like Eärien (Ema Horvath), whose actions may be well-intentioned in her eyes, makes me eager to see what her father and staunch Faithful-ist Elendil (Lloyd Owen) makes of her betrayal, especially as the duo continue to try and navigate their grief over Isildur’s (Maxim Baldry) apparent death. That dynamic, coupled with the war of wills between Míriel and Pharazon, and the tribal conflict that’ll erupt between The Faithful and The King’s Men, could be season 2’s most explosive and dramatic narrative.
Queen Regent Míriel faces a backlash from Númenor’s elite in season 2 episode 3 (Image credit: Ben Rothstein/Prime Video)
The drawback to Númenórean events, as well as those involving Arondir, Theo, newcomer Estrid (Nia Towle), and the not-so-dead Isildur in Pelargir, is that The Rings of Power 2‘s early episodes favor certain storylines over others. Indeed, these plots don’t debut until episode 3 and, by proxy, feel comparatively underused compared to events transpiring in Lindon, Mordor, Khazad-dûm, and Eregion. I suspect they’ll become more prominent in subsequent episodes, especially when their storylines converge with others.
The Stranger and Nori’s Rhûn-based adventure is season 2’s weakest storyline
Of all of season 2’s plots, though, I’d wager The Stranger and Nori’s Rhûn-based adventure is its weakest. Given the spellbinding mysteries at play in this storyline, I agree that’s a head-scratching statement to make, but it’s one I’ll steadfastly defend.
For all of the mystique surrounding The Stranger’s identity, the enigma that is Ciaran Hinds’ Dark Wizard (someone I still believe to be a young Saruman), the unexpected but delightful addition of a fan-favorite Lord of the Rings character in Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), and exploration of Rhûn’s mysterious lands, it should be one of season 2’s most riveting storylines. And yet, thanks to its inhibitory plot exposition, the unearned reunion between Nori and Poppy (Megan Richards) so soon after their teary farewell in season 1’s finale, and aimless narrative direction, this storyline’s occasional whimsy or salutary “we’re going round in circles” reference to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers‘ live-action movie did little to assuage the issues I had with it.
Lore of the Rings
Tom Bombadil finally makes his debut in a live-action Lord of the Rings project in season 2 (Image credit: Prime Video)
That isn’t the only call-back to Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s beloved works or the legendary author’s fantastical universe. From paying tribute to The Fellowship of the Ring film as precisely as possible, to dovetailing literary accounts and franchise lore mentioned in The Lord of the Rings books, appendices, and legendarium, season 2 endavors to forge closer ties to Tolkien’s novels and other texts, which should win over some alienated fans.
There’s a satisfying expansion of The Lord of the Rings’ mythology
There’s a satisfying expansion of The Lord of the Rings‘ mythology, too, with new locations – ones created by Tolkien, such as the Grey Havens, and original settings like Rhûn’s Caras Gaer – taking center stage. Newly created individuals – Estrid, Celebrimbor’s elven-smith protégé Mirdania (Amelia Kenworthy), and Damord the Hill-troll (voiced by Benjamin Walker) to name just three – equally help to flesh things out in intriguing fashion.
The introduction of legacy characters like Círdan (Ben Daniels) and Narvi (Kevin Eldon), the latter being a specific character that Edwards exclusively told me he wanted to see in season 2, are also fulfilling additions. I found a particular richness to the scenes shared between Círdan and Elrond, and I would have loved more interactions between them in season 2, if not for the direction that the latter’s coming-of-age arc (Isildur embarks on a similar character-defining story) seems set to follow post-episode 3.
Arondir, Isildur, and new character Estrid team up in season 2’s Pelargir storyline (Image credit: Ross Ferguson/Prime Video)
The Rings of Power season 2 also takes atmospheric cues from Tolkien’s literary material, not least in its horror-genre leanings. The Sauron flashback sequence in episode 1 is but a taste of the body horror, Lovecraftian frights, and psychological thriller vibes that one of the best Prime Video shows confidently captures. Galadriel’s terror-fuelled premonition sequence in episode 2, complete with demonic lighting and classic Dutch tilt camera angles, might be my favorite so far, but Isildur’s creepy and claustrophobic showdown with a young Shelob (as teased in season 2’s official trailer), plus the haunted-mansion tonality – in Celebrimbor’s forge room – that pre-empts Annatar’s reveal run it close.
The Rings of Power 2, though, wouldn’t be fully representative of Tolkien’s thematically rich works if it didn’t find rays of light amid the encroaching darkness. Such moments are few and far between in a season described as the show’s take on The Empire Strikes Back, but there are moments of joy to be had, which I won’t ruin here. They may have only raised a smile as I watched them play out, but they’re nonetheless beautiful moments to behold, and gratifyingly convey the hope that Tolkien infused his writings with.
My verdict
The Rings of Power season 2 feels more in line with the high-fantasy series we were promised of its forebear’s release. As I admitted earlier, I enjoyed what its swing-for-the-fences first season offered, but even I’ll concede that its deviations from Tolkien’s body of work were occasionally jarring and redundant.
Its sophomore outing isn’t perfect, either. It’s light on action – it’ll rectify this oversight with the brutal Siege of Eregion in its final few episodes, mind you – and feels labored in some storytelling and visual aspects (don’t get me started on those extraneous jump-cuts and scene transitions). As a darker and more dangerous installment that’s far more faithful to its literary inspiration, however, The Rings of Power 2 continues to prove that Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings prequel series is a well-oiled, character-driven slice of prestige TV. Simply put: it’s the one Prime Video show to rule them all.
The Rings of Power season 2 debuts with a three-episode premiere on August 29. New episodes air weekly exclusively on Prime Video until the finale on October 3.
This Secret Loophole Makes Leasing an EV Better Than Buying Right Now
Leasing versus buying an electric car is a hot debate on Reddit. We did the math and asked the experts to find the answer.
Leasing versus buying an electric car is a hot debate on Reddit. We did the math and asked the experts to find the answer.
Pryzm is a new kind of defense tech startup: One that helps others win lucrative contracts
Pryzm announced its $2 million pre-seed round, led by XYZ Venture Capital and Amplify.LA.
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Pryzm announced its $2 million pre-seed round, led by XYZ Venture Capital and Amplify.LA.
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ Season 2 review: Darkness looks good on Middle-earth
The rise of Sauron takes “The Rings of Power” to new heights in a dark, delicious Season 2. TV review.
If The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘s first season was about teasing the return of the Dark Lord Sauron (Charlie Vickers), then its second season is all about unleashing Sauron’s darkness in full. And honestly? Call me Mount Doom, because I had a blast watching it.
Sauron’s resurgence unlocks several opportunities for The Rings of Power to go full throttle with its interpretation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. New forms of corruption, new evil creatures, new battles — it’s all on the table, making for a season that is substantially darker than the first (but more wickedly fun).
Middle-earth faces the darkness in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2
Credit: Prime Video
The events of The Rings of Power Season 1 have left Middle-earth in disarray. The eruption of Orodruin (aka Mount Doom) has created the wasteland known as Mordor, leaving the inhabitants of the Southlands in a constant battle with orc hordes. The loss of Númenórean soldiers in the battle for the Southlands has radicalized a portion of the great island kingdom, pushing it further towards political chaos. And in the Elven realm of Lindon, the realization that Halbrand was Sauron all along has rendered High King Gil-galad (Benjamin Walker) and Elrond (Robert Aramayo) suspicious of Galadriel (Morfydd Clark), who brought Halbrand back to Middle-earth in the first place. Still shaken by her deception at the hands of Sauron, all Galadriel wants to do is destroy him once and for all. But how can she trust her own mind after Sauron managed to worm his way in?
As the Elves debate their next course of action, including whether it’s even safe to use the three Rings of Power forged by smith Celebrimbor (Charles Edwards) at the end of Season 1, darkness only spreads further across Middle-earth — including places where Sauron never held direct influence. Tremors from Mount Doom’s explosion lead to catastrophe in the Dwarven realm of Khazad-dûm, prompting King Durin III (Peter Mullan) to take drastic measures in order to help his people. Elsewhere, in the Eastern lands of Rhûn, the Stranger (Daniel Weyman) and Nori Brandyfoot (Markella Kavenagh) come face to face with a foreboding Dark Wizard (Ciarán Hinds).
‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ trailer teases an epic battle for the fate of Rohan
Like in Season 1, showrunners Patrick McKay and JD Payne are playing fairly fast and loose with the timeline of Tolkien’s legendarium. Some characters are completely original, while other plots are cobbled together from references to other non-Second Age-era Tolkien texts. Much of the Stranger’s initial encounter with the mysterious Tom Bombadil (Rory Kinnear), for example, plays out like an early portion of The Fellowship of the Ring novel — one that was omitted from Peter Jackson’s film trilogy. Yet despite the sometimes fanfiction-y feel of certain character combinations, fabricated storylines, or the occasional on-the-nose quotation, the actual details, character beats, and themes of The Rings of Power remain unmistakably Tolkien in nature.
The Rings of Power Season 2 proves villains have more fun
Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video
But where’s Sauron in the middle of all of this? What’s that tricksy little Maia up to? Now that his cover’s been blown, is he gathering armies and storming across the land? Or is he continuing his Season 1 tactics and taking a more subtle approach?
If you guessed “subtle,” you’re right! Your prize is 20 Rings of Power, to be kept secret (and preferably safe).
Season 2 sees Sauron briefly recycling his Halbrand disguise in order to put some plans into motion involving orc leader Adar (Sam Hazeldine). But it’s not long before he heads to Eregion to hang out with Celebrimbor and get a stylish villain makeover. One long blonde wig and some Elf ears later, and Sauron has transformed into Annatar, the so-called “Lord of Gifts” who’s here to help Celebrimbor forge more Rings of Power. Celebrimbor, having already been deceived once by Sauron at the very end of Season 1, buys the disguise and is in.
The ensuing dynamic between Celebrimbor and Sauron becomes the most intriguing of the season, as we get to watch Sauron ensnare yet another Elf’s mind in his quest for power. Since the Sauron reveal was treated as the big surprise of Season 1, The Rings of Power often kept Sauron-as-Halbrand’s villainy hidden, only showing it in surprise bursts of violence. But now that the truth is out in Season 2, Sauron-as-Annatar’s villainy simmers in every scene, lurking in each of Vickers’ smirks and stares. His performance is deliciously fun to watch in the way that all great villains are, yet the cost of Sauron’s plotting becomes harder to stomach as the season goes on and his victory seems more assured. Whenever he cajoles Celebrimbor to do his bidding, using increasingly manipulative methods, it’s enough to make you want to reach through the screen and shake the Elven smith’s shoulders to snap him out of Sauron’s control.
To Celebrimbor’s credit, he does have his doubts throughout the season, and Edwards delivers a tragic portrait of an Elf losing his grip on reality throughout. It’s here that The Rings of Power most fully embraces the terror of Sauron’s abilities, showcasing some sinister powers that had me leaping off my couch in both fear and excitement of, “wow, we’re actually going there.” In a season full of treats — including The Rings of Power‘s biggest battle yet, new displays of magic, and one very evil sentient pile of ooze — it’s this mental warfare that hits hardest.
The Rings of Power continues to overstretch itself in Season 2
Credit: Ben Rothstein / Prime Video
While The Rings of Power soars to new heights in Season 2, it occasionally feels like a collection of standout moments, as opposed to a cohesive narrative. That was also the case in Season 1, when certain storylines would drop away for episodes at a time, only to resurface later.
That problem only grows in Season 2, with the Rhûn and Númenórean plotlines especially feeling more distant from the others by virtue of having fewer overlapping characters. They tend to appear in every other episode, and when we return to them, it feels as if we’re missing connective tissue between where we left them and where they are now. These stories and the characters inhabiting them occupy an important space within the series, and within Tolkien’s legendarium, yet they’re not getting the time they need to develop. It’s proof of The Rings of Power‘s vast scope and ambitions, as well as the small amount of real estate (only eight episodes!) the show gets to explore them. To paraphrase a wise Hobbit, the resulting effect is a series that can sometimes feel stretched thin, like butter scraped over too much bread.
However, the official return of Sauron proves to be exactly what The Rings of Power needs to hold itself together and build momentum. His darkness binds each and every inhabitant of Middle-earth to one another, serving as an effective through-line even as some disparate characters spin off on their own adventures. And while the rise of that evil may seem daunting, light will always shine through in true Tolkien fashion thanks to The Rings of Power‘s bravest (and sometimes most unlikely) heroes. Their trials remain a shining beacon of hope and earnestness not just in Middle-earth, but on TV as a whole.
Plaud’s NotePin is another AI wearable for remembering everything
The NotePin is a voice recorder in the body of a Fitbit. | Image: Plaud
After creating an impressive (not to mention somewhat TikTok famous) AI-powered voice recorder, Plaud is launching a more ambitious gadget: a wearable designed to be with you all the time, recording your notes and meetings and helping you get stuff done. The device is called the NotePin, and the pill-shaped gadget and accessory lineup seems to take some cues from early Fitbits. You can wear the NotePin around your neck as a pendant, pin it to your chest, strap it to your wrist, or clip it just about anywhere.
AI wearables are everywhere right now and largely fall into one of two categories. There are the companionship devices, like Friend, meant to just provide something to hang with and talk to. Then, there are the productivity devices, like Limitless, designed to be useful more than delightful.
The NotePin is very much in the second camp: Plaud is positioning it as a way to transcribe, summarize, and get action items out of everything that happens in your life. Its battery lasts for up to 20 hours of continuous recording, the company says, but Plaud doesn’t intend for it to always be on — you have to tap on the device to start recording, for one thing, rather than just setting it and forgetting it. This is good UI and also good privacy practice both for users and for the world at large; these devices raise complicated questions about who consents to being recorded, and requiring manual action at least solves part of the problem.
Plaud’s first product, the Note voice recorder, is one of the better AI voice note tools on the market. The Note is made to attach to the back of your phone and record voice notes or phone calls, and then automatically transcribe and summarize them. Plaud’s app is a little messy, but the basic tech works pretty well. The NotePin’s main improvement is its form factor: Plaud is hoping that by getting the device out of your pocket and onto your body, you’ll have more reasons to use it.
The NotePin itself costs $169, and Plaud’s AI features are free for very basic uses and $79 a year for more advanced things like summary templates and speaker labeling. (Presumably, anyone interested in buying this thing is going to want the pro features.) The software will ultimately be what matters: the AI boom seems to mean many more people will start recording much more of their lives, and it’ll be up to Plaud and its competition to figure out what to do with all that information. Perfect memory is an enticing thing, but it’s an awfully hard one to get right.
The NotePin is a voice recorder in the body of a Fitbit. | Image: Plaud
After creating an impressive (not to mention somewhat TikTok famous) AI-powered voice recorder, Plaud is launching a more ambitious gadget: a wearable designed to be with you all the time, recording your notes and meetings and helping you get stuff done. The device is called the NotePin, and the pill-shaped gadget and accessory lineup seems to take some cues from early Fitbits. You can wear the NotePin around your neck as a pendant, pin it to your chest, strap it to your wrist, or clip it just about anywhere.
AI wearables are everywhere right now and largely fall into one of two categories. There are the companionship devices, like Friend, meant to just provide something to hang with and talk to. Then, there are the productivity devices, like Limitless, designed to be useful more than delightful.
The NotePin is very much in the second camp: Plaud is positioning it as a way to transcribe, summarize, and get action items out of everything that happens in your life. Its battery lasts for up to 20 hours of continuous recording, the company says, but Plaud doesn’t intend for it to always be on — you have to tap on the device to start recording, for one thing, rather than just setting it and forgetting it. This is good UI and also good privacy practice both for users and for the world at large; these devices raise complicated questions about who consents to being recorded, and requiring manual action at least solves part of the problem.
Plaud’s first product, the Note voice recorder, is one of the better AI voice note tools on the market. The Note is made to attach to the back of your phone and record voice notes or phone calls, and then automatically transcribe and summarize them. Plaud’s app is a little messy, but the basic tech works pretty well. The NotePin’s main improvement is its form factor: Plaud is hoping that by getting the device out of your pocket and onto your body, you’ll have more reasons to use it.
The NotePin itself costs $169, and Plaud’s AI features are free for very basic uses and $79 a year for more advanced things like summary templates and speaker labeling. (Presumably, anyone interested in buying this thing is going to want the pro features.) The software will ultimately be what matters: the AI boom seems to mean many more people will start recording much more of their lives, and it’ll be up to Plaud and its competition to figure out what to do with all that information. Perfect memory is an enticing thing, but it’s an awfully hard one to get right.
Publicly Available EV Charger Network Doubles Under Biden-Harris Administration
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Electrek: Over 192,000 publicly available charging ports are now online, and approximately 1,000 new chargers are being added each week. To build on this momentum, the federal government has awarded $521 million in grants to further expand the national network, with new chargers being deployed across 29 states, two Federally Recognized Tribes, and the District of Columbia.
The $521 million investment is divided into two key areas: 41 community projects ($321 million) and 10 corridor fast-charging projects ($200 million). The grant awards also support President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities, with over half of the funding going to sites in disadvantaged communities. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Biden-Harris Administration has been clear about America leading the EV revolution, and thanks to the historic [Bipartisan Infrastructure Law] package, we’re building a nationwide EV charger network to make sure all drivers have an accessible, reliable, and convenient way to charge their vehicles.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Electrek: Over 192,000 publicly available charging ports are now online, and approximately 1,000 new chargers are being added each week. To build on this momentum, the federal government has awarded $521 million in grants to further expand the national network, with new chargers being deployed across 29 states, two Federally Recognized Tribes, and the District of Columbia.
The $521 million investment is divided into two key areas: 41 community projects ($321 million) and 10 corridor fast-charging projects ($200 million). The grant awards also support President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims for 40% of the overall benefits of federal investments to flow to disadvantaged communities, with over half of the funding going to sites in disadvantaged communities. US Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the importance of this initiative, stating, “The Biden-Harris Administration has been clear about America leading the EV revolution, and thanks to the historic [Bipartisan Infrastructure Law] package, we’re building a nationwide EV charger network to make sure all drivers have an accessible, reliable, and convenient way to charge their vehicles.”
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Fast-growing immigrant-focused neobank Comun has secured $21.5M in new funding just months after its last raise
Comun, a digital bank focused on serving immigrants in the United States, has raised $21.5 million in a Series A funding round less than nine months after announcing a $4.5 million raise, TechCrunch is the first to report. This is a crowded space, filled with a number of startups, including Tanda, Bloom Money, Majority, Welcome
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
Comun, a digital bank focused on serving immigrants in the United States, has raised $21.5 million in a Series A funding round less than nine months after announcing a $4.5 million raise, TechCrunch is the first to report. This is a crowded space, filled with a number of startups, including Tanda, Bloom Money, Majority, Welcome […]
© 2024 TechCrunch. All rights reserved. For personal use only.
African Net Sponge: What Exactly Is This Beauty Trend?
Used throughout history, African net sponges have been making a comeback. But, what is this bathing tool and why do people love it so much?
Used throughout history, African net sponges have been making a comeback. But, what is this bathing tool and why do people love it so much?