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Metro
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Playing Gex again is a reminder of a simpler time for gaming - Reader's Feature
A reader welcomes the return of PS1 platformer Gex and reminiscences over both a childhood favourite and an era when video games weren't so demanding. This week, a game trilogy has been re-released which is very dear to me but seemingly very few people have even heard of: Gex – where a gecko is tasked with saving television from the evil robot Rez. This is good news, even if you don't know or care about Gex. Games are notoriously difficult to preserve. Playing old games today, without the hardware they originally ran on, can be a mission that quickly enters a legal grey area. Therefore, I am immensely grateful for companies like Limited Run Games giving some of these old games a new lease of life. Although it feels like only a minimum effort went into this one – note how I call it a re-release and not a remaster or remake. The Switch version, in its current state, looks especially awful. At least they added some quality of life features, like being able to manually save whenever you want to, which can take the frustration out of some of the more challenging levels. Gex was originally created by Crystal Dynamics, who took over the Tomb Raider franchise after Angel Of Darkness. Speaking of which, did you know that until the 2013 reboot, Lara's model was measured in Gexels? This is because the Tomb Raider games were made on a modified engine based on the one developed for Gex 3D: Enter The Gecko, which was heavily inspired by Super Mario 64 and in my opinion definitely doesn't have to stand in that game's shadow. This is the game I played religiously as a child. I loved the tail-whipping gecko from the first moment I laid eyes on him, on my neighbour's PlayStation, and eventually got the game for PC. Once I also got the graphics card necessary to actually play it, I spent every minute of my allotted hour of computer time in the media dimension, where Gex hops into the different levels, which are pastiches of television genres and movies. These range from haunted house horror to Looney Toons, kung fu movies, Star Wars, and many more. They are full of fun nods to their inspirations and Gex usually dresses for the occasion, be that fighting hunters as a bunny during 'Wabbit' season or wearing a hide and a bone although his nose in the Jurassic levels. Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. The animations and sound design made it so much fun to double jump around on Gex's spring-shaped tail, accompanied by a characteristic 'boioinnng!' And if you happened to land on some unfortunate enemy's head, they got flattened. Similarly, when jumping into a wall, Gex might hit his head and fall flat on his back with a splat, after which stars circle over his head, together with an 'oooww' sound. I'm definitely guilty of giving the poor gecko a few headaches. The game also rewarded my urge to explore and while I failed a timed Indiana Jones style level a lot, because I spent my time marvelling at the snakeheads and skulls adorning the temple walls, imagine my elation when I discovered, in a horror level, that some bookshelves would turn when walking against them, revealing a lever that opened a new part of the level! Of course. I also hunted down all the collectibles to earn all the TV remotes. With enough remotes you would unlock new levels and bosses and one of these has been living rent free in my head for over 20 years now: Gexzilla battling it out with Mecharez – complete with tanks and helicopters trying to defend the city that is getting destroyed in the process – epic! The only thing that doesn't quite hit home for me is Gex's actual personality, especially when it comes to the voice lines, which trigger all the time. While the sound effects and animations are quite endearing, the comedian Dana Gould's quips are old-fashioned and feel weird to hear out of a gecko's mouth. (It seems you were playing the US version. In the UK, Gex was originally voiced by Leslie Philips and then later Danny John-Jules. Their voices weren't in the initial re-release but are being added via a patch – GC) And then there is the fact that a Gecko has implied relations with a human woman… ick. I guess it is a product of its time, much like the older James Bond films which inspired his personality, but I do have to give its makers credit for trying something different than 'Mamma mia.' More Trending I love revisiting Gex because it reminds me of simpler days. Life is busier now and I rarely find the time or motivation anymore, to fully explore and complete today's often vast and complex games. Older games making a comeback shows us that there is a case for more simplicity. Being able to finish a game without it taking dozens of hours and eating up all your spare time is such a relief. By reader Peter Schmid The reader's features do not necessarily represent the views of GameCentral or Metro. You can submit your own 500 to 600-word reader feature at any time, which if used will be published in the next appropriate weekend slot. Just contact us at gamecentral@ or use our Submit Stuff page and you won't need to send an email. MORE: Video games are great for my mental and physical wellbeing - Reader's Feature MORE: I'm going to say it: Mario Kart World is not as good as it should be – Reader's Feature MORE: As a former Xbox 360 owner I don't understand Xbox today - Reader's Feature
The Independent
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Amazon is giving away six free games to celebrate Prime Day
Amazon has officially revealed the dates for Prime Day 2025. Running from 8 July to 11 July, this year's Prime Day sale stretches the definition of 'day' past its breaking point. To celebrate the rapidly expanding sale, right now Amazon is giving Prime members six free PC games to keep forever. From now until Prime Day kicks off on 8 July, Prime Gaming members can add six fan-favourite PC games to their Amazon account. Those are Saints Row IV, Star Wars: Rebellion, Saints Row 2, Toem, Dungeon of the Endless Definitive Edition and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. The six new PC games have been added to Prime Gaming's existing library of freebies, which includes a batch of titles added at the start of June. Like a CeX bargain bin, Amazon's picks are a curious selection of both old and new games. But they include some real gems, lesser-known indie hits and games you might have missed the first time around. June's games include 2004 stealth classic Thief: Deadly Shadows – here's the full list: Mordheim: City of the Damned The Abandoned Planet Station to Station Death Squared Dark Envoy Fate: Undiscovered Realms Thief: Deadly Shadows Jupiter Hell Gallery of Things: Reveries Prime Gaming is included with your Amazon Prime subscription. One of the lesser appreciated benefits of membership, Prime Gaming features a rotating selection of free downloadable games to keep forever, even after you've cancelled your subscription. New games are swapped in every month, so it's worth grabbing what you can while it's available. You also get a free subscription to a Twitch channel of your choice every month – your favourite streamer still gets revenue from this, too – plus access to Amazon Luna, the retail giant's Netflix -style game streaming service. An Amazon Prime subscription costs £8.99 per month or £95 when you sign up for a year. As well as unlocking a bunch of free games with Prime Gaming, you get benefits like unlimited one-day and same-day delivery on eligible orders, access to Prime Video, and exclusive deals and discounts. 30-day free trial today.
Tom's Guide
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Tom's Guide
Amazon is giving away 6 free games to celebrate Prime Day 2025 — here's how to claim them
Amazon has confirmed the date for Prime Day 2025 (July 8-11), but the retailer is kicking off the annual celebration now, and I don't just mean with early deals. To mark the occasion, Amazon, via Prime Gaming, has announced it will be giving away six free video games. The free games include entries in the Saints Row and Tomb Raider series, and a classic Star Wars strategy game first released in 1998. These six PC games will be available starting today (June 17) through July 7, and claiming them is super simple. Just head over to Prime Gaming and follow the on-screen instructions to add them to your library. You will need an Amazon Prime membership to get these freebies. The full list of free games available to Prime users ahead of Prime Day 2025 is as follows: Amazon Prime: for $139/yearAmazon Prime gives shoppers access to a whole host of benefits, Prime Gaming among them. Also included is free shipping on over 100 million products, plus access to additional services like Prime Video and Prime Music. You can pay an annual $139 fee or choose a monthly plan at $14.99. My picks of the bunch are Saints Row IV: Re-Elected and Tomb Raider I-III Remastered. The former is a truly chaotic superhero romp, as you play a future President of the United States, trapped inside an alien simulation and given access to a suite of ridiculous superpowers from Flash-like speed to flying. Meanwhile, the Tomb Raider Remastered trilogy brings the first three games in the classic series to modern platforms, offering improved visuals while still retaining their own school charm. And yes, you can still lock the butler in the fridge in Croft Manor. These titles are showing their age a bit, but remain legendary action-adventure games for a very good reason. Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips. Even better, these six games are being added to the Prime Gaming catalogue in addition to its regular rotation of free software. That means right now, you can also claim another 25 freebies, including Saints Row: Gat out of Hell (if you're craving even more Saints Row), the delightful puzzle game Death Squared, and the cinematic Mafia 3 Definitive Edition. Never heard of Prime Gaming? It's one of the most overlooked Prime membership benefits, and gives you access to a rotating selection of free games. It's an offering that all Amazon Prime subscribers should be checking out regularly, as who can say no to free games? Remember, you've got until July 7 to claim any (or all) of these six extra games, and once redeemed, they're yours to keep, so even if you're booked up with new releases like Mario Kart World and Death Stranding 2 this month, be sure to claim them now while you can. You can always circle back to play later. Meanwhile, if you're looking to score some deals ahead of the annual retail event kicking off properly next month, we've got you covered with all the early Prime Day deals you can score right now. These include some big discounts on everything from 4K TVs to Adidas apparel.
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
DAZN presenter Diletta Leotta goes braless in low cut leather top as fans say ‘Karius is very lucky'
DILETTA LEOTTA has stunned fans after going braless in a low-cut latex top. The DAZN host wore the bold outfit as she attended Elodie's concert at the San Siro stadium in Milan, Italy. 22 Diletta Leotta has stunned fans in a latex top Credit: instagram @dilettaleotta 22 She paired the top with some jeans Credit: instagram @dilettaleotta 22 She wore the outfit to a concert at the San Siro Credit: instagram @dilettaleotta 22 She uploaded the snaps to Instagram Credit: instagram @dilettaleotta She showed off her stunning outfit, which was styled around the latex top. She paired the top with a pair of denim jeans with cuts in the knees. The videos showed her dancing during Elodie's performance as well as meeting the Italian singer. READ MORE ON DILETTA LEOTTA The pair shared a loving hug as they were filmed. Fans loved One posted: "You are so beautiful." A second wrote: "The most beautiful game of Loris Karius life. Don't let these get away with it." Most read in Football A third commented: "You can't argue that she's beautiful." A fourth said: "What a wonderful girl." Diletta Leotta almost upstages Carlos Alcaraz as DAZN presenter spills out of white dress in epic French Open final 22 She showed off her dance moves during the concert Credit: instagram @dilettaleotta 22 Elodie performed at the San Siro Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 22 She is an Italian singer and songwriter Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 22 She met singer Elodie after the show Credit: instagram @dilettaleotta Another added: "Karius, what a lucky man." One fan even claimed that Diletta "beats" singer They wrote: "Dua Lipa her whole life in comparison, it beats in personality and beauty and nature." Diletta tied the knot with former Liverpool flop Loris Karius last summer. She is a regular face on TV as she appears on the She has also However, she recently landed herself in hot water after an advert she starred in A glimpse inside Diletta's glamorous life with partner Loris Karius... 22 Diletta Leotta and boyfriend Loris Karius saw in the new year together Credit: 22 Diletta is one of the Serie A's best loved presenters Credit: Getty 22 Diletta stunned as she presented the Turin derby on Italian TV Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 22 The glamorous TV host put on a leggy display pitchside Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 22 And boasts over 9million followers Credit: Getty 22 Diletta is no stranger to some extravagant outfits on her Instagram Credit: @dilettaleotta 22 Diletta and Karius in Milan Credit: The Mega Agency 22 The Italian beauty on holiday with Karius 22 She has flipped between blonde and brunette looks Credit: 22 She has previously worn an outfit similar to her Tomb Raider look Credit: @dilettaleotta 22 Diletta with a pared-back look Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 22 She is a presenter for DAZN Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 22 Leotta burst onto the scene with Sky Sports Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta 22 She posts regularly updates on Instagram to the delight of her fans Credit: Instagram @dilettaleotta
CNN
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Remember Angelina Jolie's bombshell leather Versace dress?
Remember when Angelina Jolie wore a plunging black gown to the red carpet of 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith,' redefining the leather look? Twenty years ago, the action-romance blockbuster premiered in June in Los Angeles as rumors of Jolie's real on-set affair with co-star Brad Pitt reached a fever pitch, ushering in a decade of 'Brangelina' as a tabloid fixture. Jolie arrived at the film premiere in a Versace gown with a sheer black neckline trim and lining that billowed from a thigh-high slit as she exited a limo and walked into the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood. With her hair styled in a voluminous blow-out and her jewelry kept simple, the star was continuing a recent streak of polished and glamorous red-carpet appearances — including the prior year's Marilyn Monroe-like white silk Oscars gown — a departure from her earlier dress codes of low-slung pants, muscle tees and gothic gowns. (Pitt, conversely, dressed down for the premiere in jeans, a brown bomber jacket and bleached hair). But the leather Versace gown — a tailored silhouette featuring long vertical seams down the front and an open back with two crisscrossed straps — is now widely considered one of Jolie's best looks. It proved that Jolie could still maintain her edgy, bombshell aura as she elevated her style into the more effortless, minimal aesthetic she's known for today. Her long relationship with Versace has included the green, glittering long-sleeve gown she wore to the 2011 Golden Globes; the statuesque metal mesh dress she arrived in for the Rome premiere of 'The Eternals' in 2021; and the velvet, high-slit silhouette at the 2012 Oscars that immediately became Internet-famous for the way she posed her right leg. By 2005, leather had become a hallmark for Jolie, who often drew attention both for her sex appeal and unpredictable nature. The leather wide-belted low-riders she wore to the 'Tomb Raider' premiere in 2001 set pulses racing, as well as the pair she wore in 2000 for 'Gone in Sixty Seconds,' when she arrived to the premiere with then-husband Billy Bob Thornton, who explicitly spelled out their limo dalliance to reporters in a now-infamous clip. As with her look for the 'Tomb Raider' premiere, Jolie's style choices for 'Mr. and Mrs. Smith' also seemed to be in character long before 'method dressing' became obligatory on the red carpet (or perhaps it is merely a reflection of Jolie's predilection for choosing roles with a similar sense of style). In the latter film, Jane Smith is a dangerous assassin with a closet full of slinky black dresses, including the dominatrix mini she sports while taking out a mark. Jolie's Versace gown was only missing a concealed garter weapon — that we know of — to fit right in. Jolie has returned to leather dresses periodically, including a midi tube dress by Michael Kors for the premiere of 'Inglourious Basterds' in 2009 and a strapless design embellished with micro sequins by Versace for 'Maleficent' in 2014. Though Jolie wasn't the only star to embrace leather on the red carpet in '90s and '00s (see Victoria Beckham and Lenny Kravitz), the ingredients of her style can be seen everywhere today, from Louis Vuitton's structured take on the leather gown, worn by Ayo Edebiri to the 75th Emmy Awards, to Dua Lipa's own knockout Versace moment at the 2024 Brit Awards. Earlier this year, Miley Cyrus wore a crisscross cutout leather dress to the Grammy Awards with a front slit akin to Jolie's 2005 gown, while Florence Pugh seemed to take style notes from Jolie's form-fitting midi looks while promoting 'Thunderbolts' in May. Some stars have taken the BDSM-coded influences even further, with Olivia Rodrigo and Kim Kardashian, among others, opting for eyelet-studded leather gowns and mini dresses by the designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin. But 20 years on, Jolie's dress remains the blueprint.
