Category: Top Ten

Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

E-Wheels EW-72

A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

Spitfire 420 Ex

Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.

August 18, 2018
Top Ten Reasons to be Hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Super Smash Bros Ultimate comes out on December 7^th, 2018. It will absolutely be the best game of the year and everyone who is even passingly interested in video games is excited. If you’ve been checked out of gaming news recently, you might be a bit confused as to why everyone is so excited about this game. Well, allow us to bring you up to speed. These are the top ten reasons to be hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate!

Top Ten Reasons to be Hyped for Super Smash Bros Ultimate

Limited Edition Has a GameCube Controller

Photo Credit: Nintendo UK

The limited edition of Smash Bros Ultimate will come bundled with a GameCube controller and an adapter to connect it to your Switch. Given that the 2001 entry, Melee, was one of the biggest games of all time, it makes sense that many consider the GameCube controller to be the true controller for Smash Bros. It’s good to see that this trend will continue with what’s shaping up to be the definitive version of Smash.

Tons of Assist Trophies

Photo Credit: GameBanana

There are tons and tons of Assist Trophies this time around. Everyone from Waluigi to Grey Fox to Shovel Knight has been confirmed to appear as Assists this time around. While many are sad to see these characters aren’t playable fighters, this is still awesome news. It’s better to have them in the game than not, so we’ll take all the Assist Trophies we can get!

Pokémon for Days

Photo Credit: IGN

Pokéballs, similar in function to Assist Trophies, have been overhauled with tons of new Pokémon this time around. New creatures from Sun and Moon will be making their first Smash appearances, as well Alola versions of several Kanto Pokémon. We always love to see more support for this awesome series!

The First Monster Hunter Crossover

Photo Credit: Polygon

Rathalos, one of the biggest bads from the Monster Hunter series, is appearing in this game. He’ll be both an Assist Trophy and Stage Boss. Not only is he the first character to be both of these things, he’s also the first MH representative in Smash! We’re not likely to see any fighters repping the series, but it’s still cool to see it featured in such a big way.

Stages upon Stages

Photo Credit: Reddit

Speaking of Stages, there are a ton of new and returning stages this time around. The most recent Direct confirmed that there are over 100 stages in the game! That’s not even counting that every stage can be converted into two stripped-down versions. There will even be a feature that allows the match to transfer from one stage to another in the middle of the match! If you ever found yourself bored of the stage selection in the previous entries, that likely won’t be happening this time around.

The Music

Photo Credit: Zelda Dungeon

Music has always been a huge focus of the Smash series, as it tries to function as a living love letter to video games. This time is no exception: there are going to be over 900 unique songs from all the series represented. If you’re even a passing fan of some of these series, you’ll appreciate how deep the soundtrack here is. Between the rearrangements and remasters, this is likely the most complete repository of classic video game music in history.

The Trophies

Photo Credit: Smashpedia

Speaking of Smash Bros functioning as a Nintendo encyclopedia, we’re hyped as always for the trophies. Trophies serve two purposes: the first is as collectible 3D renders of thousands of Nintendo characters. The second is as encyclopedia-style entries explaining each character’s place in their respective series. If you’re interested in digging deep into the lore of these older series, this is the feature for you.

Multiplayer Options A-Plenty

Photo Credit: Smash Wiki

The most recent Direct also confirmed the incredibly deep multiplayer options on offer this time around. If you’ve ever spent hours at a time on the couch with friends just playing Smash, this should have you excited. Everything from stamina battles to wacky rules like extra gravity and double-speed are available. Interestingly, there is also the option to redefine what the default rules are. If your group prefers 3-stock battles with a 4-minute time limit, you can set that as the default. For those who plan to spend hundreds of hours in the multiplayer suite, this is the best possible news.

Everyone is Here

Photo Credit: SlashGear
Nintendo lit the internet on fire when they announced that every single character to ever appear in Smash was coming back for this outing. That means oft-requested characters that appeared once, like Snake and Wolf, were brought back into the fold. Even better, it means that all of the DLC characters from Smash 4 are in the roster. Bayonetta, Ryu, Cloud and more are all fan-favorites and it’s amazing to see them all under one roof. There’s no way they could have had room to squeeze in more characters, right?

Wrong, they also threw in Ridley for good measure. Everyone was dying for Samus’ rival to be added as a fighter, and Nintendo delivered. Not to mention, the Inklings from Splatoon are new playable fighters. Also, they threw in Daisy as an Echo Fighter of Peach just for the fun of it. But there’s no way there could be anyone else in the game, right?

Everyone Else is Also Here

Photo Credit: Engadget

No, they squeezed even more characters in. The most recent Direct also confirmed the much-requested Simon Belmont would be joining the roster, as would his descendant, Richter Belmont. If that wasn’t awesome enough, the ever-menacing Dark Samus got added to the huge fighter pool. Continuing the theme of villains joining to harry the heroes, Donkey Kong’s archnemesis King K. Rool has also joined the fight.

All this, and we’re still four months from the game’s launch! Who knows what other characters might be announced before December? Frankly, we couldn’t be more excited for this game. We will absolutely be standing in line to get it the very instant it releases. We hope to see you there!

August 17, 2018
Top Ten Home Security Cameras

If you’re interested in home security, odds are that you would like to install a home security camera. However, there are tons of options out there for which one you should pick. Dealing with security companies and pushy salesmen is awful, to boot. So, what are you supposed to do? Luckily, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten home security cameras. If you’re hoping to secure your home, here’s a great place to start!

Top Ten Home Security Cameras

10. Netgear Arlo Go

Photo Credit: Arlo

This wireless camera works with Alexa and shoots in 720p. It offers both cloud storage and on-site storage, which is a cool plus. It can send you live feed straight to your phone if you pay for the cell service. However, it is pretty expensive: this camera will cost you around $430. That’s a pretty hefty price tag for a device that only shoots in 720p.

9. Reolink Argus 2

Photo Credit: Amazon

This camera is a straightforward if dependable entry. It’s wireless and powered by its own internal battery. It doesn’t have a terribly loud siren, which is somewhat disappointing. It also can’t integrate with smart home devices, which is unfortunate. However, it’s weather-resistant and works great as an outdoor camera. This one will run you $130, which is a great price.

8. Ring Spotlight Cam Battery

Photo Credit: Amazon

Triggered recording and a bright spotlight are two big upsides to this camera. It shoots sharp footage and has a very loud siren, which is great. However, you have to have a subscription to Ring’s service in order to view the recorded video. If you already have Ring devices at your house this one is a no-brainer. It’s also wireless and works with Alexa, making it a true smart-home device. It’s also pretty affordable, running $200.

7. Nest Cam IQ Outdoor

Photo Credit: Slashgear

Nest’s first entry on this list is excellent, shooting 4K footage 24/7. It’s totally weatherproofed, which makes it ideal for outdoor use. It even has close-up tracking and HDR, making it great for those who need to really see what’s happening around their house. It will set you back, though: it runs $350.

6. Tend Secure Lynx Indoor

Photo Credit: Cnet

This camera makes the list for just how darn affordable it is. It only runs around $60, yet it still shoots in 1080p. That’s a great value, but it’s somewhat offset by the lack of smart home integration. That said, it offers free cloud storage and even has facial recognition! It only works indoors, though, so keep that in mind.

5. Nest Cam IQ

Photo Credit: Nest

Another entry from Nest, the indoor version of IQ is also a solid option. It costs a bit less, coming in at $300, but it offers many similarly excellent features. The Nest Cam IQ has two-way audio, letting you talk to people you can see from the camera. It has a ton of great smart home integration and shoots in 1080p. If you’re looking for a solid, if pricey, indoor camera, this is a fine option.

4. Wyze Cam V2

Photo Credit: TechHive

If you though the Tend Secure Lynx Indoor was affordable, check out the Wyze Cam. This camera will run you a bank-shattering $20. Yeah, twenty, as in the same price as seeing a movie and getting some popcorn with it. For twenty bucks you get a camera that shoots in 1080p and offers local and cloud storage. It’s not the most high-tech thing in the world, but it will secure your home. If you’re looking for a simple, straightforward and affordable camera, go with this one. It’s a great deal!

3. Netgear Arlo Pro 2

Photo Credit: Storage Reviews

This expensive but hefty camera is likely the best overall on this list, but it’s far too expensive to recommend to everyone. It will set you back $430, which is a lot, but you get a ton of features. The system shoots 1080p video, is completely waterproof and is wireless. This camera works great both outdoors and indoors and offers cloud storage for free. It even pre-buffers your videos when you go to watch playback! If only it was more affordable.

2. iSmartAlarm iCamera Keep Pro

Photo Credit: iSmartAlarm

While this camera retails for $200, it offers a number of premium features. Mechanical tilt and pan let you feel like a master of security. You also get free cloud and local storage for all the footage you capture! As you would expect, it shoots 1080p and it even offers time-lapse shooting. The only downside to this camera is that it only works indoors!

1. D-Link Full HD Wi-Fi Camera DCS-8300LH

Photo Credit: Amazon

A fully-integrated home security camera that offers 1080p shooting and Alexa support? Yes, please! Free cloud and local storage along with great voice commands make this one of the best home cameras. It even costs less than most of the competition: it’ll only set you back $90. While the other cameras on this list are great, the D-Link Full HD Wi-Fi Camera is the best overall interior home security camera. The only real downside here is some minor distortion from the style of body, but that’s not enough to make this anything less than the best bang for your buck.

August 16, 2018
Which Mobility Scooter is Right for You?

So your mobility isn’t what it used to be… no problem! Today, some insurance companies will actually help with coverage on a mobility scooter, or even pay for the whole thing. Check it out for yourself! Either way, it may be worth checking them out and seeing if it fits your lifestyle. With that in mind, let’s look at the top ten mobility scooters.

Drive Medical Phoenix Heavy Duty

A heavy, sturdy scooter for a great price, this one is a good pick. This one has a headlight, which is good for darker areas. It also has a basket in the front for carrying things, making it great for grocery store trips! The seat is customizable, broad and comfortable. For $1,200, this is a great heavy-duty pick.

Pride Mobility Go-Go Sport

This scooter is notable for its four-wheel drive and durability. It’s not terribly fast, topping at 4 MPH. That said, it’s rugged and durable, and works great when outdoors! If you like being outside and enjoying the sunlight, this is a great pick! For a combination of durability and mobility, check out the Go-Go Sport!

E-Wheels EW-72

A stylish and slick scooter, the E-Wheels EW-72 has a look inspired by classic cars! For those looking to really zoom, this scooter has a top speed of 15 MPH! As a heavy-duty scooter, it works quite well, as it has a top weight rating of 500 pounds! If you’re looking for a great, stylish, heavy-duty scooter, this is a great choice for you!

Transformer Electric Folding Mobility Scooter

Another great choice for carrying in a trunk and carrying around with you, this transforming scooter is pretty neat. It folds up into a nice, compact shape so it can go anywhere with you! The battery is airline compliant, so it can fly with you, which is great for those who fly often. If you’re on the move and need a scooter that can keep up, this is the one for you!

E-Wheels Jellybean Electric Scooter

The second E-Wheels scooter on our list, this one is also quite heavy-duty! This one is three-wheeled, though, so it’s got a bit of a different construction from some others on this list. The best thing about this scooter, though, is the high speed! It tops out at 18 MPH, which makes it a serious scooter! It has a great battery, too, offering up to 45 miles on a single charge. This one also has an anti-theft alarm, which is great! It sports a huge back-mounted basket, perfect for trips to the market.

Spitfire 420 Ex

Another great scooter, this one has interchangeable panels in different colors. The panels come in red, blue and silver, and are easy to change out! It also boasts quick-connect batteries, a comfortable seat and padded armrests. The wheels are anti-tip, which makes this a very safe pick. The front-mounted basket even has an interior lining, which is great for shopping. If you’re looking for a good mobility scooter for medical reasons, such as old age, this is a good pick.

SmartScoot Lithium Foldable Travel Scooter

This folding scooter is great to throw in the trunk or backseat and carry with you to a destination. The best thing about this scooter: the battery! It has great battery life for how portable it is for travel. It lasts for up to 12 miles! It also breaks down into three parts, and only weighs 27 pounds.

Drive Medical Scout 3 Wheel

At the very low price of right around $600, this three-wheeled scooter is a popular choice. A little less expensive than its four-wheeled counterpart, this one is a good value. The drawbacks to this scooter include its three-wheeled construction, slightly low battery life and make. There are more comfortable, high-end scooters, but if you’re looking for a good bargain, this is it. This scooter is the most affordable on our list!

Best Value: Drive Medical Scout Compact 4 Wheel

For those on a budget, the Drive Medical Scout Compact is a very popular choice. At $700, it’s a fantastic value, and it shows in its popularity. It’s a good scooter, with all the trimmings you’d expect from a medical mobility scooter. Older customers on a fixed income love the low price, and the price doesn’t compromise the quality. This one also has interchangeable panels in red and blue, so you can change your style! A great value for the money for those looking to save.

Best Overall Mobility Scooter: Shopride Sunrunner

If you’re looking for an especially comfortable scooter, look no further than the Sunrunner! It has a 300-pound capacity and a huge 25-mile battery. You can opt for a headlight, which is quite useful. It has a front basket, perfect for shopping. The star of the show is the big, comfortable seat, though. You can’t beat the level of comfort on display here! It’s hard to find something this premium and high-quality for this price! It retails for $1,500 but can often be found on sale for less.

August 15, 2018
The Best Sci-Fi Horror Movies of All Time

Sci-fi, as a genre, is very useful for probing to the depths of the human mind. It can be useful as a lens through which to critique and comment on our society and our humanity. When applied in the right ways, it can also be very effective at scaring the daylights out of us. Combining the high-tech with the hair-raising, these are the best sci-fi horror movies of all time!

The Best Sci-Fi Horror Movies of All Time

Frankenstein

Photo Credit: Country Life

Likely the first tale ever told that could be considered sci-fi horror, Frankenstein is an unsettling tale of madness and genius. You know the story: Dr. Frankenstein digs up corpses, hacks off the choicest bits and stitches them all back together. Then, he gives the resulting monster life through the power of science and a terrible storm. This film is effective nearly 90 years after it was created due to the lasting horror of its premise. A genius who has used his intellect to go beyond the values of common morality is a timeless archetype. This story reminds us to not let our push to innovate cause us to leave our humanity in the past.

Cloverfield

Photo Credit: Consequence of Sound
Part Godzilla, part Blair Witch Project, this found-footage thriller follows a group of young adults as a terrifying monster rampages through New York. The shaky-cam style of shooting may be a bit motion-sickness inducing, but the film upsets through more than its cinematography. Well-acted and genuinely scary, this is a great example of how to make monster movies scary.

Videodrome

Photo Credit: Little White Lies

It’s impossible to talk about sci-fi horror without mentioning David Cronenberg. This iconic work solidified Cronenberg’s uniquely unsettling eye for grotesque body horror. The film follows Max Renn, a TV producer played by James Woods. The station Max works for is looking for a new type of programming, and they intercept a signal of a brutal program called Videodrome. In the show, people are tortured and killed for entertainment. As Max digs into the odd broadcast, things take a turn for the surreal.

Sunshine

Photo Credit: Screen Geek

Equal parts sci-fi exploration and bone-chilling slasher film, Sunshine expertly weaves the two genres together. Rather than feeling unwieldy with its dual influences, it deftly excites and provokes thought by playing the two genres off one another. The immediate horror of a crew of astronauts being hunted by a deranged killer is gripping. However, the stakes make the action that much more intense. If the crew fails in their mission, the Sun will die, and Earth will freeze. As such, the action is both immediately pressing and of monumental significance for the human race.

I am Legend

Photo Credit: Den of Geek

Will Smith stars in this brutal post-apocalyptic horror film. The only apparent survivor of some man-made disease, Smith’s character attempts to survive in the mutant-strewn wasteland that the world has become. While evading mutants and scavenging for food he also attempts to synthesize a cure for the strange disease. As psychologically gripping as it is scary, I am Legend is a distinctly unique and engaging film.

Event Horizon

Photo Credit: Consequence of Sound

Theorizing that Hell is simply another dimension adjacent to our own, Event Horizon brings ample scares from its otherworldly premise. When a strange ship appears in the Solar System, a crew of explorers travels inside to learn more about its origins. However, they quickly find that the ship’s previous crew are all dead. Logs on the ship show that they somehow entered Hell using the ship’s experimental engines. The explorers find their minds and bodies twisted and broken by the horrible things waiting within the Event Horizon.

28 Days Later

Photo Credit: Movies and TV Stack Exchange

Normally, the zombies in these types of movies shamble toward you aimlessly. In this film, they sprint towards you like horrifying rabid dogs. Oh, and they’re not zombies, technically, because they’re still alive. That’s why they’re so fast. Beautifully shot, well-acted and expertly-told, 28 Days Later is a deep introspection into the psychology of living in a world after humanity has vanished. Surprisingly realistic and delightfully deep, this is a movie you need to watch.

The Fly

Photo Credit: Metro

This Kafkaesque tale is another from Cronenberg. The Fly stars Jeff Goldblum as scientist Seth Brundle. Brundle experiments with molecular transportation, and a lab accident results in his atoms being entangled with those of a fly. He begins to exhibit more insect-like characteristics and gradually devolves into a grotesque monster. This film is notable for bringing Cronenberg’s unique style of body horror to mainstream attention. Gross, gripping and thought-provoking, this is quintessential Cronenberg.

The Thing

Photo Credit: Roger Ebert

John Carpenter’s remake of the classic film The Thing is an utterly unsettling film. The film depicts the struggles of a group of scientists to survive while being hunted by a shapeshifting monster. Set in Antarctica, the film’s lonely isolation is its strongest theme. One after the other, the scientists are killed by the Thing, only for it to take their form and pretend to be them. The audiences watches as the scientists slowly begin to doubt one another and lose their sanity in the process.

Alien

Photo Credit: Playbuzz

The very finest sci-fi horror film ever made, Alien is iconic for all the right reasons. Starring Sigourney Weaver as the ever-badass Ripley, this movie was huge at the time of its release. Focusing on the isolation and fear that comes with being in space, the film works on many levels. As visceral as it is psychological, Alien is a prime example of how to make a good horror film. Direct Ridley Scott expertly avoided clichés that would have otherwise marred the excellent movie. If you haven’t seen it, you owe it to yourself to check this classic out.

August 15, 2018
Best Tabletop Games at Gen Con 2018

Gen Con is the annual celebration of all things related to traditional gaming. This year there was no shortage of awesome tabletop games to check out. We’ve gathered the ten best tabletop games seen at the show floor. If you missed Gen Con 2018, don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our favorite games from this year’s show!

Best Games at Gen Con 2018

Gizmos

Photo Credit: Board Game Geek

If you like marbles and big, flashy centerpieces, this game is for you. Players take the role of scientists trying to build perpetual energy machines. The marbles represent energy, and they’re dropped from a large central dispenser. Players are encouraged to create massive, sprawling chains of ridiculous combos. Essentially, everyone is trying to build a better Rube-Goldberg Machine. Who doesn’t love being a mad scientist?

Arkham Horror Third Edition

Photo Credit: Fantasy Flight

Believe it or not, the version of Arkham Horror released in 2005 was the second edition of the game. We didn’t even know that, and we love board games! However, Fantasy Flight Games seems poised to recapture the imaginations of Cthulhu fans the world over. The original scary, deadly board game in the Lovecraft mythos is here to try to kill you and your friends. Bad news, gang: it’ll probably succeed. You’ll need cunning and guts in equal measure to have any chance of surviving encounters with the Eldritch cults at play in this gripping game.

Reef

Photo Credit: Spiky Bits

Reef is a fun, family-style game that encourages planning ahead and rewards tactical moves. You spend your turn either drawing a card or playing a card. When you play a card, you get to place a piece of plastic coral depicted on that card. If you create the pattern on the bottom on the card with that placement, you score points. Whoever has the most points at the end wins! The game is deceptively simple and often leads to players having tough decisions and trade-offs. It’s the perfect balance of approachable and deep, just like a real reef!

Coimbra

Photo Credit: Brettspiel News

If you’re a fan of mechanics-heavy Eurogames, you’re probably accustomed to bland-looking boxes with emphasis on mechanics over appearance. Coimbra is here to scratch that mechanics-heavy itch while still looking good. The game is colorful and gorgeous, bucking the trend of ugly Eurogames. The mechanics are up to snuff, though, and the game is a fun, cerebral experience. Drafting dice and characters to gain influence is fun and thought-provoking. Every action has consequences, and only the most cunning players will come out on top.

Arboretum

Photo Credit: Chits and Giggles

While this game technically released in 2015, it wasn’t very easy to pick up. For most people, this Gen Con was the first time they even saw the game in person. This game is an interesting contradiction: it appears beautiful and serene by its components. Or, its component: it’s composed of one 80 card deck. The gameplay, however, is brutal and intense. You’re trying to build a pretty path of trees from the ten suites of numbered cards. Managing your paths is complicated by the fact that your opponents can draw from your discard pile. As such, hand management and knowledge of your opponents’ game plans is critical.

Root

Photo Credit: Geek Dad

This wargame is asymmetrical and themed on woodland creatures. The artwork is gorgeous, and the concept is intriguing. The woodland map is home to a battle between four distinct factions of critters. Each faction has different goals, abilities and mechanics. Many who played Root at Gen Con described the game as four games that share a box. Depending on your faction, the way you interact with the game changes dramatically. The Cat faction, for instance, wins by building structures. The rebellious Woodland Alliance, however, wins by drumming up support to overthrow the kitty overlords.

Expancity

Photo Credit: Twitter

Expancity is a game about building a city. The buildings are represented by stacking plastic pieces that look like towering skyscrapers. As the game goes on, your city begins to develop a unique skyline and structure. You’re attempting to achieve goals, some known to the table and some secret to you. Zoning is important, and buildings that are nearby can affect your score, negative or positive. You build while your opponents try to achieve their own goals, so the counter-play opportunities are plentiful. If you love strategically disrupting your opponents, this is a game to watch for!

Nyctophobia

Photo Credit: Tabletop Gaming News

In an interesting twist, this new game has you play completely blind. That’s right, in this game, the players take the role of victims lost in a dark forest being stalked by a murderer. In order to survive, they need to find their way to a car and radio for help. Players wear blackout shades that completely obscure their vision and they have to use their sense of touch to navigate the maze. One player takes the role of murderer and keeps the action tense by harrying the victims. This interesting game really shows off how creative board games can be!

Warhammer Age of Sigmar: Champions

Photo Credit: Game Nerdz

A new game from Lightseekers creator PlayFusion, this game is set in the Age of Sigmar fantasy universe. The gameplay is straightforward: you use your unit and spell cards to try to reduce your opponent to zero hit points. You have four champions that give you powerful skills, as does your opponent. Smart timing is critical to victory. The game is also interesting for the same reason Lightseekers caught attention: every card can be scanned into the game’s app to be used in online play. As such, each physical card is also a digital card. That way, you can always use your collection to find a game and kick some butt!

Keyforge

Photo Credit: Polygon

Created by Magic the Gathering’s creator Richard Garfield, Keyforge is something exciting. Easily our favorite game on display this year, Keyforge is a procedurally generated card game. When you buy a pack of this game, that pack is a fully-functional deck. It is also completely unique to you in every way. The cardback is unique to you, as are the cards and combinations in the deck. And you can’t change your cards out, at all. This is your deck now.

If that’s not enough to excite you, the game’s unique mechanics will. You’re trying to acquire a resource called Amber in order to Forge Keys. The first player to Forge three Keys wins the game. We’re looking forward to seeing how this one from Garfield shapes up. Considering one of his games created the CCG model, we’re sure he’s got something going here.

August 14, 2018
Top AARP Benefits: Should You Join?

When you start to get past age 50 or so, the jokes start rolling in. Shouldn’t you get a discount here? Are you going to get the Early Bird special? Very fun, everyone; but, seriously, there are some good discounts for being older! Jokes aside, you might be considering joining AARP for a similar reason: the benefits! Today we’re looking at ten of the top AARP benefits you get for the modest $16 per year membership. Let’s see how it all stacks up!

Top AARP Benefits

You Can Join at 50

Most senior discount programs don’t start until you hit 55. AARP, however, lets you join when you’re fifty. That means you can start reaping the benefits sooner, rather than later! You’re more than entitled to the discounts and savings by the time you’re fifty. Don’t let pride or vanity stop you from hopping on: there’s no shame in being 50, 60, 70 or whatever age. All it brings is wisdom and perspective!

If You Are Married…

If you join AARP and you’re married, good news! Your spouse is a member for free. That means that married people get double the value from their membership! It’s like a buy-one, get-one free deal! If you’ve been on the fence about joining and you’re married, you can be assured it’s a good value, as it practically doubles your benefits.

If You Aren’t Married…

Maybe you don’t have a spouse to share your membership with, but no worries! Members can join the AARP dating site as part of their membership. The best part about it is that you know you’ll be matched with people in the same stage of their lives as you are! There’s nothing quite as exhausting as sifting through tons of profiles of people who are half your age. You can cut that whole process out with an AARP membership!

You Get AARP’s Magazine

Your membership also includes a subscription to AARP’s magazine. While it’s not the biggest perk in the world, it does contain a ton of helpful articles detailing the deals you can take advantage of. Nothing quite like saving money while you’re saving money, huh? The articles are also top-notch and well worth the low cost of the membership by themselves! There are articles on personal finance, travel and a ton more. What’s not to love?

Insurance

Some people find that AARP’s car insurance policy is more affordable than other insurers’ plans. This could vary from person to person, but they are often the most affordable option for people over 50. It’s worth asking for a quote from AARP and making a decision based on that. If the switch would save you more than $16 per year, it’s sort of a no-brainer to get an AARP membership just for that!

AARP Travel Center

Between deals on flights, parking and more, the AARP Travel Center is a huge plus for members. Most people think of AARP members are boring older people, but that’s pretty far from the truth. Going on fun vacations and traveling are some of the perks of having an established nest egg! Why not save while you travel? The AARP Travel Center will make sure you’re taken care of.

Cruises

You’ll often find better rates on cruises from Norwegian, Grand European and Windstar through the AARP’s Travel Center. There’s nothing quite like sailing the high seas on a luxury cruise liner! And it’s hard to beat some of the deals you’ll find on them through the AARP discounts.

Rental Car Discounts

Most rental car companies offer discounts to AARP members. In fact, all AARP members get a 30 percent discount on a Zipcar membership. AARP is a great deal for those who love to travel! Not having to worry about what you’re going to drive on your vacation is a pretty big load off your shoulders!

Hotel Discounts

To round out the awesome travel deals, you’ll also get access to great deals on hotel rates. Between the flights, hotels and rental cars, the AARP pretty much has you completely covered on vacation discounts. If you travel often, it’s hard to find reasons not to have an AARP membership!

Other Discounts

You also get discounts on nearly any and everything you can think of. It’s hard to keep track of how many ways you can earn back your membership fee through saving. Angie’s List, Dunkin Donuts, Outback Steakhouse, Kohl’s, AMC Theaters, Verizon and many more places all offer discounts. Really, it’s harder to find places that won’t offer you a discount for being a member!

The Most Important Benefit

The biggest benefit for being an AARP member is knowing that you’re supporting an organization that lobbies lawmakers on your behalf. Rules and regulations that affect seniors are lobbied on by the AARP to help keep you safe. The quality of life of every member is made better by the legislation that the AARP helps to lobby. That’s a benefit that’s pretty hard to pass up!

August 9, 2018
Top Ten Gaming Keyboards for 2018

There’s nothing quite like having a rock-solid keyboard for kicking butt online. If you’ve ever used a sub-par keyboard to try to play a fast-paced video game, you know how rough it can be. If you’re serious about PC gaming, you’re going to need a serious keyboard. The best keyboards are a little pricey, so today we’re not worrying too much about price. If you want the best, you’re going to need to pay top dollar. If that’s not your jam, we’re including a few budget options for you to consider. However, if you’re not afraid of spending some dough, check out the higher entries on the list! Here are our top ten gaming keyboards for 2018!

Top Ten Gaming Keyboards for 2018

Nixeus Moda Pro

Photo Credit: AnandTech

Our first entry is an interesting budget pick. It’s only $70, but it’s got a solid make. The tray is metal, and the keycaps are similar to those found on Mac keyboards. In fact, this keyboard works quite well with Mac: it even features Mac function keys. The Nixeus Moda Pro works great on Windows, too, so if you’re on that OS you don’t have to worry. This is a fine entry-level choice for Mac users or fans of their keyboards.

Roccat Horde AIMO

Photo Credit: Roccat

This one is inexpensive and feels okay. It’s not the best option out there, but it doesn’t set you back too much. The issues with this one are the flimsy-feeling wrist-rest and generally cheap make overall. The keys feel okay, and it performs fine in fast-paced scenarios. On the bright side, it only costs around $90. That said, if you spend just a bit more you can get a much better keyboard.

Havit HV-KB390L Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

Photo Credit: Tech Addicts

What this Havit keyboard lacks in features it makes up for in affordability. It’s only $60, it’s portable and it even has backlighting. The backlighting is pretty simple, but it looks nice. The keys feel nice, and typing is easy, too. This is an all-around solid budget choice. The only downsides here are the relatively cheap-feeling deck and weak key quality.

Razer Chroma Ornata

Photo Credit: Razer

With an MSRP of $100 but often found on sale for $80, the Ornata is another great budget option. The coolest thing with this keyboard is the proprietary Razer Chroma software that powers the backlight. If you’re the type who wants to have a pimped-out desk, Chroma is your friend. You can sync your mouse, headset and keyboard all through Chroma.

The Ornata is also a solid keyboard with an interesting “mecha-mesh” action. The keys feel like a combination of a mechanical keyboard and a mesh keyboard. It takes a bit of getting used to, but it’s actually pretty nice when you get accustomed.

Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard

Photo Credit: Dell

When you’re not gaming, your keyboard still has to be a keyboard. No gaming deck knows that better than the Alienware Pro. The switches in this keyboard are great for both gaming and typing. If you need to bang out an essay or spreadsheet, this keyboard works just as well as if you were blasting bad guys. This one is a bit on the premium side, running for $120 MSRP. It’s usually available on sale for around $100, though, and it’s a great find at that price.

Logitech G910 Orion Spectrum

Photo Credit: PC Mag

The first of our truly premium gaming keyboards, the Orion Spectrum is meant to go toe-to-toe with Corsair and Razer’s flagship keyboards. It does a passable impersonation of those two superior decks, but it does so at a comparable price to them. This keyboard is streamlined, and the keys feel fine, it’s just a bit “meh” when you see it’s $180 price tag. When you can get a better keyboard for less, it becomes hard to recommend this to anyone other than Logitech die-hards.

SteelSeries Apex M750

Photo Credit: Unilad

It’s hard to not love SteelSeries. Their peripherals are often high-quality and fairly priced compared to everyone else. This keyboard has lightning-fast switches and great action. You’ll never feel like your hardware is holding you back with this excellent keyboard. Not to mention, you’ll love the price: $140 for this solid keyboard. The only drawbacks? No adjustable feet and no media keys.

Roccat Vulcan 120 AIMO

Photo Credit: Best Buy

Fast action, quiet keys and comfortable typing make this a solid choice. Much better than the mediocre Horde form Roccat, the Vulcan impresses on a number of levels. The action is good, and the tactile feedback is satisfying. It’s hard to pass that up! That said, it’s a little pricey at $170. If you spend just a bit more, you can have an even better keyboard. Our next two, for instance, are absolutely killer.

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Photo Credit: Corsair

One of the very best keyboards out there, this Corsair is well worth its $185 price tag. If you’re a fan of customizable lighting, high build quality and great switch action, this is for you. There’s really nothing to knock this keyboard for: it’s excellent. The dedicated media keys and plentiful features make this a truly premium gaming keyboard. That said, it doesn’t snag our top spot because the competition is that much slicker and more impressive.

Our Top Pick: Razer Huntsman Elite

Photo Credit: Engadget

The newest premium keyboard from Razer blows us away. The Huntsman continues their deadly naming convention, and it ups the bar for mechanical keyboards. Optomechanical switches that use sensors to read when keystrokes fall up the game to crazy levels. Actuation is unprecedented with this keyboard: there’s simply nothing faster. It’s also absolutely covered in RGB and looks like something from Blade Runner. It’s awesome, it’s $200 and it’s the best keyboard in the world. All hail the king.

August 9, 2018
Top Ten DC Stories that Could Save the DCEU

The DCEU isn’t doing so hot with critics, although it manages to impress audiences. However, the recently-unveiled Shazam shows a side of DC that has been sorely missing from the big screen: humor. Zach Snyder’s half-baked attempts to create dark, edgy films on par with Christopher Nolan largely missed the nuance and subtleties of the fabled director. As such, films he helmed or executive produced have been heavy, boring and generally trying to hard to be taken seriously. Here are ten DC Stories that could save the DCEU from its dark, boring history and bring it into fresher, brighter territory.

Ten DC Stories that Could Save the DCEU

Kingdom Come

Photo Credit: Nerdist

The first major event that could help restore faith in the DCEU would be Kingdom Come. The comic was expertly illustrated by Alex Ross, his photorealistic style lending weight to the proceedings. The premise of this story is that a number of dark, edgy new vigilantes have taken the mantle from the older, more measured superheroes. This tale was largely a response to the dark heroes that had become the norm following Watchmen and comics like it. Frank Miller’s work, in particular, had a profound effect on DC and weighed many heroes down with dark and gritty tales. Kingdom Come, in movie form, could allow for a self-correcting commentary on the nature of heroes and villains in the DCEU.

The New Gods

Photo Credit: Syfy

Created by Jack Kirby to give the DC Universe its own unique mythology, the New Gods are epic and larger than life. A New Gods film based on some of the more epic Forever People tales penned by Kirby would be a great way to introduce audiences to DC’s cosmic characters. The deadliest force in the DC Universe, the powerful and dangerous Darkseid, is directly related to the titanic New Gods, hailing from the planet Apokolips.

If they were to follow this track, DC could follow a Kingdom Come film with a flashback New Gods film to set up Darkseid. This would keep the hype rolling for future Justice League films and lend legitimacy to the DCEU’s cosmic threats.

JLA: Tower of Babel

Photo Credit: DC

Following a Kingdom Come film to establish a new tone and status quo, a soft reset of the Justice League could be just what the DCEU needs. This famous Justice League tale follows the villain Ra’s al Ghul’s attempt to destroy the League using intel stolen from Batman. This is the origin of the conceit that Batman has a plan to defeat all of the League members. Perhaps this story would work better as a subplot in a different JLA tale, like the next entry on this list. However, we feel this story is likely strong enough to stand on its own merits and help us get a good feel for what kind of person Batman is.

JLA: Rock of Ages

Photo Credit: Comics Bulletin

A natural conclusion to the arc that starts with Kingdom Come redefining the DCEU would be Rock of Ages. A Justice League tale that is as renowned as they come, this is a whirling sci-fi epic. The League faces off against the likes of Lex Luthor and Darkseid in this time-traveling, space-hopping romp. Seeing a massive conflict with Darkseid to cap off the first wave of DC films would be similar to Thanos’ awesome debut in the third Avengers film. This one is a no-brainer for the DCEU!

Flashpoint Paradox

Photo Credit: DC Animated Movie Wiki

The first entries on this list all assumed a linear path from a Kingdom Come-style reimagining of the universe. Another potential reimagining, one that could bring some major changes to the DC film universe, would be the Flashpoint Paradox. In the comics, the Flashpoint Paradox is a seminal Flash story that resulted in the creation of a new reality. That reality was referred to as the New 52, and it was a pretty major relaunch for DC.

Such a move could allow for a pretty major recasting of several characters that are in need of new actors. We would like to see characters like Batman, Joker, Lex Luthor and Alfred recast to fall more in line with their comics counterparts. It could also wash away the sub-par aspects of this universe’s Superman, bringing him more in line with the version we know and love.

Crisis on Infinite Earths

Photo Credit: DC Database

Another option, rather than using Flashpoint to reset the world, could be Crisis on Infinite Earths. This massive tale concerns the Anti-Monitor as it attempts to destroy all of reality. It largely succeeds, leaving but one Earth and simplifying the heck out of the DC Universe. A huge number of parallel dimensions are destroyed, streamlining the types of stories told in the comics from that point forward. It’s likely this story would be merged with a Flashpoint-like tale, allowing DC to re-sculpt and simplify their film universe.

All-Star Superman

Photo Credit: ComicsVerse

The Flashpoint or Crisis route would make All-Star Superman a natural fit for the DCEU. Grant Morrison’s iconic tale follows a dying Superman, exposed to far too much solar radiation. Superman attempts to make the world a better place before his time runs out. Such a farewell to the Henry Cavill superman would allow him to be a symbol of hope He could then be replaced in a new reality by a more positive, traditional Superman for later stories.

Green Arrow: The Longbow Hunters

Photo Credit: Comic Book Realm

Green Arrow is one of DC’s coolest characters, and he deserves his own place on the big screen. His best story, by far, is the Longbow Hunters arc. A serious and weighty tale, it features Ollie at his very best. Green Lantern and Black Cat oppose street-level threats like drug dealers and gang members, as well as dangerous assassins. This would serve as a great way to introduce audiences to the street-level aspects of the DCEU. It would also be a great way to bring Green Arrow in after his successful TV series.

Batman: The Long Halloween

Photo Credit: Den of Geek

One of the best Batman tales ever told, the Long Halloween stands toe-to-toe with Knightfall and the Court of Owls. Long Halloween is a story about a younger, less-experienced Batman attempting to stop a serial killer who strikes on holiday. The story was incredibly well-received in its original run. It would work well as an introduction to a younger, more heroic Batman. This would be an excellent way to follow up on a cosmic reset of the DCEU, redefining Batman as a hero. Instead of, y’know, a scowling bully.

Blackest Night

Photo Credit: Comic Book Herald

Blackest Night would be a great way to bring Hal Jordan into the DCEU. Nekron, a force of pure death, brings a legion of undead heroes to Earth. They’re animated by the Black Lantern rings, and they’re a huge threat to all life on the planet. In order to repel him, the heroes of Earth all band together. They join with the Lantern Corps to weather Nekron’s attack in an epic clash.

This story would allow for a deeper exploration of the Lantern mythos. It could also serve as an awesome crossover, Justice League-style film. It might even wash the taste of the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern from the mouths of disappointed fans. Well, if it’s done right, that is!

August 8, 2018
10 Marvel Stories that Need to Be Brought to the MCU

As the MCU captures the hearts and minds of movie fans all over the world, fans of Marvel comics couldn’t be happier. What’s even better than reading your favorite character’s comic book? Why, watching them kick butt on the big screen! Now that Marvel has even gotten the rights to the X-Men and Fantastic Four, we’re more excited than ever to see what kinds of stories they’re looking to bring to the big screen. With that in mind, we’re looking at the ten Marvel stories that need to be brought to the MCU!

10 Marvel Stories that Need to Be Brought to the MCU

World War Hulk

Photo Credit: Comic Vine

Thor: Ragnarok gave us a great glimpse into the cosmic potential of the Incredible Hulk. Banner’s green alter ego is a huge force in the Marvel Universe, and it shows in the World War Hulk arc. The arc’s name is pretty self-explanatory: Hulk leads a force of aliens to Earth. A huge war erupts, involving all the superheroes on Earth. It’s downright awesome, and we’d love to see the Hulk smashing through all of his Avenger pals. Korg and Meek even appeared in Ragnarok, and they both act as supporting characters in the comic arc of World War Hulk.

Secret Invasion

Photo Credit: Comic Book

As it turns out, the villainous Skrull race is really good at shape-shifting and masquerading as your friends. The Secret Invasion arc told of an invasion of Earth by the Skrull that no one even noticed. How could they? Anyone could be a Skrull! 2019’s Captain Marvel film is set to feature the Skrull as antagonists, which may set up for a future Avengers film to adapt the story to the big screen. What better way to follow up the bombastic Thanos than a subtle, intrigue-filled conflict with the Skrull?

Sinister Six

Photo Credit: Spider-Bob’s

No one in the Marvel Universe has a rogues’ gallery as deep and interesting as Spider-Man. Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Electro, Kraven the Hunter, Mysterio and Sandman formed the original Sinister Six to try to kill Spidey. In the MCU, we’d love to see a variation on this story after Spidey hurts some more feelings among his existing enemies. Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is a delight, and we’re honestly just excited to see him on the big screen some more. Seeing him pushed to his limits as he overcomes villain after villain would be an awesome way to grow his character.

House of M

Photo Credit: CBR

Scarlett Witch is very, very powerful. It’s a little absurd just how strong she gets as the comics go along. Look no further than the tale House of M to see just how deep her well of powers runs. Wanda decides through a complex series of scenarios that there aren’t enough mutants in the world, and they’re all treated too poorly. She rewrites reality with mutants on the top of the food chain, resulting in a society that is racist to non-mutant individuals. Wolverine, however, has some memory of the world as it was, and helps lead a group of heroes to set things right.

This would be an excellent tale to explore the nature of mutant-kind. It might even be a good way to introduce them to the universe, having Wanda create them as part of an alternate reality. The events of the film could merge the “real” world with the House of M world, thus explaining why there haven’t been any mutants in the MCU yet.

Original Sin

Photo Credit: Hollywood Reporter

Something of a noir-style gumshoe tale, Original Sin is a “whodunnit” story with a cosmic setting. The tale follows several superheroes who are seeking to solve the murder of Uatu the Watcher. The tale is intriguing, engrossing and entertaining, showing off the best parts of Marvel’s cosmic storytelling. In the MCU, this story would likely work best as a standalone film crossover, likely leaning heavily on the Guardians of the Galaxy to lend it levity. It would also be a great send-off for Nick Fury, but we don’t want to spoil too much about this excellent tale.

Secret Wars

Photo Credit: Nerdist

Secret Wars is another tale that would be an excellent way to introduce the Fantastic Four and X-Men to the MCU. The more recent Secret Wars, the 2015 event, would be a particularly excellent bridge for the new heroes to appear in the universe. The event has a collision of multiple universes result in the creation of a patchwork world called “Battleworld.” Battleworld is home to every hero from across the Marvel multiverse, all of whom fight and struggle against one another for supremacy. A story in this vein would be delightful to see on the big screen. It could even allow for a reset of the status quo some time down the road, in case the MCU gets too convoluted.

Born Again

Photo Credit: ThoughtCo
While Frank Miller’s politics are repulsive, and his sexism is overt and problematic, he did write a pretty solid Daredevil tale called Born Again. The bones of a really good story are here, hinting that at one point in time Miller may have been a competent storyteller. The arc has Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime, systematically tear down Matt Murdock after discovering the lawyer is Daredevil. Once the Man without Fear has nothing left, he gets back up and proves himself as the Defender of Hell’s Kitchen. The comic’s tone influenced the Netflix series, so a season based on it is quite likely. As the show has been stellar so far, we’re excited to see what they could do with this classic story.

Galactus

Photo Credit: Marvel Database

Fox didn’t do Galactus right, so we’re very hyped that Marvel has the rights to the Fantastic Four back. The Silver Surfer and Galactus are a fascinating, excellent part of the Marvel mythos. After the Fantastic Four are introduced into the MCU, they could face Galactus. Having them tested by fighting the Eater of Worlds would be an excellent chance to show off just how awesome they are. Marvel’s First Family deserves a decent movie, and this is one way to do it!

Annihilation

Photo Credit: Marvel Database

The epic cosmic crossover event Annihilation would make an incredible follow-up for the Infinity War story. This event tells the story of Annihilus, a dangerous alien hellbent on the destruction of the Galaxy. He arrives with the Annihilation Wave, a legion of soldiers loyal to him. This story is unique in that all the action takes place far from Earth, and it relaunching Marvel’s cosmic heroes. As the Guardians of the Galaxy have proven, cosmic Marvel translates very well to film. We’d love to see the introduction of heroes like Nova and Adam Warlock through an Annihilation film.

Avengers vs X-Men

Photo Credit: Marvel

An immutable law of comic books holds that any two sufficiently awesome groups of superheroes have to fight when they first meet. This extends to the MCU. When the X-Men get their proper introduction in the MCU, they need to follow that with a brawl. A knock-down, drag-out brawl with the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. Because that’s the rule. The X-Men are awesome, the Avengers are awesome, and they need to battle to show off just how cool they both are. The comic event was huge, exciting and adrenaline-pumping, and it would translate beautifully to the silver screen.

August 7, 2018