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RyanB
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- Review count9
- Helpfulness votes14
- First reviewOctober 18, 2015
- Last reviewMarch 27, 2017
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating4.8
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- Answer count1
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- First answerJanuary 6, 2017
- Last answerJanuary 6, 2017
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RyanB's Reviews
Each morning the wind rustles the trees, and makes the grass sway. The mighty river roars with hundreds of gallons of water flowing, while the birds chirp and animals seek their next meal. You love the peace and tranquility of this world — there are no cell phones, no e-mail, no traffic. However, in this post-apocalyptic realm filled with ruins from a past civilization, there are strange mechanized creatures that appear at will. What secrets lie within the ruins? Why are the machines here? What is their purpose? Only you can discover the truth.Venture into a lush and vibrant post-apocalyptic world that filled with ancient ruins, decaying buildings and mysterious mechanized creatures in Horizon Zero Dawn. Step into the role of Aloy, a skilled hunter, who explores the realm to uncover her past as well as the secrets of this world. Immerse yourself in the detailed forests, soaring mountains and dynamic ruins of a lost civilization. Explore the vast landscape that features changing weather systems and a full day/night cycle. Experience the collision of nature and machines that lends to a dynamic combination of exploration and gameplay. Harness Aloy's speed and cunning to overcome the machines' raw strength and size and survive each encounter. Are you ready to experience a new dawn?
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
Horizon: Zero Dawn is developer Guerilla Games' first departure from the Killzone series for which they are known, and to play Horizon, you would never guess that.
In Horizon, Guerilla goes from gritty, sci-fi first-person shooter to open world RPG, and it feels like they've finally found their niche.
Don't get me wrong, I loved Killzone 2 and 3 (though admittedly never finished Shadowfall), but Horizon: Zero Dawn is easily the best thing the studio has ever done.
In the game, humanity has all but been destroyed. In a sort of nod to The Terminator and The Last Of Us, after a technological apocalypse, mankind has returned to living in tribes and using the resources of the land. Nature has retaken areas that once saw highways and skyscrapers and hostile machines roam the land. You play as Aloy, a young woman played by Ashly Burch (Tiny Tina in Borderlands 2, Chloe in Life Is Strange) cast out of the tribes for not knowing her mother. Desperate for acceptance, she trains to win "The Proving" a contest whose victory poses one of the only opportunities for an outcast to become part of the tribe. But things take a turn and she realizes that greater things are at play.
Aloy's journey is a relatable one full of great writing, dialogue, and voice acting. The world is well realized and, as with any Guerilla game, a beautiful sight to behold. The gameplay is tight and responsive and you should find yourself quickly leveling up as it's easy to get lost in hunting the variety of machines you find out in the world.
The last game I played with this level of quality was Red Dead Redemption. It took me roughly 70 hours to get the Platinum on this game. If you're looking for a great holdover till the next big open world game comes out (RDR2, I'm looking at you), get Horizon: Zero Dawn. You won't regret it.
All-mother be praised.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Adventure through a wild space frontier with Titanfall 2 for PlayStation 4 from Respawn Entertainment. This fast-paced, first-person shooter includes a single-player campaign or options for co-op play. Titanfall 2 lets you experience the mechanical robot battles of the award-winning Titanfall universe and immerse yourself in action-oriented graphics and comprehensive game storylines.
Customer Rating
5
Pilot, Your Titan Is Ready
on November 29, 2016
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
With barely any experience with Titanfall, I was really looking forward to Titanfall 2. I played the open beta on PS4 and shortly thereafter bought the original game to tide me over on PC (I don't own an Xbox One).
So how does Titanfall 2 compare to the first? Well, for starters, there's a single player campaign! After playing the original Titanfall on PC complete with all the DLC maps, I found myself questioning, "How was this game ever $60 in the first place?" Much like Rainbox Six: Siege and Evolve before it, I could see it being hard to justify full retail price on a game that basically equates to a handful of maps and multiplayer modes.
In that regard, Titanfall 2 steps up. In the campaign, you play as Rifleman Jack Cooper (voiced by Matthew Mercer). Very early into the campaign, through tragedy he's promoted to the rank of "Pilot" and gets his own Titan: BT-7274.
The campaign is great and gives you the opportunity to try the different new Titans out as loadouts before you get into the multiplayer. With some big action moments that make good use of the wallrunning and traversal mechanics, it's some of the most fun I've had in an FPS campaign in a while. Expect the campaign to take 6-8 hours.
The multiplayer is back and better than ever. In addition to the new Titan types (6 in total), there are some great new weapons as well as a variety of Boosts and Perks to customize your character. Add to that tons of unlockable emblems and skins, and you've got a strong modern sci-fi shooter to pair alongside something like Battlefield 1.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Lights Out [Blu-ray] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5582/5582008_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
4
Another "Win" For Modern Horror
on November 29, 2016
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
This is a good example of when a good idea gets to see its full potential.
I remember seeing "Lights Out" a few years back when it originally debuted: As a short, 5 minute horror film on YouTube. Without any dialogue and minimal explanation, it managed to be original and truly terrifying.
The full movie expands on the original's concept and adds a backstory explaining why this entity haunts this family. Surprisingly, the movie also does well as sort of a social commentary on mental illness.
What I also like is that the characters in this movie are smart. They're not your typical stupid teens or brain dead characters practically waltzing into death at every turn. They quickly learn and adapt to the situation. I often found myself saying, "Why don't they just..." and before I could finish my sentence the characters in the movie had the same idea. I really appreciated that compared to the genre stereotypes we've come to expect.
Overall, a great movie with good acting, some unexpected jump scares, and outright creepiness. With movies like this and "Don't Breathe", I'd say the horror genre is very much alive.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Vacancy [CD]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/5444/5444123_sa.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
Return To Heartbreak Road
on November 13, 2016
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
I haven't been a Bayside fan that long. Probably about 2-3 years. I came across them on Spotify after a friend's recommendation. The first song that really got me into them was "The Walking Wounded." Since then, I've picked up all their albums and listened to them from front to back numerous times. They're now easily one of my favorite bands. I've played and listened to various punk and rock music throughout the years.
So with that preamble out of the way, is the album any good? To that, I give a resounding "YES!" When I first listened to this record after falling in love with "Cult", I felt that it was kind of a let down. At first listen, a lot of the songs felt like filler. "Cult" and "Killing Time" were solid front to back. This felt like "Well, we need to release an album. Let's throw together what we've got so far." The Bayside sound was there, but didn't feel like it reached the heights of previous records.
Then I looked into the story behind the writing of the record. And I listened to it again. And again. And again. And then I realized that I had misjudged this record and written it off too soon.
For some background, the title "Vacancy" and the accompanying artwork come from pictures of the hotel that lead singer and guitarist Anthony Raneri stayed at in Tennessee while trying to stay closer to his daughter and estranged wife. Working as a metaphor for his newly single status amidst facing down a divorce and the emptiness he felt inside, "Vacancy" (much like the Foo Fighter's album "The Colour And The Shape") is an 11 song journey through the 5 stages of grief.
It begins with "Two Letters", a strong opener driven by heavy guitars, Jack O'Shea's signature leads, Nick Ghanbarian's pulsing bass, and Chris Guglielmo's pounding drums. Anthony's lyrics and vocals here are just as biting as ever. From here we follow his path through depression in "I've Been Dead All Day", the anger and division he feels in "Enemy Lines", and disappointment and matter of fact sentiment in "Not Fair." From there we hit "Pretty Vacant", marking the halfway point through his journey of self-deprecation and bitterness and the would-be title track of the record.
On the second half of the album, "Rumspringa" seems to be the most pointedly angry song aimed at his ex, while "Mary" waxes nostalgic and offers consolation to those who might not have seen their dreams realized. "Maybe, Tennessee" is the last truly angry song on the record, as Anthony laments the state (literally and figuratively) that he finds himself in. "The Ghost" promotes a sense of longing to be back with his wife, even if only as an element in the background, yet steps it back in "It Doesn't Make It True" stating, "If I want to change, then I've got to work. Just 'cause I say I do doesn't make it true." After the bargaining is over we see him come to accept things as they are in "It's Not As Depressing As It Sounds", a sad and somber plea for both the listener (and perhaps himself) to believe that despite the 10 songs before it, that everything isn't as terrible as it seems.
Initially I didn't think this album was as great as I do now. It's definitely more of a "grower", and if you appreciate lyrical meaning and concept albums I think you'll learn to love it a lot more than most. At its core, this is still very much a Bayside album. Anthony Raneri's words and voice are as strong as ever back by Jack O'Shea's impressive guitar work and the synergy of Nick Ghanbarian's technical basslines and
Chris Guglielmo's frenetic but never overpowering drumming.
Chris Guglielmo's frenetic but never overpowering drumming.
If you're a Bayside fan, this album is a must have. There are a lot of down moments, but hey:
It's not as depressing as it sounds.
It's not as depressing as it sounds.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Zootopia [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray/DVD] [2016]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/320427a5-002b-4467-9e8c-46de0c416bb5.jpg)
Customer Rating
5
The Kind Of Movie We Need Right Now
on November 13, 2016
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
I should start by saying I'm a grown man (33) with no kids. I appreciate a wide variety of movies and love Disney/Pixar and Dreamworks's animated movies. That being said, this is a great movie for kids and adults alike.
The humor is smart and there are some good jokes there for adults that don't take away from it being family friendly. The voice acting and animation is superb.
As for the movie itself, it's starts as a simple story of trying to achieve your goals, no matter what stereotypes or preconceived notions society has placed on you. It's about confronting prejudices and learning to accept people at face value rather than judging people you don't even know. And this is a kids movie! But it's a fantastic commentary on racism and sexism without ever mentioning either.
I'm sure like many of us you were taught to never judge a book by its cover and to treat people as you would like to be treated. This movie speaks to getting back to that.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![The Revenant [Includes Digital Copy] [Blu-ray] [2015]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/4840/4840300_sa.jpg)
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
Yes, this is the movie where Leonardo Dicaprio wins his first (and long overdue) Oscar. Is this movie that good? Yes. Yes it is.
The Revenant is a huge movie. And not in a Marvel Universe, blockbuster-superhero-movie way. Every minute of its 157 minute runtime is a visceral, draining portrayal of the dangerous world of the old American frontier. The journey it takes you on can sometimes feels just as soul-crushing as that of the characters' themselves.
Alejandro G. Iñárritu is quickly becoming one of my new favorite directors. Prior to this I saw his movie "Birdman." Largely because it starred Michael Keaton (whom I haven't seen in a new movie in ages), but the movie was great for all of that and more. The Revenant stands in stark contrast, as a world of external rather than internal conflict. We feel Dicaprio's pain as we're dragged through the mud and unrelenting forces of nature with him, hoping to find the resolution he himself seeks.
The acting is phenomenal. The cinematography is incredible. If you're a fan of slow-burn stories that build to the ultimate climax, see this movie.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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![Silicon Valley: The Complete Second Season [Blu-ray] [2 Discs]](https://pisces.bbystatic.com/prescaled/500/500/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/feff659f-0f14-43af-a6b3-c40aa803c474.jpg)
This release features the complete second season of the Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated HBO comedy series Silicon Valley, following six young entrepreneurs working together to navigate the cutthroat world of tech start-up companies. The series stars Thomas Middleditch, T. J. Miller, Josh Brener, Kumail Nanjiani, and Martin Starr, and was created by Mike Judge (Office Space).
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
I originally found out about Silicon Valley because of some random clips people had posted from YouTube. I love T.J. Miller and Kumail Nanjiani's stand-up, so I immediately checked it out.
The first season was great! I would describe it as "The Big Bang Theory...if it was actually funny." The cast is hilarious along with the writing, and I'm surprised at how engaging the plot can be considering it's a comedy.
Season two amps everything up and adds some great new characters to Bachman's Incubator. The chemistry between everyone is organic and I found myself laughing just as much, if not more, than the first season. Can't wait for season three!
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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Experience one of the most revered game series of all time as you follow the perilous journey of Nathan Drake across the globe, from humble beginnings to extraordinary discoveries.
Customer Rating
5
Sic Parvis Magna: Greatness From Small Beginnings
on October 25, 2015
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
As soon as this collection was announced, I knew I had to pick it up. Nathan Drake and the Uncharted games were the things that got me back into gaming, having left it behind after the Nintendo Gamecube. The quality of the graphics, voice acting, gameplay, and story were something that I had never seen in a video game before.
I played the original Uncharted, Drake's Fortune, back in 2007 shortly after it launched. From then on I was an Uncharted fan for life. Uncharted 2 became my most anticipated game after it was announced. The same goes for Uncharted 3. So with Uncharted 4: A Thief's End releasing in March 2016, how does this collection hold up?
First off, Bluepoint Games did a phenomenal job remastering them. I have the Platinum trophy for all 3 original games on the PS3, and I can tell you these games have never looked better. If you're new to the series or if you want to relive the games at a quality that couldn't be achieved last gen, it's a great jumping off point. Graphics and presentation are great and clean thanks to improved textures and running at 1080p / 60 frames per second. Gameplay improvements have also been made in the form of improved aiming mechanics as well as more sensitivity options. Additionally, Uncharted: Drake's Fortune did away with the hard-to-aim motion controls for throwing grenades, opting instead for a simple grenade button like the games that followed.
Playing these games again is an absolute joy and I'm having fun going for all the trophies again. New additions like a Speed Run mode and the new unlockable "Brutal" difficulty bring something new for the die-hards who want an extra challenge. As many others, I was disappointed at the lack of multiplayer considering The Last Of Us Remastered still had its multiplayer and Uncharted 2's MP was my favorite in the series, but the collection does include a voucher for the Uncharted 4 Multiplayer Beta which should be launching soon.
All in all, a great compilation of games for the Uncharted fan or the interested newcomer. Uncharted: Drake's Fortune pales a bit in comparison to Among Thieves and Drake's Deception, but this just goes to show how many improvements Naughty Dog added between the first game and the second game.
"All men dream: but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream with open eyes, to make it possible. This, I did".
Here's to the next big adventure.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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-3points
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With anatomically designed, oval-shape silicone tips, these Klipsch Reference R6i 1060400 BLK earbud headphones prevent ear fatigue, letting you enjoy comfortable listening sessions. The 6.5mm dual-magnet, moving-coil drivers provide clear, dynamic sound.
Customer Rating
4
Great earbuds, with a few cons
on October 18, 2015
Posted by: RyanB
Verified Purchase:Yes
I bought these to replace my previous good earbuds (a set of Shure earbuds that ran me about $150). I love Klipsch's products. I have the Promedia 2.1 computer speakers and they're some of the best speakers I've ever owned.
These earbuds are pretty good. The sound is balanced overall and, while is doesn't produce the over-the-top bass that some cheaper buds do, sounds all the better for it. Again, these are earbuds, not full-sized over-the-ear headphones. With speakers this small your expectations have to be realistic. That being said, overall the bass, mid, and treble provide an accurate audio image throughout the frequency spectrum.
The only other shortcoming I found was that I bought these for running. If your only intended use for these is for the gym, I can't recommend them. Rustling the cord transfers sound directly to your ears and they fall out easily with anything more than minimal movement. My advice is to purchase these only if you intend on walking or sitting with them in.
If you're just looking for something to give you quality sound while reading or walking to / riding on public transit, then they're great.
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
My Best Buy number: 2120064603
I would recommend this to a friend!
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10of 11voted this as helpful.
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The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC1900 WiFi Range Extender boosts your existing network range & speed, delivering extreme dual band WiFi up to 1900Mbps. The 700mW high-powered amplifiers provide extreme range, while the dual core 800MHz processor enables maximum WiFi performance.
Will the Netgear range extender work with an ASUS RT-AC66R router?
I just did a quick search on that model and, from what I can tell, it should work just fine. Just keep in mind that all this is going to do is extend the reach of your current wi-fi signal. Also, it's going to create 2 new signals to connect to listed as whatever your wi-fi is named with a "_2ext" and "_5ext" added on for your 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections. It won't make anything faster, but if your signal was dropping off significantly it will SEEM faster.
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RyanB