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Review: ‘Sunset Overdrive’ a fun, mindless romp

By WTOP Staff

DERRIK J. LANG
AP Entertainment Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Usually, dumb video games don’t know they’re dumb video games. That’s not the case with the ludicrously self-aware “Sunset Overdrive” (Microsoft, for the Xbox One, $59.99), a vibrant open-world action game set in a doomed metropolis that’s been overrun by mutants, robots and mercenaries after the release of a toxic energy drink.

While pop culture typically depicts the apocalypse in various shades of brown and gray, the designers at Insomniac Games have created an over-the-top, end-of-the-world setup that looks more like an amusement park than a prison. It’s basically one big playground to blow up stuff while zipping around a colorful cross between Miami and Tokyo.

The developers have masterfully designed a frenetic transversal system that provides the nameless superpowered hero with the ability to grind along power lines, bounce off cars, run across skyscrapers and skim along canals. There’s also a way to teleport around Sunset City, but it’s always more entertaining to take the scenic route.

That sense of freedom extends to the creation of the protagonist himself. At any point, players can make him black or white, big or small, shaggy or smooth. He can be a she — and she can wear a jester’s hat with a marching band uniform while armed with a genital-shaped shotgun and a hairspray-powered rocket launcher, if she wants.

Indeed, “Sunset Overdrive” features many options. The mind-boggling array of customization extends beyond wacky weapons and costumes to bonuses and power-ups that can increase the ammo capacity of guns, weaken specific enemy types or melt the ground you walk on.

The ultimate goal is to take down the evil corporation that unleased the orange-colored swill on citizens and escape the city. Along the way, there are spoiled brats, killer balloons, ninja cheerleaders and an outrageously awesome appearance by Buzz Osborne of the rock band the Melvins. Yep, “Sunset Overdrive” is basically an interactive Troma film.

The game is laced with quips that break the fourth wall, calling out tired conventions of video games, such as repetitive fetch quests and disembodied narrators. Unfortunately, it’s only for humor’s sake because “Sunset Overdrive” never attempts to overcome its own mindlessness as it simultaneously skewers and celebrates so-called gamer culture.

Despite its refreshingly ridiculous take on an apocalypse and an exhilarating new way to traipse across a virtual city, there’s not much that’s original. It wouldn’t be all that shocking if “Sunset Overdrive” was actually just “Saints Row V” in disguise. It’s such wild fun, though, it would be dumb for Xbox One owners not to take a sip. Three stars.

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Online:

http://www.insomniacgames.com/games/sunset-overdrive

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Follow AP Entertainment Writer Derrik J. Lang on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/derrikjlang

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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