Latest news with #Porters
Time of India
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to cross rivers safely in Death Stranding 2?
(Image via Kojima Productions Co., Ltd.) In Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, to navigate fractured landscapes means to face treacherous rivers. To cross the waterways, safety is important for the Porters, who are delivering hope. While the entire journey remains perilous, understanding the environment and tools is key. The Death Stranding 2 guide here covers some essential strategies on how to cross rivers in Death Stranding 2,to keep you and the cargo dry when encountering the flowing barriers with wheels or on foot. Assess the water before you cross Not all rivers are the same. Some are safe and shallow, while others are deadlier. So, use the scanner (R1) to check the depth of water. The blue indicator means an easy passage, while yellow here signals a riskier Death Stranding 2 river crossing. The red indicator warms you of impossible current. Follow the scanner and ensure safely crossing rivers Death Stranding 2. Death Stranding 2: First Delivery If the scanner is showing yellow, be sure to cross it with caution. To do so, hold R2 and L2 to stabilize Sam and even adjust the pressure to counter the current. Stamina drains quicker. So, move steadily. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stylish New Mobility Scooters Available for Seniors (Take a Look) Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Search Now Undo Do not attempt crossing the red-marked river. Instead, find another route or prefer using vehicles in Death Stranding 2. Successfully fording rivers hinges on your equilibrium maintenance. Rushing water can exert some significant force. It can threaten toppling you. So, employ precise balance control throughout the crossing. Counteract the push of current, leaning deliberately in the opposite direction. Such constant adjustment will prevent disastrous falls. Use structural solution for wide channels and vehicle for efficiency At times, wading is not feasible. For the wider rivers or some areas with stronger currents, the deployable structures can offer safe passage. Ladders could be positioned horizontally between stable points like steep banks or rocks to create a makeshift bridge. Make sure to walk across the load carefully and be mindful of its stability. Ladders need solid anchor points. Without any nearby rocks or any suitable terrain edges, they would become impractical. Access riverbanks meticulously before you attempt this method. Also, ensure both ends remain firmly secured to avoid any sudden or soaking plunge or mid-crossing. When it is available, vehicles could drastically amplify the river traversal. There are some models, quite particularly three-wheeled designs like Reverse Trike, which possess clearance and stability to navigate many waterways directly. Driving through would eliminate stamina drain and even balance the challenges of walking. The method is safer and faster for cargo, given that water depth and the strength of the current are part of the capability of the vehicle. Be sure to check scanner readings first, even when you are driving. Violent or deep currents could overwhelm even the sturdy rides, quite potentially stranding players midstream. Prioritize safety when navigating rivers in Death Stranding 2 The rivers demand some respect and river crossing strategies Death Stranding 2. So, always prioritize scanning before you step in. Understand the meaning of colors and use structures smartly, where footing remains reliable, to ensure proper support. Vehicles will give you secure passage when conditions allow. Choose the crossing point very carefully. Look for shallower, wider sections that are indicated by the scanner. To rush through the deep water would risk everything. So, use the right tools and patience for specific rivers. It will ensure you and your cargo reach the other side completely intact. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
RTÉ News
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Death Stranding 2 reviewed - a video game sequel that delivers on all fronts
Set 11 months after the events of the first game, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is an engrossing and utterly bizarre game of epic proportions. It is proof that legendary game designer Hideo Kojima is a master of his craft, capable of transporting players back into his signature post-apocalyptic world full of grit, horror and surprises. Any conclusions and theories you've made from the previous game are quickly unfounded, as new stories and new villains are waiting for you. Porters – get ready, as this sequel delivers something truly exceptional. Seconds into Death Stranding 2, and I am already tumbling down the side of a mountain. I mistimed my very first step, and so the small task of walking back home feels Herculean in measure. In a game about travelling across rugged terrain, this does not bode well. As I guide the poor protagonist, Sam Porter Bridges, through endless crevices, soothing the baby Lou who is strapped to my suit, I realise that the cult classic game from 2019 is back with a vengeance, somehow adding to the photorealism that made the original game so entrancing. Despite my bad handling, Sam has a spring in his step. He and Lou have been busy trying to forge a life for themselves on the border of Mexico, just out of reach of detection from the Chiral network. And as we eventually reach home, what awaits brings a smile to my face. House plants dot rooms. Baby toys are scattered on the ground. Family photos decorate the walls. This quaint life suits Sam, and I'm in no rush to move on from these scenes because deep down, I know the father-daughter harmony will be short-lived. In true post-apocalyptic fashion, the world will never stop needing Sam and Lou. The polarising storytelling of Hideo Kojima is in full swing Having successfully reconnected a divided America back together in the first game and preventing a mass extinction in the process, Sam is tasked once more with reconnecting the fringes of society back together, all the while battling with new enemies and monsters. A surprise visit from an old friend, Fragile, beckons the world-renowned porter to join her new team, Drawbridge. The locations? First in neighbouring Mexico and then in distant Australia. As well as saving humanity, Sam is also on the hunt for answers never addressed in the previous game. And through this, the might, skill and wizardry of Hideo Kojima as a legendary storyteller is front and centre. The story has been deliberately designed to challenge players. In an interview with Rolling Stone, co-composer Woodkid explained how Kojima changed the storyline halfway through the development. The reason? Test audiences were enjoying it too much. Yes, really. "We have a problem", Kojima said. "I'm going to be very honest, we have been testing the game with players and the results are too good. They like it too much. That means something is wrong; we have to change something. "If everyone likes it, it means it's mainstream. It means it's conventional. It means it's already pre-digested for people to like it. And I don't want that. I want people to end up liking things they didn't like when they first encountered it, because that's where you really end up loving something." While I won't spoil the intricacies of the story that lies before you, suffice it to say the narrative is chock-full of twists, most impossible to anticipate. New characters appear with untold abilities and introduce unthinkable questions. For every 'Why?' I ask throughout the game's lengthy campaign, I could hear Kojima's answer, 'Why not?'. Signature delivery gameplay and level design return to torment us For the uninitiated deliverymen among us, Death Stranding 2 is a game all about travel. The world is a hostile place, with civilisation retreating to the fringes. As a porter, Sam has the arduous job of carrying cargo from A to B, often on foot, sometimes by flashy vehicle or monorail, slowly reconnecting isolated pockets of the world back to the Chiral network. Sounds simple? Well, it's anything but. As relaxing as you think a walk in the Australian outback might be, otherworldly beasts known as BTs (beached things) slink in the shadows, making passageways a death sentence. These souls have been stranded in the living world and are often only detectable at close range when you're inches away, and escape is impossible. They bring the supernatural to the game and will keep your heart rate elevated. To make matters worse, bandits also roam the lands, scavenging supplies from unsuspecting innocents. And the terrain itself you need to traverse has somehow become even more cruel and twisted than you thought possible. Flat land does not exist anywhere in Australia, it seems. At all times, your screen will be an endless landscape of rocks, cliffs, debris and natural hazards. One wrong move, one mistimed jump, or a corner taken too sharply is all it can take to see poor Sam topple down in a flash, cargo soon following suit. The desperate state of the world is conveyed to you through every step you take. Every hesitant jump feels like it could be your undoing. Every simple stroll takes on immense gravity. Although Sam can scout routes beforehand and thus get intel on the dangers you 'might' face, you still need to expect the unexpected, as flooding, earthquakes and lethal rain (known as timefall) bring all manner of unwelcome pain. Great. Thankfully, the series' signature asynchronous Porter system can help preserve your sanity. Throughout your playthrough, the actions of other players can inadvertently help you along your travels, as they leave behind core infrastructure and items around that you can use, help complete deliveries, as well as donate to community resources. Never underestimate the kindness of strangers, and remember that your contribution will help support a future Porter's adventures in the coming days and weeks ahead. You never know how helpful you might be. An ensemble cast of iconic characters, new and old At the heart of Death Stranding 2 is a cast of zany characters that bring the post-apocalyptic world to life, and help ground the absolutely bonkers plot that is being served up. While it's hard to accurately describe them without divulging the surprises in store, trust that each one brings the right amount of chaos, villainy or level-headedness needed to press on. You've no doubt seen the teaser trailers, so it should come as no surprise to know that Troy Baker's Higgs makes a devilish return, albeit with new powers and scores to settle. It seems he's a little vexed by Sam stopping his plans of world destruction in the first game. Léa Seydoux returns as the scene-stealing Fragile, who, I'll be honest, I could sit, watch and listen to all day. New characters like Neil (Luca Marinelli), Rainy (Shioli Kutsuna), Tomorrow (Elle Fanning), and Dollman (Jonathan Roumie) each bring about as many questions as they do answers about the world of Death Stranding, and are all well able to hold their own in the story's gripping cast. Appearances from old friends are also aplenty, linking up the two games. While only a few months have passed, trust that a lot has happened to them, and the chance to meet up and swap war stories should excite you. But there needs to be a moment for Norman Reedus, who plays the world's favourite postman, Sam Porter Bridges. Reedus' performance goes to exceptional lengths in showing just how far Sam is willing to go for answers. Particularly during cut scenes, it's as if the actor is just mere inches away from you, such is the level of photorealism as well as emotion on display. A nomination for his performance at the Game Awards is undoubtedly secured. A wide variety of missions and combat opens up the world (and fun) of Death Stranding 2 The world of Death Stranding is expansive, to say the least, and people are hungry to reconnect with one another. As such, there is a wide variety of quests that Sam can undertake throughout his adventures. And despite my whinging about falling, I cannot deny it's incredibly entertaining. Before each mission, Sam must pack his supplies, including the enormous cargo he is about to put his life on the line for. How you organise your items and their collective weight is the difference between succeeding with glowing marks or losing your sanity in the process. If you're like me and want to be prepared for any eventuality, you'll pack everything and the kitchen sink, mixing a wide selection of guns, grenades, and trusty ladders to face (or avoid) foes. But being overly cautious is a double-edged sword, as you'll have created a leaning tower of cargo strapped to your back, making every movement you make even more hazardous. An endless library of weapons, gadgets, and enhancements ensures that you're always creative with your aggression. Tackling optional cargo deliveries is also well-advised, as some of the best tools Sam can use are only provided by allies you've earned trust from. And trust me when I say you'll need all the help you can get facing the game's outrageous boss sequences. Death Stranding 2: On the Beach might be Hideo Kojima's masterpiece Hideo Kojima is a maestro of the bizarre. Just when you think you have a grip on the world of Death Stranding, this sequel arrives to confound you, destroying any conclusions you might have drawn from the original 2019 release. With Death Stranding 2, you're treated to an engrossing adventure that draws you in quickly from the get-go. Despite being a single-player game, the story feels like it will become a collective experience. And I cannot wait for social media to become awash with abstract theories, each trying to make sense of the artistry you've just experienced.
Chicago Tribune
15-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Marie Baranowski keeps coming up with big hits as Lockport takes fourth in Class 4A. ‘A really cool experience.'
PEORIA — Before the weekend, senior second baseman Marie Baranowski had played many games during summer tournaments on the fields at Louisville Slugger Sports Complex. But she never played here in a Lockport uniform. And she never played on the main stadium field. Check that one off her wish list. 'It was a really cool experience walking in there on Friday,' Baranowski said. 'Seeing all of the people there to support you was very exciting. The energy was awesome.' The Wisconsin-Parkside commit came up big Saturday afternoon for the Porters in a 6-5 loss to Oak Park-River Forest in the Class 4A third-place game. Taylor Lane and Sophia Hutera each had two hits apiece for Lockport (31-11), which brought home the program's first trophy since winning the Class AA state title in 2004. Baranowski reached base twice and drove in two runs and Addison Way reached twice as well. Colgate recruit Kelcie McGraw struck out seven, while Bridget Faut struck out five in relief. Baranowski's RBI single in the bottom of the fifth inning put the Porters in front 5-2. But then Oak Park-River Forest (30-9) rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth. The Huskies denied Lockport a win, but it was a small blemish on a great season. 'This season has meant so much to me, especially the girls,' Baranowski said. 'I've never been on a team with this much energy, with this much bond. We all love each other. And the most important part to me was that it has been fun. Every game was fun. 'I'm proud of each and every one of us. We were the underdogs this season and we worked so hard to get here. We battled through some really hard games.' Among them was a marathon sectional championship game against Lincoln-Way Central and Florida State recruit Lisabella Dimitrijevic. The Porters scored twice in the 10th to win 2-0. Baranowski started the winning rally with a single. Talk about a good feeling. 'I've always wanted to beat Central,' Baranowski said, laughing. 'And we did it. And then we got here. I was so happy to have had this opportunity. 'I've worked hard for all of this, and I'm really grateful for all the opportunities that coach (Marissa) Chovanec has given me.' Baranowski has finished her second full season on the varsity. She started her first one as a reserve. 'I wasn't disappointed,' Baranowski said. 'I knew I had to work for a spot. But every day at practice, I worked as hard as I possibly could.' The situation changed early and dramatically when an injury resulted in classmate Mikayla Cvitanovich being moved to shortstop. Chovanec put Baranowski in at second base. She responded by hitting .309. Over the past two seasons, Baranowski made just four errors. 'Marie has really handled that side of the field for us last season and all of this one,' Chovanec said. 'She just is a great, bubbly kid. Her energy is infectious.' And the jokes … 'She has a really funny personality,' Way said. 'Her jokes make everybody on our team laugh. She's probably the most upbeat person on our team in general. And her laugh is contagious.' But it wasn't just fun and laughs that impressed Way. 'When I was on JV my freshman year with Marie, she was always super nice to me,' Way said. 'And you could tell last year she really wanted to work really hard to get that time to play. 'The difference between her sophomore year to now is crazy. I give her a lot of credit. She deserves every bit of it.'
Chicago Tribune
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
Western Michigan-bound Liliana Janeczko leads Lockport as field general in state semifinals. ‘Unbelievably proud.'
PEORIA — She could have pouted. But she supported her teammates instead. She could have folded, especially after an injury. But she healed, watched and learned, and eagerly embraced a glorious opportunity. Lockport catcher Liliana Janeczko is having a remarkable senior season. She will be remembered as the field general on the first team for the Porters to bring home a state trophy since 2004. The Western Michigan commit is pretty proud of that. 'Unbelievably proud,' Janeczko said. 'After the things I went through, I'm just so happy with myself for getting through them and not giving up during the hard times that I've had.' Janeczko smiled as she and her teammates found solace in hugs following Friday's tough 1-0 loss in 10 innings to Barrington in a Class 4A semifinal game at the Louisville Slugger Sports Complex. Colgate recruit Kelcie McGraw had two hits and struck out nine for the Porters (31-10), who will play Oak Park-River Forest at 2 p.m. Saturday in the third-place game. Alexis Vander Tuuk added a pair of hits. Janeczko gave Lockport a chance to walk it off against Barrington (35-3-1) in the bottom of the ninth when she doubled with one out. Junior right-hander Katie Taraschewsky was able to wriggle out of it, though, by getting a fly out and a lineout. They were oh-so close. 'I was so excited about that hit,' Janeczko said. 'I have been in a little bit of a slump, and I know I'm better than that. I have high expectations.' Janeczko's journey during her high school career has been a tough one. Before her sophomore season, she underwent shoulder surgery. 'I was at a camp at Wisconsin,' Janeczko said. 'I dove and tore my labrum and dislocated my right shoulder.' Janeczko came back strong as a junior, but Northern Kentucky recruit Brooke Keltner was in her senior season as a standout behind the plate. Lockport coach Marissa Chovanec used Janeczko primarily as a designated hitter and runner. But Janeczko never stopped believing. And when she graduated, Keltner offered some encouraging words. 'At the end of last year, she told me, 'You've got this — it's nothing new for you,'' Janezcko said. 'We've been been catching since we were little. She told me to do what I do and it'll turn out great.' Those words came true. Janeczko entered the weekend hitting .328. She has 10 doubles and 27 RBIs. 'Liliana has done a great job for us behind the plate,' Chovanec said. 'She is a fighter and she loves the game. She has caught every inning of every game for us this season. 'We've had some really great catchers the last few years, and Liliana has done a fantastic job. I'm a catcher at heart, so any time I get one like Liliana, I relish it.' The battery of Janeczko and McGraw have taken Lockport on an incredible playoff run. Even with Friday's setback, opponents have yet to score an earned run. It seemed like they jelled quickly in Janeczko's lone varsity season, but their ties go way back. 'I'm so grateful I got to be here with her,' Janeczko said of McGraw. 'We've known each other since we were 5 years old and played on the same travel team for a while. 'It's crazy that we got to grow up together and be here together.' Janeczko is also the catcher for McGraw during her pitching lessons. 'Liliana is a great leader on the field,' McGraw said. 'She is always there picking people up. And she is always there to keep me on my game. 'We have such a good bond that it helps pitching and catching. It's great to have.'
Chicago Tribune
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Chicago Tribune
After running long distances and sprints, Lockport's Nolan Lamoureux rolls to state title in 800. ‘A big jumble.'
A stress fracture in grade school has been a blessing in disguise for Lockport's Nolan Lamoureux. The Lewis-bound senior track star enjoyed cross country and distance running as a youngster, but as he approached the high school stage of his life, that aspect started to take a toll on him. Lamoureux suffered that stress fracture in seventh grade, but that's not all. 'COVID hit right after,' he said. 'It was just a big jumble.' When all was said and done, Lamoureux ended up loving the sprints. He spent three years concentrating on those events for the Porters, finishing third in the state as a junior in the 400. Veteran Lockport coach Tom Razo sat down with Lamoureux before this spring, and they came up with the idea of Lamoureux running races in the middle distances, in particular the 800. That plan worked out pretty well. So well, in fact, that Lamoureux went out and won the Class 3A state championship in that event at Eastern Illinois' O'Brien Field in Charleston. 'He came into our school as a sprinter and I knew him as a distance runner,' Razo said of Lamoureux. 'He made his mark as a freshman sprinter, but I thought he would be at a whole different level if he moves up. 'It took us a while to talk him into it. His junior year, he dabbled in it. This year, after the indoor season was over, he said 'OK, I think the best shot for me winning a title is moving up.''' Lamoureux won the state title in a time of 1:51.92, edging out Yorkville's Owen Horeni at 1:52.22. Then, in the 1,600 relay, Lamoureux joined Fope Omisore, Xavier Adeniyi and Michael Nicholson to finish second for the Porters with a 3:18.01, losing out to Evanston's 3:17.73. Still, Lamoureux became Lockport's first state champion since John Meyer won the shot put in 2018 and the first runner for the Porters to take gold since 2008 when Kyle Engnell won the 1,600. Homewood-Flossmoor's 400 relay of Joaquin Jordan, Charles Dees, Myles Ellis and Zion Morrison won the Class 3A state title with a 41.00. In Class 2A, Southland Prep's Amauree Williams became the first boys track athlete in program history to win a state championship, prevailing in the 300 hurdles with a 37.77. Lamoureux's win, however, wasn't easy. It was a come-from-behind victory. 'No one challenged him all year long,' Razo said of Lamoureux. 'He controlled all of the races he was in. The young man from Yorkville took off at 400 meters, gapped him and gapped him good. 'I was kind of worried there for a second. I'm thinking 'OK, you've got to respond to this.' Prior to the race, we talked about going out at a certain pace, which he did. During the last 200 meters, I wanted him to kick like a mad fiend and he did. With 50 meters left, he took control.' Razo may have been a little worried, but Lamoureux was unfazed. 'Throughout the race, I knew that he was a fast mile guy,' Lamoureux said of Horeni. 'But I knew I had a stronger kick. I let him get out a little bit ahead of me, but it's all about tactical racing. 'I was staying not too far behind, and I was at a good point where I was still in the race. I knew that as long as I kicked, I would still have the race.' In grade school, Lamoureux started running because when he played basketball he was faster than everyone else. Track, though, is something that he has grown to love. 'It's a sport where I can challenge myself,' he said. 'And it keeps me motivated.'
