by Mackenzie Lambert

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The Escapist features a wealth of different content and showcases a number of personalities. There may be too much to cover in one review so definitely check out the website. Video game news is often presented by Andrea Rene. Destructoid’s Jim Sterling graces viewers with his presence on a number of programs including Jimquisition, Movie Defense Force, and co-hosts Rhymedown Spectacular with Yahtzee, who has his own show with Zero Punctuation. These programs in particular cover the video game media and current events with a fervor normally reserved for The Daily Show.

For those who aren’t gamers as much as they are film buffs, The Escapist has you covered. Sterling hosts Movie Defense Force, which examines

I have seen a number of films that Sterling has showcased on Movie Defense Force, and I’m glad to see there is some who appreciated the likes of Demon Knight and Hook as much as I did. His video for the Mexican cult classic, Santa Claus, is one of his best episodes. I eagerly await for his MDF episode for the Tommy Wiseau classic, The Room.

The resident film critic for The Escapist is MovieBob. Escape to the Movies is the main movie review program that covers recent releases. He also has his own editorial, The Big Picture. Here, MovieBob tackles various topics that have caused a splash in popular culture or wax nostalgia for an audience either too young to experience that period or are old enough to remember it themselves.

MovieBob was a critic willing to give an honest opinion of a movie. I respect him, as well as agree with him, on his thoughts for the likes of The Dark

One series that has become a favorite is No Right Answer. This program features inter-changeable hosts Kyle, Dan, and Chris as they debate numerous facets of popular culture. Worst Video Game Adaptations, Snake Plissken vs. Judge Dredd, Is Anita Sarkeesian Right or Wrong, and Which Villain is More Stale: Nazis or Zombies are a small sample of the subjects argued in the program. Adding an element of unpredictability, there is a spit take challenge. While drinking water, if the person spits out, the other person automatically wins.

If there was one show I would love to partake in, its No Right Answer. As amusing as it is to be a spectator, I want to be on this show as a panelist. There have been instances where I could have made a solid stance and backed up that stance with research. I could have argued very ...

Overall, The Escapist is one of the more consistent video game resources out there. New content is uploaded on a regular basis. There is a set schedule, which you can see on their website. Its easy to keep track of when your favorite program is set to have new content.

Each host has a distinct personality, but isn’t so over-the-top that they come off as in-genuine. No one particularly struck me as being the “star” of The Escapist, although Jim Sterling has such a bravado about him that he’s hard to overlook. MovieBob’s “easy come easy go” Boston accent is amusing, given that it often sounds like he’s possessed by a Kennedy.

The quality of the video and audio is very good. Rarely will there be any problems with watching or listening to an episode. One exception was the recent Jimquisition on Early Access that had shoddy editing, but

One of the strongest characteristics of The Escapist is its stringent categorization. While IGN and Gamespot devote minute-long videos to minor announcements, The Escapist gathers the lean announcements and puts them in one video, trimming away the fat. There is little crossover. MovieBob strictly covers movies, save for the occasional video game-related episode of The Big Picture. Rarely does Jim Sterling do reviews for The Escapist, being relegated to Jimquisition and Movie Defense Force. Every one has a role and stays within that role, for the benefit of the site and the audience.

The Escapist stands out among the crowded niche as 24/7 coverage of video game and pop culture news. Contrary to other websites and YouTube channels, there is knowledge, enthusiasm, diversity in their staff and content. If you want to stay alert on anything and everything in video games, film, and pop culture, The Escapist is one of the best resources.

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