This month, the AE team is bringing you our Pop Culture Picks from our home offices and, as things begin to reopen here, our office office too! We’re focusing on the things that support our physical and mental health while practicing social distancing. Keep scrolling to find out what’s helping us through these challenging times – we hope they can help you too!

Jeff’s Pick

Zombies, Run! (app)

TL;DR: Zombies, Run! is a zombie apocalypse themed augmented reality app that will get you up and running.

I appear to be fixated on experiences that somewhat amplify our current pandemic situation. This month my PCP is the mobile app ‘Zombies, Run!’, a combination of running/fitness app, episodic podcast, and interactive game with a bit of augmented reality thrown in.

‘Zombies, Run’ is set in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies where the last bits of humanity are holed up in isolated bases. You are ‘Runner 5’ and your job is to head out, running around to gather supplies and perform other jobs for your base.  Each episode is a ‘mission’ that you need to complete.

When you start the mission, a radio operator or other runners talk to you over your headset (headphones), revealing the overall story arc that each mission is a part of. As the mission plays, you run and the app tracks your pace and route — just as any other running app would but with a few extra elements. As you run you will get notifications of various supplies you have picked up along the way, these can be used to upgrade your base. You may also find clues and other story elements that you can inspect after the mission.

At various points there is also a ‘Zombie Chase’, in which you are required to sprint for a minute to avoid being caught by Zombies. If you don’t maintain at least a 10% increase in pace you will be caught and lose supplies. Even though the worst outcome is loss of supplies, these chases will definitely get your heart racing as you hear the zombies getting closer and closer.

If you are looking to add some flavor to your current runs, or looking to get into running I recommend checking this app out as great motivator.

Mike’s Pick

Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition (Nintendo Switch game)

TLDR; Huge but complex JRPG for the Switch. Highly recommended for fans of the genre, but beginners beware.

My first ever pop culture pick was for the original Wii version of Xenoblade Chronicles, way back in February 2018. The original pushed the Wii to its absolute limits, but with the Wii not being known for its huge adventure games and the game not being as readily available for purchase as it could have been, meant was more of a cult classic than a best seller. A re-release for the New 3DS was decent but not amazing, with graphics even worse than the original due to that machine’s limitations.

So finally we have the definitive version of Xenoblade Chronicles, and it really is definitive. The graphics, in particular the character models, have been given a nice facelift, and the UI has been given a nice overhaul, making some of the game’s trickier elements (the combat, for example) easier to understand and less of a hurdle for first time players.

Also there’s just something wonderful about holding a massive gaming world in your hands in the way that the Switch allows. The game’s world is set on the back of two massive monsters (or Titans) and the game is, at times, breathtaking as you explore the vast playing areas provided. The game can still be confusing at times — there’s a lot to take in. The combat is complex, plus there’s armour, skill trees, gem creation, city building, item collection, sub quests and more to get your head around, which may be off-putting for first time JRPG players.

But if you’re after an immersive, complex but rewarding JRPG experience, Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is the game for you. In many ways it is THE definitive JRPG experience on the Switch to date.

Jenn’s Pick

Chromatica – Lady Gaga (album)

TL;DR: Chromatica is an awesome album which is full of dance beats, like the good-old-days, and emotional growth and expression

I love Gaga. I’ve been listening to her from Day 1, and would definitely call myself one of her Little Monsters. I have fond memories of my spouse and I going out dancing (a decade ago, “back in the day” haha), and whenever Lady Gaga came on those were “our songs”. Her versatility in covers and duet performances is incredible –  from The Sound of Music to singing with Metallica.

I had to listen to Chromatica a few times when it was released this past week. My first impression was definitely “ok, this feels like a throwback to those clubbing days with those beats”. After a few repeats I can say I LOVE this album! It does have that feel that this is an ode to the early days, but this time she’s filled it with her experiences and growth, and a more confident feel to say what she wants. The songs with the big club beats are easy to sing along to, and these days being stuck at home (thanks, 2020) it just feels good to belt one out.Rolling Stone’s review said it better than I ever could:

“Although she initially had reservations about putting out Chromatica at the start of pandemic shutdowns, there’s something comforting about the way the album captures the feeling of banging your feet on a sweaty dance floor and bumping into strangers during the loneliest, most isolated moment in history.”

The songs “Alice”, “Enigma”, “911” are fun dance beats that really demand I crack out my beloved extra-bass headphones. The duets – particularly “Rain On Me” with Ariana and “Sine From Above” with Elton – are also songs that I really enjoyed in the album. The standout emotional songs “Fun Tonight” and “Replay” feel like Gaga is using her lyrics to work through her experiences in a simultaneously sad and catchy way. The album as a whole is a hit and I will be listening to it as a great pick-me-up this month. The goal has been the same all along… JUST DANCE