The Plank
Opinion: “Yakuza” series Brilliantly handles complicated themes
The “Yakuza” series is one of the oldest and most beloved
creations in the gaming industry. Created by the industry titan,
SEGA, in 2005, the series created its own bizarre style that
continues to draw people in, and no game has been able to
successfully copy it yet. With the 16 year anniversary of the
series drawing closer, now feels like the right time to look back
on the Yakuza franchise as a whole and to explore why it’s so
beloved to such a wide range of people.
“UFC 4” is bland and uninspired with a deeply flawed online mode
One of my colleagues, Rowan Craig ’23, wrote an
opinion for The Plank calling the video game “UFC 4” a
fun installment in the “UFC” video game franchise. As a
distinguished video game reviewer, I was offended, because “UFC
4” is not fun at all; in fact, it’s a really boring game.
Why Jesuit students will be having a lot less final exams… and a lot more projects with exams.
Over the past 18 months, COVID-19 has at times changed finals or
at other times obliterated them entirely. This year, however, the
school made finals real once again.
Jesuit basketball winter season sees wins and losses
The Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity basketball team is
already 13 games into their season and have had mixed results,
amassing a record of 6-7.
Opinion: “Rocket League Sideswipe” revives the name of its 2015 predecessor
The mainstream video game developing studio, Psyonix, just
released a new mobile spin off of their poster game, “Rocket
League.” “Rocket League Sideswipe” has been available on IOS and
Android for Psyonix’s North American audience since Dec. 2, 2021,
and players are loving it.
Opinion: “You” explores the overlap between captivating and disturbing
“You,” the intense thriller and drama series available on
Netflix, released its long-awaited third season on Oct. 15, 2021.
This captivating show that first released on Sept. 9, 2018, has
grown immensely in popularity and is a big hit among many
teenagers and adults.
Jesuit’s nationally-ranked cross country team exceeded expectations for this season
After not having a cross country season last year due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity
cross country team was finally able to compete this year. The
team had a successful season finishing first in the Delta League,
first in the Division I Section Championship, and fifth at the
Division I State Championship.
Daniel Craig’s farewell “No Time to Die” elicits mixed feelings
“No Time to Die” was released in theatres on Oct. 8th 2021, and
is the 25th and final film of Daniel Craig’s rendition of James
Bond. The film is directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, and stars
Daniel Craig, Ana De Armas, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, and many
more.
Squid Game delivers deep messages to it’s audience at Jesuit
“Squid Game,” the South Korean hit Netflix series was released
Sept. 17, 2021. “Squid Game”is about a small group of wealthy
elites kidnapping and coercing the poor in South Korea, who are
in grave debt, to compete in life-and-death versions of popular
children’s games. “Squid Game” dystopian themes
incorporate many of the contemporary real world problems that the
world faces today.
“The Artful Escape” has simple gameplay but addresses mature topics
“The Artful Escape” is a new indie game on the market that
tackles the ideas of finding identity and the creative process in
a new and exciting way. Although the game had its fair share of
troubles in trying to get off the ground, it was finally released
on Sept. 9, 2021.
Jesuit Water Polo’s 2021 Season Saw Memorable Wins and Impressive Growth
The 2021-22 Jesuit High School Sacramento Marauders water polo season was a memorable comeback season after a 2020 season that was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Review: “Spider-Man No Way Home” looks to be a promising and ambitious film despite only a few details revealed
“Spider-Man No Way Home,” the long-awaited sequel to “Spider-Man Far From Home,” is directed by Jon Watts and will be released on Dec. 17, 2021. Some actors confirmed to be in the movie include Tom Holland, Zendaya Maree Stoermer Coleman, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jamie Foxx, Alfred Molina, J.K. Simmons, and Willem Dafoe.
Jesuit students represent the school in Washington D.C. at Ignatian Family Teach-in
Jesuit High School Sacramento students took a trip to Washington D.C. for the annual Ignatian Family Teach-in for Justice that took place at the Washington Hilton Hotel throughout the weekend of Nov. 6.
The group of nine students made the 2,500 mile trip with the objective of increasing their understanding of justice while also perpetuating it. While on the trip, the students visited historical museums, took part in a night protest, and spent time at the National Mall.
Review: “UFC 4” has something for sports and fighting game fans alike
“UFC 4” was released on Aug. 14 of 2020 and was developed by Electronic Arts Inc. and published under the company’s sports division, EA Sports. “UFC 4” is the fourth installment in the series following up “UFC 3,” which was released on Dec. 1, 2017.
The game follows the classic sports game template with a “Career Mode,” a “Play Now” mode and an “Online” mode. Even though the game doesn’t add to the classic format of sports games, it doesn’t stop the existing game modes from being fun.
Jesuit football season comes to an end after an impressive game versus Folsom
On Saturday, Nov. 20 the Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity football team faced Folsom High School in the Sac-Joaquin Section Semifinals. Jesuit came short of FHS by one point in a 21-22 loss marking their first loss in eleven games and the end of their season.
Review: Ted Lasso is full of talent and compelling story-telling
The dramatic comedy “Ted Lasso” aired its first episode on the streaming service Apple TV+ on Aug. 14, 2020, and the last episode of its 2nd season aired Oct. 8, 2021. The show was developed by Jason Sudeikis, Bill Lawrence, Brendan Hunt, and Joe Kelly.
In the show, an American Division II college football coach, Ted Lasso played by Jason Sudeikis, is hired to coach for a Premier League soccer team in Britain by its new owner Rebecca Welton, played by Hannah Waddingham. Ted’s coaching abilities are underestimated by both the team and the country but he perseveres because of his undying optimism.
Junior Overnight Retreat Connects Students to the Catholic Faith
At Jesuit High School Sacramento, the Junior Overnight Retreats finished as of Nov.10. This retreat is an essential experience at Jesuit that gives the junior class an opportunity to take a break from day-to-day life in order to reflect on their lives by focusing on their relationship with God and others.
Review: Valorant offers an intense, competitive, and unique FPS experience
On June 2, 2020 “Valorant,” a competitive addition to PC gaming, hit the market.
“Valorant,” released by Riot Games, is a first-person shooter multiplayer game that currently involves 16 different playable agents and seven unique maps each with their own unique features. Valorant, also known as “Valo,” is constantly releasing brand new exciting content, including new agents and maps that continue to draw current players closer to the game while simultaneously bringing new players to the fanbase.
Ms. Windi Mitchell Returns to Jesuit as a Theology and World Religions Teacher
Ms. Windi Mitchell is not new to the faculty at Jesuit High School Sacramento, she previously worked at Jesuit in 2017-2019 before returning to Jesuit for the 2021-22 school year. Ms. Mitchell has a lengthy history of working with Jesuit institutions as a coordinator for Service and Justice, a theology teacher, and a Jesuit volunteer.
Jesuit football prepares to face Folsom in rematch for opportunity to reach the Sac-Joaquin Section Championship
On Saturday, Nov. 20, the Jesuit High School Sacramento varsity football team will play the Folsom High School Bulldogs in the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinals on Jesuit’s home field. Jesuit enters the game as the second seed in the playoffs while FHS are the third seed.