Jump to content
Fan Clubs (beta)

  • Articles

    Show all categories

    John Wick: Chapter 2 Review

    Talk about tying up loose-ends. John Wick is back, because let’s face it…We all want to see him in the bloody, over-the-top action flick, John Wick Chapter 2. In this thrilling sequel, we join Keanu Reeves once more as he takes a turn as Baba Yaga to answer a call he cannot refuse. Considering how high the bar was set after the surprise hit, John Wick, the next chapter has a lot to live up to.



    Receiving The Marker
    Picking back up right where we last saw him, John Wick Chapter 2 starts in a heavy shoot-out as the Boogeyman attempts to recover his stolen car. After settling his debts and calling 'peace,' John officially bows out and returns home with his new unnamed puppy companion. Before he is able to settle into his retirement, an old friend comes knocking at his door. Crime lord Santino D'Antonio (Riccardo Scamarcio) calls in a favor, handing over a blood oath marker that cannot be ignored. After reluctantly agreeing, as it is one of the unbreakable rules to refuse a marker, John Wick is sent on a hit that will ultimately shake the underworld's foundation.
     

     

     


    Welcome to the Continental
    John Wick Chapter 2 starts out exactly like an awesome action-movie sequel should - right where it left off. All of the audience's lingering questions are answered and we are treated to an awesome fire-fight before we've touched our popcorn. (Who am I kidding? That's gone before the movie even starts!) But there-in lies a little bit of a problem with this movie. All the loose ends are tied up, so what else is there for John to do? This is when the story relies on this previously unmentioned information about the marker, and it does work. However, it doesn't have the same power as the original. Force-ably repaying a debt isn't as bad ass as hunting down the bastards who wronged you.
     
    What's really interesting about John Wick Chapter 2 is the look inside the 'underworld' - or how being a hit man works. The movie takes us through an assignment from beginning to end, and it's cool to see that lore unfold. We get to see an international Continental and how quickly information goes through the wire. Also, the action scenes are amazing. I mean, that's the most important part to a flick like this. It does not disappoint! Some action sequences are actually pretty comical. It's great that this film knows what it is and doesn't take itself to seriously. It also movies very fast. You'll wonder where the time went.
     
    My main issue with the flick, besides the weaker motivation, is the weak villains. While Santino D'Antonio is a slimy bastard, his henchman Ares is pretty unremarkable. At some point, John Wick has to go up against a bunch of faceless enemies, and there-in lies the intensity. He never knows who will be coming after him. Regardless, while there are the 'main' villains, none of them are really up to par.
     


    Take The Blue Pill
    Keanu Reeves is awesome as John Wick, as usual. But nothing is as incredible as seeing Neo and Morpheus together again, even for a moment. Common plays a typical bodyguard, and Ruby Rose tries to be intimidating as D'Antonio's henchman, but neither is as imposing as they should be. They are fine, but not particularly noteworthy. Riccardo Scamarcio pulls of that coward with a lot of power character well-enough, but everyone is just overshadowed by the gun fire of Keanu Reeves. In fact, the only actors that really stood out were Lance Reddick and John Leguizamo. But then again, we really just want to see John Wick kick ass.
     


    John Wick Chapter 2: Final Thoughts
    Though not as awesome as the first, John Wick Chapter 2 is a pretty good sequel. It's an adrenaline rush from start to finish, and everything moves so quickly its 2 hour run time seems like ten minutes. The plot isn't as strong, but the action scenes make up for any failing the script may have. This chapter gives a glimpse of the underground and sets up the next chapter of John's tragic story. Given all the hype, I'm definitely excited to see the next one.
     
     
     
    So what do you all think? Have you seen
    ? How about Logan? Looking for something more family-friendly? Well, there's always Lego Batman. Let us know what you think in the comments below! 

      • Post Type: Review

    The LEGO Batman Movie Review

    Always be yourself…unless you can be Batman. Lego Batman gets the pleasure of encompassing the joy of the classic comic book without the pressure of being dark and gritty. This cheeky spin-off of The Lego Movie plays with the iconic superhero in a way that pokes fun at its roots and will have you clutching your sides. Starring the vocal talents of Will Arnett, Zach Galifianakis, Michael Cera, Rosario Dawson and Ralph Fiennes, Lego Batman is hilarious way to spend the afternoon.
     


    The Bat Signal
    Several years following the events of
    , Batman has returned to Gotham City to fight crime. During a fierce show-down with his arch-nemesis, the Joker, Batman says some choice words that hurt the Crown Prince of Crime, causing him to seek the ultimate revenge. Oblivious to his enemy’s plans, Batman attends a gala celebrating Commissioner Gordon’s retirement. In his confusion, Batman unwittingly adopts Dick Grayson, a young orphan, and he is introduced the new commissioner, who has a plan for eliminating the need for Batman. 
    After the Gala, Bruce Wayne tries to get a handle on fatherhood, his mixed emotions about the new commissioner, and life after Batman.  Of course, there is a more sinister plot a foot. Can the Dark Knight accept change and tackle his greatest fear in order to save Gotham City?
     






    To The Bat-Mobile!
    As far as Batman movies go, this one is nothing short of action-packed. In the first few scenes, everything moves so quickly it's hard to catch everything. The pace is off the charts until the beginning sequence is over. Everything slows down after that, except the jokes of course. I found myself laughing hysterically and each joke hit perfectly.
     
    I liked the twist on the genre and the movie went in a direction I didn't really think it would, and it takes a slightly different look at the Batman character. While the story itself didn't break any ground, it was enjoyable. The characters were bright and fun, it had a great script, but I never really got the 'feels' at the parts I should have. Then again, this is a very lighthearted movie - a lighthearted movie full of awesome pop culture references.
     
    Lego Batman is a comic-book extravaganza, but it doesn't quite reach Lego Movie status.
     


    The Justice League
    The voice acting in this movie is perfect. Will Arnett reprises his roll as Batman, and he's perfect for it. Zach Galifinakis had a lot to live up portraying the infamous Crown Prince of Crime. He pulls it off quite well, considering the tone of the film.  Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera, and Ralph Fiennes complete this fun ensemble and brought the Batman Team to life.
     
    The soundtrack also made this cinematic ride more fun. The score by Lorne Balfe compliments the action, and the pop music adds an extra dash of silly. All of these elements blend together to make a very enjoyable flick.
     


    Lego Batman: Final Thoughts
    Lego Batman is an exciting and hilarious take on the beloved comic series. While it isn't up to par with Lego Movie, it's okay - because it wasn't really trying to be that. It was something much different, poking fun at one of the most well-loved DC comic book characters of all time. With a charming soundtrack, a ton of pop-culture fueled humor, and an excellent cast, this is a family-friendly film worth watching.
     
    So, deadicated fans, what do you think? Have you seen Lego Batman? or did you check out John Wick Chapter 2? And who's looking forward to 
    !  Let us know in the comments below!
     
     
      • Post Type: Review

    Revisiting the original Men in Black

    Retro Movie Time: the series that grabs an illegal time travel device and jumps off the Chrysler building in order to revisit the filmography of the past. Sometimes it's fun to take a look at what directors and actors of by-gone eras have given us - for better or worse. It's also important to see how these movies stand against the test of time! The first installment of this series takes a look at life from outer space coming down to co-exist with an unknowing human-kind in Men in Black.
     
    Wow, 1997! Has it really been 20 years already? Well, two sequels, an animated series, and aging stars are pretty much an indication of time passage, so it's certainly been awhile since Will Smith and Tommy Lee Jones first teamed up for this action/comedy/sci-fi flick.
     


    Intergalactic Kegger
    The Men in Black are a specialized agency that handles all communication and business with alien life. The aliens, in turn, take refuge and live side-by-side with the unsuspecting earthlings. In order to be an MIB agent, however, one must completely erase his or her self from existence and cut all ties.
     
    Our story begins with Agent K (Tommy Lee Jones), who is on assignment one evening when his aging partner fails to take down a hostile. After a quick encounter with a memory-erasing neuralyzer, K finds himself in need of a new partner.  Enter the nimble and hard-hitting James Darrel Edwards III(Will Smith) of the NYPD.
     
    Unfortunately, as the future Agent J is recruited, danger is afoot. (There's always danger afoot.) A malevolent life-form known only as a bug has made it's way to Earth. This aggressive alien is hell-bent on stealing something from the Arquillian royal family in hopes of starting a war.  Can Agent K and Agent J get it together long enough to stop warfare and keep the MIB a secret? You'll have to watch to find out.
     


    Don't Turn Green...
    Men in Black is basically a classic at this point. If you haven't seen it, it's a good blend of comedy and sci-fi. The movie moves quickly, but it's writing is smart enough to keep you chuckling until the end credits. There is a bit of absurdity in the script, but the dead pan delivery by Tommy Lee Jones makes it so perfect, you'd think it could be real.
     
    The film's pacing is pretty good; there is rarely a dull moment. What's great about the story is it's ability to make extraordinary problems and moments seem like every day occurrences. Yes, there may be a battle fleet of aliens about to destroy Earth, but the important thing is we do not know about it. The audience is privy to the MIB lifestyle, and while we may worry about the impending doom of the planet, others are blissfully unaware.
     
    It's a fun, cheeky, and action-packed movie that has a
    . It's one of those movies that's easy to get drawn into if it's playing on TV.
     

     


    The Men In Black
    Our main actors in this flick are very well cast. Our lead guys, Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, make a wonderfully balanced pair. The old salt is teaching the newbie, and they have a wonderful dynamic.
     
    An additional cast member worthy of mention is the female lead, Linda Florentino as Laurel Weaver.  She takes up the mantle as the Deputy Medical Examiner, who's had a few run-ins with the MIB but can't quite recall thanks to the neuralyzer. She is also Agent J's love interest. While her part was pretty small, her character lacked real development. However, she does have a few zingers, and for what she was, the actress played her well.
     
    Another call out is the movie's villain, played by Vincent D'Onofrio. With a combo of special effects make-up and skill, the decaying Edgar skin-wearing bug was equal parts gruesome and hilarious. He struck a balance between creepy and humor that worked well for the film.
     
    Collectively, while none of the characters had deep backgrounds, it's not that kind of movie, so they worked well. The film was cast very perfectly and each player pulled off an excellent portrayal.
     


    Now...For an Eye Exam
    After 20 years, Men in Black is still a fun film to watch. It was different, charming, and though the fashion may be a bit dated, it's always great to watch. With a perfect soundtrack, and Will Smith fresh out of Bel-Air, this is a must for any movie buff's collection. While it may not be a deep film, it is a funny and unique take on the sci-fi genre without getting trapped in the technicalities of it. Men in Black is simply a great popcorn flick, with smart comedic writing that can last the test of time.
     
    Let's just forget that Men in Black 2 ever happened.
     
    So what do you think of Men in Black? Did you love it? Hate it? Remember it fondly? Let us know in the comments below.
     

      • Post Type: Review, Editorial

    Rogue One: A Star Wars Story Review

    The Star Wars series has been a pop-culture staple for nearly 40 years.  I had to pause and take that in for moment as I considered that immense popularity that the franchise has.  Even before Disney started raking in the dough on this fatted cash cow, every few years or so, there was a Star Wars revival. Between each release, re-release, prequel, and sequel, the critical eyes of the Star Wars fans were squinted, and with the internet, they were poised and ready to attack.  With such a beloved series, there is high-pressure to do it justice. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story did just that.
     

     
     

    Rebellion Gone Rogue One: Spoiler-Free!
    Our story bridges the gap between Revenge of the Sith and New Hope. The Imperials are gathering up scientists to construct a space station so powerful it will eliminate planets in a matter of minutes. Upon it's completion, the struggling rebellion gets wind of a rumor that there may be a way to destroy this mass killing machine. The rebel Jyn Erso (Felicity Jones) is tasked with locating the Imperial defector carrying the very information could turn the tide of the war.
     


    Bridging The Gap
    The film makers had a difficult task ahead of them when they began putting together Rogue One. They had to strike a balance between established Star Wars lore, fan service, and create something that fit perfectly into that universe. (It was almost as hard as making this a spoiler-free review!) Adding too much fan service can take away from the story continuity, while not having enough lore could make the film feel like it's not part of the original series. There was a thin line to walk, and Rogue One manages to do just that.
     
    While the film has bits and pieces of 'fan service,' it doesn't waste a ton of time on it.  For instance, Darth Vader makes an appearance in the film - but though his presence is noted, it's not forced and it makes sense for the story. There are also a few other throwbacks that fit within the story frame. The nods to the past make sense. Much of what happens in the film also clears up loose ends from the established series.
     

     

     


    The Jedi, The Sith and The Rancor
    While the story is slow to begin, it's necessary to establish the new characters in this exciting adventure. And I do mean exciting. There were moments when I was literally leaning forward, grabbing the arms of the chair to hold myself back. The film does a great job drawing you in. The slow start helps establish the scene and it really does amp up the tension as the movie reaches its climax.
     
    Short of stepping into spoiler territory, I was so drawn in that even as certain events happened, I tried to convince myself otherwise. (So vague...I'm sorry. Go see it. You'll get it.) The film manages to not only look like a Star Wars film, but most definitely adds to its legacy.
     


    The Rebels of Rogue One
    Each of the roles are balanced and well thought out. I found myself rooting for each individual character and despising the villain. It was also an interesting look at the rebellion. Rogue One muddies up the line between "good" and "evil" a bit, showing that not everyone on each side is so strictly aligned.
     
    The cast was made up of mostly unknown actors. Felicity Jones really kills it as the strong and capable Jyn Erso, while Diego Luna makes a compelling counterpart as a rebel with a less than savory past. Though I usually have problems with the villain, Ben Mendelsohn does an excellent job portraying the sinister Orson Krennic.
     
    Short of mentioning all of the actors in this film, every character introduced fit the story so well! From the defective Imperial cargo pilot to the Guardian of Whills, they all managed to win me over in the short time we spent together. (Though I'd hate not mention Alan Tudyk's awesome voice acting!)
     
    Of course, the final character is the score! It's like a character at least. Michael Giacchino (Up, Call of Duty franchise) followed the footsteps of the great John Williams, and doesn't disappoint. He took a lot of influence from the legendary composer and truly helped take us to a galaxy far, far away.
     


    Final Thoughts
    I found it very hard to find criticize this movie, because I went in knowing what it was. It's a missing puzzle piece. It's not a "new series." It captures the spirit of
     without throwing in a ton of lightsabers, ewoks, or Jedi. It takes a perspective we haven't seen before, and it has a surge of action that is definitely worth seeing. 
    So what do you all think?  Have you seen Rogue One? What's your favorite part of the franchise? Let us know in the comments below! Stay deadicated!
     

      • Post Type: Review

    Milon's Secret Castle Retrospective

    Welcome back aboard the Nostalgia Train - the series that takes a look back at crazy movies and games from our past that we love, hate, and sometimes forget about. Today's trip leads us back to the NES era - a time of masterpieces and some rather obscure titles. In honor of those forgotten cartridges, I give you Milon's Secret Castle. There's much to be said about this game and very little makes sense. It is one of those titles that you may have lying around or in the bottom of a box in your basement. Just remember, all trips down memory-lane aren't going to be good ones.
     


    Milon's Complicated Story
    As a gamer fires up this game on the good ol' NES, it becomes immediately apparent that it will be a bit of a dumpster fire. There is no explanation and no story; players are set before a castle with three doors, a well and that's it.
     
    After some digging, I finally found the game's story! It revolves around young Milon, who lives in a land where people use music to communicate with each other - but he can't understand anyone. Apparently, he's music illiterate. He decides to travel the world. Before he leaves, he wants to visit the Queen. Wouldn't you know it, she's been taken by an Evil Warlord. (As you do...) The court magician appoints Milon to save her. He gives Milon...bubbles and tells him the castle where she's being held has all sorts of tools for him, and that's it. Milon's off to save the day.
     


    Stormin' the Castle
    Milon's Secret Castle doesn't just lack a cohesive story, it doesn't really make any sense at all. A young man saving a girl is a basic trope, but why would Milon even attempt to meet with the queen knowing he could not communicate with her. If all the inhabitants of the land he lives in only communicate using music, why would he think the royal family was any different? For that matter, how in the world did the magician even clue Milon in?
     
    The story itself doesn't scratch the surface. Players aren't even clued into story, so it doesn't really matter. Playing the game is just and needlessly complicated.
     


    Sticky Platforms and Curious Secrets
    The game-play for Milon's Secret Castle isn't overly complicated. Milon is given a life bar and a single life. He can run, jump, and shoot bubbles. He has to enter the castle and discover the secrets within while battling beasts. There is no rhyme or reason to the placement of things, but Milon must fire his bubbles at everything. Bubbles will kill enemies, reveal secret doors, and break blocks.
     
    Players have to find the hidden shops, music boxes, and items in order to battle stage bosses. After defeating these bosses, Milon gets stronger and gamers advance to new parts of the castle to repeat the process all over again.
     


    Milon's Secret Castle: Keeping it Secret
    Looking past the story and the weird weapon, one of the things that makes this game frustrating is the difficulty. Unlike other platformers, when Milon gets hit, there is no 'post-hit invisibility.' He also has a very small life bar. When that depletes, it's game over. Players have to start at the beginning. Of course, if you manage to make it past the first boss, there is a trick to starting where you left off. Also, there are ways to increase Milon's health, but it's so minuscule it's barely worth it.
     
    Another pain point with this game is a lack of direction. While it's pretty neat that players can complete the game in any way they wish, it doesn't clue gamers in on what to do. The secrets are hidden so well that hardly anyone knew they had to look for them. The boss chamber only fills once certain bench marks are complete. Players can't even exit a level without finding a door first.
     
    Couple all of these grievances with sticky controls, respawning enemies, and cryptic hints, and you've got yourself a pretty terrible game. While it isn't the worst game, it's almost not worth remembering. ALMOST.
     
    So, play on, gamers. What do you think of Milon's Secret Castle? Want a more truthful review? Check out
    ! 

      • Post Type: Editorial

    Top 10 couch coop and versus games for the holidays

    It's that time of year again! Time for families to make the trek back home or for people to attend parties, or do none or all of the above. Even with all of the festivities and travel, there is no excuse to stop gaming - in fact, there is every reason TO game. Let's be real - games are a big part of holiday fun. With technology today, we are no longer limited to only board games - though those are incredibly fun. What better way to spend the holidays than screaming at your siblings over an exciting co-op couch game! Not sure what's out there exactly? Well, here are my top ten co-op games!
     
    Let's be clear - these aren't in any particular order, as they are all great in their own way. These are also COUCH games - online play doesn't count for this list, though it could add to the fun! Without further ado...

    Nintendo Land  

    System: Nintendo Wii U

    Players: 1-5
    One of first co-op games on our list comes from those geniuses over at Nintendo: 
    . Players can explore this amusement park-themed game where they can team up to save Hyrule, hunt each other down in Luigi's Mansion, or a number of other fun "Nintendo-themed" activities. The mini-games aren't limited to multi-player events; there are some addictive solo games where players can try to beat each other's high score, like Ninja Castle. What's better than throwing ninja stars at things? Additionally,  Nintendo Land is easy to play, but it has enough challenge for adept players. Overall, this one is good for all ages and gamer levels.
    LittleBigPlanet 3

    System: Sony PS4

    Players: 1-4 (Plus Online Multi-Player)
    LittleBigPlanet 3 is an insanely fun co-op platformer following the adventures of Sackboy in his attempt to save Bunkum, the
    universe. This puzzle game requires a bit of cooperation and all of the players you can get. Players team up to explore and conquer levels, gathering items along the way. While any gamer can attempt this one alone, some puzzles and hidden items require team work! Of course, this is no problem when a player has a few partners. This game is adorable, addicting, but requires a little finesse. In addition to playing the story, gamers can also create their own levels, which adds another layer of fun to the mix. While this game is a blast, it might not be the best for novice players.
    Mario Party 

    System: Nintendo Systems

    Players: 1-4 (5 for Mario Party 10)
    This one seems like the most obvious of all the co-op games on the list. Party is in the title!
    games start as far back as the N64 and there is no sign of them slowing down. With a number of different boards, players follow a 'board game' style system that pits everyone against each other. The objective is to gather as many stars as possible before the final round; the player with the most wins. Of course, it's not as simple as that. Players must move around the board, gather coins, win mini-games, and deal with the treacherous Bowser! In the lastest version, Mario Party 10, a player can even play as Bowser. While the mini-games require a bit a skill, the game is mainly luck based. This one can grate on the nerves after awhile, so be sure to have another game handy.
    Super Smash Brothers 

    System: Nintendo Systems

    Players: 1-8
    The best co-op games often involve two or more characters beating each other to a bloody pulp. What better way to deal with holiday frustrations, right? Well, Super Smash Brothers provides a
    game with all of our favorite characters. The fighting mechanics range from easy (for you button-mashers out there!) to difficult, depending on what kind of combos a player plans on pulling out of his or her arsenal. There is a character for everyone, unlockables, and seeing Jigglypuff fly off the stage is so satisfying for some reason. Of course, fighting games aren't for everyone. If you aren't a fan, it's best to try another option on this list.
    Super Mario 3D World 

    System: Nintendo Wii U

    Players: 1-4
    Nintendo has it's fair-share of fun co-op games, and
    is no exception! This exciting platformer requires skill, cooperation, and puzzle solving - unless you like watching your friends die. In that case, all bets are off. Players team up and navigate the Mushroom Kingdom to save the Sprixie Princesses from Bowser. While it can get frustrating trying to play through the levels when one person is messing around, this game can be a blast for a four-player team. Plus, if anyone has ever played any Mario game before, no training is required!
    The Jackbox Party Pack 3 


    System: PC/Mac/PS4/Amazon Fire Family/ Xbox One

    Players: 1-8
    Here's an utterly awesome and almost effortless party game! Gather everyone around the TV and whip out your cell phones! The
    contains 5 crazy fun games that include trivia, terrible drawing skills, and quirky word play. Each game is straightforward and all players really need to know is how to use a cell phone with internet access. Players log into jackbox.tv, enter the code, and join their friends in board game-inspired fun. This game is for anyone and everyone, and actually has a 'clean' version - and how 'clean' it is can depend on your answers. Easy to set up, fun to play; this is gaming done right.
    Rocket League 


    System: Microsoft/PS4/XBOXONE/OS X/ Linux

    Players: 1-4(8)
    If fighting, trivia, or platform games aren't for you - maybe cars are more your speed!
     is an incredibly addictive competition that combines soccer, basketball, or hockey with demolition derby. It works beautifully. Rev up those engines, design your car, and take to the field to face off against local friends or attempt some group free-for-alls online. While it may take a few minutes for a novice to get the hang of the controls, the excitement and smack-talk that follows will be legendary.
    Wii Sports


    System: Nintendo Wii

    Players: 1-4+
    An oldie, but a goodie! These simple turn-based sport activities are easy and enjoyable for just about any level of gamer. Things could get incredibly exciting if you turn these into drinking games--ha, but I digress. Though there is a nice dose of competitive play, most of the Wii Sports games are low impact and quick to grasp. So grandma and your kid brother can both try their hand at bowling, baseball, golf, tennis or boxing. Play in teams, or go solo - but most of all, get up and have some fun!

    Overcooked


    System: Microsoft Windows/ PS4/ Xbox One

    Players: 1-4
    There's a saying:
    . This is not true when it comes to Overcooked. This game was meant for multi-player! It thrives on culinary chaos as players work as a team to put together as many dishes as they can in a limited amount of time. Play against each other or team up in a simple 3-4 button game that requires a little teamwork and a plan. Either that or just let everyone run wild and burn the kitchen down.
    Mario Kart 8 


    System: Nintendo Systems

    Players: 1-4
    This is the ultimate
    . Racing games are always a blast, but Mario Kart 8 is a cut above the rest. Get ready to burn rubber while dodging pesky banana peels, navigating obstacles and winning that coveted trophy. It's hard to find someone who hasn't heard of or played any Mario Kart game before, but it's easy enough to play for even the most clueless gamer. Soon enough, Great Grandma will be cackling like Wario as she blasts you with red shells like a boss. It's classic, and it's a good time. 
    When it comes to co-op games, any one of these games is a winner. So what are you waiting for? Gather everyone up, pick a game, and start swearing at each other - and have an amazing gaming experience at the same time.
     
    What do you all think? What are your favorite co-op games? Prefer some old school two player action? Why not hop on the Nostalgia Train and check out Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles in Time, or my personal favorite, Contra.
     
    Have a great holiday!
     

      • Post Type: List

    Overcooked Review: A Taste of Victory

    You know what's more fun than cooking in an actual kitchen? Being a master chef of the video game world! And what better way is there to spend time screaming at your friends or loved ones than sitting on the couch with Overcooked. Team 17 created a fun and fast-paced cooking based game that everyone can enjoy. Whether you are prepping the kitchen for four or going solo, this game is a great way to pass the time.
     

    Setting Up The Kitchen
    Our culinary quest starts like any other adventure; King Onion and his dog, Kevin, plead with us to save the world by satisfying the hunger of The Beast. Unfortunately, as players are cooking newbs, the only items they can serve up is salad. Let's face it;  the Beast's hunger cannot be satisfied by salad alone.
     

     
    King Onion takes it upon himself to send the players back in time to travel about and sharpen their cooking skills for a rematch. In order to prepare, the future master chefs (not to be confused with Master Chief...that's another game) must head through cities, go on the road, and venture into outer space to conjure delicious dishes to satisfy the Beast.
    Overcooked Recipe Book
    Overcooked has several different modes: Campaign, Versus, and DLC in the Lost Morsel, and Festive Seasoning. Regardless of the mode you choose, the game has the same focus.
     
    The object of Overcooked is to prepare and serve food while avoiding obstacles and beating the clock. The quicker players put out orders, the more tip money and points they receive. Each level usually has a particular recipe to prepare, such as soup, burgers, fish and chips, or pizza. Orders will consist of various ingredients that must be chopped, cooked, assembled, plated and sent out. In some cases, players are responsible for cleaning dishes, while in others they must avoid kitchen hazards like moving counter tops and jumping between food trucks.
     
    In the campaign mode, players tackle a series of levels that require a mastery of 1-3 stars to advance to the next section. Each level has a particular score that needs to be hit to earn a rank, and players must cooperate in order to master the kitchen. Versus mode pits players against each other in an all-out cook out. Overcooked's DLC options offer would-be chefs more levels and more avatar options.
     

     
     

    Next Top Chef?
    When I purchased this game during XBOX ONE's Black Friday deals, I was reminded fondly of an Atari game called
    . My nostalgia factor took over, and I sat down to play this game. First off, the graphics are pretty great. The game has an old school feel with smooth, modern graphics. The music is catchy, though forgettable - but that's not really what matters in a game like this.
     
    This game is addictive, especially as a co-op game. It's not enough to get one or two stars. I had to have them all, and each stage had a fair amount of difficulty. While not the hardest game on the shelf, some of the levels could prove to be pretty challenging depending on how well your team works together, or how many players you have.
     
    The controls are simple enough, and when it comes time for Versus mode, there is a fair amount of challenge swapping between avatars to beat your opponent - unless of course, you have more players.
     
    I found myself saying pretty often, "There's no way you could do this with one player." That being said, it really isn't as fun with just one person. I'm not sure it's meant to be played solo.
     

    Overcooked: Final Cook Off
    If you are looking for some good, competitive fun, this is the perfect game to pick up. It's a great game to play with a couple of friends or family members, provided you work as a team. Of course, if cooperation isn't your thing, you could find yourself screaming "CHOP THAT ONION" at someone you thought was your friend, but clearly doesn't know his or her way around a kitchen.
     
    Regardless, it's a wonderful way to spend the afternoon, and with the added DLC, players can keep coming back to the kitchen for another round.
     
    So what do you think? Have you played Overcooked before? Which avatar is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below.
     
    Want to try Overcooked?
     
    Buy it here on XBOX ONE,  PS4, or Steam!
     

     
     
     
     
      • Post Type: Review

    Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Review

    The Harry Potter Universe is one that I was very sad to leave behind. The books are a defining moment on my pathway to becoming a writer. J.K. Rowlings is still an inspiration to me - but this is not
    It is an expansion of the world that J.K. Rowling has created, many years before Harry, his parents, and even Voldemort existed. Instead, the audience is treated to some wonderful additions to an already rich lore in Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them. The movie is a blend of fresh ideas mixed with the familiar, allowing newcomers and fans to immerse themselves in a magical world that I've definitely missed. With an excellent cast and an invigorating soundtrack, it is a welcome return to the Wizarding World. 


    Welcome to the United States of America
    Our movie begins in 1926 New York City as wizard, Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne) makes his way through customs. The wizard world is much different in America, and it becomes abundantly clear that Newt is carrying a number of things he shouldn't. Unfortunately for him, he has a run in with a No-Maj, or muggle to the English Wizards, by the name of Jacob Kowalski. Shenanigans ensue after the two inadvertently switch cases and some of Newt's magical creatures escape.
     
    Unfortunately for Mr. Kowalski and Newt, this is the worst time for it. It seems that magical beasts are supposedly destroying the No-Maj's world causing a resurgence in witch hunters and tightened security by the Magical Congress of the USA (MACUSA.) Little do they all know, a much more sinister plot is underway and not everything is as it seems. Together with the help of a demoted Auror, Tina Goldstein, and her sister Queenie, Newt and Jacob must rescue the escaped animals before the MACUSA or other No-Majs find them.
     


    Where to Find Them
    Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them had a difficult job. It had to be a movie that felt like the Harry Potter series without being it. There had to be a balance between both worlds and the movie does a great job. The film draws it's audience in with the fantastic 1920s look with a magical twist. The fantasy world melds nicely with the world as we know it.  Another exciting addition to the Potter Universe is a look into American Wizardy. Up until now, there wasn't too much information, but what the movie displays it was very refreshing take on something fans know and love.
     
    Our hero is not a young boy learning magic and facing off against a dark lord. Newt Scamander is already an accomplished wizard and the cast surrounding him is much different than what we've seen. The subject matter and the characters manage to remain separate but familiar at the same time. The plot pacing was slow at points, but that allowed for a good foundation for the series to follow.
     
    Unlike other 'origin' films, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them does little to explain the characters and their motivations. The audience gets a feel for the characters on their own merit - and the actors bring them to life. Also, though the film is lovely to look at, it doesn't rely on special effects for a good story; they enhance it.   Frankly, the only other complaint I have with the film has to be with the 'main' villain, but even then, it's something the film builds on. It's clever, there are a few interesting twists, and it is a very enjoyable movie.
     

     

     


    Fantastic Actors and Magical Music
    One of the things that really sold me on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them was Eddie Redmayne's portrayal of Newt Scamander. His character was just as charmingly awkward as it needed to be, and his love for the magical beasts really brought another level to the movie. His co-actor, Dan Folger, is very like-able as the No-Maj who accidentally fell into this crazy wizarding mess. Not to be out done, our leading lady Katherine Waterson pulls off the down-on-her-luck, former auror, Tina, while Alison Sudol displays a perfect example of a 1920s woman with the gift of Legilimency. Another stand-out is Colin Farrel's Percival Graves. It's hard to tell which side he's on and ultimately, it makes for good scene tension. The only casting choice I'm unsure about is Johnny Depp - but he has such limited screen time, it's uncertain how well he will fill out his role.
     
    The score for the film was composed by James Newton Howard. He did a marvelous job incorporating excerpts from earlier films and married it with original compositions to create something wonderful. The music captures the 1920s feel with a charmingly mystical touch, matching each scene perfectly.  When all of these elements combine, it makes for a truly enchanting movie.
     


    Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: Final Thoughts
    Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a magical story that manages to distance itself from it's roots while paying homage to it. It's a wonderful display of an intriguing time period enhanced by a mythical touch. With loveable characters, complementary special effects, and an engrossing soundtrack, it is a must-see. Also, if you plan to see it in 3D, it looks pretty neat. What about you? Do you want to see Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them? What do you love about the Harry Potter series?  What's your patronus? -- sorry, too personal? Let me know in the comments below.
     

     
     
      • Post Type: Review

    Doctor Strange Review

    The cinematic Marvel Universe just got a whole lot bigger with the introduction of Doctor Strange. Up until now, Walt Disney Studios has taken us around the world, into outer space, and all the way to Asgard. It has presented technologically based, science infused, otherworldly and god-like heroes, but with this new entry, magic has made it's introduction. Doctor Strange, starting Benedict Cumberbatch, adds a new layer to the world of the Avengers, and it looks pretty incredible.
     


    Doctor Strange: The New Billionaire Playboy
    The movie kicks off with murder in a mysterious library and the pilfering of power magic. The audience is immediately introduced to the villain, the sorcerer Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen.) Following an impressively visual fight scene, the story takes us to the operating room of Dr. Steven Strange. A brilliant neurosurgeon, Dr. Strange's charm and arrogance are apparent as he flaunts his superior knowledge and abilities. Unfortunately for him, he loses the ability to use his skilled hands.
     
    After pushing away everyone and losing everything, Strange is prompted by a former paraplegic to seek Kamar-Taj. Thus begins his incredible journey and discover of the multiple universes as well as his new path to become a sorcerer.  Of course, not all is right with the world, for Kaecilius wishes to use the magic he has stolen to consume the world in darkness. Can Dr. Strange look past his arrogance and ego to become the sorcerer needed to save the world?
     

     

     


    The Strange, the Awkward, and Visually Appealing
    A quick warning: if you are planning to see this movie, be sure you pay attention. The plot moves quickly and there is plenty to take in. The movie does a decent job capturing bits and pieces from the comic - and it is very exciting. The magical concepts are much different from what we've seen so far, and it's refreshing. The movie has it's funny moments, though sometimes the humor is out of place.  There were also a few characters that I felt were under utilized and acted a bit out of character. While the movie does a good job setting up this new part of the Marvel Universe, the actual story that take place isn't anything spectacular. It just helps that the special effects are amazing.
     
    The visuals also do a great job helping create a connection with the audience. The effects reminded me a lot of Inception, but of course it's used much differently in the movie. The scenes were visually stunning; this is definitely a very good looking movie. The magical scenes, the battles, and the other universes really helped me take the fictional ride. Of course, with Disney's budget, how could it not look amazing?
     
    One crucial part of the film that I felt was lacking was the soundtrack. There were some interesting swells; the more 'magical tracks' were very good. For the most part, the soundtrack was almost as forgettable as other Marvel movies. This is especially disheartening, since super hero films should have amazing music! I mean, Batman and Super-Man have awesome themes. Spider-Man has an awesome original theme! Not that I'm looking for something campy, but something that makes me identify with that super hero. A big step forward is that the composer, Michael Giacchino didn't use 'temp' music. The music for Doctor Strange is way better than previous Marvel films, but it could be even better.
     


    Who's Who in Kamar-Taj
    The stand-out actors in this film were most definitely Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, and Tilda Swinton as the Ancient One. There was a lot of controversy over the 'white washing' of the Ancient One roll, and avoiding stereotypical casting choices, but she does a good job. She has that mysterious and
    going for her and she portrays that type of character pretty well.  The other actors were fine as well, but I had bigger problems with the writing then their actual acting. 
    Rachel McAdams plays Christine Palmer, a fellow surgeon and former love interest of Doctor Strange.  The problem with her is the major lack of her presence. She's an incredible actress, but her role is incredibly minor. The same goes for our villain; he is scary to look at, but he doesn't really have the build-up or the presence of a good bad guy. His background is glossed over, much like the big baddie 'Dormammu,' and we have to basically except that both of them as the enemy.  We don't get very much from other supporting characters either.
     
    I understand that this is 'Steven Strange's' origin; however, in order to by into his world we need to know about what's in it.
     


    Final Thoughts
    Doctor Strange is an exciting, visually stunning entry to the MCU. While the story arc isn't anything new, the subject matter is. It's a great popcorn flick with a few under developed characters, but a pretty fun way to spend an afternoon. The teasers are actually pretty exciting, too - so as always, stay until after the credits.  Have you seen Doctor Strange? What'd you think? Please leave your comments below.
      • Post Type: Review

    Final Fantasy X Retrospective

    The launch of the PlayStation 2 ushered in a new era for the Final Fantasy series. Though the developers tinkered with the layout of this series several times before, each entry kept key components so they still felt connected. As Final Fantasy X developed, fans of the series were about to see quite a few changes.  2001 gave us a new and innovative twist on this beloved franchise, leaving much of the foundation in the past.
     


    Out with the Old, In with the New
    Final Fantasy X has a lot of firsts for the franchise. It is the first game in the series to utilize voice acting, pre-rended backdrops and full three-dimensional areas. In addition to the technological advances, X is also the first entry to get a direct sequel in Final Fantasy X-2. Finally, the game's soundtrack is the first that Nobuo Uematsu was not the sole composer. Along with Uematsu,  Masahi Hamauzu and Junya Nakano had a hand in developing the music.
     
    With the new technological capabilities,  X gets an intense boost in graphics. The visuals are stunning and are even better in the HD remake. The world seems so vast and clear, and graphics only get better from here on out. Playing FFX is almost like watching a movie at times- because with better graphics comes more cut scenes. The developers did learn from previous entries and added an option to skip particular cut scenes (ie. long summons.) The capability only goes so far as the cut scene graphics are still far better than the in-game.
     
    Aside from auditory and visual alterations, there are few big changes as far as how the game is played. Final Fantasy X abandons the ATB style of the past in favorite of a new battle system, and instead of leveling stats, players are introduced to the Sphere Grid. Everything seems new, even down to the way players explore the world map. With all of the changes, it may be hard to believe that this game still plays like other franchise entries. While there are many changes, Final Fantasy X still does what it does best - creates a memorable story.
     


    Welcome to Spira
    Our journey begins with the young star of the Zanarkand Abes blitzball team, Tidus. He is participating in a blitzball tournament being held in honor of his late father, Jecht, a former star player. However, chaos ensues as the city is beset by a giant monster. Tidus can only wonder what is happening as his care-taker, Auron, grabs hold of him and the world around him is destroyed by the creature dubbed 'Sin.' When Tidus wakes, he discovers that he is not only alone, but in a time and place far removed from his home. Upon his rescue by Al-Bhed salvagers, he discovers his Zanarkand was destroyed 1000 years ago by Sin.
     
    Lost and confused, Tidus eventually finds himself in the company of the determined Yuna. She is a newly trained summoner on a pilgrimage to defeat Sin, along with her guardians Wakka, Lulu and Kimahri.  Tidus joins with Yuna in the hopes of finding Sin and using the creature to return home. However, he soon discovers a deeper connection with this new world and a possibility that he may find his estranged father. Not everything is as it seems in Spira in a tale of death, deceit, and false hope. Tidus and Yuna must band together to uncover the dark secrets of Spira and defeat Sin.
     

     


    I Write Sins not Tragedies
    Final Fantasy X's main plot is dark. Hidden behind all of the bright and cheery color palates is a very disturbing tale revolving around death, sacrifice and betrayal. Each of the characters settles into the story and has their own stand-out moment. It has some very interesting twists and a refreshing main protagonist in Tidus. He is a cocky young man who wants nothing to do with the adventure that is placed before him. He's also an outsider to this new world, not exactly a hero of destiny.  In fact, he barely knows how to handle a blade. It is interesting to see how his appearance in Spira has such a huge effect on the course of the world.
     
    The fan base tends to be a bit split on Tidus in general. He can go from being very heroic to incredibly annoying in minutes. Part of this could be the choice in voice acting, but I think most of it has to do with this dreaded
    . Regardless, most of the characters have some little quirk that could make them hard to relate to. If players get past those minor issues, Final Fantasy X has some pretty great characters and interesting villains. 
    When it comes to character development, at first each party member seems to be very one dimensional. However, as the story continues, each one opens up and grows with the narrative. As the journey unfolds, the layers peel back and players are privy to the dark secrets the characters and the world of Spira are hiding.
     


    Final Fantasy X: Game-Play
    The time of the top view overworld map has passed. All of the destinations in Final Fantasy X link together and are mere points on a map. Once the airship is acquired, players can either walk from place to place or hop on the airship to revisit areas covered in the story. Instead of exploring the world map and entering dungeons, players control Tidus in third-person perspective as he journeys through parts of Spira on a more realistic scale.
     
    At first, Tidus and company must walk (or ride a boat) to all of their destinations. While en route,  players can discover treasure, talk to NPCs, and run into random battles as they aide Yuna on her pilgrimage. Towns and villages transition easily to the 'open terrain' where gamers can explore and encounter monsters. While some players like this idea, others are unhappy with the game's linearity. Also, players don't actually get to control the airship. Still, there is some freedom when roaming Spira as all the parts connect, so the option to navigate the world map is still there.
     
    As players circumnavigate Spira, Tidus and friends must head into towns and claim summons to move along with the story. In order to get these 'Aeons,' Tidus must go through the Cloister of Trials - a sort of puzzle section that involves moving spheres around until the group reaches the final chamber. While the main goal is to reach the Aeon, there is also a secret treasure hidden in each trial. In addition to these tasks, a big part of the game involves fighting battles - as usual.
     





    Encountering Monsters and Combat
    While exploring open terrain, gamers can encounter random and fixed battles, like all the previous franchise entries. However, FFX abandons the Active Time Battle system in favor of something completely new: The Conditional Turn-Based Battle System. This new system takes out hasty decision making in favor of a more tactical approach. During an encounter, a new menu appears that displays the turn-order of the battle. Faster characters/enemies appear more often then those with slower stats. Also, certain attacks or battle options can have an effect on the turn-sequence as well.
     
    Players control up to seven different characters, but only three can partake in battle at one time. What's interesting is the option to swap out characters mid-battle. Characters also have strengths and weaknesses against particular enemies, for example; Tidus is adept at fighting fast enemies, but has trouble with monsters that are heavily armored. These battles require a bit more strategy; gamers need to swap characters in order to win and gain experience. Weapons and armor are unique to every character,  each has a specialty and the customization truly allows players to develop a different experience during each play-through.
     
    A fun addition to battles is the back-and-forth commentary from the characters. Since this is the first Final Fantasy with voice acting, it was fun to see the characters calling each other out and complaining about battles. It was a little touch, but it was fun.
     


    Weapons and Armor
    Taking a page from previous franchise entries, Final Fantasy X allows players to customize equipment. While each character can only equip particular pieces, it's possible to add abilities and stat boosts to everything. Characters can equip a weapon and a piece of armor. While some of the items come with pre-equipped abilities, players get the option to customize their equipment using items found in the game. Once the amount required is reached, it's possible to use a number of items, such as potions, to add abilities. While it isn't necessary, it's an exciting addition to game-play.
     


     Overdrives: The New Limit Break
    In addition to a battle system change, Limit Breaks have also been overhauled. Final Fantasy X developers took what worked best in the previous games and made a solid limit break system called 'Overdrives.' At first, these gauges are filled the old-fashioned way -- by a character taking hits from enemies. As the game progresses, more options become available, and characters can fill their gauges by killing enemies, healing party members, or a number of other ways. Overdrives require a bit of work from the player; based on the character, you might have to hit a sequence of buttons, mix two items together, or play slot reels. Overdrives can also be saved - they do not have to be used immediately. They can also be changed by completing specific tasks, for instance; Tidus can gain a new overdrive by killing a certain number of enemies.
     


    Summoning Monsters
    Final Fantasy X developers completely changed how summoned monsters work. In other entries, summoning a monster usually took up one action with a devastating attack. In this entry, Summoner Yuna calls upon these 'Aeons' to fight in battle. After Yuna calls a monster, he or she takes the place of the party to defeat the summoner's enemies. Players actually control the actions of their summons. What's more exciting is building a summon's overdrive. Like the character limit breaks, summoned monsters can unleash a furious attack after their gauge is filled.
     
    While there are a particular number Aeons players can access through the story-line, there are a few that can be obtained through side-quests. Players can also customize the stats and abilities for their Aeons, making each play-through unique.
     

     

     


    Sphere Grid: A New Way to Level
    Combat isn't the only thing that developers decided to shake up. Once again, the creators decided to change how players customize and level up their characters. Gamers still get experience points from battles, but the way that experience is used is much different. Each character's stat growth is based on a Sphere Grid system. Through battles, players accumulate special spheres and sphere points. These can be used to upgrade a character's stats and abilities.
     
    At first, when players begin, each character is set on a path. It's important to collect spheres; they are required in order to learn abilities. While battles provide the most basic ones, there are specialty spheres that can allow characters to learn abilities outside their projected paths. As the game continues, it's possible to explore other paths and develop the characters in unique ways. No play-through has to be the same. In the international version and the new HD version, there is an option of expert mode. In this mode, all characters start in the middle of the sphere grid and can be developed in whatever way the player chooses. However, to completely explore the sphere grid, gamers have to be open to attempting some of the more difficult parts of the game in order to obtain the spheres needed.
     


    Mini-Games: The Fun, the Unfair and the Frustrating
    One of the most frustrating parts of Final Fantasy X involves the mini-games.  Not all of the mini-games are terrible, but a great number of them are required in order to get some of the best equipment in the game. A little challenge is fine, but most of them are so insane that they take the fun right out of the game.
     
    One of the mini-games done right is the monster hunting. It's an interesting side quest that requires players to hunt down 10 of every monster in a region in order to forge an ultimate monster. Players can then challenge these beasts and gain some rare materials. While these battles are challenging, they are not impossible.  Another fun side mission is discovering the hidden Aeons. Again, this side mission isn't required and it has a fair amount of challenge.
     
    Blitzball is another mini-game that players are forced into, much like the card game in Final Fantasy IX. The big difference here is that Blitzball is more fun to play, and you don't have to win in order to continue on with the story. Playing Blitz and recruiting players can be enjoyable, and it's possible to get some specialty items out of the deal. However, this is where the games stop being fun.
     
    Catching butterflies, dodging lighting, chocobo racing and other mini-games can be downright grueling. These mini-games are incredibly frustrating, but completionists will have to get past that. If gamers want to get the ultimate weapons and armor for every character, they must complete these mini-games to do so. While I agree that mini-games should be challenging, there is something to be said about mundane and repetitive tasks.
     


    Final Thoughts
     Final Fantasy X was a huge departure from the series as we know it, but it still has the look and feel to be worthy of the franchise. With incredible musical tracks, a daring new battle system, a unique story and multiple customization options, this is a definitely an entry every fan should play at least once. As the series continues to evolve, FFX is an excellent example of how something new can still feel familiar and an exciting display of what to expect for the future.
     

     
     
     
     
      • Post Type: Editorial

    Nintendo Switch First Look: The Next Generation

    At approximately 10 am, on Thursday Oct, 20th - Nintendo released a first look at the
    : Nintendo Switch. As I watched the trailer, I couldn't help but be hyped and filled with expectations. The sleek, chameleon-like console is making some pretty big promises. Nintendo boasts a system that can not only function as a high powered console, but one that can be taken mobile. In this new era where gaming is evolved, this next gen console could be just the boost Nintendo needs. 


    First Look at NX Gen Hardware
    Nintendo has always been a powerhouse in the hand-held market. While the numbers for their home consoles have been dropping since the Wii, this is an interesting way to bring both worlds together. It's adaptability for a new era of gamers.  Other systems have tried to have the ability to take the hardware of console gaming mobile. Nintendo Switch appears to have the capabilities of a home console taken on the road. With adjustable and convertible controls, the system can go from console and controller to hand-held with ease.
     
    Another interesting feature is the mobile multi-player, which allows numerous Nintendo Switch owners to pair up and play together. The preview makes it seem that while mobile, up to two players can use the Switch. However, it also shows a number of players gathered around to play Splatoon together. Nintendo has always been an advocate of linking up with friends to really enjoy gaming. It's good to see that the developers are keeping fun and camaraderie at the forefront.
     
    [gallery link=file" columns="2" size="full" ids="4885,4890]

    Nintendo Switch: Switching it up
    What's most appealing about this new console is the controls! It has the old stand-by pro controller, a convertible one for the road, and it splits off for multi-player. This provides a lot of opportunity for game developers to really expand upon this system. It seems that other companies agreed as the interested parties are through the roof. What the Wii U lacked, the Switch is planning to make up for ten-fold. Just think: Final Fantasy XV back on a Nintendo console! Playing Elder Scrolls on the go! There is no telling what the next gen holds.
     


    Questions and Concerns
    With such an innovative console, there are a bound to be concerns. With the mobile capability, I'm curious to see about how the quality and battery life is affected. Mobility is fine as long as the battery life is there. I'd hate to constantly be worrying about charging up a dead battery. Of course, quality switches from console to mobile are a concern, as well as the size of the portable controls. Regardless, this seems to be an exciting new step into the future of games for Nintendo.
     
    So, what do you all think? Are you as hyped up about the NX preview? What are your thoughts on Nintendo Switch. Let us know in the comments below, or sign up for our Nintendo Switch forums and join the discussion!

    Order the Nintendo Switch on Amazon!
    The Nintendo Switch can be found on Amazon now!!
     
     
     
     
      • Post Type: News

    Shin Godzilla (Resurgence) Review

    The following review contains spoilers for Shin Godzilla

    Toho Strikes Back
    Though not without its faults, Shin Godzilla (also known as Godzilla Resurgence) delivers on all fronts. As any good and entertaining Godzilla film should do, Shin gives you a full serving of humor (both intentional and not), great visuals and destruction, music that adds to the experience rather than serve as just background noise, and a human plot that stacks up well against the best the series has offered in the previous 28 Toho productions.
    But of course, there aren’t only 28 Godzilla films. A pair of others were made in the West, the first of which was a failed attempt by summer blockbuster connoisseur Roland Emmerich. The film was such an afront to the Godzilla name that Toho immediately responded with Godzilla 2000. Not only that, but Toho eventually dubbed Emmerich's version of their legendary monster 'Zilla' because, as Toho put it, "They took the God out of Godzilla". Despite the fan backlash, Zilla is a part of Toho's official canon and it later appeared in Godzilla: Final Wars where it showed up just to be promptly obliterated by the real deal. It's 
    . After Final Wars, Godzilla would go into hibernation for over a decade until the West tried again.
    That second attempt was Legendary's Godzilla 2014 and it didn’t take long for Toho to repeat history and announce that they were bringing big G back in response. They boasted that this new Godzilla would be the biggest yet, reclaiming the title from Legendary’s Godzilla which had just taken it months prior.
    It felt as though Toho might have had a bruised ego. While Emmerich’s film was a disaster, director Gareth Edwards made a solid attempt at bringing Godzilla to a Western audience with Godzilla 2014. Despite having plenty of flaws, the movie did justice to the source material and respected Toho’s pride and joy. It was also a huge box office success, prompting Legendary to quickly announce that two more Godzilla films would be on their way. Despite my worries that Toho was rushing out a new movie for petty reasons, I remained optimistic.
    We could be in the early days of a Godzilla golden age. It's possible there will be two concurrent Godzilla series with Japan and America trading blows, movie by movie. What a time to be alive!
    A Godzilla Unlike Any Other
    When it was announced that Hideaki Anno would be directing Toho's newest film, many eyebrows surely were raised in response. Known for his background in anime and as the director of the Evangelion series, his hiring turned Shin Godzilla into a big wildcard. It was easy to think blending the style of an anime with a live action monster flick could backfire badly. Ultimately, however, it worked out pretty well.
    What Anno gives us is one of the most unique Godzilla designs we've seen yet. While mostly done in mostly good CG, there still seemed to be a bit of animatronics at work as well. While Anno claimed he wasn't satisfied with their efforts to keep up the Toho tradition of using a man in a rubber suit, they did end up using motion capture on a suit, as well as a puppet touched up with CG, and the end result is a deceptively classic feeling Godzilla.
    By using a lot of low angles looking up at Godzilla and distance shots showing the legendary kaiju in beautiful wide landscape shots, Anno is able to effectively communicate his monster's immense size and terrifying features.
    I use the word terrifying only half truly, for Godzilla's introduction is anything but. When we get our first look at Anno's creation...well, just look for yourself.
    Wait...that's not Godzilla!
    Godzilla's Evolution
    Oh, how the theater laughed. It's probably the googly eyes that most effectively derail this serious moment into one of utter hilarity but regardless, this version of Godzilla is simultaneously the worst and best thing my eyes have ever witnessed. I could see how a diehard Godzilla fan would see this and be offended but honestly, it's just freaking funny.
    What really caught me off guard was how unsettling this Godzilla actually was when we got to see more of it. As it shimmy shimmied its way through town (there's really no other way to explain how this thing moves), a jiggly fat neck wobbles to and fro opening gills that drench the ground in blood. Gross! At one point, Godzilla attempts to stand on its two hind legs, revealing not a strong, healthy looking creature ready to bring the destruction but instead a tortured abomination. This is a freak that probably wants to be annihilated and it's unsettling to watch. The whole thing is funny, disturbing, and depressing all at once. It's a mix of emotions quite unlike anything Godzilla has evoked in me before.
    And just when you think this introduction can't get any more bizzare, Godzilla evolves.
    Like a Pokemon.

    Oh God, someone hit B and stop this! It's starting to actually look intimidating!
    What we're left with is something that's starting to look like the Godzilla we know and love, minus the goofy googly eyes that still remain. Due to civilians still being in the area, Japan holds off on an attack allowing Godzilla to return to the sea to rest and when he returns, he's evolved a second time. This is when Godzilla starts to look very familiar. But don't think you know this Godzilla, its packing a few interesting surprises.
    Godzilla Reborn

    Pictured: Godzilla bringing the disco back
    Instead of rebooting the series as a sequel to the original Gojira, Toho and Anno decided to start from scratch. Shin Godzilla features a brand new Godzilla with a brand new origin story. I already touched on one major change, the fact that Godzilla looks very different and then evolves into a more familiar monster, but his looks and origin aren't the only things revamped.
    Godzilla's got some tricks up his sleeves, tricks we haven't seen before. The biggest of which is the monster's atomic breath, now a crazy sort of napalm breath/energy beam/disco show combo. And it's deadly. Godzilla ends up turning Tokyo into an infernal hellscape in minutes flat, one of the most powerful and destructive moments in Godzilla's long and storied history. It's the highlight of the movie and seeing it unfold in theaters was like a Godzilla sized dream come true. Unfortunately, this climax happens somewhere around the midpoint of the movie, the final act falls short of topping this spectacle.
    Some fans are saying these changes go too far, that it's too different and ridiculous! Well, to them I say see
    ,
    , exhibit C....
     
    The biggest issue I have with this new Godzilla is its demeanor. The monster barely shows any emotion outside of its anger induced rage fest. It moves very slowly and often looks like a statue. In fact, the movie basically ends with just that; a frozen statue Godzilla plastered right in the middle of Tokyo. I feel this all was a creative decision by Anno, perhaps wanting to use Godzilla as a stagnant but ever present threat to Tokyo. It fits with the commentary on the 3/11 disasters and makes sense, it's just a preference to want a more lively and emotive Godzilla.
     
    All in all, Anno has given us a very unique Godzilla, from a drastic departure in appearance, to evolutions and new atomic abilities, to humanzilla things emerging from his being. You read that right. Humanoid Godzilla beings trying to escape the monstrosity that is Shin Godzilla. Anno's monster makes us laugh, makes us cheer, and even manages to make us feel some of that authentic Toho terror and dread. Despite the googly eyes.
     

    Seriously. Humanoid Godzilla beings. Good luck sleeping ever again.

    The Human Element
    For me personally, the human plots usually end up being a Godzilla film's weakest link. Sure, some zany time traveling plots with aliens might entertain more than others but for the most part, Godzilla is usually bogged down by characters we don't care about giving dialogue that feels like pure filler. To me, this is not the case with Shin Godzilla, though I can see the possibility of people getting lost in the dialogue or bored during some longer plot heavy sequences.
    A Deeper Meaning
    This film operates like a behind-the-scenes documentary following the Japanese government as they deal with a surprise Godzilla attack. This means there's no human sub plots, no love story, no crazy sci fi. You're getting a rather realistic look at a natural disaster and a nation's response. While some might not like this, it's clear that Anno had a plan and knew exactly what approach he wanted to take and why.
    Shin Godzilla has a lot to say. It draws on the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami as well as the Fukushima meltdown that followed to provide a humorous satire on the response of the Japanese government. It becomes obvious when the Prime Minister goes on live TV, deceptively dressed in an emergency rescue suit (we as viewers know the man has spent all his time in conference rooms and meetings, not out surveying damages), telling the people that they need not worry about the monster making landfall. As soon as he says this, he’s interrupted with the news that Godzilla has already done so.
     

    It did what now?
    Subtle digs at government operations appear throughout the film, from constantly needing to change board rooms to an exhausting chain of command that must patiently be navigated to approve each order. Can we fire, can we fire, can we fire? Yes, fire. We can fire, we can fire. Fire away. But on top of the satire, there are several more serious topics Anno wants us to ponder as we watch:
    Japan's deep respect for Article 9, the part of their constitution that renounces war and the use of weapons. The Japanese Special Defense Force mentions several times that they are better suited for helping the citizens evacuate instead of fighting Godzilla.Japan's inability to defend itself and needing to rely on the United States to help with Godzilla. Japan does try to use force against the monster but they throw everything they have at Godzilla without even leaving a scratch on him. It's the Americans that eventually wound Godzilla when they come to help.Japan's role in the worldwide community and the older generation's passive ways, going along with the decisions being made for them. This even applies to the ridiculous notion of dropping a nuke on Tokyo to destroy Godzilla.
    Anno challenges us to come up with our own thoughts on these issues, to wonder if Japan should be given more autonomy and break with tradition to build a strong military that can defend themselves. We watch a sort of changing of the guard as an older generation gets replaced by a younger one and with them comes a shift in thinking. It's up to us to compare these two leadership styles and come to our own conclusions, though the character Yaguchi makes a pretty bold statement late in the movie basically yelling at the audience that Japan's Special Defense Force is the only hope for Japan's future.
    The Downside
    While we're given a deep and intriguing story, it does tend to drag at times as we get a couple of long dialogue heavy sequences. The most notable occurs after Godzilla's attack on Tokyo when Japan's new leadership studies Godzilla and finalizes their plan to stop not only the monster, but the nuke the world wants to drop on Tokyo. While they come up with an ingenious plot that they successfully execute, the explanation is overwhelming and difficult to follow. Dialogue in this movie comes fast and furiously, there's more characters than Game of Thrones, and whenever a new character or location appears, we get extra subs to tell us the information the movie thinks we need to know. At times I was reading as fast as I could and still couldn't get through everything. And if the screen wasn't crowded enough, sometimes English speaking characters would pop up adding Japanese subs to the hilarious mess.
    This wasn't so hilarious in the movie's final act however. The part of the film that digs most deeply into Godzilla's origin story was the hardest to follow. A man named Goro Maki had been studying mutations due to nuclear contamination, he knew about Godzilla and apparently so did the United States. Something happened to his wife, he commits suicide, and leaves behind all his research on an abandoned yacht. His research forms a sort of puzzle for the Japanese government to solve, which they eventually do by realizing they could fold his data printouts like oragami, unlocking everything they need to put their plan into motion.
    Yeah, I don't know. I'm not sure why Maki would make his research so cryptic if it could help stop a monster he knows very well. I'll have to wait for the Blu-ray release to see exactly what was going on with this part of the plot.
    Japan's Defenders
    Maki is sort of the most interesting character in this movie because of the mystery surrounding him, yet he never appears on screen. As for the others, I'm personally ok with Anno deciding to make his story driven by satire and political commentary instead of giving us a personal connection to any individuals. It's fitting that a large group of characters come together to defeat Godzilla, with no special emphasis on any one person. It would sort of contradict the film's message to have a single hero. Japan needs to decide if they want independence, if they want to be able to take care of themselves as a country. They decide yes and defend themselves, as a country not a person.
    In truth, none of the characters seem like they'd be all that interesting if we dove further into their lives anyways. This is something that can sadly be said about most Godzilla movies which is a shame. While most of the characters don't really stand out, one character in particular does. And not in a good way.
     

    "I'm Kayoco Ann Patterson and I'm totally spunky and a little funny. I want to be YOUR president." -Kayoco Ann Patterson 2028
    The problem with Kayoco is that in a story where you can reasonably buy into what is happening, all the political maneuvering and the messy chain of command present within the government, I just can't buy into her ever becoming president. She's a stereotyped character and no amount of suspended disbelief can make her aspirations seem plausible. Her English speaking scenes stick out like sore thumbs as well, especially her meeting with the US Ambassador to Japan. The man is portrayed like a cartoon villain, he's just a voice coming from a shadowy seat. Despite just needing to read a few lines, the voice acting is rather bad. The whole scene could have just been tossed. There's a few other American characters that have the same problem in their brief roles.
    And So It Ends
    As mentioned earlier, the Japanese government comes up with a pretty clever plan to defeat Godzilla, inspired by their findings in Maki's work. Essentially, they want to inject a blood coagulant into Godzilla cooling him down. The plan works, Godzilla is frozen, no nuke is dropped on Tokyo. At least not when the film ends.
    I've been thinking about this ending since I left the theater, it leaves a lot open to speculation. We're told that if Godzilla were to wake up, the countdown to drop the nuke would resume. That would give them roughly an hour to...do something, whatever they could do before Tokyo is wiped off the map. This combined with the humanoid Godzilla creatures I referenced earlier creates an ending that maybe needed just a bit more. Open ended is good but, unless there's a direct sequel, I think Shin Godzilla leaves too much on the table.
    Despite the flaws, Shin Godzilla's human plot rides its thought provoking nature to success. I may change my opinion a bit over time as I reflect back on this movie and watch it again, but right now I'm feeling pretty confident in saying it's one of the best human plots from any Godzilla movie. I can certainly see why someone might disagree, mostly because of the lack of personal character development, but the 1954 original Gojira is the only film in the series I can think of that delivers a comparably powerful plot and strong message about the world that inspired it.
    Final Thoughts
    A few scattered thoughts I have on other aspects of Shin Godzilla:
    The soundtrack is fantastic. The classic theme and sound cues are present, making sure we know that we're watching an authentic Toho Godzilla, filling us with feelings only Toho can provide. I found it interesting how the soundtrack seemed to evolve with Godzilla and the Japanese Government. The music was more orchestrated and string driven when the old and passive leadership was in charge. When the younger generation took over, the music became more modern, lead by electric guitar and drums. The middle sections had a sort of blend between the two with strings, piano, and drums making for some great original tracks.The biggest blunder of this film was truly the googly eyes. There were other problems I saw in Godzilla's design based on the promo pictures and trailers, mainly the stubby arms and the incredibly long cat-like tail, but after seeing the film, those worked well. The googly eyes on the other hand...Though the effects were mostly great, there were some instances where the CG looked particularly bad. They serve as examples why the smaller budgets of Eastern films can't do full CGI like Western movies can.When Godzilla is injured by the American Air Force, I wondered if that was the cause of Godzilla's back lazers. Perhaps atomic energy was leaking through his wounds, similar to the gaping neck hole Godzilla has in GMK: Giant Monsters All Out Attack.I'd rather not compare this movie to Godzilla 2014 but let's face it, everyone is going to. If Toho turns Shin Godzilla into a series, it'll be Toho and Legendary going toe to toe for several years. I'd say Toho wins round one, the main difference being that Shin Godzilla is a lot more effective at accomplishing what it sets out to do. Legendary's film decided to make Godzilla a third string player behind nameless soldier #645327 and the Mutos. The problem was that Brody wasn't interesting enough to carry the movie like they wanted him and his plot to do and no other element in the film made up for it. Director Gareth Edwards also wanted to tease his monsters, evoking the slow burn style of classic films like Jaws and Alien, but it just didn't work. The cuts were unnatural and it felt obvious that they were intended to mess with us. I do enjoy Legendary's film. I've seen it several times and will see it several more I'm sure. There's just no contest here with regards to which movie executed its intent better.
    In Conclusion
    I personally love Shin Godzilla, I feel it could very well end up being one of my favorites but I can see why others might feel differently. The poor pacing, long sequences of information overload, Godzilla sleeping for half the movie while the Japanese government studies and plans, and the kaiju's incredibly goofy and hilarious first form are all enough to give someone pause. Throw that on top of a very topical and heavy commentary that is tough to follow if you're not familiar with the 3/11 disaster and subsequent Fukushima meltdown, and you've got a movie that requires a lot from its viewers. It could take several rewatches to really grasp what is going on, I know it will for me. While I love the depth and feel Anno gives us a very thought provoking story, it might not click for others. It all comes down to what the viewer prefers, in respect to both storytelling and how they would like Godzilla to be used.
    In the end, there's no doubt that this a Japanese movie made for a Japanese audience. The fact that we get to see it in US theaters is a treat. If you're curious about what an authentic Toho Godzilla film is like or you're a big fan of their work already, Shin Godzilla is absolutely a must see movie. You just might want to do some light reading first.
     

    The true King is back and no one does it quite like Toho.
      • Post Type: Review

    Magnificent Seven Review

    A remake of a 1960's western that was a remake of a Japanese flick by the name of the Seven Samurai,  The Magnificent Seven is a star-studded flick that is incredibly fun to watch. While the film itself doesn't break any new ground, it definitely proved that a western could still rake in some cash at the box office. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, who gave us the amazing Training Day,  and with a score by the late, great James Horner, this action packed re-imagination doesn't disappoint.
     


    An Unlikely Group of Heroes
    The film begins with a hostile take over of the mining town of Rose Creek. Our main villain, Bartholemew Bogue(played by Peter Sarsgaard,) is a devious mogul with little patience and an icy demeanor. His intent is to take the town and he slays innocent locals to send a message to those who would stand up to him. Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett) sets out to save her town, and reaches out to the the warrant officer, Sam Chisolm(Denzel Washington.)
     
    Though initially reluctant to take on the task, Chisolm agrees to help Mrs. Cullen and recruits a rag-tag group of sharp-shooters, outlaws, trackers and warriors to fight for Rose Creek. In an action packed and explosive throw-down, the magnificent seven take on an army for life, love and revenge.
     


    Meet at High Noon
    The plot of The Magnificent Seven is fairly simple; it's nothing new. The basic formula of this flick is that a western town is being bullied and is in need of rescue. And why not? It worked in Blazing Saddles. What makes this movie a good watch isn't the simple plot, but the incredible characters. Each of the main characters are captivating. Though a few of them are missing backstory, each character establishes a bond with the audience. I formed a genuine connection with each, even without knowing enough about all of them.
     
    The actors did a superb job bringing their characters to life. The incredible Denzel Washington brings so many layers to Sam Chisolm, while Chris Pratt does an amazing job making us laugh at the shifty gambler, Josh Farraday. Not to be out done, Ethan Hawke and Byung-hun Lee make an excellent pair portraying the duo, sharp-shooter Goodnight Robicheaux and knife-wielding Billy Rocks.  Jack Horne, Martin Sensmeier, and Manuel Carcia-Rulfo also do an great job pulling the team together for one mismatched group. Our leading lady,  Haley Bennett, also has a few stand-out scenes, and all of actors share screen time quite well.
     
    Magnificent Seven establishes the main players and a grudge right from the beginning. The audience knows who to hate and why. Though not the most round villain, it's very easy to hate Bartholomew Bogue. The seven, however, are very well established - though it wouldn't hurt to look into their backstories a bit more. The connection established between the characters was electric. Their bond was strong and they came across as men who respected each other, regardless of their backgrounds.
     

     


    Was the West Won or Lost?
    The Magnificent Seven moved quickly and it was action-packed, despite the over two hour run-time. I felt invested in the plight; also, it was great that there wasn't a ton of unnecessary explanation. Character motivations were established, though they aren't always clear, and the film got down to business.  Pacing was a bit slow during the character recruitment, but it wasn't so bad to pull me out of the story. When things do speed up, the action scenes are impressive enough to distract from any of the plot issues.
     
    Another plus for the film is the amazing soundtrack by the late James Horner. After his sudden passing,  Simon Franglen co-composed the score that reminds us of the brilliant musical mind that we have lost. While there are many pluses, this film is a remake of a remake. Whether or not it was necessary is up in the air. It's not a ground-breaking film by any means, but it is enjoyable.
     


    Magnificent Seven: Final Thoughts
    If you are looking for a fun, action-packed flick with a western twist, The Magnificent Seven is a great pick. While it lacks in character development and originality, it does have some exciting scenes,  a star-studded cast, and a classic brawl between good and evil.  While it won't go down as legendary, it is still worth seeing, if only to watch Denzel be a complete bad ass.
     
    What do you think? Have you seen The Magnificent Seven? Feel free to leave comments below!
     

     
     
      • Post Type: Review

    Fallout Shelter Review

    For fans of the outstanding Fallout video game series, there’s a nifty app out there that you may not have heard about. First released on the iOS platform in June 2015, Fallout Shelter is also available on Android and MS Windows. The latter has been available since July of this year.

    Fallout Shelter is a different kind of gaming experience; you won't find a vast, open world with seemingly no boundaries here. The game is essentially one-dimensional (although when zoomed in the graphics have a satisfyingly rich, 3D quality .) The horizontal game orientation gives the vault an ant colony quality. At first glance, the layout might pretty simplistic may appear mildly unappealing.

    From the teasing glimpse of the world outside the front entrance to the fluorescent glow of the inner chambers, Fallout Shelter looks like an arcade game at first. While it might look simplistic, however, there is a lot going on inside each one of those cells. Fallout Shelter offers depth where a lot of other app-oriented games fall short.
    Various Levels of Character Happiness

    Players can zoom in close to their vault inhabitants to see and hear what's going on. Playing the role of “overseer,” the game player watches as various characters go about their duties expressing either joy or sadness. A percentage meter indicates not only overall vault morale, but individual employee happiness as well. This is one of the first organizational details of the game. As in the other Fallout games, each character has a series of attributes identified as S.P.E.C.I.A.L. These letters stand for Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck. Much like role-playing abilities, these attributes help the character succeed in endeavors related to the ability.

    Each ability fits the function of a room. When the paired to a room where they have aptitude in that ability, characters improve happiness and morale.


    Morale drops for those dwellers at work where their aptitude is low. They no longer smile, and make negative comments in hopes the overseer will hear them.

    As with any overseer game, it’s important to keep the people happy. To keep the dwellers satisfied, the overseer must assure that the proper resources exist for the health and well being of everyone. There is still more to the vault than running the day-to-day. Occasionally an emergency occurs inside the vault; Fires break out, production falls below minimums and people get sick, or one of the chambers fills with creatures. Proper layout is important for successfully overcoming these breakouts. A monster invasion of rad rats, or a fire, can quickly spread to other rooms, overtaking the vault and killing the inhabitants. In addition to the internal emergencies, dwellers must also fight raiders and monsters during periodic attacks on the vault.

    [arve url=https://youtu.be/XJ2pHe2U260" align="center" description="Raider Attack, Fallout Shelter]
    Infinite Development in a Finite Structure

    There is a limit to how much development your vault can undergo. It takes a while to achieve, but there is a cap on the number of vault dwellers allowed inside the vault. While making babies and inviting in the occasional wanderer helps expand the fledgling vault, after a time the population maxes out, and the overseer must deny newcomers or release existing members of the vault community into the wild. In addition, there are only so many rooms that can be built.

    Weapons development takes a long time, and isn’t entirely necessary at the higher levels. Outfit design becomes useless as explorers return with countless uniforms. As the explorers continue to fill the vault to capacity, there’s little beyond the uniqueness of the various missions to keep the game interesting. Eventually everything devolves into a series of daily repetitions with little reward for the gamer.


    Additional Humbugs in Fallout Shelter

    Another challenge in the design of the game is the hold-and-drag feature. When moving a character from one room to another, players must press on the figure, then drag them across the vault to the new location. Moving characters to a full room will cause the lowest skill character in that room to switch places with the new character. Movement around the vault requires a swipe action on the screen. In the act of this swiping motion, it’s too easy to accidentally grab a character in one room and swipe them to another location. This causes havoc as characters run through the vault, switching locations and disrupting the assignment structure the player has put in place.

    A feature that would be nice to have is an ability to see the full stock of equipment being used in a given room. Currently the player must look at every character individually to determine the type of weapon they carry. For some missions, it is necessary to equip the explorers with a specific weapon; with 200 vault dwellers to look at, the one-by-one method of searching is frustrating.

    All of this action goes on inside the vault, but there is more to do beyond home for the successful overseer.
    Exploration: The Not so Great Outdoors

    One of the first things the overseer can do beyond the vault is to send dwellers on exploration missions. Sending well-armed and provisioned dwellers out into the wasteland generates the opportunity for external encounters. Explorers can also discover useful items and money(bottle caps) to help the vault thrive. Characters sent into the wasteland explore until the overseer either recalls them, or they die.


    Once outside of the vault, the character will radio in if they come across another site to explore (truck stops, markets, and other vaults.) The overseer can then decide whether he or she should enter. The overseer can also tap on the outside landscape and see how the explorer is doing. While exploring the wastelands, the explorer keeps a journal of his or her discoveries.
    Quests: Don't Lose Your Head

    Dwellers also go out into the world via a series of quests found in the overseer’s control center. Up to three dwellers can form a party to travel and complete various missions for items, caps, lunch boxes, pet crates, and Mr. Handy bots. Some of the more interactive missions include a questions/answer game called “Lose Your Head.” The team is able to avoid a fight by correctly answering a number of difficult questions.



    All the Charm of the Original

    Fallout Shelter maintains the spirit of the original series with the same quirky, 1950s oriented post-apocalyptic kitsch. The music sets the mood and the figures' cartoon charisma blends with an edgy violence to create the unique blend of sweet and savory that is the Fallout world. While the setting is nowhere as detailed as the console games, there is a very convincing sense that you are operating in the same world. The nostalgia of the parent games carries forward through various encounters in a way that is satisfying for fans of the franchise. The action is substantial and the challenges are consistent enough to offer many hours of entertainment even to players who have never tried the console games.
     Parting Thoughts

    Fallout Shelter is a fun game to play and is especially rewarding as an interlude between releases of the major console games. The shortcomings aren’t insurmountable, and for those who enjoy being an overseer, the reward is perpetual. Building a successful vault is an enjoyable challenge, and there are a lot of discoveries throughout the game-play experience. While the repetition becomes a bit of a drag, for a free app, it’s worth the time invested. After that, it's a matter interest.


     
      • Post Type: Review

    TMNT IV: Turtles in Time Retrospective

    Bury my shell at wounded knee after you jump back onto the Nostalgia Train. Our next trip takes us back to one the greatest times in video game history! The Super Nintendo truly was a golden era of video games, and this month's entry is no exception. Was there a better way to spend time with your siblings or friends than punching out foot soldiers in different time periods? The answer is always no. That's when I usually pull out my cartridge of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IV: Turtles in Time.
     


    Cowabunga! Big Apple (3 Am)
    TMNT: IV is such a popular game that most enthusiasts call it merely 'Turtles in Time.' It's a 'beat'em up' with a simple premise and easy game play. Players join our heroes as they track down Krang and Shredder after the villains steal the Statue of Liberty during a televised tribute. Of course, this mission isn't so simple; Shredder has his own plan to banish the turtles into a time warp. Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Donatello must bash their way through legions of baddies in the past, present, and future in order to find and return the American symbol to its rightful place and time.

    Turtle Power! Turtles in Time
    While the plot is nothing really to write home about, it's perfect in its simplicity.  You'd be hard-pressed to find a deep plot in any game focused on beating your enemies to a pulp. Of course, the focus of this game is the addicting game play. To start, players select their favorite turtle; each has particular strengths and weaknesses. The object is to fight through each level and conquer the end boss, ultimately reaching Super Shredder and retrieve the Statue of Liberty.
     
    Each stage has different hazards and obstacles to overcome, such as moving platforms, falling rocks, and spaces that freeze a player dead in his/her tracks. At one point, players must throw foot soldiers at the screen in order to continue on. At the stage's end, the turtles must face the likes of the Baxter Stockman, Leatherhead, Beebop, Rocksteady and many other familiar TMNT enemies. While the game provides a fair amount of challenge with limited amount of lives and continues, it's not overly complicated and it's an easy game for just about anyone to play.
     

     
     
     


    The Co-op Game of Champions
    The past has given us plenty of fun and frustrating co-op games: Contra, Battletoads, Super Mario Brothers. Time has also given us some pretty interesting TMNT games - like the impossible one for the NES. Put those together, with
    , and you have a co-op game for the ages. 
    The cooperative play in Turtles in Time is seamless; players can fight alongside one another without attacking each other, but the game does require a bit a strategy. Health - or pizza- is limited, as are special attack hazards located in particular levels. Also, there are quite a few levels that throw out two bosses at the same time. It's times like these that it helps to have your best friend ready to punch out a mutated warthog.
     


    Technodrome: The Final Shell Shock
    After 25 years of awesome, this game is still one of the best ways to kill an afternoon. (Or an hour...depending on how good your teamwork is!) While there are certainly other amazing games out there, TMNT IV: Turtles in Time is the perfect game for endless amounts of beat'em up fun. In fact, I think it's about time I picked it up for another play-through. So what do you all think? What's your favorite co-op game? Have you picked up Turtles in Time lately? Let us know in the comments below!
     

      • Post Type: Editorial

    Tales From The Borderlands Retrospective

    The folks over at Gearbox know a good thing when they see it, and when it comes to the Borderlands franchise they’ve got a good thing. Since the release of the original Borderlands game in October 2009, the series has expanded through Borderlands 2, Borderlands the Pre-Sequel, and now Tales From the Borderlands, an offshoot from the Gearbox brainchild via Telltale Games.
     
    The entire Borderlands franchise is a DLC dream. This is Monty Haul crossbred with Seinfeld. The setting of Pandora, which is the central world of Borderlands, is unique, atmospheric, and enticing. In every instance, you want to get back into that world over and over again. With the game’s mix of story and action, cut scenes, role-playing, and adventure, the game far surpasses its status as a FPS, and moves into the realm of epic narrative.
     
    In Tales From the Borderlands, the aesthetic realizes its full potential: in plot, characterization, humor, and playability. It is built as a cinematic presentation interjected sporadically with timed options for the player to choose a response to various prompts, mostly determined through banter between characters. This is choose-your-own-adventure at its finest. Every choice the player makes in response to a prompt determines the arc of the story-line. The responses even determine the development of character relations.
     
    A third component of the game blends action and cinema to create a nearly seamless narrative experience. The player has a only a brief moment to react to combat prompts, usually intended to move the character out of harm’s way, before the character is smashed, shot, or otherwise killed.

    No Shortage of Personality
    The story centers primarily on Rhys, a Hyperion middle-runger hoping to climb higher on the corporate ladder. In short,Rhys finds out that his boss has been replaced by his nemesis, and that he isn’t getting the promotion he was expecting. Rhys and his friend Vaughn decide to make a trip from the Hyperion Space Complex to the surface of Pandora to conduct a little side business.
     
    Rhy's parallel story follows Fiona and her sister Sasha. Over the course of trying to make an exchange for a supposed vault key (the ever present motif in all of the Borderlands stories) Rhys and Vaughn get caught up with Fiona and Sasha and mayhem ensues. The writing is brilliant and the characters are unforgettable. The wit and flirtatiousness between Rhys and the female leads rounds the characters to form making every moment enjoyable, and it contributes to the player’s ever expanding understanding of the great Pandora and beyond.
     
    All of the beloved trappings of the Borderlands universe are here: dingy, dangerous Pandora; sterile, corporate Hyperion; cameos by the mysterious and enigmatic heroes of the Borderlands Hall of Fame. The graphics maintain the signature art-comic style of all of the Borderlands products, and while the style has been off-putting to some users in the past, fans of the franchise have nothing to fear in terms of the consistency and enjoyment they’ve come to expect.
     


    A Few Things That Bug, Tho
    At this point, it might seem like Tales From the Borderlands is a flawless gem of a game and that everyone who loves the Borderlands franchise is going to love this, too. Well, yeah, that’s probably pretty accurate. Still, for those who are tired of Handsome Jack and his apparent omnipresence, well, he’s back at it again. And it’s not like the story-line isn’t full of new characters to love and loathe. The story is rich enough with colorful villains and sideways anti-heroes that major personalities from earlier releases don’t need to be reprized.
     
    Another aspect of the game that some might find distracting is the interactive style. With its sideswipes and button mashing, one is reminded of the old arcade classic (and clunky at best mechanics) Dragon’s Lair, where dexterity and timing are the difference between success and failure. But the action in this game is fluid and it allows for a different sort of gaming experience from the straight up shooter that the other Borderlands products comprise.
     
    It’s worth mentioning that this game is episodic;  since it came out in 2014, all five episodes are available for one purchase price. For those players who enjoy the serial nature of a good story-line, the episodic style probably isn’t a problem. For players looking for a more unified narrative, or straight up action, this isn’t the game for them.

    The Borderlands Elephant In the Room
    The ultimate tease throughout the entire Borderlands story-line is the adventurer’s pursuit of the magical, mystical vault. The mystery surrounding the vault, and the promise of hoards of weapons, wealth, fame, and bizarre technology, has driven the story along for nearly a decade – but one has to ask, will they ever reveal the vault?
     
    As Tales From the Borderlands proves, players want more of Pandora. The promise of finding a vault has become a side-story to the tributaries of intrigue that the deeply complex and wildly fascinating Borderlands universe creates. Actually adding the vault experience would seemingly deepen the satisfaction of this well-designed concept. With the question of the vault answered, the world can continue to develop and the franchise would still thrive. If not, the pursuit of yet one more unattainable vault becomes gamer click-bait, and the hope and excitement will fade with the realization that no one is ever going to see inside one of Pandora’s vaults.
     
    Tales From the Borderlands is a hit for all the right reasons. The storytelling is brilliant and original. The characters are fresh, yet still familiar according to the style of the franchise. The mix of the interactive game-play with uninterrupted cinema is a new twist for the franchise that only adds to gamer satisfaction. There’s a lot to like about this game and virtually nothing to criticize. The fact that it’s available across a variety of platforms and so easily accessible means that everyone who can play it, should. Maybe soon, with all of the love fans of Borderlands have for the game, we’ll get a peek inside that vault after all.
      • Post Type: Editorial

    Kubo and The Two Strings Movie Review

    In a time of sequels, prequels, and reboots, Focus Features delivers an original masterpiece in stop-motion animation. From the studio behind Coraline, ParaNorman, and The Boxtrolls comes a truly enchanting story of magic, spirits, and fate. Kubo and The Two Strings is a compelling narrative following the young boy Kubo on his journey to defeat the Moon King. Combined with a moving soundtrack and stunningly life-like animation, this is truly a movie that stands out from the rest.
     


    If you must blink, do it now.
    Our story takes place in ancient Japan; Kubo is a one-eyed street performer with a unique talent. Using his magical musical abilities, he tells stories of the great Samurai Hanzo through the manipulation of origami paper. Before he is able to finish his stories, Kubo must return home at the chime to tend to his ailing mother, Sariatu, who warns him to never get caught outside their home after dark. She worries that her Sisters and his grandfather, the Moon King, will come and take his other eye. Unfortunately, Kubo disobeys his mother when he learns of a ceremony the locals take part in to communicate with their dead family. Wishing to speak to his father, Kubo stays out as the sun sets and his own journey truly begins.
     
    Kubo embarks on a quest to collect various objects that will allow him to defeat the Moon King. He is joined by a protector sent by his mother, Monkey, and a cursed samurai called Beetle. Together, the three must search the land for the mysterious artifacts while avoiding Sariatu's sisters, and eventually defeat the Moon King.
     


    Your magic is growing stronger.
    Kubo and the Two Strings takes on the guise of an ancient legend. The story is compelling and unique, and it doesn't feel the need to explain everything away. It doesn't hold the audience's hand or have copious backstory; that's something I really enjoyed. The quest had a very fun sense of adventure with a side of urgency that seemed to increase when each artifact was discovered. The battles had the perfect amount of tension and the scenes moved along very quickly, balancing the action with interesting twists and heartfelt moments.
     
    The movie managed to hit all the points a decent narrative should: character building, intense scenes, comedy, and a solid ending. I absolutely loved the incorporation of the title and the refreshing turns the story took.  While Kubo hit the perfect tone for me, there are some parts that could be frightening for young children. Then again, if a child could watch Coraline, then he or she would have no problem with this movie.
     


    Don't mess with the Monkey.
    One of Kubo's greatest accomplishments, hands down, is
    . This is a visually stunning work of art. Stop-motion animation doesn't normally grab my attention, but when coupled with a compelling story, I can't resist. The animation is simply remarkable almost to the point of realistic. 
    The film also has incredible voice talent in Charlize Theron, Matthew McConaughey, and Ralph Fiennes. Even George Takei makes an appearance, and each of the actors fill their role well. When matched with an intense soundtrack, this film truly hits all of the perfect notes.
     
    The impressive animation pairs with captivating story-telling to create a truly original movie. I could only hope that distinctive works of art start to get a foothold in a time focused on rehashes and sequels. Kubo and the Two Strings is most definitely worth seeing. So how about you? Have you seen Kubo and the Two Strings? What did you think? Does your 
    , too? Let us know in the comments below! 

     
     
     
     
      • Post Type: Review

    I am Setsuna Review: A Glimpse on Past Glory

    The highly anticipated I am Setsuna was designed in the shadow of legendary JRPGs to fill a void. While newer Western RPGs take a leaf from a grittier book and classic JRPG titles constantly evolve in order to keep fans, there is an emptiness where masterpieces once told epic stories. This was a time where battles revolved around an active-time battle system. A bi-gone era that had gamers searching sprawling maps for secrets, probing NPCs for much needed clues, and scratching their heads behind well-developed ‘plot-walls’ that granted restricted freedom.  Modern RPGs have taken a different route, involving more exploration, focusing less on controlling a group of characters, and incorporating more action-based combat.  With all of these changes in mind, Tokyo RPG Factory developed I am Setsuna for the PS4.
     

     
     

    Story First Look: I am Nostalgia
    I am Setsuna follows the journey of a hired swordsman as he tries to fulfill a contract. What starts as a simple 'hit' mission becomes a sprawling adventure as our main character, Endir, escorts his former mark, Setsuna, on her quest.  It's her duty to reach the Last Lands and sacrifice herself to stave off the impending monster invasion. Without giving too much away, the story is a simple trope that pays homage to many previous JRPGs.  We have a motley crew taking part in a very somber journey where many parts feel familiar and that's not necessarily a bad thing. Our semi-silent protagonist, strong-hearted girl, and many other characters create an enjoyable, if short-lived, tale. I am Setsuna provides the audience with interesting twists and a compelling story that fits the genre very well.
     


    Second Glance: Sacrifice for the Sake of Time
    While the story has a lot of potential, there are times when I am Setsuna misses the mark. Many of the main characters had interesting back stories,  but others needed little extra development - including the silent protagonist. Endir's involvement in the game was refreshing and different, but he was basically flat, and understandably so. Other characters in the past had the same design, but Endir wasn't some youth in a coming of age story. There is mystery behind the mask and it would have been interesting to explore it. The development of the villains also falls a bit short. At first, our main villain is menacing. However, as time passes and the true 'villain' is revealed, the build-up is rather anti-climactic.
     
    Another pain point is the ending. With much effort to leave out spoilers, the ending felt fast, forced, and somewhat confusing. It was almost as if the developers meant to carry on a greater story, but ran out of time. There were many little things I discovered in game exploration that could have added layers to the story, but the writers didn't build upon them. Instead of taking a place next to some of the great JRPGs, I am Setsuna's story fell a little short on expectations.
     
    Don't get me wrong, the story was decent. However, there were certain aspects that could have been expanded upon and the plot could have come together more seamlessly.
     

     


    Under Attack: The Battle Mechanics and World Navigation
    The basic play of I am Setsuna was modeled off of older JRPGs, particularly Chrono Trigger.  Three exchangeable party members navigate the world map (slowly) by foot or airship in search of dungeons and towns. While inside towns, players can talk to NPCs, find treasure, and purchase various items from shops. In dungeons, players can find treasure and encounter monsters. Players have the option of avoiding a fight, getting a first strike, or they can be ambushed. A victory earns EXP and sell-able spoils, but no actual gold. Gamers can get money by trading in their battle spoils to the Magic Consortium.
     
     
     


    Shops! Shops! Shops!
    There are four particular merchants in I am Setsuna: an Item's merchant, a blacksmith,  the Magic Consortium, and the Chef. Each of these merchants are typical of RPGs - one sells items, one sells weapons, one has abilities, and the final makes stat/material/and EXP consumable boosting items.
     
    The exchange system is rather unique in I am Sestuna. As mentioned previously, the Magic Consortium is the place to get gold, but it's also the only place where players can acquire abilities. Selling spoils not only results in cash, but a number of useful abilities for the party.
     
    With money in hand, players can purchase weapons, items, and stat boosting treats. In order to gain access to the treats, gamers should hang on to the green spoils they happen to pick up on their travels. Certain townsfolk will be looking for these ingredients and they will exchange the recipe for the items they need. Afterwards, players can hand off the recipe to the Chef and purchase the item as often as they wish.
     
    While characters can purchase whatever they want, they may have a hard time selling things like weapons and armor. Items and spoils are typically the only things that can be exchanged for gold.
     


    Character Set-Up : Spritnites, Weapons, and Talismans
    The character set-up for I am Setsuna is pretty basic and easy to follow; each character can equip a weapon and a talisman. The talismans provide boosts to battle stats, Fluxes, and special abilities, while the weapons increase attack and defensive stats.  Talismans can also give characters ability slots for items called Spritnites. Most Spritnites are character specific abilities, but there are many support Spritnites that can be shared among the party.  They are essentially the magic of the game and using them drains MP. When used in conjunction with one another, talismans can allot characters with fearsome abilities and strong defenses.
     


    Battle: Sneak Attacks and Escape
    When a party heads though a dungeon or any area with monsters, they have the option to engage in battle - much like Chrono Trigger.  A player can avoid a battle by dodging the monsters on the map, or try to get the jump on them for a first strike. I am Setsuna uses the ATB system with a little twist. As a battle begins, characters can attack like normal, but with the addition of a timing mechanic.
     
    Players can hold off on attack in order to build up Special Power or SP.  When a character is just about to attack, players can hit a button and use this 'SP' to deal extra damage or add special skills to an action, much like Super Mario RPG. Each character can store up to three SP at a time, and it's best to use them - they do not carry over from battle to battle.
     
    During an encounter, players control their party and choose from three actions: Attack, Tech, or Item. While Attack and Item are self explanatory, Tech acts as the 'special attack' that consumes MP on the menu. The type of tech a character has access to depends on which Spritnites he or she has equipped. These techs can be combined with other party members for a single powerful action. From that point, battles turn tactical. It's important to learn about the enemies in order to defeat them quickly and acquire rare drops. Thankfully, the game has a fun beastiary that provides useful tidbits about how to defeat enemies previously encountered.
     

     


    The Good, the Bad, and the Missed Chances
    The battle system and game play were very good in this game; it was basic and it worked - it was pretty safe. I liked the addition of the timing, the specific character classes, and the ability to customize my characters to a point. My biggest gripe with the actual game play is the same as the story. There simply wasn't enough. A few dungeons felt repetitive, and there were open areas that players had no reason to explore. I tried to explore as much of the map as possible, but found little reward for doing so. I actually wondered at some point if I was actually missing something - which I might be! There were many areas for growth.

    Final Thoughts
    Overall, I enjoyed playing through this fun RPG. The battle system was easy to learn, the characters were interesting, and the graphics were incredible. With a bit more game play,  more character development, and perhaps a little variation to the dungeons, this game could have been a classic. I am Setsuna is a fun, nostalgic nod to the great JRPGs of the past, but it doesn't match or surpass them. So, what did you all think of the game? Want to give it a try? Get it on PS4 or Steam.
     

      • Post Type: Review

    Top Ten Super Mario Power-Ups

    There are very few people in the modern world, even outside the gaming community, who are unfamiliar with the world’s most famous plumber. It’d be difficult to find someone who has never given any of his games a try. Super Mario is one of the most recognizable characters in any franchise. This modern era has the plucky plumber driving go-karts, having parties, and getting into full-out brawls with his fellow Nintendo mascots. Aside from all of Mario’s side projects, he is first and foremost a platform kind of guy.
     
    For over thirty years, Mario has worn many different hats – or outfits to help him on his journey to rescue the princess, or whoever else needed rescuing. While each game has its share of cool power ups, the ‘outfit’ items really give Mario and friends that extra boost. With each new series entry, there is an exciting twist on a previous costume, some old favorites, or something completely fresh. Overtime, Mario has built quite the wardrobe, but not all items are made equal.
     
    Though new outfits will always appear in Super Mario games, there will always be a few that are cut above the rest. You all know what I’m talking about. These are the outfits gamers want to hold on to for dear life. Some can be classified into the ‘too good to use’ club – while others are the kind that a clumsy gamer will lose seconds after he or she gets it. Whatever the case, here’s a list of some of the best Super Mario power-ups.

    Honorable Mention -  Cape

     
    The first power-up on our list is a nod to Super Mario World's
    . This awesome power-up gives Mario the gift of flight, like a few other items in his repertoire. Obtaining a feather gives Mario a cape to help him soar across levels and it doubles as a weapon. Mario can spin and strike his enemies or come crashing down on them from above. Though the cape is an amazing tool, there are many different tools of flight in the Mario games.
    #10 -  Frog Suit
    I have a love/hate relationship with Super Mario 3's
    . On one had, it makes me a better swimmer - on the other,  his ability to maneuver on land takes a hit. The Frog Suit is pretty incredible, though. It helps Mario jump higher and water levels become much easier. The Frog Suit is considered one of the 'special' suits - the kind gamers can find in specific worlds or hidden away in a level. While this suit is cool, it's usefulness is quite limited. There are future suits that expand on the frog suit's power, and that, unfortunately, lands this power-up in the #10 spot.
    #9 - Super Mushroom

     
    There couldn't be a list without Mario's Super Mushroom! This iconic power-up is the first and most basic in Mario's arsenal. This little baby has helped the plumber grow larger than life in order to battle his enemies. While it is overshadowed by some of the more specialized items available, when the chips are down - this is the power-up gamers would kill to have. It pays to have that one extra hit in the face of battle. Super Mushrooms are also a great tool because they are so easy to get. Sometimes it's best to have the basics!

    #8 - Metal Cap

     
    Our next entry brings us an awesome power-up, courtesy of Super Mario 64. While the Wing Cap and the Invisibility Cap had their perks, they were not quite as unique as the 
    . This power-up cap transforms our hero into a nearly indestructible war machine.  Donning the Metal Cap allows Mario a limited amount of invulnerability to enemies and obstacles. It also allows Mario to sink into the depths of unknown waters and navigate the bottom without a pesky 'air' bar. Of course, with a power-up this awesome, there has to be limitations; Mario can only use the cap for a limited amount of time. That sort of power should be kept under wraps. It's not like there are any other super over-powered suits Mario can get his hands on...hahah right? 


    #7 - Cat Mario Suit

     
    One of my favorite suits from the newer Mario games has to be Super Mario 3D World's
    ! Obtaining this shimmering bell gives Mario and friends cat-like abilities. (no kidding!) This suit enables wall-climbing ninjas would envy, as well as powerful cat-themed attacks and all the fun of being on all fours. This is what I imagine it's like to be a cat...only much less active. Simple, strong, and fast, this suit is easy to acquire, which accounts for such a low place on the list.
    #6 - Penguin Suit

     
    Continuing on with the trend of adorable animal suits, New Super Mario Bros Wii added another awesome suit to the mix. The
     may seem adorable, but these cool dudes have some chill powers. Like the Frog Suit, the Penguin Suit gives Mario better aquatic mobility, but with the addition of ice powers. Yes, this power-up can help gamers freeze their enemies with ice balls, much like the ice flower. Mario can also slide across ice and water without sinking on the latter. All of these perks land this adorable suit at #6.
    #5 - Tanooki Suit

     
    Of course, no Top Ten Mario Power-Up list would be complete without this incredible relic from Super Mario Brothers 3:  the Tanooki Suit! While there are newer versions of this legendary suit, the original is by far the best.  Not the easiest of the suits to obtain, the Tanooki Suit has all the pros of the leaf power-up from the same game. It helps Mario fly and he can transform into a statue to protect him from enemies. The statue skill can also be dropped onto unsuspecting foes. However, this particular suit is a rare find, and of course, it could be very easy to lose.  Still, it's unique attributes and limited availability earn it a #5 spot.
     


    #4- Fire Flower
    The pyromaniac side of me loves the Fire Flower. Granted, some of the other items on this list have more to offer, but the Fire Flower is one of those power-ups that is useful in any situation. While a Leaf or a special suit with ice powers is very useful, when it comes to cross-platform reliability, the Fire Flower is by far the best. It's classic. When Mario grabs the coveted Fire Flower, he can lay waste to his enemies - even bosses - under a storm of fire power. Not only can Mario use this power on land, but he can use it under water - this is something that is invaluable.  While the Frog Suit can help gamers navigate the waters, the fire flower can take down enemies - which makes water levels much easier. They are also pretty easy to come by, making this classic come out on top.

    #3 - Super Star

     
    Another classic item to top the charts is the sought-after Super Star. This item is usual found in a ? block, a Toad House, or by defeating special enemies in Super Mario 3. The super star grants Mario ultimate invincibility from enemy damage. He can plow through enemies endlessly as long as the star's power doesn't run out. While the time limit is a bit of a bummer, it is possible to spawn numerous stars - provided Mario keeps hitting those ? blocks. Sometimes the classic items are the best. However, the time limit does land this one at #3.

    #2 - Hammer Suit

     
     
     
    Super Mario Brothers 3 has given gamers some of the of the best power-ups in the Mario series. The Hammer Suit is no exception. This rare power-up gives Mario the ability to take on the abilities of the dreaded Hammer Brothers. The suit provides Mario with fireball protection and hammers strong enough to take down enemies. No enemy is safe from the infinite flurry of hammers - not even Bowser. This suit is incredibly powerful, but it's not without its drawbacks. Mario does lose his ability to slide and he is not completely indestructible. This overpowered suit lands the spot at #2.
     
     
     

     
     

    And the winner of that #1 spot!! P-Wing
    The most epic Mario power-up is by far the
    . This amazing power up may not grant Mario invulnerability, but it can make some pretty impossible levels a cake walk. The P-Wing grants Mario flight power for a full level - and unlimited flight power puts this relic in the category: "too good to use." The same can be said for a few other on this list, but the P-Wing could be made even better with some clever maneuvering and the discovery of a Tanooki suit. Imagine it; two of the best power-ups combined as one! Add a star to that and Mario would be unstoppable. The P-Wing is such a powerful item that it has become an 'assistant' tool for players who can't quite beat the levels. I guess the same could be said for the original, but regardless, endless flight is hard to beat.  That's my Top Ten! What are your favorite Mario suits/caps? Angry there was no shoe on this list? Leave your comments below! 

     
     
      • Post Type: List

    This is the Police Review

    It’s hard to imagine a more appropriate time for the release of This is the Police. However, like the game’s creators, I have no desire to make any political statements in this review. There are plenty of things about this game to discuss without broaching the subject of current events. It bears mentioning, however, that This is the Police does not shy away from the topics of racism, sexism, rape, corruption, terrorism, or other such atrocities. With this matter out of the way, let us begin to discuss the game itself.
    As a combination visual novel and police management sim, This is the Police attempts valiantly to blend its gameplay with a strong narrative. At the outset, the player discovers that they are Jack Boyd, the sixty-year-old police chief of Freeburg. Jack has only 180 days remaining before the Mayor installs one of his family members as police chief. Immediately, we are shown just how unlikeable and corrupt Freeburg’s Mayor is, and this fact is hammered home early and often throughout the game. The visual novel portion kicks off the game and teaches us about Jack’s home life (or lack thereof) and his desire to track down his wife of many years. In addition, he bids farewell to his longtime deputy and begrudgingly welcomes a new, younger replacement. Boyd’s deputy has suspected ties to Freeburg’s mafia and, though he was acquitted, decides to step down and eventually flees the city. Indeed, Jack’s deputy was involved with the mafia and begs Jack to help him repay his debts. We are given reason enough to assist him, but the player is still presented with the option to do so. Choose to help, and Jack assumes his deputy’s debts and is now beholden to the Sand family mafia. Refuse, and the mafia calls on you anyway. Whatever you choose, you learn that Jack is focused most intently on making a cool $500k for his retirement fund, and the game allows Jack to do so in a variety of ways.
    After the rather lengthy introduction and a short press conference, wherein the player can choose the responses to each question, the game switches to its management section. Each day, you must assign police to tasks that pop up throughout the city. Most of these are 911 calls that require your attention. Often, however, the Mayor will ask that you assist in less important matters. The mafia will also begin to ask for your officers’ precious time and attention. Of course, as with any management sim, the player will have to soon make tough choices. Do you prioritize one type of 911 call over another? Do you ignore the mayor’s pleas for assistance and instead help the mafia in order to make more money? What will you do when the mayor orders you to fire all of your black officers because of a death threat they’ve received? These ultimatums happen regularly, and provide the bulk of the game’s difficulty. Cutscenes occur with regularity as well, in between many of the “day” transitions.
    As one might expect, each choice you make carries rewards and consequences. Support the mafia over the mayor? Make more money in the short run, but city hall cuts your budget and requires you to cut a space on your roster, reducing your effectiveness. Suck up to the vile and corrupt mayor? Money trickles in much more slowly, but you can choose a boon from the city each week, such as more staff or a fatter paycheck. Snub them both, and quickly realize how hard it is to operate with no money and a hampered police force.
    Music and Sound

    While this provides a general overview of the game, the strongest and weakest points of This is the Police are found in the specifics. First, let me say that the soundtrack is fantastic. Each day, the player may choose a record to place on the turntable (a cassette or CD later in the game). From funky jazz to soothing classical, these tracks are sure to combat the stress of your job. Chopin and Beethoven are on display here, along with the Pearce-Pickering Barrelhouse Band, along with a few soundscapes presented in the late game. The music selections fit both the style of the main character and that of the game perfectly.
    Graphics and Design

    This is the Police shows off a unique art style, most often on display during the "visual novel" portion of the game. It appears to be a mix of polygonal abstract and watercolor, with detail often missing from faces and limbs. Officer portraits, however, are fully formed. It's an art style that works well for the genre, and the minimalist style almost seems to speak to Jack's mental state throughout the story. I encountered no glitches or bugs with the artwork or scene transitions, and the cutscenes play out smoothly.
    Writing and Story
    The writing proves to be very strong during both the visual novel and management sections of the game. Each call or situation feels distinct, even if some are more detailed than others. Let it be known that if indeed each call is unique, then around one thousand or so calls are present. Sensitive subjects are on display throughout, as mentioned earlier, but each is handled in a very human or believable way. The corrupt mayor is a complete and utter scumbag, most certainly, yet his racism, sexism, and derision are tools that build him as your adversary from the start. Jack remains a tough guy throughout the narrative, regardless of how the player guides him. This makes it difficult for him to relate to his friends, and also impedes his ability to handle his addiction and health concerns. He’s a very well written character, even if he doesn’t change much based on the player’s input. I would also be remiss if I didn’t mention that he is played by Jon St. John, the much-beloved voice of Duke Nukem. Mr. St. John gives an indisputably stellar performance alongside many other very capable voice actors.
    Gameplay
    What’s more, I found the gameplay to be rewarding and enjoyable throughout most of the experience. Your officers, each rated by a score called Professionalism, are each unique with their own distinct names and portraits. Some days your officers will tell you they can’t come in, and it’s your job to decide whether to tell them to suck it up or give them the day off. You then select what you believe to be the best cops for the 911 calls as they come up, making sure to prioritize more serious or labor-intensive calls. Some will be fakes, but it’s often too difficult to guess. During some calls, your officers will phone back and ask for advice. The responses you can give range from the ridiculous (“pick up a stick and sword-fight the offender!”) to the proper and appropriate procedures (“draw down on the offender and tell them to drop the sword”). I found myself making up stories about my officers, and often sent them in specific pairs. My buddy cops were unstoppable, even if they required the assistance of the SWAT team on occasion. The only implied drawback here, which is felt relatively early, is that your officers do not have much personality, and you don’t interact with them outside of fielding their complaints, combatting their negative attitudes towards you, and sending them on assignments. I would have enjoyed seeing more interaction with these officers, even if such interaction would be somewhat unrealistic.
    The player can also help solve crimes alongside your detectives. After dispatching a lead investigator to the crime scene, you get testimonies and “frames” (picture snapshots) that you use to put the events together. Get it right, catch the crook, and each of your involved detectives and officers get a Professionalism bonus. At a certain point, you’ll be investigating entire gangs from the ground up. You even have the chance to help the Feds catch a serial killer that comes to town, which proves to be a very rewarding experience.
    Though the game does its best to not date itself too specifically, one can presume that the game does not take place before the mid-80’s (when cell phones and CDs saw widespread commercial release). Civil demonstrations occur in support of equality in all forms, combatting sexism, racism, LGB discrimination, and even ageism. All the while, the mayor hands down mandates requiring that you support his regressive and self-serving agenda. Here, dear reader, is where the fatal flaw in the game’s design maligns what would otherwise be an overall positive experience.
    Final Thoughts
    As the player’s sense of morality and ethics guides them away from the mayor, so too does the game punish them. As stated above, the player loses access to officers and detectives each time city hall decides you haven’t been doing a good enough job. This judgement is based on several factors, including how successful you were in handling crime throughout the city, whether you declined to complete mandates from the mayor, and how often civilians and officers were killed. With each mistake, another slot on your roster is lost. With each lost slot, more 911 calls and mandates from the mayor will be failed. A vicious cycle begins.
    During my playthrough, I noticed this cycle relatively early in the game. At that point, however, it was too late to stop it. I simply could not do my job as police chief and keep up with the mayor’s deplorable demands. I continued to lose officers and detectives until, around day 101 out of 180, I had zero remaining staff. The game did not seem to notice this, however. The next day began, and the whole shift played out without my involvement. There was no mention of the FPD having no officers whatsoever. At that point, I was simply amused. I let several days play out in the same way, until at a certain point, the mayor called again saying – surprise – the police department was not doing a great job. He cut my staff yet again. This time, however, I didn’t have anyone to cut. No “Game Over” screen flashed, nor did an alert box pop up. The game simply asked me to cut a member of the staff. I clicked everywhere on the screen and nothing happened. I tried to reload the game to see if I encountered a bug. The same events transpired in the same order. I had lost the game without actually losing the game. I was then about 11 hours into the experience and quite close to the game’s prescribed end point. Suffice to say, I ended my playthrough then and there.
    I did not make too many errors throughout the game. I was generally successful in sending my officers to combat crime, even if I did occasionally assist the mafia. The game does allow you to reload any previous week, but because I did not support the mayor from the beginning, I would be just as well off restarting the game from scratch. All in all, by failing to capitulate to the demands of a disgusting despot, I set myself up for failure and, far more disappointingly, an unsatisfying end to an otherwise satisfying experience. While not everyone will have this same experience, I imagine many will.
    In my humble opinion, This is the Police can and will be a fine game, just as soon as this important issue is fixed in some way. Though it is not necessarily my place to do so, I would like to offer the suggestion of including an option to allow the player to take a pay cut in their weekly salary instead of firing an employee, or instead allow the player to hire and pay their officers directly. I could certainly afford to do so towards the end. At the very least, the game should provide a “Game Over” screen and a brief wrap up in order to provide some sense of closure to the player’s very personal experience. Regardless, in its current state, I cannot in good conscience recommend this title for its full asking price of $14.99. I do, however, highly recommend that you keep an eye on this title for updates, especially if you like great narrative, amazing voice acting, and intriguing management sims.
      • Post Type: Review

    Final Fantasy IX Retrospective

    We’ve come to the final franchise entry for the PS1 era. The series developed from the 8-bit medieval fantasy into a more realistic and futuristic game, each with a twist on game mechanics and story-telling. Though the past three main Final Fantasy games ascended into a more ‘technological era,’ this last entry was a nod back to the originals that started the epic journey.  Set against a medieval background with a cast of quirky and unforgettable characters, it would be easy to believe that Final Fantasy IX is a light-hearted adventure; but don’t be fooled. While the look is more cartoon-ish, the story-line is incredibly dark as well as charming.  There are many pros and cons to this fantastic entry, and it is definitely a fitting swan song for the PS1 era.
     Back to the Classics and New Additions
    Final Fantasy IX is quite the turn after Final Fantasy VII and VIII.  Seeped in past lore,  we leave the materia and GF-Junction systems behind as we return to the single class character design and buying upgrades. The game has several nods to past franchise entries including character inspirations, musical throw-backs, and collectible items. This lends a lovely touch of nostalgia without completely relying on the past. Of course, since this is a Final Fantasy game, the music is master piece by the wonderful Nobuo Uematsu in one of his greatest scores ever. All of these cherished aspects combine into one of the most well-balanced and visually stunning games in the series.
     
    While the game returned to its roots, it’s not without innovations. One in particular is the addition of ‘Active Time Events.’ These cut-away scenes were added to provide additional insight and character development for a richer narrative. Other new developments involve a new way to learn abilities, an option to forge new weapons and armor, and a series of mini-games to form a truly enjoyable game.  Regardless of the changes or throw-backs, the greatest part of Final Fantasy IX lies within its story.
     

    Welcome to Gaia
    Our story begins in the world of Gaia on the onset of war between two of the great nations. Players join Zidane Tribal, a plucky thief in a traveling band of misfits called
    . He and his crew are attempting to capture the princess of Alexandria, Garnet Til Alexandros XVII. What begins as a high-stakes kidnapping turns into a game of cat and mouse. It catches not only the princess and her protector, Adelbert Steiner, in a daring escape, but also poor Vivi, a
     and innocent bystander. As our plot thickens and the cast of characters grow, tension between the nations of Alexandria, Lindblum, Cleyra, and Burmecia rises. War rages against the power hungry Queen of Alexandria and Garnet's mother, Queen Brahne.
     
    While Zidane and the others face the threat of Alexandria, a third player is pulling the strings. With the mysterious introduction of Kuja, a mysterious arms dealer, our heroes soon discover that not everything as it seems. It is a twisted story of war, self-discovery, and other-worldly surprises.
     

    A Fine Line between Comedy and Tragedy
    Final Fantasy IX has one of the most intricate stories of the series. On the surface it begins as a war story, but the narrative sinks into a dark allegory concerning our own existence. Unlike previous heroes who jump into the fray because they are 'the chosen ones,' we have characters who press on out of obligation, love, or self-discovery. While the powerful arc pushes each character to his or her limit, they exponentially grow by the conclusion. The lines of good and evil are so blurred that it's hard not to show sympathy for characters on both sides. Even the all-powerful villains seem to have some redeeming qualities that can alter our perception.
     
    The world of Gaia is covered in shades of grey - while some moments are clearly black and white, the narrative touches on the aspects that make us all human, while using both human and non-human characters. Filled with silly moments and downright bone-chilling scenes, Final Fantasy IX tells a powerful story that players will want to revisit. It is incredibly well-balanced; the heavy moments are complemented by charming comedic scenes that allow for a rounded narrative.
    Change isn't Always Good
    That being said, there are some issues. The main story becomes a little muddy and difficult to follow. While all of the characters are very interesting, some of their development doesn't reach full potential, including the main villain. At points, the pacing is a little slow, but the worst error is a mandatory section that requires players to play Tetra Master. Rather than having a mini-game add extra fun, this card game is forced on the players and it does not play as well as it's predecessor, Triple Triad. There is no worthy reward for playing the game, and it really doesn't fit in.  That being said, these aspects are not overwhelming enough to destroy the game experience. The game mechanics and the wonderful characters are enough to keep gamers wanting more.
     

    Getting Ready for Battle
    Final Fantasy IX has game-play very similar to its predecessors. Players have access to a main party that consists of eight playable characters: Zidane, Dagger, Vivi, Steiner, Freya, Quina, Eiko, and Amarant. There are other NPC characters that gamers can control for a determined amount of time. Players can explore the world map, towns, and dungeons like previous entries; however, rather than using a save point, Final Fantasy IX utilizes moogles for that function. When players encounter a moogle, they can talk with it, buy basic items, and take part in the mini-game ‘Mognet’ which is an on-going letter exchange between all the moogles in the game.
     
    In addition to the save point change, Final Fantasy IX includes a field icon to assist in finding exits and treasure on screen – which is a huge help considering the intricate graphics. There is also a new approach to puzzle solving and story-telling through the ATE – or active time events. These events can allow for slight differentiation in game play, character development, and navigating dungeons – almost like Final Fantasy VI.
     
    Also, like previous entries, players navigate the world map by foot, chocobo, boat or airship and can run into random battles.
     

    Customization and Equipment
    Final Fantasy IX returns to a single character system; each character has a specific skill set and equipment they can equip, and that never changes. On the other hand, players get to choose which abilities their characters learn by equipping them with the proper equipment. Of course, a thief (Zidane) can’t learn Cure – that’s a skill outside his class. However, gamers can acquire many different items with learn-able abilities. These abilities depend on the equipment characters wear and use.  After gaining enough ability points, characters can use the skill without the item.  As characters level, so do their stats, attributes, and skill points. The higher level, the more skills your characters can equip.
     
    Another fun customization for characters comes from forging new items. Players can collect equipment and use it to form stronger weapons and accessories with rare skills. It becomes imperative to horde equipment in order to make new items because there are so many options. Of course, it's easy to find a guide in the age of the internet - but it's important to hold on to at least one of everything.
     

    You Used TRANCE! It's not very effective…
    Final Fantasy IX uses a similar battle system to its predecessors, and returns to the original four character battle formation. Each encounter runs on the Active Time Battle system (ATB) that has players waiting for the gauge to fill in order to perform an action. Each character has special abilities based on their class, such as steal, black magic, or casting summons/eidolons.  However, unlike previous entries, the battle speed is incredibly slow.  While the animation of the enemies and characters is quite incredible, the action drops to a crawl which makes battles last much too long.
     
    Another change comes in the addition of the ‘Trance’ mode limit break. As characters take damage, a secondary gauge fills, much like Final Fantasy VII’s limit breaks. When the gauge is full, characters go into ‘Trance’ mode and unleash powerful attacks for a short period of time. Though it sounds great, the biggest flaw with the Trance model was the inability to store or save it. Whenever a character’s gauge is full, he or she will automatically go into Trance mode – like after an enemy has died or a battle has concluded.  The game will even pause to allow a character to enter Trance mode before the victory music plays. Also, the Trance abilities aren't always the greatest.
     
    Regardless, Final Fantasy IX’s battles are still fun and with fair amount of challenge.
     

    Mini Games and More
    By this point, Final Fantasy fans know that each new entry is going to have some interesting mini-games. Final Fantasy IX is no exception. There are plenty of side missions: the Mognet quest,  a chocobo item-hunting game, and the terrible Tetra Master.  After the success of Final Fantasy VIII’s card game, Triple Triad, the developers included something 'similar' and made it part of the story.  Unfortunately, Tetra Master is not as easy to follow, and could be down-right frustrating. After a brief explanation and a few test runs, the card game is still confusing. Gamers must manage to get through it.
     
    Another point of contention involved Final Fantasy IX’s strategy guide. While this didn’t affect the game directly, instead of doing its job, the guide was full of links asking players to log into the PlayOnline website. Most of these links no longer work, but thankfully, the internet has plenty of noteworthy guides for anyone looking for a helping hand. Understandably, if someone shelled out the cash for the guide, it would hardly be worth it.
     

     
     
    Final Thoughts
    Final Fantasy IX does a wonderful job of capturing the heart of the Final Fantasy series. The game is truly an example of a wonderful narrative and it captures spirit of the beginnings of the franchise. It marries some of the greatest aspects of the series into one beautiful game with an incredible story and soundtrack. This final entry for the PS1 era says good-bye to the designs of the past and forges on into a future of innovation.
     

     
     
     
     
      • Post Type: Editorial


×
×
  • Create New...