Mafia II Review

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How bad do you want the finer things in life? How much do you want the money, cars, clothes and the women? What is the price for the lifestyle you choose? Mafia II raises and answered these question. However should you join the family? Or should you give their offer a pass?

Story - After being caught for a robbery. Vito Scaletta has a choice either go to jail or join the army. Vito chooses the army and joins Operation Husky. Operation Husky is a mission to free Sicily. Vito is injured in the war is able to go home in Empire Bay. Vito is broke, no place to call his own and has to pay off his father's debt. What's a guy to do right? Vito then re-connects with his best friend Joe, to help him out. Together Vito & Joe will be on a path that is only fit for a gangster. The story is very well written. The character developed for even the minor characters are on point. You will feel the emotions and connections to these characters as the story plays out.

Gameplay - Mafia II is an open world, third person shooter. Empire Bay is huge, however there isn't much to do in the city. Besides the missions and a couple of side missions. For instance selling stolen cars to mobsters. Otherwise this is an empty city with nothing to do. When it comes to driving Mafia II has a speed limit system. If you go over the speed limit the cops will be after to give you a ticket. Playing it I find it very strange, that the cops will give you a ticket for speeding, but not running a red light. However the speed limit system gives the game realism. Players if you think you are just going to go a killing spree, beware cops are everywhere. If you hijack a car, chances are a cop will be there around the corner. Shoot someone chances are the cops will be right there. The free roam aspect of the game is very limited and disappointing.

The missions that you take for the mob are pretty standard. Some missions you have to blow up a building, wack some guy, intimidate some workers. Each mission is different, but it can get a little repetitive. However the gun fights are very enjoyable. Just like many shooters today, players have the ability to regenerate they health, if they just duck and cover. However this doesn't always work because the A.I. will sometimes run up to you and shoot. Mafia II also has a fighting system. Where players will fight one one one with their opponent. Players will have a strong attack, quick attack and dodge button. If the players dodge correctly they will be able to counter attack. Their is also special finishers players will gain as the story goes on. I must note that if you are going to play this game play it on the Xbox 360. As a owner of the PS3 I experience lag issues and freezing once in a while.

Gameplay Video



Graphics - The graphics is wonderful to look at. 2K really made sure that players will get the 1940's to 50's, feel of New York, San Francisco and Chicago. There is very much detail from billboards, cafes and even things that they eat. However on one of the missions when you are on the roof and you get to see the entire city. The graphics doesn't look so pretty. Other than that complaint and a few lag issues on PS3. The graphics hold up pretty well.

Sound - Besides the well written story. Sound is one of the games strongest points. The music 2K has chosen from composition to the radio is flawless. If you love music from the golden age, you will love driving through Empire Bay. Voice acting is wonderful. Every actor major or minor hits their mark. The actors make this world believable. Only complaint will be the Asian and Black voices sound a little stereotypical, but it doesn't ruin the experience.

Replay Value - With playboy magazines to collect, wanted to posters to destroy. Jimmy's Betrayal DLC to play through. Not to mention a great story that you would want to relive at least twice. Mafia II will keep your attention for a while.

Final Grade B- Great story, great production and fun gunplay. However the open world aspect is very disappointing. With cops everywhere it's hard to really create havoc in the city. There are some lag issues, but the game is solid enough to keep you playing for a while. Final grade is a B-.

Batman Arkham City Screenshots

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With Arkham City due to be released in 2011, fans have been dying to see anything from the new game. Well screenshots were recently released online, and I must say the game looks amazing. We get to see Two-Face, Catwoman and Harley has a new look to her. Check out some of the pics below.

The Bat & The Cat


Hey Bats How's It Hanging?


The Only Morality Is Chance!


The Dark Knight


Boom Baby!

Replay (Animated Short Film) By AnothyVoisin

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I found this great short film on Youtube. Credit to the Aniboom.com and their channel for posting it up. This is a really good animated short, check out the summary below.

In a destroyed world, the only glimpse of hope is the memory of a forgotten past. But be careful not to let your dreams control your mind...This is Replay an amazing animated short film. Animation by anthonyvoisin



Taiko no Tatsujin Wii Dodoon to 2 Yome Review

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The Taiko series is one of the most fun games in Japan. I finally got a chance to play the game. I can tell you that the game is very addictive, and one of the most fun music games I have played. However the question is should you import it?

Story - You play as your Mii character and you are on a mission. The mission is to build a baby Taiko Watadon. How do you build the baby? It's very simple you have to play music, and it will give it battery life. The story is simple, but since it's a music game it's not the strongest point.

Gameplay - Gamers that are familiar with the DJ Max series should feel right at home. The gameplay is simple and very addictive. Players will hold the Wii Mote sideways. Players will have to press the 1 and 2 button depending on the color red or blue. Time it right and you will get the points. Press 1 for Red and 2 for Blue. For such a simple gameplay you will not stop until you have the best score. With 70 songs to choose from, that includes J-Pop, Anime, Videogame themes and original works from Namco themselves. Players will surely have a lot of game time to master each song. Don't think that because the gameplay is simple that it's easy. In fact the game suggest that you start on Rookie level. As you start developing your skills, the songs get harder. It's a challenging game and you will have to be quick with the buttons.

Gameplay Video


Graphics - The graphics are very colorful. It has a Anime style and gives you the Japanese Pop culture feel to it. I also love the edition of your Mii's being incorporated in the game. The graphics also include the lyrics to the game on each song, so if you can read Japanese sing along. Overall the graphics do what it's suppose to do. It gives you a fun feel with style and cool art design.

Sound - A music game with horrible songs will ruin the game. However this game is not one of those games. The music is amazing! If you love J-pop music this is a must get. For the Otakus out there some songs you can play with is "Dragon Soul" and "Cruel Angel Thesis." Gamers will love to play with the theme from "Dragon Quest IX." With so many songs to play with, you will find yourself looking at Itunes to find them. The sound does not fail in any aspect. However there will be some songs that you will never play. But this game really delivers.

Replay Value - If you are like me and want to be a master. You will play every song, over and over until you have the top scores. You can also grab your friend and really have a ball. It's a great party game that all will return too.

Final Grade A+ - Do you love J-pop? Do you like a music game with an Anime style to it? Do you want something challeging that you can play over an over? Well this is the music game for you. Great music, great gameplay and very addictive. This is a really good import to get.

OtakusandGeeks.com Team Shirts

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As many of you know half the team will be going to New York Comic Con in October. We decided that official team shirts, would be our avatars we made at Faceyourmanga.com. Then I went to Cafepress.com and made the individual teams shirts. Here is Anime Angel and myself team shirts. Once Bess and Red are done with their Avatars we'll you will see.

Anime Angel Shirt Front Side.


Anime Angel Shirt Back Side.


The Cool One Front Side


The Cool One Back Side

Psycho Staff (Manga Review)

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"To Hiiragi Kouichi-kun. I'll be waiting for you after school behind the school gym."- Sakuragi Umeko. Little did Kouichi know by meeting this girl, he would be changing his life forever.

Story - When Kouichi gets what would be a love letter from Sakuragi, he's excited. Then Sakuragi throws all thoughts of romance out the window. She tells Kouichi that she wants to take him to Planet R'lyeh. Kouichi extremely weirded out by this leaves the area. However this won't be the last time he will see Sakuragi. Sakuragi begins following Kouichi everywhere. Kouichi finally decides to hear Sakuragi out. It turns out that she is an Alien and needs Kouichi help in fighting a war. Kouichi has a rare gift he has esp. He is a rare class B of esp. Sakuragi needs Kouichi to come with her, so he can train and join the Psycho Staff. However Kouichi refuses and doesn't care about power, responsibility or war. Kouichi wants to live a normal life. He just wants to study and go to a university. It's not until Sakuragi rival Himehagi Himeko Sensei, starts testing Kouichi that he gets serious.

The story by Satoshi Mizukami is well written. The characters you fall in love with. Sakuragi attempts to try to bring Kouichi into the Psycho Staff is fun to read. I really love the style of comedy, action and the innocence romance. What really makes brought me home with the manga was the theme. The theme of power and accepting your gifts. Mizukami stresses through various characters the importance of using your gifts. My favorite character is Sakuragi. She is an odd ball but really has her own principles and values.

Final Grade B+ - Psycho Staff is a well written Manga. It has a great theme, great ending and the director's notes are funny. The characters might be a little underdeveloped, however it doesn't hurt the story. The pacing is well done and you will Re-Read it again. I hope this will become an OVA or a short Anime Series. I can see Laura Bailey and Chris Patton in these roles.

Fan Artist Of The Week #2 (Moyogi)

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This week's Fan Artist of the week, is an artist name Moyogi. I found this artist doing a google search of Ouran High School fan art. It took me to the artist page which you can click below. Here is a little taste of the artist work. I really like the Pokemon one. It really brings out the anime feel of Ash and Pikachu. Anime Rules!!!! Moyogi Otaku Art Page


Which Country Are You?

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So you all saw the post of me having a new anime obsession which is Hetalia! Throughout the whole anime, it concentrates on countries fighting in world war 1 and 2 with others in the making. I want to find out which Hetalia country or countries you are in the comments below. However, in order to answer this question, you must watch Hetalia on this site (Funimation.com). Trust me, even if your not a history buff (like me) you would like it more after watching this show. After watching some of the episodes I will probably laugh inside since I'm thinking about the Hetalia characters! ^0^.

Italy is very close to what I am. I love to give hugs and I can get really crazy sometimes. Also I may get annoying but I have a fun side. Also some things that I do either lack common sense, seems out of wack or totally sensible lol. And he is also cute along with Chibiitalia! PASTA!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a song Italy sings to Germany in the anime and I do not own this. I only have the lyrics but you will know the tune when you watch the episode. (ep. 3) (This is not to offend anybody out there and if it does I'm sorry.)

"Germany! Germany! Germany is a really really nice place."

"Even though I'm your prisoner, you give me food."

"And it doesn't suck like English food."

Sausages, with cheeses always taste so good."

"It'd be heaven for a dog. Yeah, that's Germany."
(fast part)

"Tell me, How is it you Germans are so robust? You're crushing me with your intimidation."

"My fragility causes me to openly weep out of fear. Your women terrify me."

"Is it the norm to drink a barrel of beer and then bust it on somebody's head?"

"Please don't come to my place in large mobs. German tourists are scary."

"Even the girls that are from Germany are more rugged than I am. Yahoo!"

Love you Italy! Hetalia Forever!!! Anime Rules!!!!!!!


Arc Rise Fantasia Review

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If there is one genre that the Wii lacks is JRPG's. Enters "Arc Rise Fantasia" to save the day, or to make gamers ears bleed. How does the RPG hold up on the Wii? Is this game an instant classic? Or a game that needs to return to the blueprints?

Story - The game takes place in a world called "Fulheim." The people of the world have a problem, with a group of monsters named "Feld Dragons."The Feld Dragons are causing havoc across the land. When the dragons horde is a discover a fight begins. Enters our protagonist L'Arc. L'Arc fights in this battle and is injured. However his life is saved by a traveler named Ryfia. Ryfia is a diva who travels to Fulheim to search for the "Child Of Eesa." The Child Of Eesa is a child of a God, who can change the Imaginal's law. Thus begins our adventure.

The story can be confusing and complex at times. However it does provide a little twist and turns to see you to the end. The characters are interesting enough, but they are not memorable. I felt the story was all over the place in the beginning. However when it reaches the middle it comes together.

Gameplay - The gameplay is a turn based RPG. This turn based has a few different things about it. You control three characters, usually L'Arc, Ryfia and Prince Alf. All members of the team will share the AP gauge. Depending on what attack you use, you might find yourself waiting for the next round to attack. For instance, let's say Ryfia cure takes all the space for your AP gauge. Since her attack takes all the AP, you will be unable to use L'Arc or Alf until the next turn. This game makes you really think twice about using the powerful attacks. If you want your gauge higher you will have to grind. Even though this gameplay was design to bring strategy. I found it annoying and very frustrating at times. I would've enjoyed it better if each character had their own gauge. The A.I. ranges from easy to hard. The boss battles can be very difficult, expect to grind a lot in order to barely survive. You will die a lot in this game. Players are able to summon beast which is called the Rogress system. The summons are very, very helpful in this game. Finally players are able to upgrade their weapons and magic. Upgrades can be found in stores and items enemies leave on the battlefield. The gameplay will take some getting used to it, but once you master it you will enjoy it.

Gameplay Video


Graphics - The graphics is not terrible. However the graphics won't blow you away. It's nothing really special and some parts look outdated. For Wii standards it's a disappointment. The CGI cutscenes are great to look at though. The land sometimes are hideous to look at and there are some texture issues. Overall it's okay but not special.


Sound - The music is good to listen too. It brings the Merdian Empire to life. It plays right with the tone and theme of the game. However it's not something I will be rushing to buy. We do get to new songs from Japanese singers Nami Tamaki and Yui Makino though. The english voice acting is horrible. I would go as far as to say the worst so far this year. The actors sound bored and uninspired. Don't take my word for it. Here is a sample of the voice acting. Press play below.

Arc Rise Fantasia Voice Acting



Replay Value - Unless you want to take the journey again, I don't see no replay value.

Final Grade C- Arc Rise Fantasia gets a C-. The game is challenging and has a unique story. The music is decent but the english voice acting is horrible. The graphics are average, however if you want to experience a Rpg that's out of the box. Then go ahead and give this game a shot.