Dante is back in a new Devil May Cry game and he looks like he's got a chip or two on his shoulder. The new game is being developed by Ninja Theory, simply called DmC, is starring a much younger and more rebellious Dante. It's also going to be a reboot of the franchise (because lord knows it needs one.)
Obviously there are fans who are pissed simply at the fact that his hair isn't white. That's like complaining that Sonic's eyes are green. I personally don't mind his new look. I'm not saying I'm in love with it, (his hair looks pretty Bieberriffic) but it's not too bad.
Yesterday I took a trip to Chinatown and went import shopping. I saw this game which I'm dying to play. However they wanted $115 dollars. That is heavy price for a import. In case you are not familiar with the Another Century series. It's a game where all the big names in Mech Anime come together and have an all out brawl. Check out the trailer below. The game came out last month.
Here is our review on DC's latest animated film "Superman/Batman Apocalypse." Is movie worth watching? Or should skip this latest adventure. Find out below.
Is he strong? Listen bud he's got radioactive blood. Can he swing from a thread? Just take a look overhead, hey there here comes the Spiderman. Spiderman returns in a new adventure. However this time the amazing Spiderman is not alone. He has three other Spidermen to help along the way. Should you suit for this new adventure?
Story - Mysterio is at again. He's after the Tables Of Order and Chaos. A powerful tablet that gives amazing power. During the battle with Mysterio, the tablet shattered and scatters across the dimensions. Enters Madame Web, the annoying old lady who seems always to interrupt Spiderman's life. Madame Web brings three other Spidermen to aid the Amazing Spiderman. The other three Spidermen are Spiderman Noir, Spiderman 2099 and Ultimate Spiderman. Together the Spidermen would have to stop the villains in their dimensions, who has the fragments and restore order to the universe.
The story is fun. It's a great concept to bring more Spidermen into the game. Great use of villains. Out of all the Spiderman games, this one really nails Spidey's wits and jokes . The story brings back the fun loving webslinger we all fell in love with.
Gameplay - Unlike previous installments of Spiderman games. Spiderman Shattered Dimensions is not an open world game. The game is level based, which you will use a different Spiderman in each level. Each Spiderman has his own unique of fighting. For instance Spiderman Noir main tactic is stealth. Ultimate Spiderman uses the symbiote suit, which has a rage meter to give him that extra strength. Spiderman 2999 is more skilled in acrobatics and web slinging, his combat skills are also the best in the game. Finally the Amazing Spiderman can attack with combat and web attack, such as web hammer. Players will also earn points for upgrades, during missions. There are two type of upgrades, the character upgrades and combat upgrades. The character upgrades is where players will be able to upgrade their health, rage meter and other Spiderman abilities. Combat upgrades players can earn new devastating combat moves.
The levels are a blast to play. However you will see it does get repetitive with the way it happens. Villain has fragment, chase the villain, villain stops and you fight some bad guys. Then villain runs again and uses fragment to get stronger. Finally a boss battle happens. The A.I. can get a little challenging thanks to large numbers of enemies. But this nothing that a little thinking and Spidey Sense can't fix. The boss fights ranges from normal to hard. During the boss fight there will be a point, where you will have to fight in first persons. Players will use the analog sticks to control Spidey hands to punch and block. On the Wii version you just throw your punches like how you would do in real life. If you want more in depth experience with the combat, the Wii version is the right choice. Thanks to it's motion control I had more fun fighting than on the PS3 and Xbox 360. However webslinging is a little awkward for the Wii. It takes some getting use too. Overall the gameplay is enjoyable for all systems.
Gameplay Video
Graphics - As you can see in the gameplay video above. Their is just a color and filter difference between the Wii version and Ps3, Xbox 360. Otherwise the graphics look great for the Spiderman universe. It gives us a comic book feel to it. It's not the best graphics of the year, but it really does Spiderman justice. The Wii Version is a lot more brighter than it's HD companions. However it doesn't really hurt the experience. The graphics is does it job to give us a real Spiderman comic book feel. Sound - The sound pulls all the stops for the fans of the Spiderman cartoons. Each Spiderman is played by one of the leads from a previous series. Christopher Daniel Barnes from Spiderman TAS returns to play Spiderman Noir. Neil Patrick Harris who played Spiderman in Spiderman The New Animated Series voices Amazing Spiderman. Josh Keaton from Spectacular Spiderman voices Ultimate Spiderman. The most surprising to us was they got Dan Gilvezan who voiced Spidey in Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends, plays Spiderman 2099. Needless to say the voice acting is top notch with talented actors from all over the animated and film universe. The music is generic and not really memorable though.
Replay Value - If you want to unlock all the Spidey suits. Also collect all the little goodies along the way. Then go for it. This game you will play at least two more times. But outside the main game it doesn't offer much at all sadly/
Final Grade B- Solid voice acting, fun gameplay that can get a little repetitve. However there is little to offer in replay value. The story is decent and interesting enough, but it's just good enough to keep you going. The graphics give a comic book fell which really brings you into Spidey's world. Final Grade is a B-. Enjoy the sweet cameos. That Merc really does have a mouth.
Here is our audio review on the Robotech Perfect Collection. This album is a must own for all die hard Robotech fans! It is a two disc set with both vocal and instrumentals, from your favorite Saga's. Final Grade is an A+.
The new Marvel Vs Capcom trailer is out. We get to see more characters in this one. Okami fans rejoice he is in the game. But the roster seems to be the same as always with only a few new additions.
Some of the first photos of the upcoming movie "Captain America The First Avenger" has been released. We get a clear view of Cap's costume and a look at his bike. Keep in mind that the photos are not of Chris Evans. The photos of his stuntman. Hey the shield looks pretty good though.
Teachers! We all have that one teacher that freak us out. Or that one teacher that makes us say. "Wow they are crazy." In "Delusional Teacher" we get a teacher who is extreme. However is her course worth taking? Or should you cut the class?
Story - The story follows a unnamed teacher with just one wish. She wishes to have a relationship with a student. Not a relationship in dating, but have an apprentice of sorts. However this is not going to be realized because everyone is a afraid of her. The students have good reasons to be afraid, she is a science teacher who does these weird experiments. One day second year student Yuuki Mina, goes to the teacher asking for help with a problem on science. When Yuuki ask for help, the teacher becomes overexcited and eventually mad. She starts stalking Yuuki watching her every move. She ease drops on her conversations and takes out anyone who talks bad about her. When the teacher finds out that people are trying to stop Yuuki from seeing her, all hell breaks loose.
You would think that a story about a psycho teacher would be great. Sadly this is not the case. The story is flat, characters are underdeveloped. Plus the teacher doesn't even have a name. The story lacks detail and you feel no connection to the characters. It's 25 pages long, but reading it you feel like the story was rushed. So many questions never get answered or raised. How did the teacher become like that? Who is she? Why is everyone avoiding her? Basic information that you will expect to know about a character you do not get here. However the illustrations are very detail, but that is not going to save this lackluster story.
Final Grade D+ - The story is rushed, underdeveloped and you don't really care for it. However the illustration and detail to setting is great. However this is a one time quick read.
Bioware has released their final DLC for Dragon Age Origins. This last DLC focuses on what happen's to Morrigan after the blight. This will contain spoilers so do not read if you haven't beaten the game.
For my Dragon Age game I used my Dalish Elf from Origins. I had a relationship with Morrigan and did the ritual with her. Now the DLC introduces my character "Falcon" looking for her with my Dog at Flemeth's hut. Here we are introduce to another Dalish Elf named "Ariane." She is also looking for Morrigan because Morrigan stole her clan's book. I'm looking for Morrigan because I love her. Now I won't spoil it any further. I will just say that the ending was not worth the hype. It's an open ended and you get no type of closer. It's a cliffhanger and the challenge is very easy. There is only one boss fight and it's against a creature name "Varterral." The DLC is very short it will take 2 hours the most. I was expecting more from this DLC, but what do you want for 7 bucks. The gameplay is the same as you control four different characters. There is new armors and weapons to collect. You can still level up your character. This DLC just doesn't offer much, besides two new characters who aren't really that interesting. There also is some bug issues with the ending. Sometimes the game will assume that you didn't take the ritual. Then sometimes it will say you did, when your character didn't. This problem is most known on PC and Xbox 360. On the PS3 it doesn't have this problem. Overall it's very disappointing.
Final Grade C- The DLC is short and the story is a cliffhanger ending. Most likely you will get your answers in March for Dragon Age II. You are only going to four to five locations. Even though it's 7 dollars, I can say this DLC only for the hardcore fans.
A loner who seeks aid from a Video Girl to help him win the girl of his dreams. However this get complicated when the Video Girl falls in love with the loner. Check out our review of "Video Girl AI."
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-.
This week's retro game look back is the entire Sonic The Hedgehog trilogy. Sonic 1,2 and 3 were all classic games. Let's take a quick trip down memory lane with our favorite Hedgehog.
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!
We here at Otakus and Geeks and the Ouran Host Club (^0^) wish you all to have a great Labor Day. For all of you students who go back to school tomorrow, be good and have a great first day back! Anime Rules!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today on Music Monday, Justin counts down his favorite song from Japanese band "Do As Infinity." Do As Infinity many will know from their hit song "Shinjitsu No Uta." Check out Justin's top ten songs below. Duration Time 50 Mins.
