Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons Review
/Starbreeze Studios and 505 Games bring us a unique downloadable game for the PSN and XBOX 360. Brothers: A Tale Of Two Sons tells the story of two brothers on a journey to save their father from a fatal illness. Is the journey worth the $14.99 price of admission? Or should this journey not be taken?
Story -
The story kicks off with the younger brother paying respects to his mother's grave, from there you get a flashback on how she lost her life. Once the flashback is over the older brother enters to the scene informing the younger brother that the father has fallen ill. The story has a unique way of storytelling. Without any real dialogue to move the story it relies on actions, facial expressions and emotion to tell what the characters are feeling. Fans of games like ICO and Shadow of The Colossus will be use to this type of storytelling. I thought it was very clever to do characterization of the older brother and younger brother through interactions with people they meet on the road. As you progress and visit different towns you will find out more about what type of person each brother is. The younger brother is more care free and also a prankster. He will play tricks on the townspeople like pinching them, pouring water on them and more. The older brother is more laid back and more focused on the mission except when it comes one girl. Overall the story is moving when it hits the right beats. Characters are likable and the characters you meet are interesting.
Gameplay -
The gameplay is unique to stay the least. Players will have to control both brothers at the same time using the left analog stick for the older brother and the right analog stick for the younger brother. The controls will take some getting use to since you have to keep your eyes on both brothers to see what direction they are going. The shoulder buttons of L2 and R2 controls each brother's interaction and is used to engaged townspeople and solve puzzles. L1 and R1 are use to control the camera. The gameplay is as simple as it gets and the puzzles are not that challenging. The biggest challenge you will find in this game is controlling each brother at the same time. You can however control one brother and then have him wait and then control the other brother to make sure he catches up. I find that easier at times, but it's more better and less tedious if you control both at the same time.
While the gameplay is simple and easy and runs smoothly there are some glitches with the control movement sometimes. Characters sometimes don't respond as accurate as it should and movement can feel awkward at times. In chapter 2 there is a puzzle that involves you taking a key from a giant who has his back turned. Unfortunately the glitch will have the giant facing towards you making the puzzle unplayable. In order to fix this glitch you will have restart the entire chapter. Even though the game is short and the chapters only go up to eight this glitch is annoying and should be patched. Other then those complaints the game is fun to play and you will enjoy it in the short time it takes to beat it.
Graphics -
The graphics are good, not the best graphics in the downloadable game land but good enough. The graphics really shine in the woods where the brothers encounter a group of wolves. This segment of the game shows the lightning effect as the brothers have to use torches in a foggy, dark environment. Other highlights is the land of ice in the mountains. The snow and water look absolutely beautiful I wish there was more of the mountain top in this game.
Sound -
The game does contain some voice acting and even though you won't understand what's being said it's pretty good. The music shines very well capturing the emotional and epic journey the brothers face. The opening song sets the tone for the entire game and this is an ost I would recommended you check out.
Replay Value -
The game will take you about 4 to 5 hours to beat. It doesn't offer much replay value, unless you want to check out all the interactions you can do with the environment.
Final Grade 8.5/B+:
Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons will be a sleeper hit among gamers. It has a great story, unique gameplay, beautiful music and graphics. It has all the elements for a great experience for a couple hours. The downside will be the game is short, the glitch in chapter 2 will be frustrating for some and the controls take a while to get use too. Overall this is a solid game that you need to have in your collection.
Yu-Gi-Oh: The Official First Season DVD Review
/New On Nick.com is Legend of Korra Book 2: Dark Into Light
/"Homer Simpson’s Little Book of Laziness" on Sale Sept. 10
/Also covering Homer’s lazy takes on classic art, his indispensable tips on lethargic eating, housework avoidance, and many more sluggish subjects, Homer Simpson’s Little Book of Laziness is a must-read for ne’er-do-wells everywhere. Packed with inserts and special features, such as an eight-page pullout Sloth Man comic and a foldout “Anatomy of a Layabout” feature—focusing on fellow lazybones Barney Gumble—Homer Simpson’s Little Book of Laziness is absolutely bursting with idleness.
Homer Simpson’s Little Book of Laziness is the first title in the Vault of Simpsonology, an exciting new twelve-book series that delves into the zany worldview of Simpsons favorites such as Bart, Lisa, and Mr. Burns. Filled with inserts and special features, this colorful collection provides an insider’s look at the everyday lives, best-kept secrets, and sage advice of the beloved characters. Entertaining, humorous, and informative, the Vault of Simpsonology will delight Simpsons fans everywhere.
Microsoft Announces Jinni as Xbox Video Discovery Engine
/“Creating the most amazing entertainment experience means always putting the customer experience first,” said Dave Alles, Xbox General Manager. “Our goal is to make it effortless to get you to entertainment you’ll truly love. Pairing Jinni’s Entertainment Genome™ with other key advances such as Conversational Understanding, makes finding something to watch on Xbox as fun as watching it.”
“The inspiration for Jinni has always been putting the user at the center of the entertainment experience, by making finding great content intuitive and fun,” said Jinni Co-founder and CEO, Yosi Glick. “We are happy to be a part of the legendary Xbox entertainment experience.”
About Jinni
Jinni is the first and only taste-and-mood based engine powering entertainment discovery. Using content genetics and nuanced understanding of user tastes, the Jinni engine powers a uniquely intuitive and personalized experience that increases content consumption and consumer satisfaction.
The Jinni service is powered by the Entertainment Genome™, containing thousands of genes that are assigned to each title to describe mood, style, plot, setting and more; this is a rich alternative to the
usual genre language, which benefits both the quality of the content delivered as well as the intuitive semantic-based user experience. New titles are automatically indexed via analysis of user reviews and synopses, using a proprietary Natural Language Processing solution.
First Trailer for Robocop Remake
/EA Sports Announced Next UFC Game Will Feature Female Fighters
/Electronic Arts Inc. today announced that EA SPORTS™ UFC will feature playable female fighters for the first time ever in a UFC videogame. This groundbreaking moment is headlined by UFC Women's Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey and top bantamweight contender Miesha Tate, the historic inaugural female coaches on the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter.
Starting next Spring, players will "Feel the Fight" in the Octagon™ and experience the crippling power of Rousey's signature armbar, the ferocious intensity of Tate's grappling, and many other fighting styles from an esteemed roster of female fighters in EA SPORTS UFC.
"This is a great moment for videogames and for Mixed Martial Arts," said Dean Richards, General Manager, EA SPORTS UFC. "In our commitment to delivering the most realistic fighting experience ever achieved, we wanted to represent the full spectrum of talent and diversity of all the fighters in the sport, including women who have become an undeniable force to be reckoned with."
"Since we added the Women's Bantamweight division earlier this year, the women have impressed everyone," said Dana White, UFC President. "The fights are always exciting, Ronda Rousey is as talented as any champion in the UFC and her rivalry with Miesha Tate is one of the most intense in UFC history. The female division has become a huge part of the UFC and fans will now be able to experience fighting with them in the game."
Max Steel Movie Announced
/“Max Steel” tells the story of teenager Maxwell McGrath and alien companion Steel who can combine special turbo-energy powers to generate sensational superhero Max Steel. The storyline centers on bringing a positive and relatable hero to kids, drawing upon turbo-charged teamwork, laughter and friendship.
"Glee" Star Jane Lynch Gets Star On Hollywood Walk of Fame
/KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX Launch Event at Downtown Disney District
/Also while supplies last, Square Enix will be giving away posters, T-shirts, merchandise signed by franchise director Tetsuya Nomura and limited edition collectible pins with purchase of the KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX. Limited quantities of the game (which include the 24-page artbook) are made specially available two days prior to the official release date. Everyone is invited to visit the official Facebook® event page where details will be unveiled.
Upcoming December 2013 Releases From Section 23 Films
/Title: GIRLS UND PANZER TV COLLECTION BLU-RAY
Title: MAGICAL PLAY COMPLETE
Title: BIG, BAD MAMA-SAN
Title: BTOOOM! COMPLETE
Title: BTOOOM! COMPLETE BLU-RAY
Title: KOKORO CONNECT OVA COMPLETE
Title: KOKORO CONNECT OVA COMPLETE BLU-RAY
Title: DI GI CHARAT OVA SERIES
Title: THE PET GIRL OF SAKURASOU 1
Title: NYAN KOI! COMPLETE BLU-RAY
SYNOPSIS: Saying that Junpei Kosaka's allergic to cats is something of an understatement, just thinking about cats can make him sneeze. A fact that seems to be lost on his mother and sister, who both ADORE cats. And if that wasn't bad enough, when Junpei inadvertently damages a statue of a cat deity, he becomes cursed with the ability to understand felines. Now Junpei must perform one hundred great favors for cat-kind or face the fate of being turned into a cat himself! Life quickly becomes a purrfect hell as every cat in the neighborhood starts sending Junpei their list of "requests." But it's not just the cats: the local Yakuza's daughter is playing cat and mouse; the monk's daughters are acting catty; Junpei's childhood best friend is ready to use him as a scratching post; and the girl he has a secret crush on is as cat crazy as the rest! Get ready for the ultimate catfight on the road to purrdition in this cataclysmic complete collection of Nyan Koi!
Title: SO, I CAN'T PLAY H COMPLETE
SYNOPSIS: Never make a deal with a wet goddess you've only just met. That's a lesson Ryosuke Kaga learns the hard way when he foolishly agrees to let Lisara Restole use some of his "essence" to stay in this world. Because despite her smoking hot appearance, Lisara's actually a Shinigami, a Goddess of Death. However, she doesn't steal years off his life like any decent Shinigami would do. Oh no, instead she sucks off his lecherous spirit, draining his ability to enjoy… well, the things that teenage boys normally spend most of their time thinking about! And now the poor degenerate's only hope of getting his licentiousness renewed is to join the Lisara on her quest, since when she leaves our mortal plane he regains his normal immorality! But Shinigami can be really harsh mistresses and it's going to be anything but easy to go back to being sleazy in So I Can't Play H!
Title: SO, I CAN'T PLAY H COMPLETE BLU-RAY
SYNOPSIS: Never make a deal with a wet goddess you've only just met. That's a lesson Ryosuke Kaga learns the hard way when he foolishly agrees to let Lisara Restole use some of his "essence" to stay in this world. Because despite her smoking hot appearance, Lisara's actually a Shinigami, a Goddess of Death. However, she doesn't steal years off his life like any decent Shinigami would do. Oh no, instead she sucks off his lecherous spirit, draining his ability to enjoy… well, the things that teenage boys normally spend most of their time thinking about! And now the poor degenerate's only hope of getting his licentiousness renewed is to join the Lisara on her quest, since when she leaves our mortal plane he regains his normal immorality! But Shinigami can be really harsh mistresses and it's going to be anything but easy to go back to being sleazy in So I Can't Play H!
New On Nick.com SpongeBob SquarePants Marble Bash
/Shattered Planet Showing At Boston FIG
/Screenshots
Otakus & Geeks: Netflix Picks Of The Week #1
/Pick Number 1
Genre - Romantic Comedy
Title - My Awkward Sexual Adventure
Synopsis - To win back his ex-girlfriend, a conservative accountant enlists the help of an exotic dancer to guide him on a quest for sexual experience, leading him into a world of strip clubs, sensual massage parlors, cross-dressing and S & M.
Trailer
Why You Should Watch: The movie is funny, the story is good and the chemistry between the two main leads are enjoyable to watch. This film lives up to the title with tons of awkward moments that can rival some of your favorite sex comedy's like American Pie, Superbad etc. The opening scene alone will have you laughing and does a great way of pacing the rest of the film.
Pick Number 2
Genre - Foreign Action Comedy
Title - Quick
Synopsis - Gi-soo, Myeong-sik and Ah-rom were members of the same notorious motorcycle gang. They enjoyed their days roaming the streets recklessly on the motorcycles. Now, Gi-soo works as a motorcycle delivery man, Myeong-sik is a motorcycle cop and Ah-rom is a pop idol singer. One day, Gi-soo has Ah-rom riding on the back of his motorcycle as he makes a delivery. To his surprise the delivery package explodes. Gi-soo's cellphone rings and he hears a voice telling him that their is another bomb planted in his helmet which Ah-rom is wearing. Gi-soo is ordered to take another delivery. If the delivery is late or he attempts to run away the helmet will explode.
Trailer
Why You Should Watch: This movie really defines the saying this can only happen in the movies. The action is over top and suspended disbelief, but I found it entertaining as hell. The acting is enjoyable with over the top with facial expressions, the plot is decent but not great. However it's the performances and the funny characters that will keep you watching. It's not great but if you want a fun film give this one a shot.
Pick Number 3
Genre - Foreign TV Show
Title - Killer K
Synopsis - Cha Yeon Jin is a high school girl whose outwardly normal existence and reticent character masks her true identity: she is a professional assassin who is seeking vengeance for her mother after watching her killed in front of her eyes. She infiltrates SS1, the secret organization that her mother was connected to, by becoming one of their killers, all the while trying to track down her mother's murderer.
Trailer:
Why You Should Watch: I didn't expect this to be a character driven, emotional ride from the trailers. However "Killer K" doesn't miss a beat in the story, action, music and direction. This is a must watch mini series. What makes this really great is the character's progression and development over the course of six episode. I won't spoil anymore just put this in your instant queue.
Pick Number 4
Genre - TV Show Kids
Title - Tron Uprising
Synopsis - Beck is a young program who becomes the skillful leader of a revolution inside the computer world of the Grid. His mission is to free his home and friends from the reign of the villainous Clu and his henchman General Tesler. Beck will be trained by Tron, the greatest warrior the Grid has ever known. Tron will not only teach Beck the fighting and light cycle skills he needs to challenge this brutal military occupation, but he will be a guide and mentor to him as he grows beyond his youthful, impulsive nature into a courageous, powerful, strong leader. Destined to become "the next Tron", Beck adopts Tron's persona and becomes the arch enemy of General Tesler and his oppressive forces.
Trailer
Why You Should Watch: This series bridges the gap between TRON and TRON Legacy. It also has great voice acting from Elijah Wood, Bruce Boxleitner, Tricia Helfer and Paul Rebuens. The animation is not bad and the story and it's characters are great. This was truly one of the best shows on Disney XD.
Pick Number 5
Genre - Netflix Original Series
Title - Orange Is The New Black
Synopsis - Piper Chapman’s wild past comes back to haunt her, resulting in her arrest and detention in a federal penitentiary. To pay her debt to society, Piper trades her comfortable New York life for an orange prison jumpsuit and finds unexpected conflict and camaraderie amidst an eccentric group of inmates.
Trailer
Why You Should Watch: This series has a great balance of comedy and drama. The story is based on true story and has a lot of social commentary on the prison system. The characters are all flushed out well and it does a great job pacing the story.
New Kingdom Hearts HD 1.5 Remix Trailer
/YOUKA NITTA’s "EMBRACING LOVE" As A Special 2-IN-1 EDITON
/Nintendo Announces 2DS & Zelda Wii U Bundle
/The most shocking news is the announcement of the Nintendo 2DS. Nintendo 2DS is designed specifically for anyone looking for a more affordable entry point into the world of Nintendo hand-held video games. Nintendo 2DS will be available in Red or Blue on Oct. 12 at a suggested retail price of $129.99. Think DS 2.0 without the 3D. You can view the trailer below.
5 Villains We Would Like To See Ben Affleck's Batman Face In The New DC Film Universe
/1. Hush
Hush is one villain I think should be the first one to get the live action treatment. I think it will be a great conflict to have someone from Bruce Wayne's childhood resurface. Thomas Elliot aka Hush will be a great villain because he not only holds keys to Bruce Wayne's past, he also will challenge Batman on the intellectual level. In the graphic novel "Hush" Thomas Elliot was always one step ahead of Batman. Everything Hush done was well thought out and carefully executed. It will be interesting to see how filmmakers will be able to use him if he was a villain in the future franchise.
2. Black Mask
Black Mask is a character I really would love to see as well. His backstory of coming from a rich family that neglected him as a child is enough for his character to have a lot of psychological analysis in the movie. His resentment to the Wayne family and Bruce Wayne makes for a great story, add his control of Gotham's mob into the mix and you have one action packed crime drama.
3. Mad Hatter
I know for some fans the Mad Hatter might be a little campy for the realistic tone DC is going for. However I think if done correctly with the right script and actor the Mad Hatter can be creepy. His psychological profile of obsessive compulsive behavior is enough to scare audiences. If they ground the character a little bit and make his obsession a little more realistic this Batman film could be a real thriller. In addition the mind control aspect that the Mad Hatter uses as a weapon is very intriguing to play with story wise. Imagine if he controls Batman and have him do something he vows not to do like kill somebody it will make for one epic showdown.
4. Harley Quinn
I know this is probably not going to happen because in order to have Harley Quinn you need The Joker. Since Heath Ledger performance as The Joker has set the bar high for Joker performances it's unlikely we will see Joker for a while. However I would love to see Harley get her shine and if filmmakers follow the story of "Mad Love" it will really put a smile one my face. Harley fall from good girl to bad girl is interesting to see and I would love to see her love for the Joker explored deeper.
5. Red Hood
If Robin is going to show up in this new universe I would like to see Jason Todd. Mainly because the tragic story that follows him. Unlike other Robin's Jason has some serious demons and anger issues. He's one of the Robin's that went rogue and his death affected Bruce the most. Even though we saw this story in the amazing "Under The Red Hood" animated movie I would love to see it done in live action.
Who would you like to see Batman face in the new film universe leave a comment below and tell us.
Photoshop World 2013 Expo In Las Vegas On September 4th - September 6th
/- Adobe will be providing a Free 1 year subscription to the Adobe Creative Cloud to all full conference registrants
- The Adobe Photoshop team will be on hand for a live Code-a-thon where developers will be taking suggestions and working on changes for a future release of Photoshop.
- Adobe will also be providing a sneak peek of new technologies
- The Wacom team will be on hand to demo the new Cintiq Companion line plus Wacom will be announcing a new product live at the Keynote Session
- Canon will be providing 200 Canon users with a Free Camera Sensor Cleaning
- Wescott will host live photo shoot training from the expo floor, featuring elaborate sets, professional models and world class instructors
- Industry Vendor Expo features over 50 exhibitors and live training,
- The expo floor is open to those who purchase Photoshop World Conference passes on the 4th, and is free to the general public September 5th and 6th.
- A complete conference schedule is provided at photoshopworld.com.