Sunday, June 28, 2015

Weekend Blog Log (June 28, 2015)

Hello friends, and return readers! It is Sunday, the last day of the weekend. As usual I will disclose what my week consisted of, and what my plans are for the future. As far as last week went it felt like an utter waste of time. For most of the week, and this weekend my days have been a total wash out due to severe weather. It has been unrelenting to say the least. The more the year passes the more, and more I believe climate change is affecting the US. It has been an outright catastrophic year weather-wise for many US citizens including us here in the southern state of Georgia. Whether it's severe weather, drought, earthquakes, or other natural disasters plaguing us we are always being hit hard by something. I can't count on my two hands how many close calls me, and my family have had with the severe weather. It is getting scary. Thankfully today though we are catching a proper break here, and are experiencing some nice dry weather. Even the temperatures seem to have cooled down significantly. For that I'm truly appreciative. I hope the rest of you are also enjoying a nice Sunday too.

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 (PS VITA)



Following in the footsteps of it's last-gen predecessor "Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory", the newly overhauled port of "Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3 V-Generation" adds plenty of extra features to entice fans of the series to return to it's roots on Playstation's 'PS Vita' legacy console. Along with the main story that we know as fans comes additional plot material featuring the cute cast of CPUs from the constantly war torn GameIndustri. Amongst the more lengthy plot, and additional story panels also comes other noticeable game additions, and changes to gameplay. Once you start the game up you'll meet, and greet the CPUs and their sister candidates through the main protagonist, "Neptune" in a visit within her homeland, and her homeland of an alternate reality. Accompanying Nep-Nep (or Neppy, if you prefer) this time around are alternate Lastation's CPU "Noire", and "Plutie" who happens to be the newly crowned CPU of Planeptune in the alternate GameIndustri. Of course there are other girl goddesses (CPUs) involved as well, each of which will be dealing with the current predicament in their own interesting ways.

As you can probably guess the game would not be true to the series without it's evil antagonists included, and to fill those shoes are seven dastardly villains looking to control the GameIndustri as a whole with their oppressive laws, and misdeeds. These bad guys, and gals are known as the 'Seven Sages', and are revealed one by one as they make their debut appearance throughout story panels, and contributing dialogue. All you need to know is that the timeline of events ranges from the NES glory days (Lowee) to Sony's rise as a console maker (Lastation), and even deeper into Microsoft's (Leanbox) involvement in the ongoing console conflicts. There's no doubt things will get crazy as the CPUs clash with their new rivals on the newly introduced battlefield!

Monday, June 22, 2015

Pop! Vinyl #43 - Mad Moxxi

I have decided that I am going to try, and pick up at least one 'Pop! Vinyl' toy each month for review, and collecting purposes. The fact that Gamestop has a large, and unique supply of them now in-store really makes them easier for me to find. I have seen some that I'm definitely going to get in the coming months including some 'X-Files' figures as well as some MARVEL/DC ones. With each POP I pick up I'll also share some details about said figures in regards to their quality, and out-of-box nature. I have realized after having picked up a few retailer POPs on my own dime that not all are as perfect as the figures which the PR send out. Some are sloppily painted while others won't stand on their own two feet. The flaws do vary, and as a display type toy this is kind of bothersome especially if you aim to display them outside of the box. With all that aside though let us talk about what FUNKO's Mad Moxxi has to offer you as a collector ...

Weekly Plans & Goals ...

This past weekend I got so tied up with Destiny, family drama, and friends that I failed to type up my weekend blog log. Unfortunately since the weekend is now over, and the new week has begun it would be pointless to discuss last week's events. Therefore I will disclose in this article my plans for this new week. I've got a ton of things to be done, and have to get my priorities straight lest I fall behind in review work. First, and foremost I must get as far into my "Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;Birth 3" playthrough as possible before the 30th so that I can give you the proper details you need to know in order to make an educated purchase decision. I will say that at heart 'Neptunia Re;Birth 3' is a re-hash/re-make of the original PS3 version of 'Hyperdimension Neptunia Victory". Having begun reviews on the Neptunia series at 'Victory' I was surprisingly unaware that the first two Re;Birth games were re-hashes/re-makes for the PS Vita. I knew that they had their differences, but for whatever reason I thought Idea Factory had redone the series from the ground up. In saying that the games are not bad at all though, and are better versions of the PS3 games ...

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

E3 2015 - Thoughts, Opinions & Realism

E3 this year has been a virtual cornucopia of surprises, and advancements in gaming. While I didn't dare to stay up past 10pm to catch all the juicy details I did go back, and watch the Youtube trailers, and videos about the E3 events. Like everyone else (mostly everyone else) I found myself pleasantly surprised at many of the future gaming titles that were showcased. In light of the mind blowing spectacles though I noticed that hardly anything new, or of significance to the gamer was announced for this year. There were plenty of 2016, and beyond releases hinted at, but some of these projects will take so long to complete that we may not see them for a few years. What worries me about this, and the many kickstarters that are promising the best of games is that the future is uncertain. I don't mean "uncertain" in the sense that none of us are promised tomorrow, but more so in the sense that the world is on the brink of an economic collapse, and possible war. Even gambling on a year ahead is not a safe bet. Sure I'd like to see these games come to fruition, and be able to play them, but reality dictates what can, and cannot happen.

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Vitamin Z (PS Vita)

Like the 'World War Z' flick, and the 'Day Z' survival horror game Namazu Studio's 'Vitamin Z' takes the zombie genre to an entirely different level. The game, which is free to play, and could easily be described as 'Dexter's Labortory' meets 'Attack of the Killer Tomatoes' utilizes a simple arcade style shoot'em up formula to challenge the gamer in a score based fashion. In 'Vitamin Z' you'll descend down a laboratory elevator via a platform as you kill off waves of living dead veggies, and fruits for their internal fluids. It's these fluids (aka, Vitamin Z) that boost the scientific protagonist's weaponry, and gives her the ability to conduct other ungodly experiments on god knows what? While the game is "free-to-play" micro-transactions do creep in like some ghastly apparition, but in doing so doesn't really hinder non-paying players from earning the accompanying trophies nor does it keep said players from progressing deeper into the laboratory depths. Sure paying real world money for in-game currency will give you a boost in the form of extra lives, and shields, but playing the game without them is manageable regardless. You simply have to put in more effort to be the best.

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Weekend Blog Log (June 13, 2015)

I want to start off this weekend's blog log by giving a collective "Thank You!!!" shout out to all those who have supported me throughout the years, and who continue to support me as I type this very article. You are the reason I do what I do. You are the driving force, and inspiration behind "OtakuDante's Gaming Inferno". For that I thank you! With that having been said I'm here to deliver a summary of my week's activities (or lack thereof) as well as let you in on my plans for the remainder of this weekend. I'm going to try, and keep it brief, and to the point but will elaborate on some details when I feel the need to do so.

Thursday, June 11, 2015

SNEAK PEEK - Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance (PS4)

Out of all the game releases scheduled by NISA to release in 2015 (Aside from the new Danganronpa ^_^), "Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance" is the one I'm most excited for. It'll be the sixth installment in the series, but the first to make the leap to new generation consoles, namely the PS4. After reading the press release I'm excited to see the new, and seemingly more dark conflict play out between Netherworld savior 'Killia', and the newly introduced threat that is 'Void Dark'. From the cover image, or box art it looks like the characters may have taken on a more mature visual design this time around. Possibly something akin to 'The Guided Fate Paradox', and 'The Guided Fate Ultimatum'. Along with the art comes a descriptive hint that the usual Disgaea humor will also be making a return, thankfully. It's going to be very interesting to see how the mixture of revenge, and humor will pan out in the plot that is given though.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Mapped Controllers Are Ruining the Fighting Game Experience

While doing research on mods a while back I happened upon a disturbing Youtube video about modded controllers, and a new feature called "Button Mapping". It's basically a series of buttons, or switches that could be added to a gamers' controller for a certain price in order to allow said gamer to program button input sequences in a single button fashion for easier control. It was initially meant for the FPS scene, but unfortunately the guy hosting the video, and others like him let the whole damn world know that the single button mapping add-ons could be used in fighting games as well. While you won't find many gamers admitting to having such a controller mod (because the little turds want you to think that they are genuinely skilled) you will see a sh*t ton of advertisements online in social media trying to grab gamers' attention with their offered mods. The really disturbing thing about this growing trend of gaming experience augmentation is that it ruins the intended experience for gamers who put in the time, and effort to actually learn how to play a game properly. Furthermore, in a fighting game scenario it changes the output effects of combos, finishers, and special attacks ...

Thursday, June 4, 2015

Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy (PS VITA)


Set in a futuristic Japan, "Operation Abyss: New Tokyo Legacy" tells the tale of a special operations team known as the 'Xth Squad', or "Xianth TransHuman Squad" who specialize in abilities known as 'Code-Rise'. Code-Rise, as it were is an ability which allows said individuals to summon the power of Bloods (historical/mythological persona) through codes in order combat the genetically altered sub-species that is plaguing humankind. It is these gifted undercover students who face off against the violent sub-species known as 'Variants' who themselves are being manipulated, and engineered behind-the-scenes by an unknown source who selfishly aims to do harm to the citizens of the Hinowa District for their own benefit. In collaboration with the TPF (A suspicious peace driven organization) the Variant puppeteers also aim to sway the balance of the world's current governing authority, the XPD.

Passing back, and forth from a dimension referred to as 'Abyss' the Variants are able to travel from Japan, and the alternate dimension while doing the bidding of those who would use them for such a threatening cause. Many students from the Hinowa Academy (which acts a front for the Xth Squad's base of operations) have been killed in this escalating battle of good versus evil while the XPD, and Xth Squad continue to work together in an effort to prevent more murderous attacks. Thankfully the main protagonist who was soon to become a Variant's snack himself was spared with the help of a former Xth member, and was recruited together with various other members sporting the Code-Rise ability. Posing as Hinowa Academy students these pupils are to be trained in secret via the CPA Headquarters to become the saviors of the human race. Whether or not they'll succeed is yet to be seen ...

Tuesday, June 2, 2015

MKX - "Tanya Impressions" (PS4)

Tanya, what a mixed bag of tricks. This Edenian troublemaker, whom we saw in the main story returns in all her glory as a playable DLC character within the MKX's many modes. While she may be an Edenian by creation Tanya bears a sort of Egyptian Cleopatra appearance that could easily be mistaken for a modern-day Katy Perry from the music video "Dark Horse". The only difference being the make-up, the outfit, and the slightly exaggerated Egyptian hairstyle. Through character interactions it is made apparent that the guys at Netherrealm wanted to show Tanya in a different way than what she was depicted as being in the story mode. What we get in the stead of the story mode Tanya is a Tanya with comedic one liners that are mutually shared, and acknowledged by the characters she fights against. Guys from the Kombat Kast hit on her, gals from the same roster sass back at her, and even Reptile adds a bit of humor in his comment towards her. Regardless of whether, or not she lived up to her story self Tanya comes to life in-game as a polished, and rather awesome looking version of the trailer model we were teased with.

Recap of "MTG Modern Masters Weekend"

Recently a global tournament event known as the "MTG Modern Masters Weekend" was held at three unique locations. Among these event hubs were 'Grand Prix Chiba, Japan', 'Grand Prix Utrecht, Netherlands', and 'Grand Prix Las Vegas'. Japan, and the Netherlands saw an estimated 5,000 participants while Las Vegas scored the highest number of players amounting to an impressive 11,000. At the event there were plenty of side activities apart from the main events including cosplay, and 4 weddings. The biggest of the tournaments had players numbering at an astounding 3,800. Just from the recap John LeRoy shared it is apparent that this MTG occasion was one of the more noteworthy ones to happen in a long while.