Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle (REVIEW)

Having jumped on the retro bundle bandwagon I think Arc System Works has done good to bring to the gamer a larger than average collection of classic titles that will no doubt take the player or players on a trip down memory lane. Whether you grew up playing the Double Dragon series, Renegade, River City Ransom, or any of the sports drama spin-offs like Dodge Ball from the Kunio-kun franchise you will find those games intact, and upgraded with tweaks that not only revive said brawlers, but that do so for an entirely new generation to experience. Containing 18 games in total with an ease of access menu featuring quality updated versions or the originals as they once were along with optional additions such as wallpapers as well as offline and online play "Double Dragon & Kunio-kun: Retro Brawler Bundle" aims to fill that nostalgic void that might be empty in your own personal gaming library.

Code Shifter (PS4)

Shifting from fighting games to fan service Arc System Works brings to us a gaming experience unlike any seen before in their gaming library. One that shows us a hands on side of game development while allowing us to tackle one of the biggest issues therein via platforming means. This game that is centered around action platforming is tied to the outside work of a fictional development crew run by a handful of studio staff members that are each experiencing bugs in their latest project. It seems a hacker or someone on the inside has infected their software with a transformative virus. In order to combat the virus, and get to the bottom of the problem a programmer by the name of Stella creates a code shifter program with an avatar named Sera that can enter the code, and correct any problems that are occurring. This is where, you the gamer, step in. You get to control Sera in avatar form as she gains help from other Arc System Works characters which she can transform into, and use as assists as she collects data crystals, breaks bug boxes, and destroys attacking viruses. This is a folder by folder or stage by stage ordeal with each of the staff's folders containing inner stages of varying difficulties that must be completed in order to unlock, and fully correct said folder's programmed content.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle Expansion | Bonus DLC For The Right Price

Not too long ago Arc System Works released a big patch to the core BBTAG base game. It was called patch 2.0, and with it came a laundry list of feature, system, and character changes (2.0 Update). This patch was freely given to any owner of the game, and allowed the base players to play against 2.0 characters without having to purchase the additional DLC expansion. The expansion, which this review will be about, comes with 9 additional characters, a newly introduced scenario, new character interactions, and colors. You even get access to special lobby avatars not available in the base game. It's a $24.99 dollar upgrade that holds it's own in value. Normally character DLC would cost you around $7.99 a pop, but with this DLC you get what equates to three new sets of characters plus the bonus content. It's definitely a discount deal in that regard. That having been said if you have yet to get into BBTAG, and are interested in the current full experience there is a full price special edition that will set you back $49.99. The difference is that it includes character DLC 1-7 plus the new expansion. The physical edition, in particular, comes with a code for the new expansion. Needless to say you have choices when it comes to BBTAG 2.0 and it's content.

Kill la Kill the Game: IF (PS4)

I'm going to do something I usually don't do. I'm going to suggest that if you are on the fence about buying this game to download the demo, and play it first before reading my review. Afterwards return here to find out what I think about the game, and what features the game has to offer ...

Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R | Nintendo Switch Review

As fighting games continue onward their features evolve. It's a given. Such is the case of "Guilty Gear XX Accent Core Plus R", as one might expect. Fast forward a few installments to a point just before the series' most lengthy cut off, and you will find this game being the penultimate edition of the PS2 era Guilty Gear series. An enhanced edition of an already enhanced edition. Arc System Works, along the way, had experimented with several different new features, modes, mechanics, and characters before finally settling on this culmination of the Guilty Gear fighting game experience. With the largest roster to date including some new faces such as Bridget, Robo-Ky, Order-Sol, Anji-Mito, Jam, Dizzy, A.B.A., and a few others the series returned in a much more robust form. More akin to the Guilty Gears of the modern gaming age it also included a handful of newly introduced modes including a 3v3 team elimination mode, a new iteration of M.O.M. (Medal of Millionaire), Arcade Mode, a Gallery, Survival Mode, and online PvP play. Even the mechanics included evolved in such away as to be faster, more efficiently executable, and flashier than before. Utilizing a new BURST gauge, tension gauge, and mechanics revolving around both deeply involved defenses as well as offenses along with new finishers this game set out to make it or break it for the series. It was a sight to behold back in the day, and even as a Nintendo Switch port it still, to this day, holds it's own as one of the most memorable entries in the franchise.

Guilty Gear (NS)

Though I've played, and owned most of the other Guilty Gear games I've never, before now, played the original release. I knew it was released on the original PlayStation console, and that the series never really caught on big until later on. Having the chance to experience It though I've gained a new appreciation for the advancements in tech the newer series releases made in the way of in-game mechanics. Though the original Guilty Gear does harbor at least some hints of the series direction taken by Arc System Works in the way of design it is not the perfected fighter that is Revelator/2, or Xrd SIGN. It has it's flaws, and a unique, but never again used Chaos Gauge that was kind of abusive. In the right hands, and with the right character the gauge could be filled multiple times quickly, and the action mechanics used in rapid succession without much pause. There's that, and the Insta-Kills that can be done in the first round ending all rounds thereafter. Before I get too far ahead of myself though I will say that for the asking price of $9.99 it's not a bad deal, regardless. Gameplay maintains a smooth experience across a couple modes of play, and one that offers a bit of an origin story for those looking to see where it all began. With 10 classic characters, and the presence of one that was never seen in such a way again it is truly something to behold, especially for fans of the series and the studio.

The Caligula Effect: Overdose (PS4)

Imagine, if you will, a JRPG centered around a created classroom reality manifested by a virtuadoll name "Mu"who is hellbent on saving humanity from their own emotional suffering. Imagine even further still that this manufactured fantasy world is more of a prison, and less of an escape. One that holds it's classroom captives captive indefinitely even if they intend on returning to their long forgotten harsh reality. Thus is "The Caligula Effect". At the heart of the story is a male or female protagonist named by you, and controlled by you. He or she finds themselves in a sort of living nightmare as they see through the veil of supposed reality that is set before them. They see classmates corrupted by a digihead infection that has them doing the main antagonist's will according to the idol songs she both plays, and has playing out through associated Ostinato Musicians within Mobius, a paradise reserved for the emotionally distraught. Through your own manifested emotions, and as a counter to said threat, you are able to weaponize you and your fellow classmates who can also see beyond the veiled truth. A group of interesting individuals in a sort of high school club known as the "Go-Home Club". A club with the means with which to combat the mindless minions of the Mu. After your entrance, and joining of said club with your own virtuadoll companion you will find that fighting the good fight is done with the "Catharsis Effect", or rather a manifesting of your heart's hidden emotions brought forth into weapon form. It is this catharsis effect, and the imaginary Chain ability that ultimately allows for predictive assault, defense, and support options with which you'll take on the afflicted, face off against the antagonists, and eventually wake up in the real world ... if you are successful.

The MISSING: J.J. Macfield And The Island of Memories (PS4)

Hidetaka Suehiro, or Swery65 (as you may know him) is a master storyteller. Mostly noted for his work with Deadly Premonition. He is no stranger to the darker themes in gaming, and is not afraid of tugging at the players' range of emotions. In "The MISSING" Swery65 takes on a topic less tackled this time around. Something he brings into light in such a way as to be heartbreaking, and true to life. His characters, fictional or not, embody his idea that people should not feel ashamed of who they are. Along with this heavy hitting precursor that comes in the form of a similar noted quote the developer also discloses his intentions on touching base on topics such as sexuality, and suicide. Two additional themes that coincide with the main character's plight.

My Thoughts On The New BBTAG Character DLC

Locked away from the core game at $4.99 a pop, character DLC packs #2 and #3 along with their equally inclusive three additional characters each definitely have an impact on the state of balance within the updated roster. Initially BBTAG was comprised of a base roster of what I like to call equally exploitable characters. By that I mean these are the types of characters everyone cheesed back in the early BlazBlue, UNIEL, and P4A/P4AU games. They are factually characters of certainty that guarantee victory in most cases. Back in the day, of course. While that was an early concern of mine I felt it was balanced in that all the characters were either able to get in easily, or were so zoning heavy that they could hold their own at a distance. Exploitable, but not so much in the traditional one-sided sense.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle - The Short And Sweet Of It Review

BlazBlue has evolved quite a bit over the years. There's no denying it. It started off as an anime fighter in the vein of the flagship fighting game series Guilty Gear. It was fast paced, and featured an entirely new roster of characters with an entirely new story. Regardless of the new offerings the early or initial games in the ongoing series that is BlazBlue were simpler in the sense that they weren't as mode inclusive, or as story heavy as series entries midways, and later on down the line. As the series continued to grow though the story expanded as did the lore, the roster of characters, and the modes of play. Even in the online portions of the games innovation showed, if slightly so. New ways to stand out as players were given, and things like nameplates, avatars, and titles made their way in. Fast forward to today's times, and BlazBlue has all but strayed from it's beaten path. In "BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle" it has ditched the tried, and true formula for a lesser spin-off that in most ways gives the paying players less. The roster, though inclusive of different characters, does not present the game in a light that truly builds upon, or even changes the core experience in such a way as to be awe inspiring. It borrows mechanics from tag team oriented games like MvC and Dragon Ball FighterZ, renames said mechanics to seem different, and in doing so only manages to rehash what's already been done. Perhaps to a slightly different degree.

The Importance Of Being Thorough And My BlazBlue Video Review

By now you've no doubt read my "BlazBlue Cross Tag Battle" impressions article. In all honesty it didn't paint a very good picture of the new entry, and like the IGN review itself you were no doubt left with more questions than answers. Since that article posting I was given the opportunity by Aksys Games to play through, and review the game myself. To experience it for myself, and share with you what I experienced. In this instance I decided to do things differently though. I decided to do a raw hands-on review via Twitch to allow everyone to get my reactions as they happened in accordance to the features contained within the game in the most genuine fashion possible. That and to also disclose important need to know details in a manner that would be more beneficial to someone than having them to read through ten paragraphs of technical breakdowns regarding in-game features. I think I succeeded in doing so, but you will have to sit through nearly two hours of video, and commentary to get the most of it. Supposing you can you will get enough coverage of the game's inner workings to be able to decide for yourself if this is a worthy fighter to add to your collection. At least I think so.

BlazBlue Cross Tag Impressions Taken from Reviews And Gameplay Footage

So ... I spent part of the day watching gameplay, and reviews of the latest entry in the BlazBlue series. I saw IGN give it a beat around the bush passing review that pointed out both good, and bad things. The bad mostly attributed to a lackluster, and repetitive story mode element as well as some matchmaking quirks. Being the observant fighting game player that I am I paid attention to the roster. Those guys, and gals who transferred over from RWBY, BlazBlue, UNIEL, and Persona Arena Ultimax. What bothered me was the fact that the roster was made up mostly of the easy to use, and abuse characters. The projectile pests, and the ranged reachers. Even Iron Tager in all his abusive magnetic glory returned to my dismay. The only exceptions I noticed were Rachel Alucard who is a more technical BlazBlue character, and Chie from Persona Arena who is an up close melee martial artist. I had paid attention to the roster situation since the first announcement, and knew it was going to be the deciding factor as to whether or not I bought the game for myself, and as it turns out I did not end up buying the game for that very reason.

My Favorite Fighting Games Of 2018

Often times I like to discuss things related to gaming on Twitter. I often share uploaded gameplay videos, talk about industry goings on, and even throw in my two cents worth about the direction gaming is taking. In the Twitter gaming moment I share here I briefly note the two good fighting games I enjoy. I realized I complain a lot about fighting games, and the corruption thereof, so I figured it was about time I let you know that not all was lost in the genre. I hope you enjoy the glance at this screenshot captured Twitter moment. Feel free to let me know what your favorite fighting games are.

An HD Return To Damascus Gear Via Operation Osaka

Arc System Works, and A+ Games' 'Damascus Gear' series offerings continue with an updated HD port of 'Damascus Gear: Operation Osaka' for the PS4. This twenty dollar visual, and all inclusive upgrade brings to fans of the series a revamped and remastered story driven mech based RPG experience with the basic features of the first installment still intact along with some changes in focus. New to the series are missions that take the gamer through multiple floors of the Cosmopolis in order to loot new gear for their GEARS, and farm rare materials to pay of a ridiculous debt taken on, and passed down to the new pilot by his/her parents. Most of the game revolves around this debt story arch in that your progress, and ranking will afford you the gear, and monetary compensation needed to pay off the various loans. Beneath the debt driven gameplay you, your operator, and your mech will be engaging in gladiatorial Japanese mech battles via the "Arena". A 1v1 sports spectacle in which the winner leaves with a huge lump sum of money, supposing they win. You will ultimately be switching focus between doing missions to engaging in arena combat while occasionally being haunted by an enigmatic person or entity who seems to know something more about your destiny than you do.

Slice, Dice & Rice (PS4)

Slice, Dice & Rice (by Dojo Games) is a gimmick fighter in the vein of games like 'Dive Kick' and 'Bushido Blade'. It takes the rock, paper, scissors formula in regards to trumping one's attacks or Bushido Blade's opening focus and wound system while utilizing a four button controller layout with 3 melee attacks (horizontal, vertical, heavy) & a parry along with dash options, aerial attacks & cancels to do so with. The fights last up to several rounds depending on the mode being played with each round being a potential insta-kill depending on the attack landed. There are fatalities done through a heavy attack no matter what round you might be on as well as splashy blood effects. The graphics are cell shaded, and the stages layered. It has an ancient Japanese folklore appearance, and a traditional instrumental soundtrack with a variety of different fighters included that each move, and attack differently according to fighting style & weapon type. The 'Dojo' mode which takes the place of a practice mode allows for learning the characters attacks on a basic level while the Story mode allows for a ladder style series of matches against select characters with story elements embedded.

Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo HD (PS4)

Other than the HD graphics upgrade, and the inclusion of the former PS Vita DLC this PS4 port of, "Damascus Gear: Operation Tokyo" is simply more of the same. It's the same simple gameplay focused arcade-like experience surrounded by minimal lore that could be shrugged off as a borrowed idea. Like so many other JRPGs the characters involved are a part of a special organization fighting desperately for humanity's survival, and like those types of games it has you fighting off non-human entities with advanced weaponry. In this case that weaponry being mechs known as, "Gears". By piloting a Gear you are ultimately tasked, sometimes along with other NPCs (Non-Player Characters), to complete timed objectives which will be graded according to completion standards. This includes killing off the Rage (non-piloted mechs) during delivery, reconnaissance, and threat ending missions. Think of it as Pac-Man fighting off the constantly respawning ghostly trio with dual weapons for the sake of looting Rage parts, and scoring that highest ranking on the missions listing.  While the game itself is definitely unique in those regards, both in build and functionality, it still leans heavily on other gaming ideas. Details which will become obvious if you choose to buy into what Arc System Works is reselling. I suppose, in retrospect it isn't all that bad of an experience though. It's just not as story heavy, or content heavy as a lot of modern-day JRPGs are.

Guilty Gear Xrd Rev 2 DLC Upgrade (PS4)

From the start the DLC upgrade that is "Rev 2" struck me as being off. It was marketed as being a two character bundle with balance changes. The characters at normal cost, and together would have only cost the gamer $16, but the DLC upgrade was being sold at $19.99 ... When it comes to the balance changes, while they are significant, I feel the visual/structural overhaul that was included should have been a free update to the core game. By selling it as a part of the DLC Aksys Games/PQube has effectively split the GG community. I understand that you have the option to revert back to the core Revelator experience in full, but this defeats the purpose of buying the DLC upgrade in the first place. Beyond that there is something very wrong with the additional DLC being sold on the side. I personally bought Baiken's voice DLC, and color palette DLC. Both of which did not appear as optional options in-game. I was robbed. I was sold BS. That alone is enough of a reason to warrant hate on this DLC package. Along with the splitting of the community, and the matchmaking issues that are connection identifiers this DLC upgrade is an all around botched deal. Speaking of connection indicators the developer thought it wise to color favorable connections red, and unfavorable green. Who in their right mind does that?

Birthdays the Beginning (PS4)

Blending the theories of creationism, and evolution TOYBOX Inc. creator Yasuhiro Wada (Harvest Moon) brings to gaming a somewhat scientific look at the process in which life on a simple to grand scale is birthed, maintained, and managed. Through a brief tale involving a grandchild's fascination with their grandfather's library of books, and the discovery of an otherworldly presence via a map contained therein the developer draws you into gameplay that is both episodic, and uniquely rewarding should you grasp the mechanics at hand. Given an alien avatar to represent your personal being you are ultimately tasked with birthing from a blank slate life itself beginning with the early aquatic stages of simple celled organisms all the way to the Jurassic era where dinosaurs roamed the Earth, and beyond. Guided by Navi, your navigational partner in time, you will change the terrain in unison with temperature through elevation tweaks while throwing in gathered items of intervention to help push along the evolutionary process as time is forced by in cube years. As a god would you will visit the cube world via your avatar persona to influence growth, and change while occasionally returning to an outside point of view to speed up time, and help your applied efforts along. Thus witnessing in their dawn the birthdays of each organism brought to life by your influential additions to an ecosystem that changes at your will, and accordingly so.

Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe (PS4)

From what I gather, after having sampled and played through each of the game's features it seems that FK Digital's "Chaos Code: New Sign of Catastrophe" is merely an enhanced upgrade of the PS3 release of Chaos Code. Everything from the opening cinematic to the menu system as well as the modes of play, and even the visuals have been upgraded for a PS4 worthy experience. Something that's not all that different from BlazBlue or Guilty Gear in terms of in-game offerings. At the twenty dollar range it's not all that bad either. It's definitely more complete, and more robust in content. The only thing lacking this time around is the participation of the online community for the competitive online portion of the game ...

For those of you new to the 'Chaos Code' mythology it basically follows the scientific discovery of an abundant new energy source. This energy source was discovered, and harnessed by Arthur Tesla. For years it helped the world maintain prosperity for all of mankind. The problem that presented itself in this time of prosperity though came in the form of Arthur's cryptic message involving a mysterious, "Chaos Code". Upon discovery of it's mention the Earth-Union, or world government sought it out for their own power hungry desires while others joined in, in a competition heralded by Arthur himself who encouraged others to find it. This is where the odd roster of characters steps in. Each with their own motivations for acquiring the 'Chaos Code'. Some want it selfishly while others want it for a cause or for someone else who has their own ideas on what to do with the enigmatic source of power. As with most fighting games it's an all out battle of the fittest in which your chosen character will face omnipotent evil at the end of an arduous adventure.

Double Dragon IV (PS4)

I'm at a loss for words. I went into my playthrough of Arc System Work's "Double Dragon IV" hoping for an authentic trip down memory lane, but was met instead by "Sucker Punch Simulator 4.0". That's what it felt like. Sure the game took the series' main characters Billy and Jimmy, and followed up half-heartedly with a story that takes place after Double Dragon II's events, but the beefed up gameplay felt intentionally one-sided. I remember the first Double Dragon on the NES being sluggish, but not gang heavy like it is here. In this follow up there's way too many enemies onscreen at a time, especially with the sucker punches flying, and your character's inability to respond quickly to the threats at hand factored in. Not only that, but this latest Double Dragon adventure feels shallow, and without substance. Like a straightforward experience hindered by cheap fights, and cheaply made environmentally hazardous platforming. I'm truly surprised, and not in a good way.