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.

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 ...

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 ...

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.