ATTENTION!!!: Brad's State of the Nation Address

What I'm about to say I'm going to keep short, and to the point ...

As of late, and well before then it has come to my attention that Americans among other worldly citizens are being led to restrict their own freedoms. We are tightening the leash around our necks (so-to-speak) through our actions, and reactions regardless of how justified they may seem. In fact we've become a highly reactive, and active society when it comes to voicing or displaying our opinions about what is wrong, and what is right. The fact that social media is constantly ablaze with negative controversies concerning the average citizen, and the ruling body should be concerning in itself. It's as if we are being subliminally led to direct our anger, and worries at specific targets for undisclosed reasons. Those reasons ultimately being for the limiting of our own rights, and the ushering in of a totalitarian government. Whether you are black, white, or any color under the rainbow this should concern you. There's no doubt in my mind there's been racial injustice at play as well as political injustice, and gender specific injustices. No doubt at all. With these injustices set aside though there is no denying that some peoples' actions in regards to these intentional public outbursts have only served to cripple our rights as free citizens, and have all but plunged us into a civil war. I believe it is what certain individuals want since a society that can be swayed to believe a certain way can be easily controlled. A wise man or woman would easily pick up on this fact.

God Eater Resurrection (PS VITA)

Bandai Namco's "God Eater Resurrection" was a new experience for me. I had never played any of the previous games in the series, and only had a vague idea of what it was about. Going into it as blindly as I did I found that I was mostly concerned as to whether or not I needed background info on the previous game/s, or if it would be a standalone experience. Thankfully, despite throwing out names, events, and explanations all over the place the game still offered the gamer a proper entry point into the series without losing them along the way. I kind of figure "God Eater Resurrection" is a remaster of the first game, or something between the first and the second release considering how the game played out plot-wise, but that is only a guess.

When it comes to the given story, and gameplay therein Bandai Namco's developers continuously drop hints of specific characters' involvement as well as information on a corporation fighting to save humanity, and the plague of alien creatures known as the Aragami which are hellbent on wiping out all of humankind to the point of extinction. This fight becomes evident through the main character which is a generic creation molded to the gamers' specifications at the beginning of the playthrough. A character that is a standout presence in the story being told, but only vaguely so through the implied "chosen one" cliche that has been used in so many other JRPG adventures. Past the game's intro cinematic, and initial character creation which harbors detailed name, voice, color, and aesthetic options it becomes apparent that your character is to take on the previously mentioned cliche role of an extraordinary individual, and that he/she is to make strides in the waning warfare that has the corporation you are working for backed into a corner along with the remaining human population.

Let's Talk - Video Games, Gaming & The Gaming Industry

It's been a while since I talked openly with my readers about my thoughts on the current path the gaming industry has taken. I've definitely had a lot on my mind in regards to it, but I've mostly confided in my one close friend who joins me for gaming sessions on a regular basis, because she listens. She's been coming to me for advice on what games to get, when it's best to adopt a new console, and where I think the gaming industry is headed. While I hated to be the bearer of bad news for her since she's new to modern gaming I had to be honest. Even though there are potentially good games on the horizon, and good games already released I can't help but think something is amiss in the industry. Something that could send gaming to an abysmal grave. The heart and soul of what gaming once was is simply no longer there. You have developers shoveling out sh*tware, console creators who are doing practically the same thing, and a universal focus on getting as much money as possible while putting in as little effort as possible. There is a sort of desperation in the air. You can feel it as you play some new game releases, and even in the world outside of gaming. We are faced with uncertain times, and I think industry providers are well aware of this. I feel that's why they are selling you crap. It's why they are begging you for money to support kickstarter projects that may never happen, and why they are still figuring out new ways to charge you extra for pieces of a gaming experience that should be complete at the sixty dollar price point.

Full Mojo Rampage (PS4)

Though this game is published by Nicalis, and developed by 'Over The Top Games' it bares a distinct resemblance to the previous "The Binding of Isaac" games, if slightly so. It's as if they took the base formula of said mini-series, improved upon it, and made it into a new experience with a new theme. That theme being one of voodoo, magic, and the Loa death gods that surround said mythology. As the protagonist you take on the role of a willing voodoo apprentice sent out to do the bidding of your Loa master in quest driven fashion. You will face objectives that are made difficult by the spirits of the undead, and other voodoo related creations as well as the larger than life rival bosses that send out said minions. You'll even encounter side quests with things such as retro inspired goals, and rewarding multiple choice riddles. As usual the gameplay is done up in a semi-top down dungeon exploring way that is very much akin to the earlier 'The Legend of Zelda" adventures on the Nintendo DS. You'll find in place oddly reminiscent fixtures such as rooms that harbor vendors as well as rooms that contain helpful Loa spirits which will also aid you on your level by level objectives. As far as the art style goes the game has a sort of Tim Burton meets Jim Henson vibe about it. Everything from the character design to the level layouts are vividly portrayed in such a style, and are otherworldly in a way that you'd expect to see from something like Tim Burton's "The Corpse Bride".

Grand Kingdom (PS4)

Prior to getting my hands on the full version of NISA's "Grand Kingdom" I was on the fence about it. I really was. At first I saw little promise due to the game's overall indie appearance, and deviation from the NISA norm, but going back into it during it's BETA phase I saw some potential. A glimmer of hope, if you will. I think it was the combat system that intrigued me the most of all during that time. The fact that it was a tactical RPG built around multiple forms of lane offense/defense, and strategy really made it stand out from other games in the genre. While the combat was simple in a lot of ways it harbored a much deeper functionality, and role in the provided gameplay than I imagined it would. Not only do you have objective war oriented quests to play through, but as the title suggests everything about "Grand Kingdom" is grand in scale within the finalized product. I liken it to a complex, and decisive chess game in which there are four warring nations moving their pawns about on a continent sized chess board in order to achieve ultimate victory, and/or global domination. In fact the game itself is heavily war focused with lengthy skirmishes/wars playing out at your direct command or through AI driven troops sent out in your stead. You have plenty of tasks to take on in the form of detailed troop management, campaign initiatives at the capital of your chosen nation, and even field operations with battles that will sway your influence over the shattered continent on which you, and your guild take on mercenary tasks.

Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force (PS4)

Before you read the following review regarding this PS4 re-release of "Fairy Fencer F: Advent Dark Force" be sure to read my thorough review of the original PS3 version of the game via the following clickable link ... Fairy Fencer F (PS3)

Idea Factory International is a JRPG studio which has often times focused on the more "Moe" appeal of anime fantasies, and anime characters. While some of their older games such as the earlier "Hyperdimension Neptunia" releases stuck to a routine formula involving cute girls doing cute things they have innovated along the way, and have created many other noteworthy experiences that weren't solely based on said formula. "Fairy Fencer F" itself is nothing really new in comparison to the more recent IFI (Idea Factory Intl.) releases though it still remains one of the studio's more unique, and noteworthy adventures when it comes to plot, and character development. For one thing, "Fang", who is the game's slightly unwilling protagonist is a male character placed in a fantasy world where the joint efforts of both male and female characters are the norm. IFI actually strayed quite heavily from the all female, and all "Moe" casting of their previous Neptunia series within "Fairy Fencer F", and in doing so made the main role players more diverse in various ways.

Story-wise, "Fairy Fencer F" is also a game where there is a full fledged adventure without too many heavily comedic side skits. There are definitely some serious moments, and there is definitely a reason for gamers to advance the plot in order to see the three paths that are made available through ending choices come to fruition. As far as plot advancement goes you will be basically following Fang the Fencer, and his Fairy sidekick Eryn as they go about collecting Furies (swords containing fairy servants) in order to awaken a slumbering Goddess, or the Vile God who rest in an eternal stasis not far from each other. Choosing to revive either deity will have it's pros and cons as will going neutral at the end of it all.