E3 2010 is soon upon us and the hype is over more present. What better time to update my 2010 hypes of this year with new games that I might have forgotten back in March or that was added with the forthcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo. Like Mario would say: "Here we GO!".
Final Fantasy XIV
PS3, PC
What better than a major Final Fantasy release set this year? How about two!?! Indeed, a rare sight it is, but the truth. Already in alpha testing, this new online iteration is set to replace the aging Final Fantasy XI and will boost a new gameplay mechanic that promises to be more engaging than its predecessor.
Developed using the same in-house engine as the 13th game of the series, the Crystal Tools engine, its creators have elaborated a rich aesthetic world that blends sci-fi and classic fantasy elements. It was also revealed that the entire soundtrack will be composed by none other than the legendary Nobuo Uematsu. Due for a simultaneous worldwide release in 2010, I will for now dream of the many ventures to come in the land of Hydaelyn.
The Last Story
Wii
As much as I love the Wii, there's one thing that's missing to make my day... RPGs. So, when it was revealed that Nintendo and Mistwalker partnered up to bring a full fledged RPG series to the Wii, I must confess that I was drooling all over my keyboard :D .
The Last Story looks like Hironobu Sakaguchi at his best. I can not help but recall some old memories from the glorious SNES era, back when RPG and adventure games were very popular and in abundance. Even one must admit that the logo of The Last Story has a Final Fantasy vibe to it. Even its name is suggest that. It is an attempt from Nintendo to spawn a new series on its console to rival the like of Final Fantasy? Who knows!?!? But one thing is certain, this one looks like a winner!
Tales of Graces
Wii
12th mothership title and the newest generation in the Tales series, Tales of Graces follows lead character Asbel Lhant, who desires to obtain greater strength. Remaining faithful to tradition, the battle system was again augmented and is now called "Style Shift Linear Motion Battle System" (SS-LMBS), which enables the characters to have two different fighting styles to choose from.
Launch on December 10, 2009 in Japan, exclusively for the Wii, Tales of Graces received a 36/40 (9/9/9/9) from Famitsu magazine and sold 113,000 copies during its first day. We still have yet to know if Namco Bandai will release it in North America, but after the success of both Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Vesperia, it wouldn't make sense if they didn't. I would be thrilled if an announcement was made at this year E3, as I love Tales of Symphonia back when it was released on the Nintendo GameCube.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
My 2010 Hypes: Gaming, Part One
A decade went by, seeing a lot of great game systems and awesome games for them. The PS2 is the crowned king in terms of console sales and games, and even thought I'm a Nintendo Fanboy, I just loved all those great JRPGs that came out an the PS2. However, Nintendo have slowly gaining on the champion with the Wii. Will it beat the best selling console of all time or will the motion controllers of Microsoft and Sony be its downfall? It is an all new decade and a lot of hypes is going around.
Two months already went by, and we have yet to see the astonishing games announced back in 2008-2009. Nintendo is ever more secretive about their projects, Sony has everything to prove, and Microsoft is betting a lot on their Project Natal. Lets not forget all the 3rd Parties out there working hard to take a piece of the action. If 2009 was quiet, 2010 will be packed with big releases and news. Here's some of the games that I'm really looking forward too.
Alan Wake
Xbox 360
In production for quite some time now, in fact since its debut at the 2005 E3, Alan Wake is a "psychological action thriller" inspired by the works of Stephen King. Being developed by Remedy Entertainment, the plot of the game is centered around Alan Wake, a bestselling writer who has not written anything in over two years.
His wife, Alice, brings him to the idyllic small town of Bright Falls to recover his creative flow. When she vanishes without a trace, Wake finds himself trapped in a nightmare. Word by word, his latest work—a thriller he cannot even remember writing—is coming true before his eyes. He then tries to find pages of the book, getting most mainly from a man named Rusty. Looks like I will have to finally buy a Xbox 360.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
PS3, Xbox 360
The Castlevania series has been around since the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), and we've saw many iterations in the last years, some good, some bad. One have my all time favorite is Super Castlevania IV for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), which I've played all night long when I've received my SNES for my 11th birthday. If the game is anything like the trailer shown in that 2009 Gamescon, then it will be as much have.
Final Fantasy XIII
PS3, Xbox 360
Oh... The never ending Final Fantasy! It graced so many system and it spawned numerous variations that I've stopped counting them. Nevertheless, I've always loved this series. In fact, I've started playing JRPG with Final Fantasy II, which is the fourth one back in Japan. Some will say that it is more of a big interactive movie now, with all the CGs that Square Enix is putting in, but it is still a marvelous tale to gaze upon, and judging from the japanese reviews found in the Famitsu magazine, it is worth to be played.
Metroid: Other M
Wii
Announced at last year E3 and demoed at Nintendo 2010 Media Conference, Metroid: Other M takes an all new approach at the series, but keeping it classic at the same time.
When it was revealed that Team Ninja, the creative force behind games such as Ninja Gaiden series, would collaborate with Nintendo to unfold a new adventures for Samus, it definitely took the gaming community be surprise. I must admit I felt a certain discomfort at the idea of Team Ninja at the head of this project, but more fear were put to rest when Nintendo release new information about it at their March Summit. It is a new artistic direction for the series, but I am confident that it would blow our mind.
The Legend of Zelda Wii
Wii
Little is known about the new interation of this series that I cherish, except for an artwork shown at last year E3 and bits facts told in interviews, but many rumors goes saying that a full fledged Motion Plus Zelda would come out around Christmas. I don't know if it is true, but if indeed a new chapter of Link's adventure is published by year's end, it means that Nintendo would unleash their three biggest IPs (Mario, Zelda, Metroid) in the same year, which would be a first.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Wii
I cried over the first game. Everything was so beautiful—from the level design to the orchestral music. This was one of Nintendo masterpiece game, a must have, and I definitely revisit it when the second outing comes out later in May.
Xenoblade
Wii
Originally announced at Nintendo E3 2009 Press Conference as Monado: Beginning of the World, which is brought to us by the studio that created the Xenosaga and Baten Kaitos series. That latest Famitsu shows an ambitious JRPG for the Wii, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Plus, it was revealed that the music composer is Yoko Shimomura.
Two months already went by, and we have yet to see the astonishing games announced back in 2008-2009. Nintendo is ever more secretive about their projects, Sony has everything to prove, and Microsoft is betting a lot on their Project Natal. Lets not forget all the 3rd Parties out there working hard to take a piece of the action. If 2009 was quiet, 2010 will be packed with big releases and news. Here's some of the games that I'm really looking forward too.
Alan Wake
Xbox 360
In production for quite some time now, in fact since its debut at the 2005 E3, Alan Wake is a "psychological action thriller" inspired by the works of Stephen King. Being developed by Remedy Entertainment, the plot of the game is centered around Alan Wake, a bestselling writer who has not written anything in over two years.
His wife, Alice, brings him to the idyllic small town of Bright Falls to recover his creative flow. When she vanishes without a trace, Wake finds himself trapped in a nightmare. Word by word, his latest work—a thriller he cannot even remember writing—is coming true before his eyes. He then tries to find pages of the book, getting most mainly from a man named Rusty. Looks like I will have to finally buy a Xbox 360.
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
PS3, Xbox 360
The Castlevania series has been around since the NES (Nintendo Entertainment System), and we've saw many iterations in the last years, some good, some bad. One have my all time favorite is Super Castlevania IV for the SNES (Super Nintendo Entertainment System), which I've played all night long when I've received my SNES for my 11th birthday. If the game is anything like the trailer shown in that 2009 Gamescon, then it will be as much have.
Final Fantasy XIII
PS3, Xbox 360
Oh... The never ending Final Fantasy! It graced so many system and it spawned numerous variations that I've stopped counting them. Nevertheless, I've always loved this series. In fact, I've started playing JRPG with Final Fantasy II, which is the fourth one back in Japan. Some will say that it is more of a big interactive movie now, with all the CGs that Square Enix is putting in, but it is still a marvelous tale to gaze upon, and judging from the japanese reviews found in the Famitsu magazine, it is worth to be played.
Metroid: Other M
Wii
Announced at last year E3 and demoed at Nintendo 2010 Media Conference, Metroid: Other M takes an all new approach at the series, but keeping it classic at the same time.
When it was revealed that Team Ninja, the creative force behind games such as Ninja Gaiden series, would collaborate with Nintendo to unfold a new adventures for Samus, it definitely took the gaming community be surprise. I must admit I felt a certain discomfort at the idea of Team Ninja at the head of this project, but more fear were put to rest when Nintendo release new information about it at their March Summit. It is a new artistic direction for the series, but I am confident that it would blow our mind.
The Legend of Zelda Wii
Wii
Little is known about the new interation of this series that I cherish, except for an artwork shown at last year E3 and bits facts told in interviews, but many rumors goes saying that a full fledged Motion Plus Zelda would come out around Christmas. I don't know if it is true, but if indeed a new chapter of Link's adventure is published by year's end, it means that Nintendo would unleash their three biggest IPs (Mario, Zelda, Metroid) in the same year, which would be a first.
Super Mario Galaxy 2
Wii
I cried over the first game. Everything was so beautiful—from the level design to the orchestral music. This was one of Nintendo masterpiece game, a must have, and I definitely revisit it when the second outing comes out later in May.
Xenoblade
Wii
Originally announced at Nintendo E3 2009 Press Conference as Monado: Beginning of the World, which is brought to us by the studio that created the Xenosaga and Baten Kaitos series. That latest Famitsu shows an ambitious JRPG for the Wii, and it looks absolutely gorgeous. Plus, it was revealed that the music composer is Yoko Shimomura.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Mighty Atom is back!
If I was asked who's my childhood hero, I would undoubtedly and instantly say "Astro Boy". Why? Because he made me dreamed! I clearly remember the countless days and nights imagining that I was him... Soaring the sky at high speed, living amazing adventures... Ah! Wonderful memories! I was about 7 or 8 year old back when I felt in love with the little guy. Each weekend, I would wake up early so that I wouldn't miss a single episode. It would be an understatement to say he didn't made an impact on my life. So when I've learned that Imagi Studios would bring my hero to the big screen, I was overjoyed and thrilled by the prospect of seeing him again.
Recognizable by his famous spiked hair, Astro has lived countless ordeals and trials since his first inception in the Japanese manga series first published in 1952. He became such a big influence that he was named Japan's envoy for overseas safety, back in november 2007. A daunting task it must have been for Imagi to adapt this iconic, long-standing figure that has been with us for 57 years now.
Did they succeed? I have to say "indubitably yes". Sure, the settings were changed, actualized for today audience, but the core message of Osamu Tesuka lives on. He used "Tetsuwan Atomu", the Mighty Atom in japanese, in the hope that the advent of atomic energy could be harness in a positive way, rather for its destructive side (a.k.a. the Atom bomb). Conflicts were always a vital part of Astro's universe. Every situations that our hero faced shown the "rights" and "wrongs" of humanity's actions. The moral issues that Tezuka invoked came from the heart. Just like Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, he hoped for a bright and positive future for humanity. Hence, the blue and red cores thematic introduced by Professor Elefun at the start of the movie.
Furthermore, the classic tale of the young robot boy searching for his identity, his meaning of existence, was told in a touching way. I chocked when Tenma rejected him for who he was. I felt the heart of Elefun has he tried to confort Astro on many occasions. I shed tears when our hero sacrifice himself for the good of others, despite their origins. If anything, Imagi truly succeed at showing who's Astro: a lovable boy that represents the good side of humanity and the potential that we carried.
Clearly, Imagi wanted to convey a large spectrum of emotions, from joy to sadness, even nostalgia... Yes, nostalgia! Despite what the critics might say, I can say without doubt that this movie does have a nostalgic feel to it. I remembered the scene where Toby/Astro first discovered that he could fly... It was magical! At first, he was clumsy at it, like in the original manga/anime, but once he got the twist of it, he skyrocketed to the clouds, shaping them has he past through them. He then plugged into the mountain, making his way through it until he burst out at the top, laughing in joy at his discovery. At that very moment, as I held back my tears, joyful memories sparked... I smiled knowing that I was a kid again.
The music too helped at delivering those key moments. A beautiful well written orchestral score made this movie a pure joy to watch. Yes, I would have like to ear the original 80's theme song, but the score that John Ottoman wrote definitely has that Astro feel to it. It sends shivers done my spine each time I listen to it.
Speaking of nostalgic moments, Astro Boy fans will be pleased to see references to Tezuka's work here and there throughout the movie. The scene were Astro's drilling out from the top of the mountain is reminiscence to the 60's intro. The blueprint that Doctor Tenma shows is Tezuka's original drawing. The animators even played with Astro's hair points, which shifts depending where the side of his head is frontal. It's like Imagi's making an homage to Astro. I invite you to find even more of those easter eggs.
What about the animation? They are top notch, brilliantly done. Imagi might not have topped what Pixar have made in the past, but they are getting closer with each new movies. The style really reflect that of Tezuka, with a colorful pallet and exaggerated points, such has the facial anatomy... You know, big ears, enormous noses! But does Astro looks like Astro? Even if he looks older, the likeness of Toby/Astro is amazing. He's still huggable and cute! I give 10 thumbs up just for the animation... They are that great!
Truly, Osamu Tezuka was a god. He had bring to life a character that's charming, cute, heroic, and to this day, his work still moves thousand of persons around the world. As for the movie, despite not being perfect, I had a blast watching my hero again. I strongly recommend it to everyone. Think outside the box, read between the lines, and you will see the magic and the beauty that is Astro Boy. I salute and thank the guys at Imagi for their awesome work. They have rekindled my spirit in all matters "Tetsuwan Atomu". I was moved, I cried, and I remembered the little boy that I was and the dreams he once had.
Recognizable by his famous spiked hair, Astro has lived countless ordeals and trials since his first inception in the Japanese manga series first published in 1952. He became such a big influence that he was named Japan's envoy for overseas safety, back in november 2007. A daunting task it must have been for Imagi to adapt this iconic, long-standing figure that has been with us for 57 years now.
Did they succeed? I have to say "indubitably yes". Sure, the settings were changed, actualized for today audience, but the core message of Osamu Tesuka lives on. He used "Tetsuwan Atomu", the Mighty Atom in japanese, in the hope that the advent of atomic energy could be harness in a positive way, rather for its destructive side (a.k.a. the Atom bomb). Conflicts were always a vital part of Astro's universe. Every situations that our hero faced shown the "rights" and "wrongs" of humanity's actions. The moral issues that Tezuka invoked came from the heart. Just like Gene Roddenberry, creator of Star Trek, he hoped for a bright and positive future for humanity. Hence, the blue and red cores thematic introduced by Professor Elefun at the start of the movie.
Furthermore, the classic tale of the young robot boy searching for his identity, his meaning of existence, was told in a touching way. I chocked when Tenma rejected him for who he was. I felt the heart of Elefun has he tried to confort Astro on many occasions. I shed tears when our hero sacrifice himself for the good of others, despite their origins. If anything, Imagi truly succeed at showing who's Astro: a lovable boy that represents the good side of humanity and the potential that we carried.
Clearly, Imagi wanted to convey a large spectrum of emotions, from joy to sadness, even nostalgia... Yes, nostalgia! Despite what the critics might say, I can say without doubt that this movie does have a nostalgic feel to it. I remembered the scene where Toby/Astro first discovered that he could fly... It was magical! At first, he was clumsy at it, like in the original manga/anime, but once he got the twist of it, he skyrocketed to the clouds, shaping them has he past through them. He then plugged into the mountain, making his way through it until he burst out at the top, laughing in joy at his discovery. At that very moment, as I held back my tears, joyful memories sparked... I smiled knowing that I was a kid again.
The music too helped at delivering those key moments. A beautiful well written orchestral score made this movie a pure joy to watch. Yes, I would have like to ear the original 80's theme song, but the score that John Ottoman wrote definitely has that Astro feel to it. It sends shivers done my spine each time I listen to it.
Speaking of nostalgic moments, Astro Boy fans will be pleased to see references to Tezuka's work here and there throughout the movie. The scene were Astro's drilling out from the top of the mountain is reminiscence to the 60's intro. The blueprint that Doctor Tenma shows is Tezuka's original drawing. The animators even played with Astro's hair points, which shifts depending where the side of his head is frontal. It's like Imagi's making an homage to Astro. I invite you to find even more of those easter eggs.
What about the animation? They are top notch, brilliantly done. Imagi might not have topped what Pixar have made in the past, but they are getting closer with each new movies. The style really reflect that of Tezuka, with a colorful pallet and exaggerated points, such has the facial anatomy... You know, big ears, enormous noses! But does Astro looks like Astro? Even if he looks older, the likeness of Toby/Astro is amazing. He's still huggable and cute! I give 10 thumbs up just for the animation... They are that great!
Truly, Osamu Tezuka was a god. He had bring to life a character that's charming, cute, heroic, and to this day, his work still moves thousand of persons around the world. As for the movie, despite not being perfect, I had a blast watching my hero again. I strongly recommend it to everyone. Think outside the box, read between the lines, and you will see the magic and the beauty that is Astro Boy. I salute and thank the guys at Imagi for their awesome work. They have rekindled my spirit in all matters "Tetsuwan Atomu". I was moved, I cried, and I remembered the little boy that I was and the dreams he once had.
Friday, October 30, 2009
He's not dead, Jim!
Ok, it has been months since I have gave any signs of activity on this blog, mainly due to my busy life... or not... I really don't know anymore. Right now, it as if I'm in a roller coaster ride... There's some ups and downs. It is periodic. I can't say that I'm thrilled by that, but I won't abandoned all hopes now.
To make a short story, some months ago, I've been working on creating a portfolio to help me out in finding an awesome job in the field of Front End Web development or to get back to school. It was great at first. I was receiving a lot of help from different people. But suddenly, the founding that I was suppose to received from my government weren't coming in... Weird, huh! I've tried to find out why, but before I knew it, two months has passed. Since I wasn't able to get the thing I needed for my project, like softwares, I've decided to find a job and to let go of this program that I was in.
Soon after, I was able to get a job as a ISP technician for an internet provider in my region, with a great salary, that would help me in my endeavors. Alas, that too didn't worked as I imagined... I was fired about 3 weeks ago :( . Now, I'm back at doing nothing, trying to figure out a way to make things work for me.
I know that my cards didn't worked well for me, but I won't go down that easily. From all of those hardships, I have learned something valuable. I think it's about time that I go back to school and specialize myself in a given field... You guessed it right! Design! Either Game designing or Web designing, but that's the field that I will go in.
I'll be back soon with new stuffs to talk about with you guys. Jaa mata, minna!
To make a short story, some months ago, I've been working on creating a portfolio to help me out in finding an awesome job in the field of Front End Web development or to get back to school. It was great at first. I was receiving a lot of help from different people. But suddenly, the founding that I was suppose to received from my government weren't coming in... Weird, huh! I've tried to find out why, but before I knew it, two months has passed. Since I wasn't able to get the thing I needed for my project, like softwares, I've decided to find a job and to let go of this program that I was in.
Soon after, I was able to get a job as a ISP technician for an internet provider in my region, with a great salary, that would help me in my endeavors. Alas, that too didn't worked as I imagined... I was fired about 3 weeks ago :( . Now, I'm back at doing nothing, trying to figure out a way to make things work for me.
I know that my cards didn't worked well for me, but I won't go down that easily. From all of those hardships, I have learned something valuable. I think it's about time that I go back to school and specialize myself in a given field... You guessed it right! Design! Either Game designing or Web designing, but that's the field that I will go in.
I'll be back soon with new stuffs to talk about with you guys. Jaa mata, minna!
Monday, March 16, 2009
The Ubisoft Campus Open House
Holy crap! I totally forgot to post that :D . That's old news, february the 6th to be precise. So, without any further ado, here's the Ubisoft Campus' open house ;) .
The Ubisoft Campus is a educational institute in the city of Montreal (Quebec, Canada) that specialize in the field of gaming, duh! They have different programs from Level Design to Game Design to 3D Animation, in affiliation with some of the province's colleges and universities. Like I mention in my retrospective, you have to present a portfolio with your candidature, and it needs to be a good one too... a damn good one... if you want to be put on their list of possible candidates. To simply put it, for every 100 candidatures, only half of it will become possible candidates. Furthermore, after interviewing them, only 25 will be taken in. Yep! The openings are pretty small for each programs.
I went to the open house to learn more about the Level Design program, which will give you an college attestation diploma. Since I don't have a college diploma, that's pretty much the only educational level opened to me in their list. Some of current students were there to greet the visitors and answer their questions. I've learned quite a bit about the program and the conditions to be accepted... Although I mind was set, I would never had guessed that later in that afternoon I would renew my interest in becoming of full fledged Game Designer. That's I've meet one of the Game Designer program student. After a long talk with her, I have realized that it would be much better for me to go with the program instead of Level Design. Unfortunately, I would have to get a Baccalaureate to try it out :( .
As you might have guessed, I don't know what to do now... Should I try get a Baccalaureate, which takes about 3 years to complete, and then go for the Game Design program, or should I just go for the Level Design program.
Damn, that's a hard decision to take! Oh well, I guess that I will have to give it a serious thought.
For now, I need to find myself a job... Money doesn't come from trees, you know XD .
The Ubisoft Campus is a educational institute in the city of Montreal (Quebec, Canada) that specialize in the field of gaming, duh! They have different programs from Level Design to Game Design to 3D Animation, in affiliation with some of the province's colleges and universities. Like I mention in my retrospective, you have to present a portfolio with your candidature, and it needs to be a good one too... a damn good one... if you want to be put on their list of possible candidates. To simply put it, for every 100 candidatures, only half of it will become possible candidates. Furthermore, after interviewing them, only 25 will be taken in. Yep! The openings are pretty small for each programs.
I went to the open house to learn more about the Level Design program, which will give you an college attestation diploma. Since I don't have a college diploma, that's pretty much the only educational level opened to me in their list. Some of current students were there to greet the visitors and answer their questions. I've learned quite a bit about the program and the conditions to be accepted... Although I mind was set, I would never had guessed that later in that afternoon I would renew my interest in becoming of full fledged Game Designer. That's I've meet one of the Game Designer program student. After a long talk with her, I have realized that it would be much better for me to go with the program instead of Level Design. Unfortunately, I would have to get a Baccalaureate to try it out :( .
As you might have guessed, I don't know what to do now... Should I try get a Baccalaureate, which takes about 3 years to complete, and then go for the Game Design program, or should I just go for the Level Design program.
Damn, that's a hard decision to take! Oh well, I guess that I will have to give it a serious thought.
For now, I need to find myself a job... Money doesn't come from trees, you know XD .
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