Author: loserx

One Episode Impression – Senki Zesshō Symphogear

So here we are at a brand new season. I have even less time and patience nowadays, so I’m probably giving each series just one episode each. My judgement isn’t the best so I might be really off on some of these, but… meh. There’ll be some spoilers, obviously. Will be posting as I watch them.

Two years ago, a pair of idols, Tsubasa Kazanari and Kanade Amō, collectively known as ZweiWing, fought against an alien race known as Noise using armor known as Symphogear. To protect a girl named Hibiki Tachibana, who got severely wounded by the Noise, Kanade sacrificed herself. Two years later, as Tsubasa has fought the Noise alone, Hibiki ends up gaining the same power as Kanade.

A dash of Puella Magic Madoka Magica (it’s got a Meduka and a Homerun), something from Macross Frontier (only the songstresses are also the hotshots), a transformation sequence that vaguely reminds me of Mawaru Penguindrum (only low budget) and battle costumes from Infinite Stratos. Can’t say I’m too impressed with this first episode.

Verdict: unlikely to continue

Synopsis from Anime News Network.

Live Action Akira Shut Down

I quote:

The project, which has been through several incarnations, is being shut down in the face of casting, script and budget issues. The production offices in Vancouver are being closed, with below-the-line talent and crew told to stop working. “Everybody is being sent home,” according to an insider.

Hardly a surprise. The whole idea is just harebrained.

A full length American Akira would probably be more entertaining.

The American Akira

Source.

Edit: looks like the project is still alive.

Skyrim Watch, Part 3

So it turns out Skyrim will feature same sex marriages for your character. Beth’s VP of marketing Pete Hines confirmed it in a tweet.

More choices = better in a Role Playing Game, I say, as long as it wasn’t implemented at the expense of some other aspect of game play. Going by what we know and seen so far though, any fear of that is likely unfounded.

At least, it won’t be anything like that abominable sequel of an RPG, Age of Dragons 2 or something…

Counting on that hoary old saying

There’s a sucker born every minute.

XCOM - Demo Gameplay (Commented) E3 2011 | HD

What is the intended audience of this product? Old X-COM fans are pissed off that the brand has been slapped on a generic FPS. The name isn’t strong enough to attract sales from non-fans.

Honestly, a 60s-era Area 51 themed shooter named anything else? If the reviews were decent, then hell yeah, I’d buy and play it. Putting my beloved X-COM name on it guarantees I won’t even give it a chance.

Skyrim Watch, Part 2

Lots of new information available since my last post about Skyrim, but it is only at Quakecon that we got actual live gameplay footage.

(Quakecon 2011) Elder Scrolls V Skyrim 35 Min Gameplay Fixed Audio [HD 720p]

What I got from this video:

  • The draw distances are amazing. No more trees and structures popping up out of nowhere.
  • At the same time, great detailing on the little things like logs, small plants.
  • The spell effects look good, which fixes one of my pet peeves from Oblivion. I wonder how moddable they are. Hopefully Bethesda is including OBSE-esque hooks for extra scriptability.
  • While the one weapon or spell per hand mechanic looks like it’ll add whole new dimensions to game play (it looks like a super-charged version of what we got in BioShock), it looks like parrying with weapons is off the table, perhaps in the interest of game balance.
  • The areas demoed are the same as in the previously released game play trailer. Would have preferred to see something new.
  • Obnoxious audience is obnoxious.

The Collector’s Edition was also announced at QuakeCon. I’m sorry, but while I am a huge fan of the Elder Scrolls series, USD150 for a PVC sculpture, a making of DVD and an art book is just a rip off.

Edit: the video was taken off. Will be updating the post once a better version is available.