Street Fighter X Tekken

Developer: Capcom/ Bandai-Namco Games/Dimps/ QLOC[PC version]

Publisher: Capcom

Year:2012

Home Region Name: Street Fighter X Iron Fist [Japan/Region 2]

Original Work: Yoshiki Okamoto[Street Fighter]/ Katsushiro Harada[Tekken Series]

Platform: Play Station 3/ XBox 360/ Playstation VITA/ PC

Rating: T[ESRB]/ B[CERO]/ 12[PEGI]

[Characters are subject to their original names. No mistranslations allowed if any]

     It's no secret that I like cross overs.  Also, to see the likes of Ryu and Kazuya Mishima in the same arena became immediate grounds for goosebumps between the two fanbases.  And thus we are presented with Street Fighter X(cross) Tekken; one of the most highly anticipated Capcom-Namco crossovers since the Japan only release of the simulation RPG Namco X Capcom.

[Match made in Heaven? or Hell]

     The "story" of this crossover centers on a mystical space cube called "Pandora", which landed on the polar ice caps, and whoever discovers it will attain any wish managable.  As a result, fighters from both sides of the video game fence scramble to find and secure the magic box.

     Since this particular crossover was primarily developed by Capcom, it uses the six-button fighting engine as Street Fighter, in which fighters engage in a 2.5D arena; each punch and kick possessing three levels of strength: weak, medium, and strong.  Although the Street Fighter cast will feel right at home, Tekken characters will adjust differently from their counterparts.  In this instance, they will use the standard four button combo juggling system as in their original franchise.  Furthermore, the tag system used in Tekken Tag Tournament is incorporated into the game; which means you can swap between two characters, but if you lose with one of your teammates, the point goes to your opponent's team.  Teammates can tag regularly or through combos.  Adding to the 4-man fist fight are two new pieces to the game; Gem and Pandora.  Gem allows for fighters to equip 3 gems at a time to augment their speed, strength, firepower, etc. Pandora allows for one fighter to lend his or her remaining strength  to teammates to help turn the tides of battle. 

[10 points to Sony]

     In regards to the PS3 and VITA versions of the game, you play a total of 55 characters: 12 downloads, 3 exclusive to Playstation systems, and 2 free DLC characters included in the roster. This is more Sony's gain than Microsoft's.  Among those are Sony's feline Inoue brothers, Toro and Kuro, Bad Box art Rockman, Namco's Mascot Pac-Man, and Infamous' Cole.  Back on the subject of gameplay, there are various modes of play, such as Arcade and Burst Kumite (survival), Tutorial, Practice and Challenge for those who want to reach tourney levels of game experience.  And of course you have your multiplayer campaigns, and a four player tag battle.  In Player Record, you can track your play history; ranging from unlocked content, to AR photoshoots.

[Press the Logo and Start button at the same time on your Vita to take snapshots of your progress]

     Overall, Street Fighter X Tekken is a buyer beware game.  Fans of both franchises will find something to love, whereas everyone else should find a better fighter that suits them.  It's a well made game, but whether it's worth the controversy or not is up to you.  As for me, it's worth a rental or two.

My Rating: 7/10

     

Games By Showa Review: Dead or Alive 5

Dead or Alive 5

Developer: Team Ninja; Sega AM2

Publisher: Koei-Tecmo Games

Year:2012 (VITA version March 2013)

Home Region Name:Dead Or Alive 5

Original Work/Author: Dead Or Alive [Tomonobu Itagaki]

Platform: Playstation 3; X-BOX 360; Play Station VITA

Rating: ESRB/M; CERO:D; PEGI:18

[Due to the nature of this game, viewer discretion is advised]

     At the dawn of 3-D fighting, Dead or Alive has crossed a path that few games of this class dare tread on; balancing model gameplay and sex appeal yet doing a surprisingly good job at it.  Now Tecmo-Koei and Team Ninja decide to up the stakes with their fifth canonical installment, Dead or Alive 5.

[First multi-platform release since DOA2]

  The game takes place two years after the events of the fourth Dead or Alive.  Helena Douglass has decided to rebuild DOATEC from the ground up, and use the tech from the company for peaceful purposes. She also has Zack host the titular tournament.  The main campaign centers on the tourney and the Mugen-Tenshin clan's hunt for the runaway clone of the series' protagonist [Kasumi], Alpha-152.  Like Dead or Alive Dimensions, the story is told through the eyes of the main playable characters [excluding Gen-Fu], and you play all of them sequentially instead of the usual arcade-based storytelling used in fighting games.

[5 new characters enter the fray in DOA]

     You play a total of 24 characters; among the recurring cast is Gen-fu and Alpha-152, who are unlockable. Rig, a shady Canadian taekwondo master, and Mila, a Spanish MMA fighter, are the two new faces of the franchise.  New to the series are three of the fighters of Sega's Virtua Fighter; Hakkyoku-ken master, Akira Yuki, freestyle martial artist, Sarah Bryant and Mizongyi expert, Pai Chan.  Contrary to the simplistic control scheme, each fighter controls differently despite the fairly sized roster.  

[Tina: Did you miss these, honey?]

     The game has a fairly decent amount of offline modes to play.  The previously mentioned Story Mode is actually pretty good.  Adding to the challenge-reward factor are a series of bonus missions, which help give you titles, and some unlockable content such as costumes, stages, etc.  With that, your standard fighting modes, like VS, Time Attack, and Survival are here. The Training mode is pretty decent, providing alot of options to hone your skill the way you want to.  For the offline spectator mode, you not only get to watch computer battles, but you also get to take snaphots.  For online modes, you can chat with other friends worldwide while watching other fights, create a lobby, and so-on.  For the most part, it doesn't end with the obvious online mode, you can post your progress in DOA5 on social media, namely Facebook and Youtube.  The Vita version also has tap mode [where you face your opponent in first person and tap to attack] and command practice where newcomers can get a feel for the series.

     The controls are responsive, but easy controlling, doesn't make this a game you can master.  The main focus of DOA is a balance between a fierce offense and a solid defense.  When fighting, timing and proper co-ordination is key to getting the upper hand over your opposition.  The option to select between solo and tag matches in certain modes allow for variations of attacks as well.  The legendary Danger Zone from the previous games is here; further improving more so on DOA4's hazards, making them more dangerous, especially for those on the receiving end of the fight especially with the inclusion of quick time events.

     And of course, there is the game's graphics;  having played the PS3 and Vita versions, they look really smooth.  The console versions in particular put alot of emphasis on character detail, as they appear sleeker and more refined.  Characters now have new effects such as, sweat, dirt and drench detail.  Fans will also enjoy the return of what made this game so unique from most fighters, movable.... fanservice.  However, the sexuality aspect has been less prevalent, making for a balanced flare.  For the seasoned fans, the costume DLC can give them the experience they came to know.

[Not in a million years. Not downloadin this at all.]

    The soundtrack for this game is rather hit-or-miss.  There is some good music that set the mood, but some of it is worth a pass.  The game can be played with English and Japanese dialog, both are not bad at the slightest.

     Overall, Dead or Alive 5 lives up to it's slogan, "I'm a Fighter" with gusto.  The game makes some interesting changes but does it's best to not forsake what made the game a legend among fans.  Making proper use of the age of online gaming, while providing a strong replay value for local play.  A more coherent storyline, and improved fighting system help make the experience beyond enjoyable.  If DOA4 set the standard, then DOA5 exceeded it extremely well.  I reccommend purchasing this game if you're into fighting games and the DOA series.

#Just Desserts : Farewell Mr. Orth

     [Even though this has a source, take this as a grain of salt. Subject to rants and personal opinion. You've been warned]

[Pay close attention; this is what the fall of the gaming industry looks like]

     Meet the creative director of Microsoft, Adam Orth.  On April 4, 2013, Adam went on his Twitter account to respond to some speculations regarding the next XBOX console being on perpetual online service, in other words, 24 hours of internet connection:

"Sorry, I don't get the drama around having an always on console.  Every device is always on. That's the world we live in"

     The special icing on the cake with this remark was #dealwithit.  Comments from his twitter account continued at the disgust of journalist, fans, and eventually the higher-ups at his company.  One week later, it's reported that he is no longer with the company.  This however does not fully answer the question of whether the new console will have online only software or otherwise.

[reminds me of when girls post screenshots of their chat sessions with guys they hate]

     Between writing this and chatting with my friends on Facebook, I had to really think about why would someone like Mr. Orth would act so unprofessional and try to pull a fast one on the consumers. Capcom has done this with DMC , Biohazard 6, and their Download content practices (the former being an indication that it's not getting a Showa's Choice label in the future), EA with similar and lesser practices, and so on. The only difference here is that not only did he try to make himself out to be the one in the right, he failed to realize that there are consequences for his actions.  Of course between his Twitter remark and resignation, he made an apology to the customers, but to no avail, as since this IS the internet, word gets around super quick.

     Despite Microsoft not wanting anything to do with this, I feel that it doesn't necessarily save them from other speculations they have caused.  Most notably cameras watching your every action.  Regardless, will Microsoft reverse what Orth suggested concerning this?  Only one way to find out, since it's Game Expo Season, and E3, PAX(Penny Arcade Expo), and Tokyo Game Show are around the corner.

[Niggas be like, "Times are Changing"]

Sources:Kotaku.com, Game Informer

Showa's Finest: Astro Boy: The Omega Factor

Showa's Finest: Ep.1 Astro Boy: The Omega Factor

Welcome to Showa’s Finest. A portion of Games by Showa where I review the best of the best, but under certain conditions…

I had to have played these games
They must have positive reviews overall; An aggregate score of 4.0/5.0, 90/100, or 90% minimum by pro reviewers, plus positive recommendations.  Blistered Thumbs is established as pro critics so don’t hassle me just in case.
I have to like the game overall. Positive criticism from other reviewers do not always mean I like the game.
With these conditions met, my first game for this segment and Games By Showa as a whole is………..

Astro Boy: The Omega Factor.



Developer: TREASURE Games/ Hitmaker

Publisher: SEGA Enterprises/ Sony Home Entertainment

Year:2003[Japan] 2004[North America]

Home Region Name: Astro Boy Mighty Atom: Secret of Atom’s Heart [Japan/Region 2]

Original Work/Author: Mighty Atom[Osamu Tezuka/ Tezuka Productions]

Platform: Game Boy Advance

Anyone in anime culture that knows me knows that I love the Astro Boy series. For those who are unfamiliar, Atom the Mighty (Known as Astrro Boy in North America) is the crown jewel of the late Osamu Tezuka. It was published in 1952 , aired as a tokusatsu a year later, and as a cartoon in 1963 in Japan. The series was the first aesthetic embodiment of what we know worldwide as anime. On April 7, 2003, the same as the eponymous hero’s birthday, Tezuka Productions and Japanese cable network, Animax aired a remake to the classic cartoon series, to also commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1963 anime adaptation. Sadly the reamke didn’t do too well here in America, but the game being reviewed, exceeded the standard for syndicated tie-ins and games for the side-scrolling beat-em up genre.



Though unlike the plot of the update, the story follows the entire canon from Tezuka’s manga series, if not the entire Tezuka Star System, since his rendition of the 1927 film Metropolis. With that, the in-game story allows you to develop the titular protagonist through interaction with almost all of the characters from Tezuka’s historical calvacade (more on that later). Safely put, the game is a surreal experience for fans on both sides of the spectrum; gamer fans will see a mirror image of a true game of it’s genre, while anime fans will relive the late God of Manga’s universe on the go. In Atsro Boy’s case, the game does a good job in emulating not only his character, but his abilities; the trademarks being a finger laser, arm cannon, super strength and attack power, jet boots, and the people’s personal favorite, rear end gun turrets: all of these armaments and appendages are invaluable and usage of such is compulsory. Another testament of the game’s versatility comes from it’s side-scrolling aerial shooting stages, which come off as tributes to games like Konami’s Gradius and the R-Type series. This variation breaks the monotony of beating up robots before reaching the end.

One other thing to take to consideration is the game’s visuals, which are almost comparable to the 2003 anime and are nothing short of colorful dazzling. Speaking on a personal note, the Marine Express never looked so menacing. Accenting the stages and overall look are the games music and sound effects that keep the game pleasurable

Like most of the Sonic games released since 1999, you can switch between five languages, including the original Japanese, which is an added bonus for fans of the manga and anime franchise. Also, much like TREASURE’s preceding title, Gunstar Heroes, this game is fairly challenging, in some cases unforgiving; even if you were to take away the spotty level designs, the game will still be a big grind. It is noted that the North American release is slightly harder than the Japanese version. Either way, the game more than makes up for this with unlimited continues and an auto save feature. Speaking of a big grind, you will not beat this game in one sit-in, not if you want the true ending. However, if you beat it the first time, level select will be unlocked and the stages you’ve beaten earlier will be free to revisit again and again as you progress with more bonus material.

This brings us back to the subject of character interaction. Throughout the game, you will happen to find some NPC’s scattered randomly in every stage. These NPC’s come from Tezuka’s Star System of characters. Then there is what is called the Omega Factor, or Astro Boy’s Heart (Soul). After you and the character exchange dialog or fulfill certain requirements, that character is placed in a honeycomb full of Astro’s encounters. As mentioned earlier, these encounters help boost his stats, ranging from health to firepower; the increase helps make earlier challenges less difficult as you progress; adding to the replay value.

(Astro’s Omega Factor/ Atom’s Heart)

Ultimately, Omega Factor does an outstanding job as a game and tribute to the classic manga and anime franchise. There were many games like this past and present, but none has ever captured near perfect execution as this handheld gem. If you haven’t got your hands on it, whether as a game worth playing or as a collector’s item, then now is your chance to to do so. Astro Boy Omega Factor is an overall must have and should never be passed up, especially if you’re a fan of the story.

Hard Hat Sony

     Since Thursday (January 17), Sony Entertainment Network has undergone network maintenance.  Which means that Playstation 3 and VITA owners will have no access online, nor use any of their applications such as Netflix, Crackle, and of course the Playstation Store.   As of this writing there's no telling when this will finish. By the time this is posted, it might finish.  Until then, be patient.


[Sorry, no pics this time]

"If It Ain't Kamiya, Then it Sucks" They Say....

    [Warning: This post is subject to blogger's opinion.  The views express do not reflect the source of this article]

      In a nutshell, the original team that made such games as "Viewtiful Joe, God Hand, Okami, and Devil May Cry" were kicked out by Capcom. Same case when Keiji Inafune, the creator of Rockman [Mega Man] left said company. Since then, the hadouken spitting, zombie killing company has been the center of backlash, hate and controversy.

[Dante: Damn man, what's wit all this hatin? You ain't even bought me yet]

     It's one thing to loathe production and design practices, but another to cast judgment just for spite.  In late 2011, Capcom enlisted developer Ninja Theory to make the next Devil May Cry game in the stead of now Platinum Games.  Unfortunately upon announcement of the new design and retelling of the decade old epic, it was met with harsh vehement and disgust among fans; only a few had shown support for this change, including the developers themselves.  In fact, little positive respect was given to the new battle system.

     With the game's release on Martin Luther King Jr's birthday looming, people have already made critiques centering on this reboot.  Ninja Theory's Twitter page has admonished the fans to avoid these "Fake" reviews, which seems to be a good idea, considering that since this game has garnered negative attention long since initial development.  Also, I would like to go on and say the to do so without at least playing the demo or full game is unprofessional under any circumstances.

"Happy that no genuine review has been under 89% so far...some reviews where the writer hasn’t received review code and not even played the game”.

     

  Professional critiques usually come just moments before the product's release, upon which, the material must be played to a reasonable point of completion before giving out a verdict.  In that case, it's best to take Ninja Theory's advice and wait for a professional opinion.

[DMC4 Dante: You got the skill, but not the style. And what the f**k is with that cigarette?]

     This however, does not excuse them, or even Capcom after all the negative PR they have been receiving up until recently.  After playing the trail on my PS3, I was feeling rather discomforted.  This new Dante, and even Virgil were but eyesores and an immortal stain to the Devil May Cry Series.  Plus, I can't forgive your depiction of the previous Dante as "laughable".

     DMC: Devil May Cry will be in North American store shelves January 15 (after this post).  This game uses the Unreal Engine, much like it's Cyber Connect 2 digital anime game, Asura's Wrath.  Buyer beware, but save your opinion after playing the game, or at least completing it.

Source: Analog Addiction

Article Link:Analog Addiction.org

Sonic Begins. Starring Steve Urkel and Nostalgia Critic

     Fan films of all kind have been surfacing, even before the days of streaming media and social networks. though the difference between then and now is that now, people have the experience, the tools, and the resources.  Such is the case with Blue Core Studios and there homage to our beloved blue streaker.

[Kickin' Eggman's butt since 1991]

Sonic Fan Film by Blue Core Studios.

     The fan film dubbed "Sonic" is a fan's interpretation of how the high school freshman aged hedgehog got started protecting all life from Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik and his machanized army of destruction.  The movie starts off with Eggman's Egg Carrier looming over the planet Mobius, and as this happens, Eggaman begins his terroristic threat against mankind and the world.  The military is powerless against him and all hope seems lost until the blue quilled hedgehog, initially called the blue blur, comes to their and the world's aid.

And thus, the battle begins.

     Apparently, alot of effort was put into making this eighteen minute film.  The special effects and CGI show little to almost no blemish.  The same goes for the acting.  The who's who of internet personalities have made an appearance; James "Angry Video Game Nerd" Rolfe, minus the sailor mouth is there, along with That Guy With The Glasses moderator and former Nostalgia Critic, Doug Walker, plays the role of one of the G.U.N. soldiers. Plus, the extra icing on the cake come in the form of Jaleel White [Family Matters, Adventures of Sonic the Hedgehog] reprising his old role as Sega's prized mascot.

[Special shout-out to Doug Walker of TGWTG for posting the video on my feed]

     I recommend watching this; arguably one of the best fan films I have ever come across. And support Sega and Sonic Team by playing the Sonic titles you love.

     Sonic the Hedgehog was created by Yuji Naka in 1991, and was released for the Sega Megadrive (Genesis).  Sonic Generations was Released in 2011, commerating Sonic's 20th anniversary.  Sonic All-Star Racers Transformed featuring Disney's Wreck-It-Ralph in stores now.

Fan Film by Blue Core Studios

Doug Walker's Site: That Guy With The Glasses

My Facebook:Showa's World.