God of War III

Woot, after sporadically playing God of War III in the past weeks, I've finally finished the story (haven't done all the Challenges yet).  It's a great game (as you'd expected since it got 92% at Game Rankings) and I had quite a lot of fun playing it.  The game play is familiar to it's predecessor's, sure, but I still had a lot of fun fighting the monsters.  Although, at times I found myself just 'mashing' the buttons.  I agree with some reviews stating that the extra weapons Kratos (the protagonist) gets are quite similar to his original weapons, the Blades of Exiles.  The only gripe I have about the moves is that the double jump is really annoying to get it right, I hate the precision of the button pressing (having to pause just a little bit after the first jump) in order to double jump. I found myself in the earlier parts that more often than not, I just died from not being to double jump over a gap (and there are many gaps in the game).

Obviously, the graphics are great, and looks really really good, I guess what's even more surprising is that it's all rendered by the game engine and not prerecorded.  I also like how the load times are masked, so it gives the illusion that there are no load times between cinematic and game play, it really reduces the boredom and annoyance of having to wait for something major to happen (or going back to playing after a cutscene).

The story was captivating, and it kept me going through the game.  Kratos is pretty brutal though, and I was surprised when he showed care for Pandora (since up to that point, he practically just killed everyone he saw). The ending was quite nice, and the post credits scene shows that there could be a continuation even though this is supposed to be the end of the trilogy.

Some of the puzzles were crafted very well, and complicated to do (Hera's Gardens were hard but satisfying).  You get a sense of satisfaction when you've completed them.  However, I think the biggest flaw of God of War III is that... it's too short.  You can finish the story in around 10 hours (since I finished in that time, and I'm one of the slowest players when playing games), but it's still a great experience.  It makes you wish for more, there are post game stuff like the Challenges, but I don't feel compelled to do them like the story mode.

The music was excellent and suitable at whichever point you're up to, it feels just right setting the tone of the game.  Overall, a great game, but too short, I want more of it!  Probably better to rent than to buy (or just sell it afterwards I guess).

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Book Review: Black Cat Volume 17: Coming Through!

Review:  #148
Title:  Black Cat Volume 17:  Coming Through!
Series:  Black Cat - 17th volume
Author:  Kentaro Yabuki
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  The end of the battle between Shiki and Train was awesome; I really like how the way the author portrayed Shiki’s fighting style as something beyond summoning insects, because, truly, fighting with insects isn’t that stunning.  I really like the panel when Shiki uses his ultimate technique, it captured the moment really well and I think one of the best artwork in the entire series.  The “Black Cat’s Claws” were a bit disappointing for something that Train’s has been keeping up his sleeves.  After that, when Train and River meets up with Eve and Kevin, how Eve uses her nanoblade technique for the first time to fight the men in armour was hilarious.  Volume ends on a good note, where we get to see how cruel the Doctor could be (he was always a fairly mysterious character), a very nice read.

Rating:  7.5/10

Toy Review: Transformers ROTF Recon Ironhide

Review:  #67
Name:  Recon Ironhide
Brand:  Transformers
Allegiance:  Autobot
Line:  Revenge of the Fallen - N.E.S.T. Global Alliance
Year of Release:  2009
Size Class:  Voyager (Wave 6)
Variations:  a retool from the original Movie Ironhide, which was repainted into ROTF Ironhide and Autobot Alliance Ironhide

VEHICLE MODE:

Ironhide transforms into a heavily modified 2006 GMC Topkick 4500 four-wheel drive pickup truck.  This is a massive retool, he has armored panels for windows, lighting rigs, weapons rack, and a huge bullbar in front.  However, not all changes are desirable.  Ironhide does not feature transparent plastic anymore, but the baby blue paint used does not feel realistic.

He features zebra stripes across the body of the vehicle.  He still has smokestacks, but they are much smaller and less pronounced than the original version.  Ironhide rolls very well on his wheels, and since his cannons are smaller this time around, they're not as obvious and out of place.

He loses quite a few paint apps but that's the compromise you'd have to make for the additional weapons (which is worthy trade in my opinion).  You can see that there is a molded Autobot logo on the back (pardon the amount of dust that's settled on the figure...).

This is a well proportioned figure, I just wish the PVC white could be changed to another colour (it looked much better in the latter repaint).

Now, Ironhide comes with four clip on weapons (being the first figure to use the C-joint system), two knives and two guns.  They come into play better in robot mode, but for now, in vehicle mode, you'll have to make due by attaching them on various places on the truck.

Granted, it does not do Ironhide many favors in the realism department, but Ironhide looks way more powerful and rough.

A good vehicle mode, fairly static, to be sure, but the combination of weapons does allow some versatility.  I find that the side mirrors tend to detach fairly easily.

TRANSFORMATION:

Ironhide has a complex transformation, but it's not frustrating or too hard, and when you're finished, you get that satisfaction feeling of transforming a formidable toy.  The automorph on the legs are really cool (pulling down the feet panel will shift parts automatically around the leg).  There are many twists and turns involved, but there are some parts where I felt that it would break while transforming him due to the reliance of thin pieces (thankfully, the plastic used is very durable).  A great transformation.

ROBOT MODE:

Unlike most other Movie toys at the time (in 2007), Ironhide's robot mode isn't terribly faithful to his onscreen design (particularly the legs).  What's more, Ironhide's robot mode isn't exactly clean either, since the retool created extra kibble that wasn't present in the original version.

At first, the back seems like a mess, but fiddling around with it, it's not really that bad.  It's probably really hard to make it even more compact than it already is.  The two vehicle mode halves as his shoulder pads (of sorts) looks really good here.

In addition to the four clip on weapons Ironhide, he gains his extra two signature arm cannons, AND you can morph the left one into a crossbow type weapon with a launching missile formed by the bumper and arm gun.

Normally, Ironhide can't hold all his weapons separately, but you can combine plug the multi-barrel gun onto his right arm cannon, and then combine a knife with the other gun to hold and plug into the cannon, leaving either hand to hold the remaining knife.  That's just only one way (and the way the instructions set out), there are so many options here, and you can even clip the guns on the racks above his shoulder for shoulder mounted guns!

Alternatively, you can give the weapons to other characters who have clip on joints.

Or, just let other characters hold them, since the weapons are standard 5mm pegs, Recon Ironhide is like a weapons set!

Ironhide also gets a brand new head sculpt, featuring his face mask.  It looks great, and is highly detailed, sitting on a balljoint.  Ironhide's articulation is decent, but the range of motion might be a bit restricted, due to the small arms in relation to his bulky proportions.

A well engineered robot mode, sure, there are some flaws here and there, but they're all fairly minor in comparison to what you actually get.

OVERALL:

A much funner toy than I had expected.  I had originally gotten him because he was extraordinary cheap (half the retail price during a sale), and what I had got I would have gladly paid more than what I did.  Ironhide is an excellent figure, and is a load of fun with all the additional weapons.  The retooling done more than makes up for the reduction of paint applications.

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Book Review: Black Cat Volume 16: The Truth of the Tao

Review:  #147
Title:  Black Cat Volume 16:  The Truth of the Tao
Series:  Black Cat - 16th volume
Author:  Kentaro Yabuki
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  Brilliant, this volume contains some of the best fight scenes in the whole series.  It starts off with Sven fighting against Deak, and Sven’s Vision Eye improves into the Grasper Eye (the name doesn't sound as cool…).  It’s okay, but still a bit underwhelming, I think I like the Vision Eye better, but there were limits on how much you could do with it (with the Grasper Eye, there are pretty much no bounds…).  That’s the first two chapters, and the rest of the volume is Train’s and River’s fight against Shiki, someone whom we’ve seen a lot of, but never truly saw his fighting prowess in detail.  I thought that he was fairly weak and uninspiring at first, when he summoned a creature to fight for him instead, but when Train goes against him one on one, that is where it got interesting, and his power is formidable.  I loved how Shiki’s face was revealed, and the art is so good in this volume.  Apparently there’s a back story on why Shiki’s going to destroy Chronos, so it’ll be good to find out.  It ends on a great note, with Train giving up his ace in the hole (the last shot of his Rail Gun), and apparently having some other sort of ‘signature’ ability/attack.
Rating:  7.5/10

Negima! Magister Negi Magi Volume 18

VOL. 18

160 – May the World Be at Peace

Well, this chapter seems to be the end of the arc that spanned nearly half the series’ volumes at this point.  I would say… that the flying train compartment is very random and weird.  To sum this up, Negi saved the day, hooray, now we can get on with other stories.

161 – The Future Belongs to Everyone

Honestly, the drawings of Chao gets better and better with each chapter, there’s so much character in some of the frames in this chapter.  But back to the story, still wrapping up everything, and Chao seems pretty cool with losing…  There were some bits of the chapter where I was lost and didn't know what was happening or going on though since the dialogue was a bit of a mess.

162 – Hope for a Happy Future, Zaijian!!

When Chao mentioned that secret weapon, I guessed what it was, and when it was revealed, I was right.  The family tree, the pages that ensued after that were great and very funny.  Chao’s departure was a bit sad, hopefully that’s not the last we see of her.

163 – Take a Break

This was another enjoyable chapter read, a lot of humour coursing through the pages.  Negi visits “Colonel Sanders”, and the bickering between him and Eva were good and what made the chapter so great to read.  The reveal about how Negi’s dad is still alive isn’t that surprising or shocking.  Good chapter.

164 – Magical Michievious Spirit Part 1

It started off as a typical boring chapter (now that all the excitement is over, but again, it does seem so long ago that they had run to class like that…), but it got a little bit more interesting once it got to the confession room.  Although it’s nothing original (a person pretending to be the priest and listening to the confessor’s worries), it worked quite well in this instance.

165 – Magical Michievious Spirit Part 2

Once this chapter got to the part where the rest of the class members started confessing, it got hilarious.  I particularly liked Makie’s confession of how she can’t think of any worries, suits her airheaded nature very well (and made for a nice joke).  Nodoka’s and Negi’s confessions weren't that great though.

166 – Silence Can Be a Kindness

This chapter is perfect for speed reading, since the chapter has very less speech bubbles or text (written in ‘near silence’).  It actually worked very well though, and the story told was pretty funny.  The wash coupons were a bit exaggerated and wtf, but it was an amusing chapter.

167 – Negi’s Growing Up

I thought it had turn back to normal since the chapter was focusing upon the class preparing for their final grades.  However, it was right at the end that Negi said that he will return to Wales and wants Asuna as his partner.  That was surprising…  Oh, that and he might never come back (but I find that hard to believe).

168 – Only a Few More Nights Until Summer Break

Pfft, Negi and his words making everyone misunderstand.  This chapter fast forwards the last few days so it can get to the summer semester, and the class gets second place… after doing so bad in the sample exams a week earlier, whatever.  Anyway, it was an okay chapter.

Overall

Yay, after the festival being dragged out for so long (never expected it to go that long when it began in Volume 10), it’s back to the normal day to day stuff (with some changes).  The volume in general was okay, some humour here and there, but just a tad bit on the boring side.

Book Review: The Faeman Quest

Review:  #146
Title:  The Faeman Quest
Series:  Faerie Wars Chronicles - 5th Book
Author:  Herbie Brennan
Read Before:  no
My Comments:  It had a great beginning, I loved the first exchange of dialogue you read, and it captured your interest immediately.  I was surprised that it was set sixteen years after the last book, so the protagonists of the series are now not young people anymore, but more like middle aged, granted, it is now focusing on their daughter.  The plot was interesting, especially as things developed, and it was building up to something, but how it was resolved was a bit of a letdown.  It was more like their daughter comes back, reveals what has happened and all is well without the explanation of the process on how they fixed it up.  The author has tied the loose ends but it feels like it was lacking something.  I guess most of the events in the book all lead to the same point, albeit in a roundabout way, so that once you’ve finished reading it, you think, well, that wasn't really necessary, but it was still fun going through it.  I’m still surprised at the style of writing, its different, but enjoyable.
Rating:  7/10

Toy Review: Transformers ROTF Deep Desert Brawl

Review:  #66
Name:  Deep Desert Brawl
Brand:  Transformers
Allegiance:  Decepticon
Line:  Revenge of the Fallen
Year of Release:  2009
Size Class:  Deluxe (Wave 2)
Variations:  a repaint from the original Movie (2007) Brawl, and also repainted into Autobot Alliance Desert Ruins Brawl

TANK MODE:

Brawl transforms into a M1 Abrams tank, albeit heavily modified.  He has an orange launching missile, that kinda looks out of place on such a realistic tank, however, without it, the cannon feels incomplete.  Brawl has two turrets, both are rotatable, independently, and he has plastic wheels on the bottom so he can roll.  All of this adds into a lot of playability.

However, there are some flaws, such as the rotation swivel for the main turret isn't set in the center, so when you rotate more than 90 degrees, it'll look somewhat odd.  Another thing is that the turret doesn't clip to the main body all that well.  You can also clearly see his feet at the bad.  Last, his head is visible in a hole from the front, the best you can do is just turn his head around.

In addition to the main cannon on his main turret and two smaller cannons on his secondary turret, there are also two small four barreled guns sitting on swivels and balljoints on the smaller turret.  The mine plows at the front are sitting on balljoints too.  Not a bad tank, and one of the most realistic one in years.

TRANSFORMATION:

Pretty easy to be honest.  The arms are housed in the main turret, and the way it is stored is quite ingenious.  The automorph of when you fold down the front of the tank to form his chest, his head and front treads automatically pop up is really awesome.  The legs are boring (the bank of the tank just splits into two), but the way the turret rotates and clips onto Brawl's back to emulate some of the movie design is great.

ROBOT MODE:

Once again, the designers have done a great job at emulating the complex Movie designs.  If you compare the robot mode with one of the pieces of concept art, you'll see many common details.  Brawl's robot mode is menacing and is instantly recognizable as a Decepticon.

The back is not so good, he has the whole tank turret (minus the cannon) on his back, but it's hollow, so it isn't too much of a problem (other than visually).

Brawl's heelspurs are a tad bit too short, so he's easy to fall over backwards at times.  Poseability is limited as well, he only has hinges on his knees, and due to the way the elbows work, his elbows can't bend forward unless his hands are facing the air.

He packs a lot of weapons, all of the ones in vehicle mode are here (which is impressive itself), but there's more!  You can keep the main cannon on his right hand or switch it around for a four barreled gun like his CG design.

On his left is a mini cannon and twin blades.

While the two four barreled guns end up on his back.  Simply put, Brawl is walking armory.

The head sculpt is okay, feels like a shrunken prune to me to be honest due to the shape.  However, the lightpiping works really well, and this is a great looking robot mode.

OVERALL:

Two solid modes, as with a lot of Transformers, the robot mode is stronger than the vehicle (which isn't too bad in itself).  The tank packs a load of play value.  While he seems great, the lack of paint apps seem like a major obstruction.

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