Mobile Suit Z Gundam: A New Translation - A New Translation Indeed!

 
    Mobile Suit Z Gundam is easily one of my favorite Gundam series. When the series originally aired in 1985 in Japan, viewers and fans of the original Mobile Suit Gundam were treated to a much darker sequel- a lot had happened in the seven in-series years. A despotic organization known as the Titans is poised to overtake the old Earth Federation Space Forces in their overzealous ambition to control space to prevent another One Year War from occurring. There's another party known as the Anti-Earth Union Group who assembled to fight the oppression of the Titans. And at the center of it all is youngster Kamille Bidan, our protagonist.  It's an incredibly epic story, and many Gundam fans favorite. But the series is dated. That's where A New Translation comes in.
    A New Translation is comprised of three compilation films, much like what they did for Mobile Suit Gundam. The first, Heirs to the Stars, covers the beginning chapters of Zeta up through a little after the Assault on Jaburo arc. Lovers, the second movie, covers the Hong Kong arc through the introduction of the Axis Neo-Zeon. Love is the Pulse of the Stars concludes the epic with an entirely new ending that leaves things a bit more hopeful for fans of this particular series, but leaves the rest of the Universal Century in question.
   The first minor jarring issue one might have with A New Translation is the inclusion of redrawn scenes interspersed with newly animated footage. It can be a little disorienting seeing remastered animation from '85 mashed up with new animation done in 2005. After a while, it becomes second nature and viewing it is enjoyable.
   As compilation movies, they have to fit 50 episodes worth of story into these three films. Sometimes, it works brilliantly- most filler has been left by the wayside, or included in shorter expository bits. Other times, it's baffling, as some storylines are completely removed. However, I thought what they did with these movies was excellent. By episode 26 of the series, I felt so fatigued by what was going on. The Zeta Gundam, the mobile suit the series was named for, hadn't even debuted yet. Things were going impossibly slow. In A New Translation, however, I was excited by the breakneck pacing. Exciting things were happening every minute, and even the heavy-handed politic presented in the latter half of the series was intriguing.
   The ending however destroys the entire canon of the Universal Century. Without spoiling too much for those who haven't viewed Z Gundam before, a certain event at the very ending does not occur, and without that ending, it's impossible for the follow-up series ZZ Gundam to happen. Without ZZ Gundam, Char's Counterattack doesn't happen, and so Unicorn doesn't happen, and so on. It is a much happier ending than the original, but at the cost of so much.
   That doesn't mean that these movies are awful and should be avoided, though. In fact, I recommend them whole-heartedly. But major word of advice: Z Gundam is a sequel in every sense of the word. If you want to get the most out of it, watch the Mobile Suit Gundam compilation films, or, if you're really gutsy and have time on your hands, watch the original series. It's more fun when the cameos in Z start happening when you know who the heck these people are.

4.5/5

Mardock Scramble - A mature sci-fi experience that is a little heavier than the norm.

 

When I was recommended Mardock Scramble, a three part science fiction story about a girl seeking revenge, nothing could have prepared me for what I experienced. I was hit by a barrage of emotions, simultaneously feeling disgust and despair , but also intrigue and happiness . The story of Rune Ballot is not a happy one, and if you're looking for a happy ending, you won't find such a conclusion in any one of the three films. The closest you get is the cliffhanger at the climax of the second movie, and that's filled with so much tension, you can't wait to experience what happens next.

   Rune Ballot, at the beginning of the tale, is a 15 year old prostitute haunted by the stigma of her past. She is currently with a man named Shell, who we soon discover is a homicidal woman slayer. After he leaves her for dead, Ballot is taken in by Dr. Easter and the shapeshifting mouse Ouefcoque Penteano and is placed within a new body via the 09 procedure, a process to extend life and repair the body using 'forbidden' technology. The events that follow in the story are lost in a haze of flashback and philosophy, which, were it handled any other way, might have fallen flat. However, the superb writing and direction succeeds in building character where even minutes before, there was none.

  The movies are at their best, however, when there is action on the screen. Ultra violent, no-holds barred gun and knife play are all at their best here, and the use of CGI is better used in the action scenes rather than the droll PlayStation-era cars that seem to populate the fantastic city in which Scramble takes place. Every fight scene has increasingly higher stakes, are impossibly bloody, and always a joy to watch unfold.

   But I've always enjoyed when the action is intelligent and intriguing. Being raised in Nevada, where gambling is a major part of our economy, it was fascinating to see all the gambling in the final act of the second film and for the first half of the third. The casino part of the plot is superb and is a breath of fresh air in an otherwise dark, bloody, and incredibly sexual atmosphere exerted by the rest the plot. In fact, two of the most interesting characters in the movies are introduced during these scenes and are worth sitting through the movies just to see how they influence Ballot's character development.

   It's worth mentioning again that Mardock Scramble has an undeniably shocking portrayal of sexuality that permeates intensely in its first chapter. Keeping in mind that at the onset of the story, Rune Ballot is an underaged sex worker and there is glimpses of female nudity throughout, it can be a very uncouth price of entry into an otherwise superb trilogy. It's nothing you wouldn't see in your typical rated-R trashy movie, but at times, I felt they used the sex for shock value, and earlier on, the outlook is intensely misogynistic. However, if you can stomach your way past it, I can promise what you find in these three movies are totally worth it.

   Undeniably, the best parts of Mardock Scramble are watching Ballot and Ouefcoque bond and grow throughout the films. Their chemistry is often charming, and seeing the logical Ouefcoque help shape the broken and twisted Ballot is some of the best character development I've seen in years.

  Mardock Scramble isn't for everybody. The easily offended should seek their anime elsewhere. This is an adult trilogy that is often dark and depressing, with the underlying theme that it is possible to, though once broken and betrayed, become whole and be more than what you used to be. From its explosive opening to it's sad, albeit satisfying, conclusion, Mardock Scramble is something I'd wholeheartedly recommend to those who might be seeking a more mature look at anime.

You can watch all three movies at Hulu with Hulu Plus:
http://www.hulu.com/watch/372520 - Mardock Scramble: The First Compression
http://www.hulu.com/watch/554356 - Mardock Scramble: The Second Compression
http://www.hulu.com/watch/610776 - Mardock Scramble: The Third Exhaust

Star Wars: The Force Awakens Teaser Trailer Review

Racially diverse stormtroopers. New, smiling, stormtrooper helmets. 

Guy in dark cloak has a claymore lightsaber that is RED.

10/10.

Shin Megami Tensei IV Review

As I'm writing this, I'm halfway through my second playthrough of Shin Megami Tensei IV, which released the 16th of last month for the Nintendo 3DS. Along the way, I've learned that even the smallest of my choices in the game influenced the inevitable end. Every allegiance I made influenced a new enemy. Even the beginning of the game tells you that your very actions will shape a world. 

As the game begins, we are introduced to our protagonist, a young man with the default name of Flynn (though you can change this) and his childhood friend, Issachar. These young men have finally reached that age where they can travel to the castle in the center of the Eastern Kingdom of Mikado and participate in the Gauntlet Rite, a trial in which the youth of the kingdom may become samurai. Along the way, you discover that there is a class system within Mikado, with the rich, noble Luxurors, and the poor peasantry of the Casaulry.

Eventually, Flynn becomes a samurai alongside four other youths: A young man who upholds order, named Johnathan, a young man who lives by his own merits, named Walter, a snooty Luxuror, named Navarre , and young Isabeau, the only female Samurai prentice. After your first gathering, you and your fellow prentices are thrust into the depths of Naraku, a large dungeon where demons dwell and you are introduced to the gameplay mechanics.

Exploration is presented with 3D models, which look very well done... were there more than you seeing only your main character. The dungeon environments are for the most part varied, though often times I sighed as I was subjected to similar textures in certain environments. A nice touch that I always enjoy in RPGs are when you equip a new piece of armor and it changes your character's appearance.That appears in this game, though there isn't a great variation in how armor looks, besides coloring and every once in a while, you'll find different looking armor.

Hearkening back to the SNES days, battles are presented as primarily sprite-based, and you can't see your characters a la Dragon Warrior/Quest.The press turn system, introduced in Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne, makes a return, making learning your enemies' weaknesses paramount. And you'll want to, because this game is HARD. On my first playthrough, I died to the second enemy encounter I came across. It's fun to discover all the different ways you can destroy an opponent, but mostly it comes down to what magic you can cast and the demon's affinity.

If you're familiar with Shin Megami Tensei, especially the flagship titles, Strange Journey, and Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers, then you know that you can talk to demons in order to collect 'em all. It's like Pokemon from hell. But, demons being what they are, greedily want gifts before they'll join you. This can be anything from the macca (Currency) you have, to an item, your HP or MP, or the lives of one of your demons. Somethings negotiations break down, and suddenly your enemies get free attacks on you. Sometimes they leave, having begged you for almost everything you own. But other times, they will join you, and you can bolster your party with a varied number of demons, most of which can evolve and become other, stronger demons. This is not the only way to get demons, however.

Early on, you are introduced to the Cathedral of Shadows, through an app called Mido on your gauntlet. Using Mido allows you to fuse your demons together to create stronger demons. There are hundreds of demons in the game, some that you can only unlock through special fusions that you unlock through fusing other demons or by battling bosses. All demons you have can be registered into the Demon Compendium, and through the compendium, you can get demons back that you've fused together, or through a rather confusing but robust search system, you can choose demons from the compendium to fuse with demons in your party to get the demon you want. Later on, you can get an app that allows for quick fusions in battle, allowing you to perhaps get that demon you need to get an edge over your enemies.

When you level up, you have control over which stats get increases, allowing you to build Flynn up as you please. Demons also level up, though you have no control over stat increases. Occasionally, demons will learn a new skill. When they've learned all the skills they are able to learn, you can choose skills to be taught to Flynn. These skills can be stacked, allowing the skills to be more powerful than they would be otherwise. 

Stats for Flynn aren't just controlled through leveling up. Various armor adds to your HP (there is no defense stat), Strength, Dexterity, Magic, Agility, and Luck stats. Different armors have different resistances and stat gains (sometimes there's a small loss).

Besides the main quest, there are a plethora of side quests. Everything from killing certain monsters to fetch quests are available, with rewards ranging from healing items or macca to armor or weapons. These quests can also be expanded upon through DLC.

The game world is easy to get lost in, especially once you extend your reaches beyond Naraku. On the world map, you're little more than an arrow traveling through a maze of streets. When you get to a place you can explore, it shifts to the aforementioned 3D models. A handy map is available on the bottom screen, though it is still easy to get lost.

If you're looking for the high school drama and friendship building experienced in Persona 3 and 4, you won't find it here. Tonally, this game is very dark, and touches on a post-apocalyptic setting. There's not a lot of happiness to be found in this game, outside of some very humorous dialog with demons.

If you enjoy playing your 3DS in 3D mode, rejoice! It adds some real depth when exploring and makes spell effects, which look bland otherwise, exciting. 

The game gives you a ton of choices, and as I said before, this changes lend to how you end the game. There are four endings to obtain. The choices you make are sometimes morally gray, and it can be hard to tell if you're doing the right thing.

Graphics: 3.5/5

The 3D exploration graphics are awesome, but you'll run into a lot of the same textures. Likewise, the sprite art is fantastic, but it's baffling as to why they chose on 2D sprites when the 3DS is more than capable of rendering the demons and characters in 3D.

Sound: 4.5/5

This should be one of the reasons you play the game. The music is phenomenal, though some tunes are forgettable, others are energetic and powerful. The sounds in battle are clear, and you can tell what's going on through the sound. Voice work is sparse, but well done.

Gameplay: 3.5/5

Gameplay is solid and accessible, especially if you've played a JRPG before. Demon fusing is addictive, and gaining skills for the protagonist is entertaining and worth the work. There are some odd design flaws (look down then press A to crawl through an opening or jump down or look up and press A to climb a ladder), but it doesn't detract from looking for artifacts or fighting demons.

Replayability: 4/5

This is a LONG game. However, there are four different endings to work towards, and a very nice New Game + option that allows you to keep your gear, level, and Demon Compendium as it was when you completed the game. You can also choose to start fresh, though some items stay intact.

Overall, I haven't had this much fun with a 3DS title since Fire Emblem: Awakening, which is hands down my favorite title on the system. If you're wondering if you should play this, I totally recommend it. It's fun, and you might just discover something about yourself in the process. I know I did.

W...wait, what is this?!

http://ethanwritesstufftoo.blogspot.com/

New blog. Less reviews. More creative genius.

Not a review!

An excerpt from the Halo story I'm writing:

The SPARTAN walked into the forward camp, his armor scarred and burned, part of his shoulder armor cracked. Several marines came and surrounded him, asking if he needed medical attention, but overall congratulating him on whichever fight he was just the victor. He leaned against a nearby Warthog as 2nd Lt Owens tapped his shoulder.
"You look beat, Lieutenant. And you were all alone too."
Nathan took off his helmet and looked at his friend. "The least they could have done was given me a damn AI to keep me company."

Review of the DEAD: Highschool of the Dead

Ah, zombies. We've had a wonderful love affair over the years, you and I. From that first shocking moment of putting in Resident Evil 2 at the tender age of 8, to watching Night of the Living Dead for the first time ever a couple of years ago, and now you're even infecting my anime. Highschool of the Dead is a fun little anime involving Japan and the zombie apocalypse. It follows a group of students with the best female-to-male ratio I've ever seen in an anime. They run around zombie infested locales, fight off the flesh eaters, even rescue a little girl along the way, all in the name of survival. It has a diverse cast of characters, from the military nerd, to the sword wielding yamato nadeshiko, to the smart girl, to the guy with obvious anime main character syndrome. However, it should be addressed that this anime has an obvious draw to the, uh, male persuasion. Fanservice is EVERYWHERE. It practically yells "HEY LOOK, BOOBS!" every time you look at the screen. There's one scene in particular that is incredibly ridiculous, and everything seems to be made of jelly. It just seems that where they could have developed more of an incredible zombie apocalypse story, they have instead replaced over 60 percent of the seriousness with I HAVE NEVER SEEN A MORE INCREDIBLE SET OF TWINS. All in all, though, it is a very well written series, though it ends on a cliffhanger. Here's to hoping for a second season!