Monthly Archives: August 2016

Gaming News

NCG Review – TIER1 Tactical Communicator

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The TIER1 Tactical Communicator is a throat mic designed to cancel background noise and eliminates breathing feedback.

13883770_1269874436380574_133367091_nThe unit itself looks like a tiny pair of over the head headphones. I made the mistake of trying to put it over my head and thought “This is too small!” Then, I realized it’s supposed to go around your neck.  When I fit it around my neck it wasn’t too loose or too snug, and there was just enough pressure to keep it from sliding around. It feels a little odd at first, but once you get into your game it becomes an afterthought.

The audio comes through clearly and is a step up from the default headsets that come with the systems. Since the microphone is sub-vocal, you don’t have to keep adjusting the microphone -it always stays in the same place. I like this feature because it means I can keep my hands on the controller at all times.

The Tactical Communicator can be used on mobile devices, PS4, and the Xbox One, 13900849_1269874439713907_468100394_nhowever, the Xbox One needs an adapter as the headset only has a 3.5mm jack. Overall, it works best for the PlayStation 4 -but that’s what it’s advertised for anyway.

One thing I would like to see is more color options.  The Arctic Camo styling is neat for those who really like camo gear, but (and I’m sure many others would agree) I would prefer to see it in black or in other color options.

If you’re looking for something comfortable, compact, and reasonably priced with good sound quality to use on your PS4, the TIER1 Tactical Communicator is a good way to go.   you’re getting a lot more than what you pay for. You can find this neat little gadget here for $14.99.

Have you tested out the TIER1’s Tactical Communicator? Do you think you will try this out? Let us know in the comments!

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Gaming News

Orange – Anime Series

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I’ll start off by saying I am a big sucker for Shoujo series.  Something about love triangles, high school drama, and first loves has become a guilty pleasure.  Summer 2016 has a few Shoujo anime series to check out, but my favorite, by far, is definitely Orange.

An adaptation of the manga series by Ichigo Tanako, Orange is a slice-of-life romance series that follows Naho Takamiya.  Naho is a kind girl who goes out of her way to make sure she doesn’t trouble others.  When she receives a letter from her future self she realizes that the way she is living will leave her will a lot of regrets in her future.  It is up to her present self to change so that she can have a future with no regrets.

I’ll start off by saying I like the art style and characters.  It’s strange to say, but anime characters having teeth makes the design stand out from other shoujo series.

The story line is your typical shoujo story. What I think separates it from other series is that even though Naho knows what the future will entail, she struggles to make the changes.  The decisions she makes and her struggles feel very real world and sometimes she fails to muster up the courage to make the change.  It fulfills the requirements for “slice-of-life”, which is another one of my guilty pleasures when it comes to any manga/anime series.

I really enjoy how the Time-Travel aspect isn’t completely lost in the series.  In fact, it’s plays an important role.  The expansion of time travel theory and how Naho contemplates it makes the letter from her future self more plausible.  It’s not just a gimmick to make her change. Even if it is, it’s some food for thought.  It inspires me to make decisions today so I don’t regret them later!

“Orange” is also a meaningful title.  Like time-travel, it’s relevant to the tone and characters of the story. Oranges aren’t always sweet; they can also be bitter.

For the Shoujo, slice-of-life manga/anime lovers, Orange is a series to check out this summer. You can find it Sundays on Crunchyroll.

Have you checked out the series? Have you read the manga? What’s your favorite Shoujo manga? Final thoughts? Let me know in the comments!

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NCG Recommends: Ranma 1/2

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Back in 1989, Japan saw the release of Ranma 1/2. The animation recieved poor reception and  only lasted 18 episodes before it was cancelled. A few months later, it was reworked and went on to produce 143 episodes! I am glad they reworked it because Ranma 1/2 is one of my all time favorite anime/manga; it was actually the first manga series I really got into.

The story follows Ranma as he tries to live a normal life while being cursed. His curse? He turns into a girl every time he is splashed with cold water and back into a boy when splashed with hot water. He tries to keep this a secret from his classmates at first, but as the series progresses many characters discover his secret. Reoccurring elements of the story are the girls chasing Ranma wanting to be his fiance, or his rivals wanting to beat him in martial arts. It is actually a very funny series because Ranma is not the only one who is cursed: his father turns into a Panda, one of the girls chasing him turns into a cat (and Ranma is super afraid of cats), his main rival turns into a pig who happens to be in love with one of his fiances, and more!

The cool thing about the series is that it doesn’t completely follow a set story. Most of the time you can grab any old volume and read without missing too much. Of course, you should read the first volume to get a good idea of the main characters. This series comes highly recommended, give it a watch/read!

Have you picked up this series yet? If so, what did you think? If not, do you plan on checking it out? Let us know in the comments!

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Pokemon Sun/Moon: Meet the leaders of the Alola Region

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Meet your captains
Having completed the Island Challenge themselves, captains provide guidance to all trial goes.

Lana – Expert with Water-type Pokemon. She is a dedicated and reliable sister.

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Mallow– Expert with Grass-type Pokemon.  She loved cooking but has peculiar tastes!

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Sophocles – Expert with Electric-type Pokemon.  A mechanic who has invented many machinesSophocles_RGB_300dpi

Kiawe– Expert with Fire-type Pokemon.  Along with his Marowak, he studies traditional dances passed down in the Alola region

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The Big Kahunas
The leaders of each island are called the island Kahuna.  Kahuna’s have been chosen by the Guardian Deity Pokemon found on each island.

Hala – Kahuna of Melemele Island, where the main character has just happened to move! Rival to Hau’s grandfather, his skills are renowned in the Alola region.  He gives the player their starter Pokemon

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Pokemon Sun/Moon Alola Islands

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Regions and Trials

What we already know about the Alola Islands consists of four islands. It has Pokemon native to the region as well as Pokemon that have adapted to the different ecologies the islands offer.

In Pokemon Sun/Moon you will start your journey by accepting the Island Challenge: an adventurous right where you must travel to the four islands to help you become a great Pokemon trainer.  In order to pass the Island Challenge, trainers much overcome a variety of trials on each island.  Trials include battling Pokemon, finding items, completing tests of knowledge, and more!

At the end of each trial, you face off against a Totem Pokemon that is larger than others in it’s species and enveloped in a special aura.  In battle, they summon Pokemon to join them and become even stronger.

The Grand Trial, the final trial of each island, is a face-off against the Kahuna of the island.  Winning the trial earns you public recognition and the next island opens, where more challenges, Totem Pokemon, and Grand Trials await!