All posts by Darklaharl

Gaming News

NCG recommends Berserk (2016)

Leave a comment

The first season of Berserk (2016) has come to a close today and  it has left me wanting more! If you have not watched or read Berserk before, some of this info might be considered spoilers.

In terms of the animation, Berserk is drawings over CG animation which is different from the original Berserk anime and more similar to the Berserk Movies. The result can sometimes be off putting, as it’s something most people are not used to; heck I’ve even seen a video on YouTube condemning the style. I’m not a huge fan of the style BUT it’s not as bad as the video made it out to be. After the first episode, I was accustomed to it.

The story of Berserk (2016) follows the events after the Golden Age arc, called the Conviction Arc (but also the Black swordsman Arc). Guts finds out that Casca has gone missing and he goes out looking for her. (Actual Spoiler) The anime ends with the return of Griffith in human form (End spoiler). This has definitely left me wanting more, and I can’t wait for next season coming spring of 2017 -so far away!! (not really I have other Anime to tide me over lol)

Did you watch Berserk (2016)? What did you think of it? Or will you pick it up? I recommended it not too long ago but if you haven’t seen the first Anime go watch that first, better yet watch the 2 movies they will get you up to speed AND the animation is better.

Gaming News

Digimon World: Next Order Announcement

Leave a comment

Bandai Namco has announced that a new Digimon World game is coming early 2017 subtitled Next Order.

Here are the details:

•Over 200 Digimon from the animated series!
•Choose between a male or female protagonist
•For the fi rst time ever in the series, explore the Digital World with not one, but TWO
Digimon partners!
•Your success in battles & the growth of your partners is totally dependent on you: Raise, train, feed, discipline, etc. in real-time to
form strong bonds with your Digimon companions. Every interaction & activity matters!
•Evolved AI Battle System: Strong bonds with your partners is key – train your Digimon to excel in AI battles on their own. Cooperation
& synchronization between your partners and their feelings will increase your chances of winning. Shout commands and cheer them
to victory!
•Recruit and integrate new Digimon into the village to expand & evolve it.

The story follows the protaganist as they are sucked into the digital world to find it under attack by Machinedramons (its like a mechanical t-rex with cannons on its back and skulls for knees) The player is tasked with finding a way back to the real world and stopping the destruction of the digital world.

I haven’t played a Digimon World game since the 2nd one but I did like it back then, I would like to try this one out too. Look for it early next year as a digital download on the PS4!

Gaming News

Review: Psycho Pass: Mandatory Happiness (PS4,PSVITA)

1 Comment

Before I start this review I would like to point out one thing, apparently Japan has 2 different definitions for games that we consider “visual novels”: 1) A visual novel is a narration with very few interactive elements and 2) an adventure game which is a narration that incorporates problem solving or other types of game play. So, a Visual Novel is more of an interactive book, kind of like “choose your story” and an “adventure game” is a little more like an actual game (think Danganronpa or games by Talltale games).

With that being said, Psycho Pass: Mandatory Happiness is a visual novel that takes place during the first 8 episodes of the Psycho Pass anime (great anime by the way, highly recommend it). In this game, you take the perspective of one of two new characters: Inspector Nadeshiko, an amnesiac who acts a lot like a robot, and an Enforcer named Takuma, who is searching for his lover. Their individual stories are interesting but I won’t spoil them here.

The overarching story of Mandatory Happiness follows Unit 1 as they solve cases involving the antagonist Alpha, a hacker who is hell bent on bringing happiness to people no matter the cost. He does illegal things to bring happiness to the person he is trying to make happy. The scenarios portrayed had me wondering; what is truly right in these situations?
Is there even a right answer?  Overall, the only element of the game that really stands out is, of course, the story.

Overall, this is a hard title to recommend to anybody who hasn’t seen the anime or doesn’t like reading. You will spend most of your time with this game pressing the x button and reading, seldom making some choices that, in the end, doesn’t really affect the story. The effects of the choices your character makes are minimal. Personally,  I loved the anime and I loved reading this story. I think I would love Mandatory Happiness more if it was just an animated movie. If you liked the anime and would like to see more from the world of Psycho Pass, definitely pick this up. Let me know if you have tried it or will try it!

Gaming News

NCG Recommends: Re: Zero

1 Comment

What would your first thought be if you were transported to a fantasy world out of nowhere? I think I would freak out. Subaru, on the other hand, instantly knows he is in a fantasy world and hopes that he was the “chosen one” with extraordinary powers- nothing could be further from the truth.

Subaru is almost mugged and then is saved by a mysterious girl in search of a thief. He agrees to help her and tracks down the thief only to be killed by someone. You would think that the main character wouldn’t die so early. But, he comes back from the dead to an earlier point in the day before he even met the girl and only he remembers. It takes Subaru a while to even realize he has the power to repeat some actions after dying, but when he does, he continuously relives certain days until he gets it right almost like Groundhog Day.

The story is quite interesting since nothing is ever the same, but at the same time it’s frustrating because I wondered why Subaru didn’t use some of his previously gained knowledge to his advantage on the next go around. All that being said, the Anime has a way of pulling at your heartstrings repeatedly every time Subaru fails to accomplish an important goal. I really recommend this anime. The first season is 25 episodes long, and there has not been any announcement for a second season. Go watch it and let me know what you think. If you already watched let me know what you think!

Gaming News

Road to Boruto Announced: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4

Leave a comment

Bandai Namco has announced that Road to Boruto, an expansion for Naruto Shippuden : Ultimate Ninja Storm 4 will be released on Feb 3rd of next year. In this expansion you will be able to play through the story line of Boruto: Naruto the movie.

New characters available to play are Boruto Uzamaki and Sarada Uchiha, no other characters have been announced yet but I wouldn’t be surprised if you could play as other children of other ninjas.

The expansion will likely be  $19.99 and will be released on PS4, Xbox One and Steam on PC. Look for it early next year.