Archive | September 2013

Review: Eden of The East

titleI think we can all agree that, on occasion, we might rely on our mobile phones a little too much. I’d probably rely on mine slightly more if it had access to ¥10, and Juiz; the concierge who can fulfil any request, for a price. Eden of The East is, at its best, a digital fable that ambitiously tries to mix science and romance, and it might have succeeded if it wasn’t for a few major flaws.

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Review: Grand Theft Auto V

title1When Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas was released on the PlayStation 2 back in 2004 it was certainly the biggest GTA ever made. But such a game taught us that bigger is not always better, and it would appear that Rockstar North has approached the challenge of every subsequent GTA with caution. It’s taken them five years to craft the sequel to one of the most iconic and well loved games of the generation, but is Grand Theft Auto V enough to satisfy those use to the ridiculously high standard set by the series? Honestly? Yeah.

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Review: Death Note

titleThe story of Light Yagami is one of the most iconic tales in all of anime. This is a show everyone has a different opinion of, and it would be impossible to watch without forming your own. Whilst many of it’s ‘twists’ have become undeniably notorious, Death Note is a psychological masterpiece that is utterly thrilling and completely unforgettable.

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Review: Project X Zone

TitleA few years ago a game like Project X Zone would have never been released outside of Japan. But times (they) are (a) changing, and I’m certainly glad that a title such as this is available in the West, even if it is a strictly specialist game. It’s about as ‘Japanese’ as a videogame gets, and there’s no denying that Project X Zone is a unique, if slightly odd, experience.

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Review: Another

titleAnother is a horror anime that descends into slasher territory, starting slow and ending with murderous violence. I was drawn in by an appealing mix of suspense and atmosphere, but as the mystery turns into chaos it’s clear to see that it leaves a lot to be desired in its execution.
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Review: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword

titleSkyward Sword follows on Nintendo’s tradition of releasing an epic Zelda game in the twilight years of a console they appeared to have forgotten about. Two years on and I can say with certainty that this was the last great game for the Nintendo Wii, and it’s hopefully what the console will be remembered for, rather than the mass grave full of shovelware it had to climb out of to get here.

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Review: Ouran High School Host Club

title2Ouran High School Host Club isn’t a perfect show, but it’s one that stuck with me more than most. The characters take priority over story, and the result is charming, hilarious, and inconsistent. It’s both original and unoriginal at the same time, but if you put the problems to one side you have an anime that is for the most part is a complete joy to watch.

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Review: Metal Gear Solid HD Collection

titleFew games have stood the test of time as well as the Metal Gear Solid. When originally released, Metal Gear Solid 2 offered a first taste of the cinematic experience now common in videogames, and 3 expanded on the genre defining ideas the series had already established. These two iconic games look fantastic in high definition, and are just as fun to play now as they were 10 years ago.

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Review: Gankutsuou: The Count of Monte Cristo

Title2Gankutsuou is a modern retelling of a classic story. Adapted from Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo, Gonzo’s 24 episode anime takes some fantastic source material and turns much of it on its head, whilst retaining most of the brilliance found in the French novel. The result is a visually spectacular anime with the thematic complexities of one of the greatest revenge stories ever told.

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Review: Puppeteer

titleIt’s difficult to play Puppeteer and not notice the clear influence many other popular platforms have had on it. Whilst this isn’t a game lacking in identity, it is one that presents new ideas side by side with mechanics that will be exceptionally familiar to fans of the genre. Is Puppeteer the next Little Big Planet? It honestly could be.

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