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Lemmings Touch Review

June 2, 2014

Lemmings Touch
Developer: D3T LTD
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment Europe
Platforms: PlayStation Vita
Release Date: 28th May 2014
Price: $14.45 – Available Here

Overview

Despite what you may have heard in the past; lemmings are nothing more than small, rodent-like animals native to Arctic and Tundra-type biomes. They’re not mythological creatures born of the sky nor are they the type to participate in mass suicide as the legends and myths have described. They’re simply a product of decades of misunderstood storytelling but, like many things, it all depends on who you’re asking. If it’s d3t and Sony, they’ll tell you that Lemmings are odd, bipedal, humanoid creatures who work en masse to reach a certain goal…at least, that’s what they’re like in the game.

The original “Lemmings” video game came out in early 1991 and seems to have made it all the way to 2014 being remade time and time again by different developers on different consoles and the latest one is here on the PlayStation Vita. It’s called “Lemmings Touch” and thanks to Sony Computer Entertainment Europe alongside developers D3T LTD I’ve been given the chance to see exactly how good a video game series can get with over twenty years of experience behind it.

Gameplay

In “Lemmings Touch”, like the other titles in the “Lemmings” series, you’re placed on a themed stage and are tasked with getting a specific number of “Lemmings” from the beginning of the obstacle course to the very end, all the while building, digging, jumping and everything in between to help make the journey easier for your little green friends.

Levels are 2D and packed to the rim with different hurdles to overcome. “Lemmings” are dispatched at certain speeds (of which you can adjust) and it’s up to you to micromanage them into reaching sanctuary. Everything you can do in “Lemmings Touch” is touch-based…obviously…and, for the most part, it’s all fairly responsive but you’ll find yourself becoming a little frustrated every once in a while when one of the little guys doesn’t quite listen to your commands.

“Lemmings Touch” also introduces another breed of “Lemmings” that don’t entirely share the same worldviews as their green counterparts. These particular critters travel as part of the horde but only work against you, the player. Letting them get to the end with the other “Lemmings” is not a good idea so you’ve got to “dispose” of them before they can get there. I found this game somewhat enjoyable despite the fact that I’m not the biggest fan of puzzle games.

Most levels were easy enough to get through while at the same time it forced me to use at least some of my brain power to help devise a plan to get through the stage. At times I was annoyed that the smallest of mistakes cost me so much, the game doesn’t seem too forgiving at parts and it really put a hindrance on my enjoyment of it. Though…maybe I’m just not as intelligent as I thought.

Visuals

I was impressed, to a certain degree, at how the game looked: It’s full of vibrant colours and shapes that make for some really nice aesthetics but as far as actual graphics go; they’re quite poor. It’s just a good thing that you’re forced not to focus on that, instead you’re “bombarded” with odd background animations to steer you away from what you’re really meant to be focusing on. I can definitely see what the developers were trying to do with the way the game’s visuals were laid out but, at the end of the day, all it did was drag the player’s attention away from the actual task at hand.

Even in saying what I just did, the graphics were quite nice with most pieces of animation being fluid enough for me to note. Each and every stage ran with a different theme which meant there was always something new to look at. It’s thanks to this that the game didn’t get boring almost instantly, you’re given a whole bunch of different visual styles to experience which mean there was always something to look at while waiting for a “Lemming” to do it’s job though the problem I mentioned above still persists.

Audio

The “Lemmings Touch” soundtrack works similarly to the way its visuals do: With every new level comes a different theme, the first being Egyptian. With every new theme comes new visuals and new musical tracks. What works well about this is that most levels take approximately five to ten minutes to complete, depending on how well you play, which gives you just enough time to begin getting used to the musical track with it running its course and becoming annoying.

Before you know it you’re finished with one level and onto another without getting annoyed at the repetition of a particular song. A majority of the sound effect throughout “Lemmings Touch” are definitely aimed at a younger audience. Most sounds are cute, chipper and quirky with a lot of bounce and an overall positive tone. This fits into the game perfectly and allows for an all around welcoming vibe that a lot of players can enjoy. Young or old.

Overall

Essentially, at it’s core, “Lemmings Touch” is a mobile game that is being sold for far too much and on the wrong gaming platform. Everything you can do on the PlayStation Vita could be done on a mobile device like an iPhone or Android Phone without the hassle of having to reach over the console’s buttons just to get your fingers and thumbs where they need to be; on the touch screen. Fans of the video game series will immediately feel at home with “Lemmings Touch” but for those of you out there who have never experienced a title from the series, it may take a little getting used to.

Like any game there’s a certain learning curve you must come to terms with before you can truly enjoy it though I feel as like true puzzle fans will quickly scale that curve. For all intents and purposes, “Lemmings Touch” is a nice little game for the PlayStation Vita though I do find it overpriced for what it is. With the amount of great titles released on the console I can’t see why anyone would rush to grab a time filler like this but that’s not to say long time fans of the series wont be excited to get their hands on it. Just know what you’re getting into.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Freedom Wars – Thorn Whip Trailer Released

Frank Inglese

June 2, 2014

Freedom Wars – Thorn Whip Trailer Released

Sony Computer Entertainment today released another brand-new trailer for their upcoming action/RPG title “Freedom Wars“. If you’ve been following news of the game then you’d know it features a few key gameplay mechanics implemented to set it apart from other video games of its type. Alongside the ability to use both melee and ranged weapons, “Freedom Wars” gives players the gift of an amazingly versatile grappling hook-like weapon titled the “Thorn Whip”.

Much like “regular” grappling hooks, the “Thorn Whip” can be used to reach higher ground, snag enemies and grab items but now, thanks to this new trailer, we can see that this particular weapon is much more than just your every day grappling hook.

The “Thorn Whip”, when charged, can be used to set enemy-triggered traps, boost fellow players’ stats and even heal but don’t just take my word for it; head down to the featured video section below to check out the “Thorn Whip” trailer for yourself and don’t forget to hit up our comments section just under that to let us know what you think. “Freedom Wars” is set to hit the PlayStation Vita Japan on the 26th of June with a Western release later on in the year.

Dekamori Senran Kagura possibly heading West as Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit

Travis Bruno

June 2, 2014

You may remember that a cooking rhythm game called Dekamori Senran Kagura was announced and released in Japan earlier this year for the PS Vita. Well at that time it seemed that a game with such an odd premise but a delightful mechanic that involved the female characters’ clothing being destroyed while cooking would not be released in the West despite XSEED‘s success with the series so far.

However not only has a card game with a rubbing mechanic been released for the PS Vita but an idol simulation title has already been brought over to the North America and it seems that Dekamori Senran Kagura will be as well. NeoGAF was able to catch a listing on E3 Insider, an official website for E3, that showed a title called Senran Kagura: Bon Appétit.

This listing has since been removed but it listed the title for Winter 2014 release and contained the following description:

Senran Kagura Bon Appétit! is a rhythm spin-off of the ninja brawler series, Senran Kagura. Featuring cooking battles rather than shinobi showdowns, the emphasis is on outrageous humor and delicious food.

The Walking Dead and The Wolf Among Us announced for PS4 and Xbox One

Travis Bruno

June 2, 2014

There have been many rumors circulating that Telltale Games would be bringing their episodic titles to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 and recently the company has confirmed that those rumors are indeed true. They have confirmed that The Walking Dead: Season One, The Walking Dead: Season Two, and The Wolf Among Us are coming to the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One as retail titles.

A retail release for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 is also planned for The Wolf Among Us and The Walking Dead: Season Two later this year. These titles are currently set to be released sometime this year, though it is likely that the first season of The Walking Dead will likely be released first as that is the only title with all episodes currently available.

New Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix screenshots released

Travis Bruno

June 2, 2014

Square Enix recently released a number of new screenshots for Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix which is currently set to be released in North America and Europe later this year. For those who haven’t been paying attention to the game, Kingdom Hearts HD 2.5 Remix contains high-definition remasters of Kingdom Hearts II Final Mix, Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep Final Mix, both of which are playable, and remastered cutscenes from Kingdom Hearts Re:coded.

This also marks the first time that the Final Mix versions of Kingdom Hearts II and Birth by Sleep will be available in the West. Check out the new screenshots below and keep an eye out for more information as it becomes available.

Love Live! Season Two and Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara now on Hulu

Travis Bruno

June 2, 2014

If you prefer watching anime on Hulu then you will be happy to hear that NIS America has added the first three episodes of Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara and Love Live‘s second season to the streaming service. This inclusion of the Love Live episodes brings the total number of Love Live episodes to 16 as the entire first season is still available on Hulu.

Those who want to check out Love Live! can do so here while Kanojo ga Flag wo Oraretara can be found here. NIS America is currently planning a home video release for these series sometime in the future and the first season of Love Live! is currently set to be released in North America on September 2nd.

Monster Part 4 Review

Luke Halliday

June 1, 2014

Monster Part 4
Studio: Madhouse
Publisher: Siren Visual
Format: DVD
Release Date: April 23rd, 2014
Price: $44.95 – Available Here

Overview
At this point I don’t think there is any question about it, Monster is one of the greatest works in anime history. Having followed this series from the very beginning and reviewing each and every installment to date, I still find myself astonished that this series still surprises and captivates me just as strongly as it did from the very start. It is a testament to the skill of Naoki Urasawa as a writer and a credit to Madhouse studios for the phenomenal job of adapting this series into anime form.

Equally worthy of praise is Siren Visual, the only anime company that has the guts to release a series like Monster. In an industry that chooses to release series like Vividred Operation while allowing classics like Outlaw Star go out of print, a company like Siren Visual is one anime publisher that champions offbeat excellence. With series like Chihayafuru, Dennou Coil, Night Raid 1931 and of course Monster in their catalogue, Siren Visual are giving us the anime that no one else is brave enough to. After watching all of those series and reviewing them, I can say without a doubt the industry is for the better because of Siren Visual and now at the penultimate release of Monster, that rings more truer than ever.

Story
Part 4 picks up where we left off in Part 3 and it dives deeper into the cascading mysteries that have been mounting since we first began this journey with Tenma. The plot takes a turn for the grimmer (pardon the pun) and alongside the characters we come to uncover some things that could change the entire landscape of the series forever. The pieces are in place and as we head towards the climactic final stretch, it is only a matter of time before someone moves in for the checkmate.

While the focus remains on fatefully intertwined Kenzo Tenma and Johan Liebert, this particular portion of the series sees a greater focus placed upon Detective Lunge, whose investigations unravel deeper and darker truths then even he could plausibly have imagined. His character remains the wild card in the mix for Monster and where he will ultimately end up is a major point of interest going into Part 5. It is hard to not feel that he may be playing Icarus here and flying a little too close to the sun, but the same could be said for Tenma as he relentlessly seeks to course-correct and untangle this complex web he has found himself wrapped up in.

There is a genuine sense of dread underlying all proceedings but it wouldn’t quite be Monster otherwise now would it? With all of the pieces in this game of chess converging on the king, the final plays are being set in motion, what lies after checkmate though, may not be victory, but instead just an end. In the face of sheer darkness there is no room for victory, likewise there is no room for defeat.

This game that started with one surgeons fateful decision will come to an end. It has been a tale written in blood and with this penultimate release, Monster sets the stage for its final act, all that is certain is that this story must come to an end, the question is: what will that end be?

Visuals and Audio
Stylistically Monster takes some darker turns in this release, with the colour palette taking on some harsher shades as we progress deeper into the abyss as far as the story goes. As with every release to date of Monster, the art and animation has remained consistently superb. While it may seem a little dated to some, the style of Monster ensures it is visually timeless. The aesthetics of Monster convey unbridled despair while also giving off an air of hope underneath it all, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of Monster.

Much like the visuals, the audio side of things remains consistently strong through Part 4 of the series. The English dub hits some high points with the performance of Lunge proving to be truly chilling in this portion of the series. Of course Liam O’Brien remains the stand-out with his captivating portrayal of Tenma. There is also the Japanese original if you are so obliged.

Extras
As it was with previous releases of Monster there is not any additional special features on this Part 4 release. While bonus content is always a positive addition to any anime release, Monster is a brilliant series in every regard and holds up as well worth the price point for the episodes alone. This is a must-have release with or without special features.

Overall
With Siren Visual’s spectacular penultimate release of Naoki Urasawa’s magnum opus Monster it proves once again that this is series is an anomaly in anime history. A series so special and so unique that there is nothing like it, let alone on the same level. The story being told in Monster is one that will go down as an all time great in anime. This is the kind of brave storytelling that you didn’t think we were allowed to see anymore. Monster is no-holds barred anime and Naoki Urasawa ensures that the dark twisted world of the series is one that you’ll never forget.

It redefines the anime medium in countless ways. The impact it has left can be seen in the series that followed it and have attempted to emulate it. Monster is a remarkable journey into the darkest reaches of the human psyche and the abyss that lies beyond its outer limits. The final trhilling act awaits us in Part 5 of Monster and following the shocking events of Part 4, I can hardly wait to take one last look into the dark world of Naoki Urasawa’s Monster as the forces of despair and hope come to a head. When the light clashes with the dark, the eternal struggle, can one ever win over the other? The answer awaits in one more dose of the unforgettable Monster.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Time to Get Weird with Titan Comics’ “The Weirding Willows”

Andrew Day

June 1, 2014

Time to Get Weird with Titan Comics’ “The Weirding Willows”

From Frankenstein to Dr. Jekyll, from Alice to Mr. Toad literature is filled with some of the most amazing characters that mankind ever has or ever will know. Now, Titan Comics are set to release a brand new book that compiles all of these fantastic characters into one story! The Weirding Willows by Dave Elliot first appeared in Titan Comics’ A1 Anthology late last year and features some of literature’s most classic characters standing alongside one-another. Think of it like League of Extraordinary Gentlemen or Penny Dreadful but in comic book form (Yes I know that LoEG was originally a graphic novel).

Here is the official synopsis for the series:

Click for full size
IF YOU GO INTO THE WOODS TODAY…
When she was nine, Alice discovered a portal to another world… a world called Wonderland!
But Wonderland isn’t the only world connected to the Wild Woods, a dimensional nexus that Alice spent her childhood exploring. It’s a strange, magical place where Earth, Wonderland, OZ, Neverland, Mars, Pellucidar and Elysium collide – and where anything can happen!
From talking rabbits to winged monkeys, from Frankenstein’s Monster to a rampaging purple T-rex, from a kidnapped Mowgli to a werewolf with a deadly secret – there’s never a quiet day!
Now a young woman, Alice and her amazing friends are all that stand between the gateways in the Weir – and those who would exploit them.
This astounding first collected edition includes a brand-new chapter, exclusive to this volume.
Step into the Weirding Willows… and be transported to worlds beyond your imagination

You will be able to pick up the collected edition of The Weirding Willows from July 1st either in print or online from July 1st for the RRP of $19.99. We will be reviewing this book in the coming weeks so make sure you stay tuned to Capsule Computers for our thoughts as well as for all the Titan Comics news as it becomes available.

New English trailers for Atelier Rorona Plus released

Travis Bruno

June 1, 2014

Today Tecmo Koei released a slew of new English trailers for Atelier Rorona Plus: The Alchemist of Arland which is set to be released on the PlayStation 3 and PS Vita on June 20th in Europe and a few days later on June 24th in North America.

In these trailers we have a look at not only the graphical upgrades to Atelier Rorona Plus but also how the battles and synthesizing has been changed in this revamped title. To go along with this announcement a number of new screenshots for the game were released and those can be found below the videos.

Pre-order bonuses were also announced for European fans of the game, as they can pre-order from GAME and obtain the “Lady’s Etiquette Costume,” an “Orange Swimsuit” from independent retailers, and a “Peach Vacation” outfit for those that download the game from the PlayStation Store.

Official Atelier Rorona Plus Trailer

Atelier Rorona Plus Comparison Trailer

Atelier Rorona Plus Battle Gameplay Trailer

Atelier Rorona Plus Synthesis Gameplay Trailer

The Book of Bantorra: Complete Collection Review

Travis Bruno

June 1, 2014

The Book of Bantorra: Complete Collection
Studio: David Production
Publisher: Sentai Filmworks
Format: Blu-ray, DVD (Reviewed)
Release Date: May 13, 2014
Price: $79.98 – Available Here

Overview
Everyone wants to be known for something. Some people will go to great lengths to help their fellow man while others might seek to only help themselves in a selfish quest for infamy. However what would happen if everyone knew that they would be leaving a story behind once they have gone, and that future generations could see the life that they lived? Would it be one of virtue or one of villainy? With a story like The Book of Bantorra’s, those two lines are blurred and now that the Complete Collection has been released, is this a story worth following to completion?

Story
In the world of The Book of Bantorra, when anyone dies their soul is transformed into a book depicted as a stone tablet. These books are kept safe by the Bantorra Library, making it not only a sort of graveyard but also a place to protect the secrets of the dead. Why you ask?

Because these books contain the entirety of that person’s life and anyone who is able to touch the book will be able to see their memories and learn their secrets. As such the more important books are kept deep within the library and are protected by monsters as well as the Armed Librarians. These Armed Librarians are gifted with psychic abilities and are extremely skilled in combat with their leader, the Acting Director Hamutz Meseta, being the strongest of them all.

However Hamutz Meseta is full of secrets and desires combat against someone who might be able to kill her and considering how valuable some of the books are within the library, the Librarians must deal with enemies in the form of the Shindeki Church who call themselves ‘True Men’ and treat those under them as disposable sacks of flesh called ‘Meats.’

The Book of Bantorra is broken into numerous story arcs and the first arc really sets the tone for the rest of the series as we see just how far someone is willing to go to try and leave behind a spectacular book and how they treat Meats as inhuman bombs with no feelings. This dark opening arc introduces us to the world and the way things are handled, as well as providing a bit of a heartwarming story about love crossing through time, even if it is bittersweet.

This grim opener does leave a glimmer of hope in the viewer by the end of the arc but it is tinged with loss, which is something that becomes a running theme throughout The Book of Bantorra. The rest of the story is told in similar form with each story arc focusing on a new enemy and developing the various Armed Librarians more. This causes the story to be unfocused at times and even the character development is flawed due to the way the series is paced.

Some characters stand out more than others but except for Hamutz Meseta, it is difficult to determine whether or not this is a character that viewers should really stay with for very long because there is a rather high casualty rate in The Book of Bantorra. It also doesn’t help that Meseta is clearly keeping numerous secrets and that there are enough plot twists to cause a knot that only starts to be unraveled near the end of this twenty seven episode package. As the end of the series approaches most of the story arcs begin to converge with the main plot as the secrets that have been hidden are slowly revealed. With the story heading towards its finale, the action begins to pick up and manages to find a satisfying conclusion to this entertaining story.

Visuals
The Book of Bantorra has a unique looking animation style where some people may either love it or hate it depending on how they take to the way the characters are drawn. Considering there are a large number of characters introduced throughout the entirety of the series, the art style not only helps make each one of them memorable with outstanding facial expressions but also fitting considering the theme and setting for the series.

It is also nice to note that the animation quality only dips every so often during the series’ many action sequences. These drops in quality usually occur during scenes with a lot of people but the majority of the action involves one on one combat between the Librarians and their foes. As for the backgrounds and environments, they are nicely detailed and generally fit in well with the world’s bleak nature.

Audio
With the release of The Book of Bantorra: Complete Collection, as one would surmise, Sentai Filmworks has included both the original Japanese voice work as well as the English dub that was recorded when the series was released in two parts. The English voice cast fits their characters well and they do a great job matching the tone of the situation, giving many of the tense or dark moments more impact.

The background music throughout the series does a good job accenting specific scenes but generally is forgettable outside of a few key moments in the release. Since this release contains the entire series it also features both opening and ending themes, with “Datengoku Sensen” by Ali Project being too soft sounding at times, while the second opening “Seisai no Ripeino” by Sasaki Sayaka is more fitting. The ending themes, “Light of Dawn” by Annabel, and Dominant Space” by Yuuki Aira are both decent soundings ending themes, making only the first opener a disappointment.

Extras
The Book of Bantorra: Complete Collection has barely any special features worth mentioning as this release only contains a clean version of the two opening and ending songs, trailers for other Sentai Filmworks releases and disc credits.

Overall
The Book of Bantorra is a series with a lot of depth and contains a story that is not only philosophical, dark, and full of pain at times, but also highly entertaining, though you will need to really be paying attention to keep track of the plot at times. The series also falters a bit with the way it handles some characters, especially new characters near the end of the release, but the characters we do learn about it is easy to become invested in their struggle even if their fight is futile. The Book of Bantorra: Complete Collection tells a unique story full of twists and turns and is definitely worth checking out despite its flaws.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

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