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Hiiro No Kakera Season 2 Review

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December 14, 2013

Hiiro No Kakera Season 2
Studio: Studio DEEN
Publisher: Hanabee
Format: DVD
Release Date: December 4th, 2013
Price: $59.99 – Available Here

Overview
Hiiro No Kakera is one of those anime series that you’ll either love or hate. There really isn’t any in-between for this series. It aims very specifically for a certain audience and doesn’t even consider anyone outside of it. In that regard, it is an anime that will no doubt be love by those in its target audience, but absolutely abhorred by those that aren’t.

So what is this anime’s target audience? Well to put it quite plainly, this is an anime for women. There is very little here that would appeal to the male gender, but that doesn’t write this off as being a solid series, because for what it is, Hiiro No Kakera isn’t half bad. With its second season Hiiro No Kakera doesn’t exactly shake things up too much, but it does continue the tale of Tamaki and her horde of handsome men in an intriguing way, expanding upon the first season but not improving upon it.

Story
Now that she is the Tamayori Princess, Tamaki comes to discover the difficulties involved with being royalty. The tale progresses quite nicely adding layer upon layer with each passing episode. It ultimately all builds to a somewhat predictable climax, but it will no doubt satisfy the die-hard fans of the series.

The series stays very true to its otome game roots in this second season, with the majority of the drama stemming from the numerous romantic options available to our heroine. Unfortunately the majority of these potential romances are dead on arrival due to poor character development and lack of chemistry between the charaters involved.

As far as action goes, Hiiro No Kakera is somewhat lacking in this regard, often lacking appropriate tension to the proceedings. It is a problem that underlines this entire season unfortunately. The lack of tension and dramatic urgency causes many of the most important to fall flat on their face. It is a disappointing story-telling effort all in all but it may just owe itself to the otome game it is adapting.

The lack of tension and urgency is definitely odd considering the destruction of the world is at stake in this season. The overarching plot-line is weak at best due to sloppy pacing that hampers the entire experience.

Ultimately if you enjoyed the first season of Hiiro No Kakera, the second season is likely to be to your interest. Despite that, it must be said that nothing has been done to improve upon the highly flawed first season, with many of the same issues rearing their ugly head once more. This is definitely one best left to the die-hards.

Visuals and Audio
The facet in which Hiiro No Kakera truly shines is its impressive animation work and artistic array. The colour pallete here is absolutely gorgeous and elevates what would otherwise be a very bland anime series. The uplifting vibrant visuals give life to this series and make it a memorable aesthetic experience because of it. The true highlight here is in the aesthetics.

As for the score, Studio Deen have done an admirable job in creating some solid tracks, however the timing of the incidental music is anything but precise. The arrangement is sloppy at times and often doesn’t fit the mood of the scene appropriately. It is a small thing that can cause a domino effect in an anime series and it definitely does just that in Hiiro No Kakera.

This release from Hanabee features both a Japanese language track as well as an English language dub. The English dub which was originally done by Sentai Filmworks is sadly lackluster in nearly every regard. The performances are weak across the board and at times it feels as though the voice actors are bored with the series, resulting in tired sounding dialogue and stiff exchanges. Thankfully the Japanese audio track is a pleasant alternative featuring a solid cast that seem genuinely interested in the work they are doing.

Extras
Hanabee has done a pretty good job on this release of Hiiro No Kakera Season 2. The release features both English and Japanese audio tracks which is always a plus. It also features clean opening and ending theme songs. However the real highlight as far as bonus content goes is the image gallery that features some art from the series. This all amounts to a solid release for the series, one that is well worth the price tag for those interested in it.

Overall
Hiiro No Kakera is as polarizing as it is relentless. Over the course of two seasons it has been relentless in its consistency. It commits to itself completely, glaring flaws and all. It is that kind of unwavering commitment to its formula that makes Hiiro No Kakera so divisive. It doesn’t try to branch out to other audiences, it doesn’t try to improve upon its flaws and it certainly doesn’t seem to care one way or the other.

This second season doesn’t do much to help fix the problems that plagued the first season of Hiiro No Kakera, but it does manage to expand upon it in some ways. Unfortunately it is still a series that is really best left for the ladies. Even then the series is fundamentally flawed in many ways, the biggest of course being the haphazard storytelling that can’t seem to decide whether it wants to be a straight up romance or a supernatural action series.

All in all this is one hell of a mixed bag that you’ll either love to bits or hate with a passion. I wouldn’t recommend this to the male audience as it features a predominantly bishonen cast that no man on earth could find themselves relating to in any way. However it is really just an idealistic tale from a woman’s perspective of a world filled with handsome men each of whom embody what they believe is the ideal man. And that is really all that Hiiro No Kakera amounts to after two seasons, idealistic and shallow.

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

Saint Seiya Film’s Art and Poster Revealed

Luke Halliday

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December 14, 2013

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The 2014 CG animated Saint Seiya feature film has been eagerly anticipated by fans of the anime series. Fans will be pleased to see that the first art for the Saint Seiya film as well as its official poster have been revealed.

As you can see in the poster above, the film looks to be titled Saint Seiya: Legend of Sanctuary. The tagline for the film is ‘Save Your Athena’. Given the film’s title and the tagline it looks like this movie may be based upon the Sanctuary arc from the original series.

For a closer look at each of our Saint heroes, you can take a gander at Seiya, Hyoga, Ikki, Shun, Shiryu and Saori in the gallery below. Be sure to let us know what you think in the comments section below.

Madman licenses High School of the Dead OVA

Luke Halliday

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December 14, 2013

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Madman Entertainment have now announced their third #12AnnouncementsOfXmas anime acquisition. They have officially acquired the license for High School of the Dead: Drifters of the Dead.

As fans of the High School of the Dead series likely know, High School of the Dead: Drifters of the Dead is the OVA follow up to the wildly popular zombie apocalypse anime series.

Madman will be release High School of the Dead: Drifters of the Dead exclusively on digital platforms in 2014. There is no plans for a physical release of any sort for this OVA episode of High School of the Dead. Stay tuned for more announcements as part of Madman’s #12AnnouncementsOfXmas promotion.

Stealth Inc: The Lost Clones Review

Vicky Martin

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December 14, 2013

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Stealth Inc: The Lost Clones
Developer: Curve Studios
Publisher: Curve Studios
Platforms: PS3 (Reviewed), PS Vita
Release Date: 4th December 2013
Price: $3.99 USD/$4.45 AUD – Available Here

Overview

Stealth Inc: The Lost Clones is the latest DLC expansion available for Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark; the intensive puzzle platformer that will take new and existing players on a run for insanity. The Lost Clones explores a higher degree of challenges within a mystifying and destructive universe, that can only be solved with the right amount of patience, agility and craftiness. So let’s determine whether this test is worth the investment.

Story

The Lost Clones develops the vague storyline of the original game, by focusing on the fate of missing clones within the PTi industry. As an anonymous clone unit, players must stealth their way through deadly traps across two sectors, to uncover the secret past of the lost clones from the workforce. The DLC expansion reinforces the same urgency to escape the facility in Stealth Inc.; although there is no driving force for players to be concerned about other clones that may be alive.

Gameplay

The fast-paced and complex problem-solving style of gameplay within Stealth Inc. is complimented in the DLC; with twenty new gruelling puzzles for players to torment themselves in for countless hours. Levels are well designed to cater for beginners and existing players to become acquainted with the stealth mechanics for hacking terminal systems, avoiding detection and travelling beyond closed doors.

As seen in Stealth Inc: A Clone in the Dark, the gameplay is enhanced through the clone’s distinguishing goggles, which display traffic light signals (green, orange, red) according to degrees of visibility. This system is effective for careful planning and strategic thinking, when it comes to determining the safest and fastest method of solving each puzzle. Additionally, Stealth Inc. allows players to become their own puzzle master in Level Editor. The exciting feature encourages players to use their knowledge and experience with the game to test themselves and friends.

The noticeable difference in The Lost Clones, is that the gameplay is much more brutal and frustrating. Regardless of experience, the DLC expansion ensures that all players will have a difficult time progressing through the chambers without luck on their side. As players advance through the game, there are greater movement restrictions and hard-hitting enemies for players to test themselves against over and over again. Beware of the hazards that work in combination to obstruct the exit; from security cameras, sensor and laser beams, buzzsaw, patrollers, portals and evil robots.

Fortunately, players have the opportunity to redeem themselves of excessive slaughter by earning valuable equipment; including the Holographic Decoy Projector and Camouflage Suit. These upgrades are only accessible for players who complete a set amount of levels within the game.

A great aspect of Stealth Inc. is the replay value, as players are incentivised to improve their clones time performance and S-Ranking across each chamber. Players are encouraged to achieve their personal best, by competing with the records on the global leaderboards. Needless to say, The Lost Clones still rewards players with trophies for completing both sectors; Return to Blender and Final Cut. Those willing to go the extra mile, will receive credit for locating all the lost clone survivors, collecting all the Helices and proving you can defeat five Lost Clone levels in a row without being spotted.

The Lost Clones is currently exclusive for PS3 and PS Vita, although Curve Studios have not ruled out an iOS release for next year. Players have the flexibility of choice in terms of cross-buying and cross-saving the game with both PlayStation consoles. On the PS3 controller, players can switch between using the left thumbstick or D-pad for movement controls, along with X for jumping, O for crouching and square for hacking and activating switches. Whereas, the Vita offers responsive touchscreen controls that allow for fluid movement and handling during gameplay.

Visuals & Audio

The clear-cut 2D visuals are stunning in creating an ideal industrial landscape for stealthy business; with higher resolution and enhanced graphics that better suit a widescreen. The dark shadows and variations of lighting used throughout the levels give depth to the visual experience and reinforce players to constantly adjust to their environment.

The tormenting techno soundtrack is alluring; inviting players to enter the game willingly and use their absolute concentration to complete every puzzle. The accompanying sound effects bring life to the industrial surroundings and keep players alert upon detection. Audio designer, Sam Robinson and Music Composer, Ricky Honmong deserve a round of applause for their amazing compilation of sound within Stealth Inc.

Overall

Stealth Inc: The Lost Clones is an extremely addictive and challenging game that will have players on the verge of screaming out gibberish and throwing their controller (hopefully not the Vita) across the room in rage. Although, The Lost Clones is more challenging to play, it is well worth the enduring hours for the satisfaction of completing levels. The DLC expansion is a great addition to the successful and much loved, Stealth Inc. game. Start the test and enjoy the puzzling escapade!

Capsule Computers review guidelines can be found here.

New Solo and Cooperative Playlists Out For BattleBlock Theater

Kane Bugeja

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December 14, 2013

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New Solo and Cooperative Playlists Out For BattleBlock Theater

BattleBlock-Theater-01 — **Just try to stop him**

The BattleBlock Theater Level Design team, over at The Behemoth, has concocted new content for your consumption. In celebration of the holiday season, new solo and cooperative playlists described as “monstrously packed” will be available for download for this platformer gem.

When we were developing BattleBlock Theater, we built the level editor into the game not only for the community, but for occasions like these to continue creating official playlists by us and sharing them with our fans for free.

Featured in Furbottoms Features, the new content will also allow you to download the new Momentum Monster and Comentum Monster for free. Also make sure to load up BattleBlock Theater between the 13th and 26th of December, in order to access even more new content from Furbottoms Features. As an added bonus, should you complete either playlist between the specified time, you will receive a special prisoner unlock: THE MONSTER.

For more information, visit the official site. Check out the trailer below and glearn a little bit more about what it means to take the stage in the BattleBlock Theater. Are you prepared for some monster fun?

The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II Features Unveiled

Joe Morgan

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December 14, 2013

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Neocore Games, the indie team behind RPG The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, have unveiled the features for their upcoming sequel, aptly named The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing II.

The upcoming game’s features include:

Three playable classes – In the sequel to this gothic-noir adventure, players can choose from three very different classes: the classic Hunter with shooting and melee skills, the magic-wielding Thaumaturge or the Arcane Mechanic, the master of deadly devices, all included in the base game.
Hunter’s Lair – The Lair returns in the sequel as the perfect hideout for players to stash collected loot, trade with non-playable characters, teleport between locations, forge new items, utilize the alchemy lab and accept new quests from allies who join the resistance against the scientific scourge.
Extended tower defense mini-game – With enemies invading in waves, players have the opportunity to defend their Hunter’s Lair and other strategic locations with deployable traps and several upgradable functions to ward off evil, now with improved gameplay mechanics and up to 7 levels presented as optional side quests.
Resistance management – As the leaders of the Borgovian Resistance, players will participate in the micromanagement of the allied troops, improve the equipment of the Resistance fighters or find loot that makes them more powerful.
Rage system – Enabling players to charge up to three skill modifiers called Power Ups on 8 active skills by way of spending Rage points collected from impressive feats.
Unique companion system – Lady Katarina, a ghost with snappy wit, comes to the support of Van Helsing with her own set of abilities, behaviors, and two skill trees.
Fragmentation system – Besides forging, enchanting and infusing items with essences, players now have another option to alter items to their liking. Artifacts can be taken apart, shattered into magical fragments. The process generates a basic shard, and then the enchantments also dissolve into separate fragments. Fragments can be turned into purely magical runes that can be altered and put on new items, changing them into various new powerful artifacts.
The Beast in the Lair – The Chimera is a unique creature, an artificial monster straight from the Ink that players will find during their adventures, claim as theirs, enhance its abilities and summon it into combat or send away to the Ink to hunt for treasure.
Hall of Trophies – Players can decorate their Lair with trophies that give global modifiers to the game world, like empowering monsters, granting more spellpower to all allies or turning Katarina into a more lethal ghost.
Multiplayer – Allowing players to test their skills against each other via the PVP mode (8 players) or join their forces and complete the story in the co-operative campaign (4 players).

For more information, you can check out their official website here.

8BitMMO Now Available on Steam Through Early Access

Chris Chu

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December 14, 2013

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8BitMMO, a retro-style 2D MMO game is now available on Steam for Early Access gameplay. The game developed by Archive Entertainment mixes in RPG elements with an open sandbox mode of gameplay, leading to a very interesting experience for gamers of all categories. Players are given the chance to build their own houses or castles, start a city, fight LawyerCats and Hipsters, and lots of other unique features.

The game is 100% player built, making the content unique wherever you go in the 8BitMMO universe. The game is continuously updated with new ideas and features as it develops into its full build. The best part about it is that the game will be completely free to play. Right now, however, the developer has limited the access to purchasers only to gain more reliable feedback. There are two options for the Founders pack, either a $9.99 USD or $19.99 USD option. Both come with immediate access to the game, gold and platinum rewards (which varies depending on which option you chose), and exclusive hats that will only be available to the early access purchasers.

For more information on this game, check out their Steam page here.

Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Abseils to Steam

Simon Wolfe

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December 14, 2013

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Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure Abseils to Steam

Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure is a curious game that saw release onto the Xbox, PS2, and PC way back in the long olden times of 2006. Starring a graffiti artist by the name of Trane, players had to try and raise through the ranks of other artists, getting your mark out there, and tackling corrupt politicians, while listening to music that won the Best Video Game Soundtrack from the MTV Video Music awards.

If you haven’t played it before and it sounds interesting, or if you have played it and are looking to reminisce the experience, now is your chance as Marc Ecko himself has partnered up with Devolver Digital to get the game onto Steam. Even better it is currently 50% for the occasion of its relaunch to the digital service.

So, those wanting to check out Marc Ecko’s Getting Up: Contents Under Pressure for themselves can find it on Steam today. Do you have what it takes to reach the lofty heights of “All City King”?

Five New Videos Featuring Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster Footage

Jamie Laike Tsui

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December 14, 2013

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Square Enix has released five trailers featuring footage from the new HD remastering of Final Fantasy X and Final Fantasy X-2. The videos features classic scenes like Yuna’s wedding and are currently all in Japanese. The released game will be available with English voice acting.

Final Fantasy X|X-2 HD Remaster will be released on March 18th, 2014 for the PlayStation 3. The original titles were released in 2001 and 2003 respectively. The HD Remastered versions will bring the International features that were never released in North America along with remastered audio, high definition textures, improved models, and modern lightning techniques. Even the pre-rendered cut scenes have been remastered for high definition screens.

Pokemon Bank Shows Off Features in Trailer

Simon Wolfe

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December 14, 2013

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Pokemon fans that have quite a collect over the course of all the games that have been released through the years should be excited to hear that the Pokemon Bank is well on it way to release. Still set to come out on December 27th, 2013 Pokemon Bank will let players store and manage up to 3000 different Pokemon, which should be great for those that keep multiples.

Just how does it work exactly? Well, luckily Nintendo has just released a new trailer to show off just how the system will work for the Nintendo 3DS. All players have to do is download Pokemon Bank, as well as the Poke Transporter, which will let players with extensive collections port over from Pokemon X & Y, Pokemon Black & White, and Pokemon Black 2 & White 2.

If this sounds like just the right tool for you, be sure to check out the trailer embedded below to see it in action. Those downloading Pokemon Bank between December 27 and January 31st will also get to try it for free, after which the service will cost $4.99 (£4.49/€4.99) a year.