While we may have to wait until February 22nd to play the PlayStation Vita in North America, a few people have likely already paid the extra money to purchase the Japanese PlayStation Vita and have imported it to North America. Well for all of you who have it in your hands right now you soon will be able to get a free taste of Sumioni: Demon Arts on the PlayStation Vita.
A demo will be released on Japan’s PlayStation Store on January 24 which is two weeks before the game’s official February 9 release in Japan. There currently is no specific release date for the North American version of the title, though XSEED has revealed that they will be releasing it sometime in the Spring of this year.
Ano Natsu de Matteru is one of the most hotly anticipated anime series of the Winter 2012 season. As you’d expect the series is getting simulcast, which will be handled by Crunchyroll. The most interesting news however is that Sentai Filmworks may have licensed the series.
In Crunchyroll’s section for the series, Sentai Filmworks is listed as the distributor of the anime. While Sentai Filmworks have not officially stated a confirmation of this, but it is slightly more solid than mere speculation considering Crunchyroll’s strong ties with distribution companies.
Crunchyroll have not confirmed that the series will premiere on the 11th of January and will be exclusively available to North and South American audiences.
Redline Studio: Madhouse Publisher: Madman Format: DVD (Reviewed), Blu-Ray Release Date: December 14th, 2011 Price: $29.95- Available Here
Overview: ‘It’s begun!’ – The harrowing words that embody the heart and soul of Redline. A film that defies many notions attributed to anime, as well as proving that anime is truly an art form unlike any other.
With huge action set pieces that could only be done in this medium alongside a deep and immersive universe that just begs to be explored, Redline is a master class in anime cinematography.
Story:
Before I start, I’d like to say that Redline isn’t perfect, but it’s damn near it. With such a vast world and huge cast of characters, Redline is ultimately only a half explored film. There is a lot of potential in this world and it’s cast for further exploration, but in my opinion, some things are better left unknown.
The film takes place in the distant future in a time when racing is outlawed, but those with the hunger for rolling thunder enter into the black market of the racing world in hopes of competing in the universe’s biggest race – Redline.
As you’d imagine the film features the Redline race, which makes up the majority of the films plot (as it should), with the rest which leads up to it introducing us to the cast and the universe they inhabit. This time devoted to the characters and world, flesh them out just enough to whet our appetites without ever fully revealing everything and that is how it should be. We don’t need to know everything and in this case it works for the best.
The main theme of Redline is that we are all racing towards something, what that something is is up to us to determine and whether we reach it all not is all down to our will to obtain it. Through this tenet, Redline tells an unexpectedly romantic tale of two people who have been racing towards one another all their lives.
While to some this plotline may seem cheesy upon reading, the way it is handled is not only beautiful but also honest. It’s extravagant in it’s portrayal but by the time the race ends with that final shining moment the anticipation and build up pays off in a grand way.
Redline just does so much right in the way of it’s plot, with superb pacing, brilliantly crafted dialogue, fully realised characters (even minor ones) and action sequences that will blast your brains into another dimension. You will leave Redline with no pants, socks or even underwear as they would all be blown away by the sheer bombastic brilliance of Redline.
Visuals:
There is no animated film that came out in 2011, that could even stand along-side this visual masterpiece. Redline looks utterly beautiful and is a true testament to the quality of Madhouse produced works.
The film features entirely unique character designs, with memorable characters such as ‘JP’ and ‘Sonoshee’ being etched into minds of viewers long after watching.
Not only that but Redline features some of the most aesthetically stunning action sequences in years, so grand in scale in fact that there is no way such scenes could be reproduced in any other medium. It is simply you could only see in anime, there is no doubt about that.
Redline is without a doubt the most visually expressive and impressive animated film of the year and that is a title is earns with ease.
Audio:
When it comes to Redline’s soundtrack you are in for an absolute treat. The film features a stunning soundtrack brilliantly composed and carefully crafted for each scene. None of which stand out more than ‘Redline Day’ the film’s closing theme, which perfectly serves as a capper to the events of the entire movie. If you wanna hear a bit of it, watch the trailer for the film below this review.
The voice acting is well done and acted, showing that Manga Entertainment can really create some solid dubs, if given the chance. All actors portray their roles brilliantly, not only giving the viewer an attachement to each character but also a longing to be right besides them as they race through this gloriously realised world backed by a fully realised soundtrack.
Extras: Redline is action packed, but it’s special features are just as packed. Madman have included two Redline Guides, one which is a ‘Perfect’ Guide to Redline and the other is ‘Quick’ Guide to Redline as well as the original 2006 trailer from when the film was announced.
The two guides are really nice and give a truly deeper insight into the movie and is a must watch in both forms for those of you who are looking for more information after viewing (if you’re like me then I’m sure you will). There is certainly enough on disc to keep viewers satisfied after watching.
Overall:
After the engines simmer down to a final stop, Redline remains the best anime film of 2011. The only thing to even came close was Summer Wars but even that could not reach the sheer bombastic exhilleration of Redline.
If you are looking for a good action film, a good anime film, a good film in general, Redline is the movie for you. It will stir something deep within you and will resonate longer than any other anime film you would see from 2011. It is just that good. With Redline, it begun and with this review it’s won.
EA Sports’ upcoming Grand Slam Tennis 2 features a brand new gameplay feature – Total Racket Control, which uses the controller’s analog stick to play the game rather than simple button controls. This allows players a new way to play the game as you gain full control the racket, the direction, type and power of all shots with the single right analog stick. Think of it a bit like Skate’s control scheme, whereby the skateboard is controlled solely from a single analog stick.
Check out Gameplay Producer Liam Millar explaining exactly how this new feature will be implemented in the game below.
Grand Slam Tennis 2 is set to be released in Australia on February 9 and in New Zealand on February 10 for Xbox 360 and Playstation 3
When the newest SSX game was announced, there were some concerns. Could it hold up against the previous games in the series? Would the new abilities, like wingsuits, hurt or help the gameplay? How could anything supplant Tricky? However, the two trailers have calmed many fears. They show off what the series has done best: glorious, impossible, sick combos with crazy characters and great music topping everything off. SSX launches on February 28th in the US and March 2, 2012 for everybody else. Be sure to be “ill” that day.
Pre-order bonus items for the game are listed below:
GameStop – legendary SSX character Eddie Wachowski, Elite snowboard and bonus boost
Origin – Elise’s Elite snowboard and bonus boost
Amazon – Mac’s Elite snowboard and bonus boost
Best Buy – Zoe’s Elite snowboard and bonus boost
Wal-Mart – Kaori’s Elite snowboard and bonus boost
The majority of games out there usually require that you kill Orcs. They are the enemy. The invader. The bad guy. The scavenger of destroyed worlds that must be dealt with, preferably violently. Orc Attack puts you in the Orcs shoes though. It was the humans who came first, wreaking havoc on the Orc way of life. And the Orcs are fighting back, but with a unique weapon. I’ll let the Orcs explain further: “The humans came in their thousands. They poisoned our food supplies and made the waters toxic.We escaped to the mountains but the damage had been done. Having ingested the poisonous fruits we now suffer from explosive flatulence… But our weakness will become our greatest weapon!” Check out the video below to see more.
Although many indie devs are still furious after being shoved to the side in the latest Xbox Dash update, there was some good news for them today. Microsoft is now allowing indie games to be up to 500mb in size. Second, they have removed the restriction that made any indie game over 50mb in size be priced at $3 to $5. Now the minimum price is is $1, which is good for everyone. And finally, Microsoft increased the amount of games that any one developer is allowed to have on the service from 10 to 20. Hopefully, these moves will allow for a better experience, more sales and increased innovation in this space.
For more information, check out the official post here.
Square Enix and Ankama have chosen today to begin the open beta for their upcoming MMORPG Wakfu. The open beta is currently exclusive to North American players only, but the title will be available to everyone when it is released in February. Those who wish to join in the open beta and test it out can do so here. There are downloads available for users of all computer systems, including PC, Mac and Linux.
To commemorate the beginnning of the open beta, the development team has also made the Sram’s Shadow character class available to players and added in a slew of new content for both closed beta players and new players to enjoy. Currently there are a number of events going on within the world of Wakfu which will not only help get new players acclimated to the title but may even help them find their place within the newly blossoming MMORPG.
While most Moogles may only be able to say kupo, the Moogle that will be joining you in can not only speak full sentences and turn into Serah’s weaponry but also help you out in a number of other ways as well. Square Enix released the below video earlier today which details all the features that will have been added into Final Fantasy XIII-2 involving your new Moogle friend.
In the video we see a few things that have already been revealed, such as using the Moogle to find hidden items, throwing the Moogle to reach distant objects, and finally to determine your benefits or detriments before entering a battle through the Mog Clock but it is good to take a second look at this information as a refresher course on the Moogle’s features can only be beneficial as Final Fantasy XIII-2 is set to be released later this month in North America and February 3rd in Europe.
Australia had been due to wait until March to get it’s hands on Bioware and Lucas Arts latest game, but thanks to EB Games die hard Star Wars fans can get their hands on The Old Republic now. The retailer is fulfilling preorders of the game with an imported version , and there is a highly limited stock available in store and on their websitefor $78. The game will run on American servers, and although players may experience some slow down, it is said to function perfectly.
Bioware have previously said that there is no ban on importing copies of the game, and given that there is no official release date for the Australian territory EB Games are technically not breaking any embargoes. It remains to be seen what publisher’s EA will think of all of this, currently responding to Atomic with the less than happy: “No comment. We are investigating the situation.”
