Finally, after a long hiatus from the internet, Spike and Aura return to post a brand new Tappin That video. In episode 6, we tackle a game that has been so huge, so significant, so eagerly awaited that it was pretty much DEMANDING to be recorded for comedic purposes. I am of course, referring to that all consumer of time: The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.
This week on Tappin That:
We venture to the world of Skyrim, a land gripped by civil war, and uncertain in fate given the appearance of rather smart-mouthed dragons to the land. It is in the back of an imperial transport cart that we meet the mysterious prisoner Poopyness the Lizard. In our time with her, we learn that Poopyness has a great affinity for sharp objects and creatures of nature. She also has a swaying affection for ponies, particularly blue and rainbow coloured, and she has a pre-disposition to random lightning murder.
All in an average day in the land of Skyrim.
To watch our series from the beginning in episode 1, CLICK HERE
To promote the new MI: 4 movie, Xbox Live and Gears of War 3 are offering you a mission, if you choose to accept it. Beat Gears of War 3 on Insane by December 25 and be rewarded with five extra weapon skins: a “Ghost Protocol” Lancer, Hammerburst, Retro Lancer, Gnasher Shotgun, and Sawed-off Shotgun.
This free DLC will be part of the Ghost Protocol experience when it launches on XBL tomorrow. There is also a giveaway. Enter to win custom slim Xbox 360, Kinect, 50″ HDTV, 5.1 home theater system, and the Mission: Impossible series on DVD just by watching the trailer for Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol when it appears on the dashboard.
You can get the weapons whether you beat the game on Insane in multi or single player. The skins will also be awarded retroactively to those who have beaten the game on Insane already.
The 7th Dragon series, developed by Imageepoch and published by Sega, might have more titles planned for the series, an interview with Impress Watch has revealed. As the next game 7th Dragon 2020 for the PSP, nears its November 27 release date, the interview was with producer Rieko Kodama (Sega) and director Kazuya Niinou (Imageepoch). Not only have they revealed possible future titles, the duo also revealed some of the development for 2020.
The first game, 7th Dragon, was in fact developed for the Nintendo DS. So why the jump to the PSP? They wanted to change their demographic from the original DS game. They targeted the 15 to 25 age range with this game. The change in genre (2020 is sci-fi compared to the fantasy setting of the DS game) is also the result of a different platform for development. However, a sequel to the DS game will probably be fantasy themed.
The setting, Japan’s capital city Tokyo, was always there in the plans of the series. This is where Kazuya Niinou revealed that there were five titles in the original plan, four fantasy stories and one gaiden set in Tokyo. A gaiden, for those who don’t know, is another term for a side story. 2020 seems to be the gaiden of the series.
The development of the game started in June 2010 and lasted for 18 months. At the beginning of development, Rieko Kodama revealed that she was in hospital when the final design document was ready and handed to her. Before she was forced into hospital, the original design document was in fact fantasy based. The final design document, the one she received in hospital, is what the Japanese public will play when it is released.
There were rumours that digital versions of games from the PlayStation and PC Engine/Turbo Grafx range on the Playstation Network will not be supported by the Playstation Vita when it launches on December 17. It seems that those rumours are true as Sony confirms no support for Game Archive games at launch. It doesn’t rule out the possibility of support later on. In fact, added support is expected.
This was confirmed via the Playstation Vita FAQ on the official Japanese site. This is how the question and answer was stated:
Q: Can Vita play PlayStation Game Archives games?
A: It won’t be supported at the time of the PS Vita launch. Regarding future support, we’ll share details later.
So, if you want to play those Playstation classics on the go, you better hold onto your Playstation Portable. However, the support could be added when the Playstation Vita launches on the 22nd (Rest of the World) and 23rd (Australia and New Zealand) of February in 2012.
What makes the Playstation Vita interesting, aside from the extra features Sony has built into the system or the games that will be coming out of the system, is what is going to power the handheld up. It seems that the make up of the Graphical Processing Unit (or GPU) had been discussed at the Embedded Technology 2011 expo, held earlier this month. The GPU is PowerVR SGX543MP4+, a joint venture between SCE and Imagine Technologies. Complicated name, huh? Well, what about that plus sign at the end of the name? believe it or not, that was discussed with 4Gamer.
Imagine Technologies’ PR director David Harold and Power VR business development head Kristof Beets were the two men in the hot seat, asked the difficult question. Harold revealed that the plus sign denotes an expansion specifically made for Sony Computer Entertainment, so don’t expect any other electronics company have their mittens on this particular GPU. It is, however, not attached to a brand.
The plus sign also doesn’t point out the fact that the GPU is optimised with Vita architecture or its CPU, meaning that other Playstation products may feature this GPU. However, I don’t believe that this particular GPU may be seen outside of the Playstation Vita.
It was put forward by video games journalist Paul Gale. At first, it was a very skeptical idea, with the public most often pushing this aside rather than accepting it and with justification. There were only words over the internet. However, it really seems that the rumour of Sony’s most iconic icons over the years will come together and duke it out in one gigantic brawl. Ladies and gentlemen, there is a strong rumour of a Playstation 3 game that will be Sony’s answer to Super Smash Brothers, which has the code name ‘Title Fight.’
These rumours really raised eyebrows after the revelation of SuperBot Entertainment revealing they are being backed by Sony Computer Entertainment America on an unmaned Playstation 3 exclusive. If it was that statement alone, it could be anything. However, there are two job listings asking for people with experience with fighting games. Very interesting, indeed.
Next is a release of a screenshot. Recognise this particular Sony character below?
This is supposedly the character model of Sweet Tooth of Twisted Metal fame. It looks very impressive, no doubt. What about this picture?
This is a shot of another character being designed. Many have speculated that this could be Nariko from Heavenly Sword.
This is certainty heating up, for sure. Of course, this is all rumours, but there are certain signs that are pointing to the fact that this could be a reality of a dream of those Sony fans out there. With hundreds of IP’s out there, I think Sony should pursue this sort of project. Sure, they might not match up at first sight, but I can imagine Nathan Drake and Joseph Capelli fighting against Jak and Ratchet.
A slew of Batman: Arkham City downloadable content is on its way. Announced through the use of twitter, The Batcave and the previously pre-order exclusives Joker’s Carnival and The Iceberg Lounge will be coming on December 20th just in time for Christmas. Asides from the single tweet:
Not many more details about the DLC pack is known. There is no word on pricing or what the else the pack contains. But going by previous Batman: Arkham City DLC packs we’ll probably see a few challenge maps, skins and maybe, just maybe a new playable character (That last ones just wishful thinking…)
In Japan, game journalists have already had a chance to get a taste of Ridge Racer on the Playstation Vita. Their findings indicate that although the game looks great, it only includes 3 race tracks and 5 cars. The tracks are: Harborline 765, Highland Cliffs, and Southbay Docks and they are playable in normal and reverse, thus TECHNICALLY doubling the amount of tracks to 6.
There will be DLC added to the game, but it is still disappointing to hear that Namco and Sony decided to recycle assets and release so little for one of their launch titles on their next supposedly premier system.
I have something I’d like to confess. This isn’t something I’m proud of, nor is it something that I feel comfortable broadcasting, but… I am now the owner of a Kinect.
But why, you ask. Why a Kinect, Jessica? You don’t have any young children under your care, and you have never really taken an interest in jumping around in your living room like a weirdo while having secret pictures taken by the Kinect that Microsoft probably hoards so they can laugh at people. So why did you buy one?
Well, firstly, I got it for cheap. It was a ‘preowned’ one that was on sale. So there’s that. And secondly, as much as no one likes to admit, those games are fun. There’s a reason that people crack up laughing while playing Kinect, and it’s cos you’ve basically let go of all your dignity and are open to pretty much anything happening.
Kinect games don’t require concentration, they don’t need you to make split-second decisions. You’re pretty much just jumping and waving your arms around like a douche. But a douche having fun.
There’s an innocence with the Kinect, you basically regress to a state before you smacked hoes and shot invading forces. It’s like the Wii, but even more so. With the Wii you can regress, but you can do so sitting down and you can also pretend like you’re too much of a cool dude for this stuff. With Kinect you have to be up in front of it and if you don’t put all your effort into it you’re just going to look sillier.
So, why did I buy a Kinect? Cos it’s freaking fun and gaming shouldn’t be taken completely seriously. That’s the point, games are meant to be for fun. So put that controller down, stand up, and wave your limbs around in a seemingly random fashion!
Check out the video below of some guys taking boxing a little too seriously thanks to Kinect. Because that is also what it provides, funny Youtube videos.
Do you guys have a Kinect? Or have you sworn blood oaths to never go near one? Either way, let us know your thoughts in the comment section below!
Freedom Collection Studio: Sunrise Publisher: Madman Language: English, Japanese Release Date: October 19th, 2011 Price: $39.95- Available Here
Overview:
What is Freedom? That is the question posed in this 7 part OVA series designed by infamous mangaka, writer and film maker Katsuhiro Otomo (Akira). If we live in a secure society held together by a higher authority, are we still free or are we simply free to act within the rules placed upon us? These are among the many questions raised in Freedom – a deep look inside the heart of modern societal structure and the possible future of the very concept itself.
Story:
Freedom has incredibly high aspirations and with Otomo’s name attached to the series it undoubtedly has some big shoes to fill. With so much ambition and belief in it’s message Freedom transcends the term anime and gently touches down in the echelon of fine art.
Fans of the cinematic anime masterpiece Akira will definitely feel at home with Freedom, a series which contains many elements present in Akira without ever feeling too familiar. Many elements crossover from Akira such as youth culture, societal structure, upheavel, reality and the very nature of life itself.
The series takes place in a near future in which Humans now reside on the Moon, in a heavily secure and controlled society after the Earth has been deemed unhabitable following a mysterious cataclysm. We follow Takeru a young man born into the Moon society known as Eden. Takeru is extremely fascinated with Earth which feels like a mythological place of the Humans past. It’s an unreachable place that intrigues him to no end. Soon enough he discovers that Earth may not be as unhabitable as the Government of Eden proclaim.
As you’d imagine he attempts to stage an uprising in a quest for truth and freedom. The series features a valley of depth with it just begging to be explored. It raises some strong questions about our own society as well warning about what can become of such despotic governments.
There is enough philosphical meat on the Freedom bone for those who love something that will make you think. The messages and story told in Freedom are not only complex, emotive and honest but also as profound as art can be.
Visuals:
Aesthetically Freedom features all the bells and whistles of it’s anime forefathers. With the visual style being a dead ringer for Otomo’s iconic artsyle, his presence of the series is strongly felt. The style of the series itself is reminiscent of a series that Otomo did not work on, Planetes. I’m certain after completing this series that he at the very least took some level of inspiration from that series.
The series features cel-shaded three dimensional character models and environments which are entirely unique to Freedom. This was a great choice on the part of Otomo as it sets it apart enough from the anime giant Akira, and gives it legs to stand up on its own.
Freedom is just a visual treat and it’s even better on Blu-Ray which is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most beautiful animated experiences I have ever had the pleasure of viewing. If you are in it for some stunning imagery you will not be disappointed by Freedom.
Audio:
Freedom features music of critically acclaimed Utada Hikaru (known for her work on the Kingdom Hearts series of video-games) and much like her expansive catalogue of work, she has composed some amazing tracks for this series. With her effervescent opening song for the series “This is Love” each episode opens in a big way, creating prime atmosphere for the preceedings.
The incidental music and score for Freedom is provided by Yoshihiro Ike, a composer who is always on point. He has previously worked on the music for the film Dead Leaves and his talent has not dwindled since then as he has constructed a heartpounding soundtrack that backs the story to perfection.
As for voice acting, both the English and Japanese cast are electirfying. My personal highlight was Michael Sinterniklaas as Takeru in the English dub of the series. He brought Takeru to life in ways I have not seen in English language dubs in a long time.
Extras:
Madman have spoiled us once again with this complete series collection. If you are a special features junkie, you will have plenty to feed your addiction with in the Freedom Collection.
There are so many features present such as a Prologue, Freedom Digest Segments for each episode, a special short 2 part feature called Fly me to the Moon, several other in depth looks at the series itself and its creation and some trailers for the series.
This is definitely more than your standard Madman series collection. It really provides great bang for your buck and at that price all of this packed in its just the cherry on top.
Overall:
Put simply, Freedom is an anime masterpiece – it is a work of art. It will move you, take you to places you have never imagined and make you take a long hard think about the world you live in.
Freedom has moved to heights that most anime never reach. It is an animated classic of the modern day and on Blu-Ray that shines true in so many ways. From the visual experience to the journey the series takes the viewer on, it is a series that people will look back on in years to come and remember how that one 7 part OVA series made a difference in the anime world, and it did.
The series breaks ground in it’s story-telling and it’s aesthetics. If you are looking for a series that will blow you away, Freedom is that series. I whole-heartedly recommend this series to anyone, it is just that good.
