Viz Media has announced silently today that they will be altering their release schedule of their previous 12 volumes a year magazine to a 10 volumes a year magazine. In co-ordinance with the change, from now on the June and July issues will be combined into a super double issue called June/July and the same will be with December and January becoming December/January.
Along with this change comes change in subscription rates. They have confirmed that a yearly subscription of 10 issues will now cost $26.95 US dollars and a year and half subscription of 15 issues will cost $37.50 US dollars. With this, a 2 year subscription is no longer available.
You can currently purchase the latest volume, the June/July issue featuring Nura: Rise of the Yokai Clan at all good bookstores.
Nokia E7
Developer: Nokia
Specifications: Anodised Alumium Cover, Scratchproof Gorilla Glass, Symbian 3 platform with 680mHz processor and 256MB RAM, 4″ 640 x 320 AMOLED display with 16 million colours, 1200mAh battery, WiFi, Bluetooth, 8MP camera nd 720p playback and recording abilities
Design and Feel
Out of a sea of Black and White plastic, the E7 emerges as a stand out from the crowd with its stylish anodised aluminium cover, tough, durable and available in varying colours from Silver white to Dark Blue. This is definitely a phone aimed at the business market, with a massive 4″ AMOLED screen that utilises Nokias ClearBlack technology, improving outdoor visibility and producing rich and intense colours with incredible contrasts ratios. Unlike the N8, the 8MP camera sits flush with the body, making it a little easier to rest on flat surfaces and gives slightly more peace of mind in relation to doing damage to the lens (not that the N8 has had any issues). The phone sits remarkably well in the hand when utilising the hinge driven slide out QWERTY keyboard which makes light work of long emails, texting or general data input, and fully utilises the larger than usual screen. Everything on the shell of the body of the E7 (which although rectangular in shape is nicely curved), sits flush and with a lack of a microSD slot is also minimal. On top of the phone is the media connection centre housing the HDMI, USB and AV adapter plugs. MicroUSB is used for connectivity and charging. Also incorporated into the body is the new switch loaded volume control, the unlock/lock switch as well as home key and camera button all which fit nicely within the whole design theme of the E7. The Sim is not spring loaded but rather slides into a card compartment which allows for hot switching sims cards. Note that the phone will still reset itself if a new sim is inserted without turning it off. Also note that the battery is not accessible to the consumer and would need to be sent to a licensed repairer or contact Nokia if you need it looked at. The home button was conviently located in the centre of the device rather than on a specific side for easier use. My only complaint was the weight of the phone in my pocket. If this was boxing this is a clear heavyweaight contender weighing in at 176g, a 30% increase on most other smartphones.
Included in the box was a nice assortment of cords and adapters for all occassions being an HDMI adapter, connectivity cable, stereo earphones and USB adapter.
Display
Clear, rich and vibrant is the best way to describe the visual aspect of the Nokia E7. While only being half an inch larger than the IPhone display it is made to look alot bigger by having a very thin and minimal surround. Testament to the 4″ AMOLED display is despite it having a lower resolution of 640 x 320 there is no drop in performance. Apples Iphone offers a 960 x 640 resolution but lacks the AMOLED screen and ClearBlack technology which vastly boost the display abilities of the E7 across its various applications and multimedia options. Nokia have again inplemented Gorilla Glass into the E7 providing an almost indestructible scratch free front panel. I got caught in the rain one day and had to run, resulting in the E7 flying out of my pocket. After watching it slam into the tiles and slide face down a few metres i walked over expecting to have to visit the ATM to pay for it. To my astonishment there was not a scratch on the screen or on any other part of the phone for that matter. Sorry Nokia i do try and look after your products but at least i can say they are tough as hell.
Everything from setting the home page to internet browsing was made easier by the larger display which was much more accomodating for a humans fingers than a lot of other models i have used. Watching movies on the E7 was a joy again due to the ample screen size and 16 million colours in nHD 16:9 aspect ratio. Plugging the E7 into a large plasma screen allowed movies of 720p resolution to be seamlessly reproduced with little to no loss in quality. It was somewhat let down graphically while playing certain games but hey i own consoles for that reason not a phone.
Performance
In terms of overall performance the E7 performs as well as any device still using the Symbian3 can. Minor tweaks have slightly improved lag issues but overall some tasks are still frustrating and require redoing. There is just that fraction of a second that can determine the difference between the phone responding to your touch or dropping out. An example is when you are trying to access phone banking and the E7 lags slightly behind when entering account details leaving you waiting for it to catch up to see which digits it picked up upon. Im no technical expert but im assuming a little more sizzle than a 680MHz processor and 256MB RAM would easily fix some of these issues. A dedicated graphics card is also included. Saying that, there was no performance issues whatsoever regarding video playback or lag during recording or any features one would expect due to higher energy use.
Included within the E7 is GPS which worked without a hitch in its various real and assisted modes, as well as a 1200mAh battery that lasted a long time during usual use but was drained by video and excessive picture taking. Internal memory is limited to 16Gb with no option to add more via external MicroSD cards, which is enough to hold about 4000 songs or 10000 photos which can be easily transferred between phone and any PC. As with many other models their is an FM transmitter located on the phone just in case you are feeling nostalgic.
Im quite a fan of the Nokia homepage setup, from its ease of use to the design and implementation of the various widgets available. While some can argue its a little limited i prefer its simplicity to many other homepages ive come across which give the initial feeling of clutter and mess. Users can choose which applications or features they want displayed on the various homepages allowing it stucture as well as giving a unique appeal. Im useless with dates and times and ive recently put the calendar reminders on the front page complete with alarms and visuals.
Calling and messaging on the E7 was simple and provided no problems of note besides the odd instance of lag which had no effect on the quality of voices. The speaker was loud and crisp, not in the same league as the N8 but performed very well in conference calls and for regular hands free use. I might be mistaken but from memory it actually performed better than the N8, providing slightly more realistic tones and voices.
Multimedia and Internet
Theres nothing overly special about the music player, which features album art to make things a bit easier, but overall is a little retro in feel. The E7 is capable of playing all popular formats inclding MP3, WMA and AAC, and can support bit rates of up to 320kbps with full DRM support. Multimedia on the E7 represents a mixed bag of quality ranging from the terribly frustrating to superbly brilliant. Terribly frustrating is the quality of the the 8MP camera, which due to a lack of an auto-foucs feature produced a high majority of blurry photos. The pictures were very grainy and looked washed out to the point where i actually thought there was a fault in the camera. A big disappointment after the pure pleasure of using the Nokia N8. I apologise for the constant comparisons but i had them both at the same time and aesthetics aside, apart from the camera and weight there was not much feature wise to tell them apart from each other.
Where the E7 excels is movie playback and recording. Video playback on a large Plasma screen was worthy of any device capable of playing 720p resolution media. It also supports the .mkv shell allowing to to play such formats as MP4, H.264 and WMV files. The AMOLED display at a whopping 4″ is perfect for conference calls and watching movies when sitting on that boring train ride home. When watching movies through the HDMI output there is also support for full Dolby Digital Plus surround sound for that full cinematic experience. Even quick clips of fast moving objects were presented crisply and the 16 million colour display ensured a vivid vibrant reproduction.
While internet browsing was more bearable than some older Symbian models due to the larger screen, the constant waiting times for pages to load made many tasks very tedious. The QWERTY keyboard made things a little easier but still i wouldnt be pulling it out and jumping online unless i didnt have a laptop or something more efficient avaliable. It seems there is a heavy focus on the business features of the phone such as real time email, quickoffice app which allows you to easily view MS Office files, as well as business calls, social networking and a dedicated built in VPN.
Camera
As already mentioned the camera is quite disappointing and a world apart from the N8. While being 8MP, it doesnt translate on screen which could be a flaw within the focus system that doesnt have an auto setting.
Conclusion
All in all this phone could appeal to someone who would get a lot of business use out of it. It would not be the kind of phone i would expect to see the average person using, mostly due to its excessive weight. At at price tag of around $500 it doesnt offer enough against the competition despite many of them being much more expensive. The camera is a real let down while the video component is astonishing, giving the whole phone an inconsistent feel. Symbian 3 does although arguably getting on in years performs well, with a few minor lags and glitches along the way. I did enjoy the simplicity of the home page setup and the large screen was a joy to watch movies and pre-recorded media on. Saying all of that it has a few things going for it that many others dont. It is incredibly durable, the QWERT keyboard makes life a lot easier and the larger screen will prolong your next visit to the optometrist. Personally i preferred some of the other Nokia models but as a business phone the E7 would give few complaints to most users.
UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System
Developer: Heavy Iron Studios
Publisher: THQ
Versions: Xbox 360 (Kinect Required (Reviewed)), PlayStation 3 (Move Required), Wii
Buy it Now : $46.99 US – Amazon – $44.90 US – Play-Asia
Overview:
There have been a few exercise games that make use of the Kinect, some are rather subtle with their workout mechanic, being dancing games that contain a calorie counter that can appear in the corner. Other games aren’t subtle at all and are based only around a workout mechanic, meaning if you are buying the game you will be doing it to do more than entertain yourself, but to get yourself a workout at the same time. UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System is a title that has a largely followed brand name following. With many fans of the UFC possibly looking for an exercise that could put them through even the minimal amount of trials that a real UFC fighter would expect; does UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System deliver the knockout uppercut?
Graphics:
Being as a workout focused title has zero storyline whatsoever, lets jump into the what we will be seeing when we play the game. The menu and user interface is very well organized an clean, which makes using the Kinect sensor to select workout options a plus. There are a decent amount of video tutorials as well which fans will enjoy and those working out will especially appreciate.
Unfortunately once you actually get past the menu into the game, there isn’t a whole lot to be seen. The background visuals are disappointing and barren. This can be excused slightly because players are supposed to be feeling like they are working out in a gym. UFC fighters come from every corner of the globe and it would have been nice to see some more variety in backgrounds, even if it means training outside.
The trainers themselves are decent enough. They are modeled after some of the most famous fighters today. Unfortunately the trainers themselves appear to be robots simply because their facial animations during your workout are minimalistic at best and their animations are always the same which means you will often see the same repeating animation countless times. Now the appearance of a workout title may not be one of the biggest things some would look for, but it is also something that would help keep the user’s mind off of the fact they are working out.
Audio:
Now as I just mentioned pertaining to the graphical aspect, the sound of a workout game, especially one containing virtual coaches is crucial. However this is another shortcoming when you come into playing UFC Personal Trainer. During your workout the coach you picked will often give you little words of advice, encouragement, etc… However there is a significant problem with this mechanic.
That is the fact that the trainers you work with sound as realistic as robots because they will often repeat the same exact phrase over and over again. There is very little script to work with, which means that during long exercise sessions you will be so tired of hearing the same exact phrases time and time again, especially when it is repeated five times in two minutes.
Also at times the phrases that they speak don’t even match what you are doing at the time. For example, once during a workout I grew tired and paused my movements temporarily and rather than my trainer mentioning anything about my lack of movement he said I was doing a great job. Then another time when I was actually doing a great job with my programmed workout I was told that I could do better. This isn’t the way to motivate those that just spent a lot of time pushing my body to where I was exhaustion and having to stop. The audio is truly a disappointing feature in a game that says it is an “Ultimate Fitness System.”
Gameplay…. I mean Workout:
UFC Personal Trainer The Ultimate Fitness System features over seventy different exercises and provides pre-set workout routines as well as customizable routines for those who want to either target specific areas of the body or simply want to have more control over their workout. Players can also choose to enter a 30 day or a 60 day workout program if they are feeling up to the challenge.
Something that UFC Personal Trainer has going for it is that it has been officially recognized by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) which means that the workouts you will be performing are at least somewhat effective. And they most certainly are a tiring experience.
The workouts in UFC Personal Trainer are can be very intense and can drain your energy quite quickly. Every one of the pre-made workouts begins with a warm-up and a cool-down session. The workouts will quickly help anyone build up a sweat, and the highlight of the UFC Personal Trainer is the fact that a lot of your workout will be various punching and kicking as well as your standard stretching and motions you would perform in other titles. This means you will have plenty of fun while also sweating like a dog that has been left outside all day in the sun.
There is a small problem with UFC Personal Trainer and that is there isn’t much to tell you if you are doing something incorrect. Your trainer does not say anything if you are doing something out of form or are doing something dangerous, which means it would be best to take everything slow at first before you become comfortable with the exercises to prevent any bodily injury to yourself. Now knocking out your brother as he walks in front of the television with a knee is another problem entirely.
The Kinect sensor actually does a rather adequate job of picking up your motions. All upper body and leg exercises including kicks and lunges and everything in between are sensed well enough by the sensor. Something that the Kinect sensor does have a problem with however is the ground focused exercises. This can be anything from sit ups to push-ups with the Kinect failing to recognize how many you may have actually completed and telling you a smaller number which can be disappointing for those who set to only do the amount they listed.
Overall:
In the end UFC: Personal Trainer will most likely be one of the most fun and enjoyable workout experiences you can ask for due to the fact that it will be something most fans of the UFC will enjoy. There is a lot of different exercises to choose from, though having any knowledge of the UFC or MMA at all isn’t going to be required, which means anyone who wants a good workout can jump in and exercise. Despite having disappointing visuals and poor audio feedback, UFC Personal Trainer has the potential to be a great workout tool and experience.
I give UFC Personal Trainer: The Ultimate Fitness System
Adding to Luke’s article from yesterday about the Resident Evil (Biohazard) 15 year anniversary collectors edition. I thought it would be cool to share with you all the Achievements for Capcom’s Resident Evil: Code VeronicaX HD that will be out this fall. Total achievement points to collect will be 1000 but the’re arn’t that many (only 12 of them) but the’re all worth between 50 to 150g. Check them out below and get yourself pumped for one of the best Resident Evil’s ever created.
Achievement list :
Duty And Humanity (50g): Deliver some medicine to a man in need To The Frozen Land (50g): Begin the search for your sister The Terror Begins (50g): Escape from the graveyard of terror A Changed Father (50g): Liberate the changed man Beyond The Shades (50g): Encounter a former S.T.A.R.S. captain From The Young Lady (50g): Receive encouragement from a young lady The Green Giant (50g): Say farewell to your fallen comrade The Fallen Tyrant (100g): Flatten an unstoppable enemy The Prisoner Who Lost Everything (100g): Defeat the nameless man and end his suffering The Arrogant Queen (150g): Put an end to the Queen’s reign Weapon Crazy (150g): Get the Rocket Launcher Battle Master (150g): Get the Linear Launcher from Battle Game
What do you think will be the hardest one to get from the list above ?
Genre: Animation/Kids Produced by: Cartoon Network Running Time: 506 minutes Available for purchase at: Madman Online Store ($24.95)
Overview
Oh, momma! Johnny is back for another season, and this time there’s three discs full of his pick-up lines, flexing, and his friends and family. While my review of the first season was not as favourable to the series as I expected it would be (you can have a read of it here), I’m not one to hold a grudge. I flicked on Johnny Bravo Season Two with a clean slate – no pre-conceived notions, no expectations, and no judgment…
…that is, until the first episode started.
Johnny Bravo. Back again. Three discs, 22 episodes, 66 segments. 506 minutes of “huh, ha, hiiiii-ya!” and “she digs me”. Suddenly, flashbacks of Johnny Bravo Season One came flooding back, and it was all too memorable as season two was playing before my eyes.
Plot
The story behind Johnny Bravo Season Two is largely the same as season one. Johnny lives in Aron City with his mother, has a sweet but annoying neighbour Suzy, a dorky best friend Carl (with occasional chimes from his father, Pop), and hits on way too many women. In this season, Bunny Bravo dates a sleazy South American man, Johnny tries to seduce a nun by doing good deeds, and – in a Willy Wonka-esque story – Johnny wins a trip to Jerky Town.
Cartoon Network’s version of Oompa Loompas and Willy Wonka.
Cartoon Network is notorious for its animation series’ lacking continuity, and this season is no different with storylines jumping from place to place. Johnny proceeds to go on a number of escapades, and the second time around they are even more ludicrous than the first. While I enjoyed season one’s whiff of reality, season two blends urban realism with far too many aliens, cowboys, and just generally implausible stories. The basis of Johnny Bravo is an egotistical womanizer, but it seems the writers caught on to how repetitive it was and tried to inject a little more variety. Sadly though, their attempt is quite transparent and – while some episodes can be entertaining and redeem a few laughs from us – it really renders the narrative even more tiresome. The episodes no longer provided moments of enjoyment, but became a chore of watching the same people over, and over, and over again.
And on the note of overstaying one’s welcome, I have to ask: why does Johnny live with his mother? It’s slightly painful to think of a womanizer who comes home to his mummy every day and while I love a man who loves his mother, Johnny’s relationship borders on a Freudian nightmare.
Characters
If there is one aspect of continuity in the series, though, it is Johnny. He’s the prime example of a character that never undergoes development, and instead sings the same song every day. That’s completely understandable – from Cartoon Network’s point of view, Johnny’s character got the ratings up and received a positive response from kids, so why change it? In hindsight though, Johnny’s character becomes more and more repetitive as time goes on and I began to find him annoying, not funny.
Bravo, still as dumb as ever.
Suzy and Carl remain very consistent, but Pops features a lot more in every episode and Bunny becomes more and more quirky as the series progresses. Pops goes from a kind man to a dodgy person you would hate to have serving you food (to liken him to a Nickelodeon character, he’s the Mr. Krabs of Johnny Bravo), and Bunny Bravo is no longer just the kind mother – instead, she begins to become the mother that embarrasses you, even though you know you love her. I’d have to say that the evolutions are neither positive nor negative; rather, they give the characters a sort of development that would be completely absent otherwise.
Audio and Visual
Visually, Johnny Bravo Season Two improves from the first season with a crisper, cleaner animation style. However, with it being Cartoon Network’s ‘golden age’ and all, there really isn’t much variance from the classic formula that served them well. I’m glad to say, though, that the world of Aron City seems a bit brighter and artistically there are definitely improvements from the first season. The artists explore their creative side a little more and inject visuals that only Johnny Bravo could have: the angular figures and the retro-fifties-Elvis style coloring all seem to play a bigger role than they do in the first season.
As for the audio, there are no noticeable changes. All the voice actors stay the same, but I’m beginning to wonder if perhaps every single girl is voiced by the same voice actress – way to add to the repetitiveness, huh? Jeff Bennett still does a great job as Johnny, and the Elvis side of him truly comes out more in the second season with his ever-increasing use of phrases like “Ooooh, momma!”.
DVD Extras
This DVD does (finally) come with an extra: Johnny Bravo goes to Bollywood. In this episode, Johnny is based in India and finds a hair gel that is supposed to make all the women adore him. However, when everyone begins falling in love with him (men, elephants, and insects) Johnny discovers there is a problem and seeks to find a cure from the creator of the gel in Bollywood.
Johnny Bravo in another language. That’s…interesting?
The episode is politically incorrect, completely random, and dubbed completely in Indian with English subtitles, but that’s what makes it the most enjoyable aspect of the entire DVD. This episode finally pushes the boundaries Johnny Bravo never quite managed to do in its original episodes, and I’d have to say I was so pleasantly surprised by this. The animation style is also bolder and the Bollywood side of the episode really distinguishes it from other Cartoon Network productions, which was a delight to see. This extra was, perhaps, the best thing to come out of this DVD – and that’s saying something for a season with 66 segments over 3 discs.
Final Comments
While there were some slight character developments and there was a wonderful DVD extra, I felt too much of Johnny Bravo Season Two was the same as season one – and that, to me, is a massive fault. Animation series’ should show development throughout seasons, both of character and visual style, and the creators of Johnny Bravo failed to deliver. There were moments that were enjoyable, but overall the season was far too drawn out and exhausted for my liking. Johnny Bravo as a character is too much on his own, and three discs of Bravo is two discs too many.
That’s right, Monkey Island fans, Activision has announced that a Special Edition Collection of the Monkey Island series is on the way later this year. Included in the collection are the following:
The Secret of Monkey Island: Special Edition
Monkey Island 2: LeChucks Revenge: Special Edition
Addition Bonus Content not before seen from LucasArts vault
Both titles will be updated to HD, with remastered voice work and score. There will also be the ability to switch between the classic and HD version with a single push of a button. Along-side all of this is a plethora of goodies, to satisfy even the most tepid of Monkey Island fans.
Monkey Island Special Edition Collection will be hitting stores this September. If you can’t wait for the retail release, you could always check out the classic games on the Xbox LIVE Arcade for 800 Microsoft Points each.
In a hilarious turn of events, Katy Perry guest starred on Japanese variety program SMAP x SMAP, with none other than the variety show’s stars Boy Band SMAP. In what has become a viral sensation, Katy Perry performed her smash hit, California Gurls with the SMAP Boys. Only problem is, SMAP clearly have little grasp of the English language, creating one of the most awkward live performances in a long time.
The performance has since become a viral sensation, with fans of Perry commending her for her ability to keep a straight face as SMAP humorously sing along with Engrish pronunciation. Other than that, the performance was a pretty decent attempt for a Boy Band whom usually sing in Japanese. You can check out the performance here.
So far in 2011, releases for the Nintendo Wii have been a bit slim aside from a few licensed titles. Thankfully, Nintendo have now published Big Fish Games’ Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident to assist in filling that void. This title combines the classic point and click adventure with hidden object style puzzles, all set in a captivating backdrop with a hefty mystery to solve along the way. I was actually blown away with how large this offering truly is, and while it is not flawless, it still offers a meaty mystery that is definitely worthy of some attention, so without further ado, here is my review for Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident.
Story
Being a a full on mystery title, I won’t go into elaborate details of the plot with this Mystery Files title for spoilers purposes, but I can easily say those who have played any game from the series (or the whole genre for that matter) will feel instantly at home as the game is set up to let the plot unfold as objectives are completed. Starting out, the player is summoned to the mysterious and legendary Malgrave Island by Winston Malgrave himself. Winston Malgrave is the island’s curator (hence the island’s name) and is in need of the player to collect a mysterious healing substance that could possibly save his beloved wife. Winston cannot complete this objective alone though due to his own illness, so it is up to you to assist him with this inquiry.
With such basic gameplay, Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident could have been a bit flat overall. Thankfully though, this story’s pacing makes it hard to want to pull away as the player is literally rewarded for solving the many puzzles and hidden object games with more insight into the plot, and with twists and turns around every corner, this mystery is engrossing from the beginning and stays on track to a very fulfilling finale.
Gameplay
There are several elements of gameplay to talk about in Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident, but I will start off with the most prominent, which is the point and click adventure. While exploring the island, players use the Wiimote to click their way through a set path, investigating the interactive setting along the way. The Wiimote controls perform exceptionally well at this as with a simple press of a button, new areas and puzzles can be discovered at an instant. Everything in this world is very vividly detailed and appears as if you were exploring a living painting, and seeing as the core experience is based around visual discovery, the player must constantly investigate every aspect of the full picture at hand as even the smallest of objects could very well be the key to progressing further.
Winston Malgrave is also at your side at all times due to a Wiimote-like communication device, which is used to give the player tips and hints of what to do next. This is all heard through your actual Wiimote and rings just like a telephone, except there is no option to ignore the call. Little touches like this deepen the experience and put the player at a first-person perspective throughout the whole game, making the story that much more engrossing.
Throughout your travels on Malgrave Island, there are many hidden object puzzles to complete, which make up the other half of the actual gameplay. Once entered, a scene is set with hundreds of items scattered about with text down below, listing off each item that must be discovered to continue. Some objects can be found almost instantly, while others are so cleverly hidden it can take some time to actually find what should be an easy to spot item. Thankfully, for the impatient players out there, a hint system can be used every now and again that highlights the area of where an item can be found on the picture. If you have ever lost something, searched for hours, and then found it right in front of your face with the whole “AH! THERE IT IS!” feeling, you should prepare yourself for a repeat of that experience several times due to the challenging yet rewarding hidden object aspect within this mystery.
While both types of gameplay work well enough on their own, this adventure does a fantastic job of blending each together. Nearly all the hidden object puzzles have one item that is rewarded after completion to the player, which is then added to your inventory and can be used for the point and click aspect. For example, if you unlock a rope, you can then tie that rope to a cliff and repel down to a new area. Find a pipe? Use it to create a lever to open a path. While you can quit a puzzle early, it is crucial to obtain these special objects due to each playing a pivotal role in moving through the island and essentially unlocking more of the story.
While the item interaction is nice, I did find myself lost quite a bit as the game doesn’t really tell you what you actually need to do with the said object. After careful searching a solution can be found, but some may find this to be a bit monotonous as getting lost on Malgrave Island seemed to be what I did best in my own journey. I feel a simple item description could have went a long way with assistance here, as spending an hour searching for a small interactive section can take the player out of the story and into a point of sheer frustration.
As you complete the main story, more options for the game’s multiplayer mode begin to unlock. This mode lets up to four players compete in three different hidden object games that include finding an item the fastest, finding more items than an opposing player, or competing in a timed mode where a bomb will explode if you cannot find a specific object before the timer runs out. These extra modes are not huge by any means, but the addition of multiplayer is sure to add at least a little more life to this already lengthy title.
Graphics/Audio
As I mentioned earlier, one of the most noticeable traits of Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident is the attention to detail that has been crafted into every environment. This is not a still frame-by-frame point and click either, as the world is beautifully animated and feels alive. The whole art style used makes item searching and exploring a full on experience, in which the sense of achievement intensifies as the challenge grows. Seeing as visuals were such an important part of the actual gameplay, it was nice to see the polish and detail that was presented throughout the game.
I can’t honestly say I remember too much of the actual soundtrack right off the bat, as it wasn’t very noticeable or memorable for that matter. I will say however that the sound effects used set each scene perfectly, with realistic sounds of waves crashing against cliffs and seagulls squawking in the background. I was also very impressed with the utilization of the Wiimote’s speaker. Though it did grind on my nerves a few times due to the volume of the ring, I still managed to find myself paying attention to what Mr. Malgrave had to say on each occasion as every bit of dialogue spoken came through loud and clear.
Overall
Point and click adventures and hidden object games have been around for many years now, and while Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident doesn’t separate itself from those genres to find a new audience, it does take the platform given and makes the most of it with a spectacular presentation value and a highly rewarding experience overall. There are a few moments of frustration and repetition that can grind at players from time to time, but the enchanting story told offers plenty of incentive to continue on until the very end. Add in the very clever multi-player modes and the low price-tag, and Mystery Case Files: The Malgrave Incident makes for a good reason to dust off that Wiimote and dive into a smart and compelling mystery that is sure to test your sight in every way possible.
The goliath anime streaming website, Crunchyroll, has over the past week been announcing a pair of new anime titles each day that will be added to their online streaming list. Below is a list of each title announced and it’s global availability:
A Dark Rabbit Has Seven Lives (North and South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Africa, and the Middle East)
Cat God (Worldwide except Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Macau, Taiwan, Andorra, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, Monaco, & Switzerland)
Kamisama Dolls (Crunchyroll Premium – Worldwide except Japan, South and North Korea)
Mystic Archives of Dantalian (North and South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Africa, and the Middle East)
Natsume Yujincho (US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden)
Twin Angel: Twinkle Paradise (North and South America, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Africa and the Middle East)
Usagi Drop (United States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland, Iceland, Netherlands, Brazil and Portugal)
Yuri Yuri (US, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden.)
You can follow the streams week by week if they are available in your country. This looks to be a great season of anime, what series are you most excited about? Leave a comment below letting us know.
The upcoming anime adaptation of the ‘Sora no Kiseki’ RPG game (known in English releases as ‘The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky’) has now got a trailer streaming online at the Sora Online website.
The adaptation will be a series of OVAs and is slated to be produced by anime studio Kinema Citrus, known for their work on ‘.hack//Quantum’ and ‘Eureka Seven: Good Night, Sleep Tight, Young Lovers’.
Sora no Kiseki will begin airing in Japan on October 9th this year. Be sure to check out the thrilling trailer at Sora Online as well as all the information about the series. You can also find the trailer below this article.
Viz Media has announced silently today that they will be altering their release schedule of their previous 12 volumes a year magazine to a 10 volumes a year magazine. In co-ordinance with the change, from now on the June and July issues will be combined into a super double issue called June/July and the same will be with December and January becoming December/January.
