Change

When i began blogging i wasn't sure what site was best, so i decided to go about testing different sites. I have now moved my blog to test out Wordpress for a bit, so IF my blog happens to be in anyones favourites my new site cane be found at:

http://arekusunosekai.wordpress.com

Neon Genesis Evangelion: Battle Orchestra

First let me set something straight, i dispise Sony, however, as annoying as it may be, there are some good games on the Playstation 2, but they are only good because they come from other companies which means Sony have nothing to do with the game being good...so just because some games on the console are good, doesnt mean i like the console or the company. As a result of that i wont be seen posting about Playstation games very often, but naturally, if a company produces a great game that unfortunately happens to be released on a Sony console, i shall be certain to bring it up nonetheless.

Today is only a short post, but i saw this video while browsing the web, and felt i just had to post it. This, unlike the previous Evangelion games is a side scrolling fighter. But its not like your run of the mill side scrollign fighter like Street Fighter, King of Fighters etc. No, this one is liek Super Smash Bros.
So this is essentially Super Smash Evangelion...without the crazy items. However it does look like it could be a bit of fun, wouldn't mind playing it one day. It has 20 characters, as i don't know alot about this game i'm afraid i don't know what characters it has, but im presuming they will be Angels and Units...because i don't think it would be fair, nor realistic to pit a human against a Unit and expect it to win...not that games are about being realistic, but you know what i mean xD





On a side note, There have been some new videos released of Phantom Hourlgass (seeing as the game was recently released) so i shall find all the enw ones later and put them up here for all to see ^_^

And a slight change of plan, i know i said before i would not be getting Phantom Hourglass in Japan, but i changed my mind, it was too much of a temptation, so i shall be getting it and on my return from Japan, i shall blog about it ^_^

Soul Calibur Legends

First let me begin by ensuring that everybody knows, this Soul Calibur game will not be like any other Soul Calibur game you have previously played/seen (to be fair those who have played previous ones probably already know this). This is very much more and adventure fighter...than an arcade fighter.

Right now, the best way for me to describe the way this is played is like Mortal Kombat Armageddon's "Konquest" mode (I'm using that as the most up to date comparison) where you run around a level, beating up enemies until you get to the boss.



This is a prequel to the other games, and focuses more around Siegfried (who is Nightmares host) so as a result of that, it wont have as many characters. Currently, the characters that are confirmed are: Mitsurugi, Taki, Seigfried, Ivy and a new character called Isuka (a teenage boy who travels with Siegfried, maybe he is an apprentice of sorts?).



This game, unlike previous ones, will not feature a huge combo list where you press a combination of buttons to pull off a super move, this game is aimed at getting the most out of the Wii. As a result of that, moves will be far more based around weapons (which is really what makes Soul Calibur so different), you use the Wii remote to swing your sword/dagger/whip/etc and depending on the way you swing it the attacks will vary on screen; in an interview with Jin Okubo he said "Our focus in creating this game was mainly on the sword-swinging aspect. Since it's on the Wii and uses the Wii Remote, we're really focusing on swinging the remote like a sword and the player developing his or her skills as a swordsman.". So you see, even though some of the moves may have been taken away, the prospect of being able to develop your own style of fighting may well be quite cool. However alot of this depends on how well the control style is implemented, if it turns out like another Red Steel, then it will be a flop...however, this is Namco we are talking about, so i have faith in them. ^_^



This game features a multiplayer mode but not like that of the other games, this is more competitive mode or Co-op mode. In competitive mode you may race to be the first to defeat a boss, or a set of enemies, and in co-op mode you go around a level together helping one another take out the enemies.



Another thing about this game is the graphics, now i am never a person to brag about graphics, because i feel gameplay is the most important thing in a game, frankly graphics don't bother me much, hence why old "skool" games are so much fun, however, in Soul Calibur Legends, some of the characters look like they are so nearly able to reach their potential, but not quite, as you can probably see in some of the screens, some of the NPC's look a little too bland, but there is still plenty of time to add to this game.

I shall keep on top of this game and when more news arises, i shall be certain to inform you all ^_^



Images borrowed from www.1up.com <-- Very good site ^_^

Keroro Gunso

Sorry once again, i didn't post yesterday, i had a nightmare trying to set up my Graphics exhibition, so for the next few days my posting will be a little on and off, but ill try and post whenever i can ^_^

Now today's post deviates slightly from my usual posts about games (or should i say what will normally be usual posts on games once the blog has been up for a while); Today i have taken the time to review my Fix Figuration Keroro Gunso figure that i obtained a little while ago.



The first thing i will say is that i have never had a fix figuration kit before, normally i prefer to buy models kits that you have to build from scratch, but when i was at the expo, as soon as i saw this one, i just had to have it :D

The detail on this figure is really good, right from the armour, through to the small details like the decals on the arms. There are a few paint spills, very minor, but they are there...and there is a bit of blue in bits of the joints...I'm not entirely sure if that's meant to bet here...but its not overly noticeable unless you look up close.

The good thing about fix figuration kits is that they come with a wide variety of accessories, and this model is no different. It not only comes with a different shield, it also comes with a canon to attach to the roof/head of the mech suit, however, i opted for the standard roof, for some reason i preferred it ^_^

The only problem i have with this kit is that a few of the joints are a little loose, so some parts don't fit in snugly, and if the model is moved (which often happens because i like to move my models around) bits may fall off. But that's only really a problem with the shield holder, everything else is fine.

The mech suit can have Keroro put inside it, or alternatively, you can stand him on the stand enxt to it, whichever takes your fancy ^_^

I am oping that there will be a Dororo one of these available soon, because i was unable to obtain one, but i would very much like to get one when possible. Perhaps when i venture to japan.

Mortal Kombat Armageddon (Wii)

First of all, before i get to the topic of the post, i would like to apologise for not posting the last 3 days...or is it 4? I have my Graphic Design exhibition coming up soon (Tuesday) and i have been frantically trying to sort out a few last minute things, so apologies for that, but alas, all is now sorted, so i can get back to where i left off ^^



Right, lets begin, Mortal Kombat Armageddon. I got this on Thursday, and from what i have played so far, i think it is a really good game. Let me begin by saying that one thing about this game that pleases me is its level of difficulty; Too many games these days are being made far too easy, and personally, as a gamer, i find that i cannot gain fullfillment in a game that is too easy, but Mortal Kombat isn't like that, it is actually quite difficult, i mean it's not the hardest game i have ever played, but compared to some of the current Wii games, its difficulty level is quite high.

This game can be played with the Wii-mote, Gamecube and Retro controllers. Now i tried using the wii mote, and for some people, it may well be their controller of choice, but when it comes to fighting games, i like things plain and simple. So i opted for the gamecube controller (i don't own a retro controller atm, i have no money you see xP). The other reaosn i didn't use the Wii mote was because i didn't like the way special moves were executed; In order to perform a special move you must hold the 'B' button and do a movement then let go, but if your not very good at drawing the precise shape, then you wont be able to perform your move, so for that reason i would reccomend using the GC controller to any of you veteran fighters out here. But of course, feel free to use the Wii-mote, the control style might just suit you :)

The game has 3 main modes, like any standard fighter it has Arcade mode, which is where you go through fighting all the enemies until you get to the final enemy, the boss and then you win ^^ the second mode is "Konquest" mode (yes all C's are replaced by K's in this game -.-) this is essentially adventure mode, you go around a world, fighting enemies in real time mode, in other words, they will appear and come towards you and you fight them off as if it were a standard adventure game, but when you get to bosses, or important characters in the story, then you go into standard fighting mode, which means you both have a life bar, and fight like you would in arcade mode (or Arkade mode >_<). Finally, the other remaining mode is Mortal Kart. This is essentially Mario Kart but with Mortal Kombat characters, its one of those games you'd only play with friends or if you felt like a laugh, its nothing serious, but it is funny seeing as all the characters have huge heads. xD

One thing that amazed me about this game is the amount of characters. There are (as seen above) 64 characters. There is a slight let down, that is that you only need to unlock 4 characters, the other 60 are already there for you...which in some ways reduces the challenge in the game, but unlocking the remaining 4 characters requires one to collect many items throughout Konquest mode, so you can still feel proud of yourself once you have obtained them ^^

Another thing about this game is that it enables you to create your own character to use in Arkade mode. This is quite a nice touch because then you can create yourself...and as Perplexus put it, you can see yourself getting beaten up...lol. But throughout Konquest mode you also find items that can be used in "create a character" mode, items like armour, capes, haristyles etc, things that make your characters look cool basically. But you can also customise a move set for your character, and give him/her/it fatality moves.

The last point i shall make refers to the just mentioned "fatality move". Basically, to those of you familiar with Mortal Kombat games, you will know that if you finish a character, sometimes they will give you the option to go into "overkill" mode and beat them up more before your finished. In this it can get quite gruesome, you could be nice and just smack them so they fall over, but you could go as far as cutting limbs off, pulling organs out or even pulling the head off xD So as you can see its not a game for the feint hearted, or even the squeemish. However, this game is really worth buying.

Once again sorry for the lapse in posting over the last few days, but fear not, i shall try and resume my daily posting, so "tune in" tomorrow ^_^

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On a side note...the column to the right hand side, that has links to sites...well as you may be able to see the "Other Otaku Sites" title has some strange symbols in it...and i'm still new to HTML...so does anyone know what needs to be done to alter it?

2 SPICY

As a gamer, one of the places i love to be is...the arcade! :3 And my favourite one in London has to be "Namco", there is also "Trocadero", but for me, "Namco" is the best ^_^

Anyway, i went there the other day, with the intention of playing one of my favourite games; "Maximum Tune 2" however, because i had gone quite late in the day, it was being occupied, so i decided to move on, and i began by playing Time Crisis 2, then once i had finished, right next door to me was a brand new arcade machine...



This game, at first, may sound like your average arcade shooter; You hide behind obstacles, come out, shoot the enemy, then hide again. But when you actually get into the game, and begin to understand the complexities of it, you realise that it is in fact like no other arcade shooter, it really is that good.

First allow me to explain the basic control system. You have your gun, and if you hold it down, you reload and hide behind an obstacle, then when you hold it up you come out and begin firing at your enemy. However, each of the 6 characters in the game have their own special abilities, so naturally when shooting you will need to play differently depending on weather you specialise in speed, or power, etc. Then you have 2 panels by your feet, left and right, and by pressing on these once your character will run from one hiding place to the next; But if you double tap, you will do some sort of dodge. One of the characters i played as, "Sicks", goes invisible when you double tap to run across, but his health and defense is very poor.



Now one of the things that makes this game really cool is the story mode. This does also have verses mode, however, i prefer story mode for one particular reason...it also has versus mode. You see you begin by selecting your character, and then you go along in the story taking out main enemies so that the story can progress, but, if you encounter a character in the story that just so happens to be the same character the person standing next to you is playing as, it links your machines, and you fight one another, the winner gets a mission star and then proceeds with the story (a mission star is essentially a life).

One thing about this game is that, at first, it does take a little getting used to, however, once you get into it, it really is so much fun. And one thing that really makes this game worth playing is that you get 3 lives. Whereas in most arcade shooters, when you run out of life, your game ends, but in this you begin with 3 mission stars, if you die you get to go again until you have none left, and of course if you earn more, then you get to play longer, so this game keeps you going longer than alot of others.

The graphic style of this reminds me particularly of Killer 7 on the gamecube, and the characters too remind me somewhat of those from the Killer 7 series; This is a good touch because it gives a really dark feel to the whole game and really makes it all the more enjoyable.



One thing that i am really hoping for with this game is for it to be ported and transferred onto the Nintendo Wii. It is made by Sega, and Sega have done some games with Nintendo in the past, and what with the upcoming popularity of the Wii, I'm sure Sega would seriously think about the possibility of turning this game into a home console game. It really would suit it seeing as the control style is something that would be best achieved playing it on the Wii.

So this is one game i am keeping my fingers crossed for...and as soon as i have enough money, ill get myself up to London again to play this game ^^



The above video isn't perfect quality, but it will give you an idea of how the game is played ^_^

The Legend of Zelda: Phantom Hourglass

To those of you who read my first post, you will know that the Zelda series is my favourite series of games ever, and to those who didn't read my first post, then you can now be made aware that it is my favourite game series in the entire universe and beyond ^^ And for that reason, i always try to keep up to date with the latest Zelda information and i always get the games on the day of release to ensure I'm one of the first to play them ^^

This means that any time i get some new information, I will be sure to share it with you.

Right now I'm going to just cover a few basic things for those of you who don't know much about this upcoming game.

The game is a sequel to "The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker" and is set several months after the events of The Wind Waker. Link, Tetra and her pirates are at sea exploring, questing to find a new homeland. In the middle of a dense fog, they find an abandoned ship, and Tetra goes to explore. When she gets into trouble, Link tries to rescue her, but he falls into the ocean and loses consciousness. Washed up on the shores of a mysterious island, he awakens to the sound of a fairy’s voice. With the fairy’s help, he sets off in search of Tetra, and a way back to where they belong. This is the basic plot of the game, and seeing as it follows "The Wind Waker", it is very unlikely that this game will see the return of Ganondorf (as stated by Eiji Aonuma in an interview)

Below is a trailer for the game, to those who keep on top of Zelda updates this is probably quite old to you now, but i like it because it shows many of the aspects of the game ^_^



This game plays differently to a lot of the previous games, unlike the Gameboy ones where you use the control pad to move link around, the DS one makes use of the touch screen making you move link by pointing where you want him to go (a bit like those old point and click games, or rpg's) and you click the enemy to attack. There are a variety of moves you can perform with the stylus and touch screen, so fear not, it wont just be point and click ;)

On a side note, in August i shall be going to Japan (finally i get to go there!!!) and it hurts me to say that i wont be getting Phantom Hourglass. Although i could muster my way through the game without be able to understand everything, it wouldn't feel the same. Especially seeing as one of the great things about Zelda is the story line, and not being able to unravel the story line as i go through would not be the same, and unfortunately my current level of Japanese is not high enough to understand it all. So i shall be sure to review it as soon as it is released in America (i shall then import it over to the UK because we probably wont get it for another 100 years)

Ghost in the Shell 2nd GIG Motoko

Well this is my first figure review i have done, so forgive me if i don't cover everything that is usually covered, i am still learning ^_^

But the "Ghost in the Shell 2nd GIG Motoko" is one of the best figures in my collection. The detail is really good, especially on the face. I have seen many Motoko figures in the past, and yet so many of them don't seem to be able to capture her face quite right, however this one has done just that. It really looks just like the Motoko from "Ghost in the Shell: Standalone Complex 2nd GIG" (which, by the way, is a great series, i have only seen some of it, but i highly recommend it). The base of the figure is your standard plastic base, but it does have the SAC logo on it, and it is written nicely so that's a nice little add on. The figures itself is really nicely detailed, the jacket especially features fine details right down to the zip. On the behind there is a very tiny overspill of paint, but it is very difficult to notice, so its hardly something to complain about.

There is however one bad thing about this figure. In the UK it sells for around about £50, which is sometimes a fair price for figures, however, this Motoko is quite light in weight, and quite small in comparison to other large figures out there, so i think the price may well be a little too high.

This figure also comes with a gun which fits into Motoko's right hand. The gun itself is quite basic, and is painted all in one shade, but it still has the necessary detail lines to let you know that its a gun.

But in general i would say this figure is very good, quality is generally very good, detail is nice, pose is good and the face is especially nice, definitely worth buying. ^_^



















Umm, on a side note, im still new to this blogging and the whole HTML coding...so does anyone by any chance know how i might go about making it so that my images remain smaller when on the web page?

The origin of my blog name...

Now you see, throughout my life i have been cursed with the inability to think up nicknames, titles, character names etc. This is not due to a lack of creativity, because i do a lot of drawing and generally consider myself to be a somewhat creative person, however, for some reason, while all my friends around me were always able to think up nicknames, i was always left without one.

However, be it simple, but when i began learning Japanese and learnt that my name in romaji is Arekusu, i immediately took to it, and decided for it to become my nickname. So that's one problem solved, however, another, very much bigger problem arose. What should i name my blog?

The one thing about this so called "curse" of mine is that often, i am unable to think of something so simple even if it is staring me in the face. But one thing i wanted to include in my blog title was the Japanese word for "world"; sekai （世界）, and yet i had my nickname, and the word i wanted in my title, but yet i wasn't quite able to conjure up something good.

It was then that i set about talking to my friend Robert (one of my best friends), aka. Perplexus/Nandeman (check out his blog "Why? What? Nandeman?" its very good) and of course you can tell just by seeing that he has 2 nicknames that he does not suffer from the curse that i do. So i told him about my predicament, and seeing as him and i have both been learning Japanese at school, we have the beginnings of knowledge into the language. It was then that Robert said, why not call it "Arekusu no Sekai" （アーレクスの世界）which basically translates as "Alex's World" and that is where it begun. It was something so simple, practically staring me in the face, and yet i was unable to think of it, whoever would have thought that a small syllable such as 'no' could make all the difference. So for that reason it is to Robert/Perplexus/Nandeman that i owe some credit for the creation of the name of the blog.

Seeing as i plugged Nandeman's site, it is only right i also plug Cameron/Otaku Blue's site (Cameron is also one of my best friends); So you must also visit Otaku Blue/Cameron's site because it too is another otaku-goodness site...but don't go there until you have visited my site xP

And what the heck, i'm on the subject of plugging, so i shall also mention the other site that is in my links (located in the right hand column of this page), Danny Choo; Danny Choo's blog is the first blog i began checking, and it really is great...wait...great doesn't quite sum it up...its "amaze", he has inspired Cameron, Robert and I, and is partly the reaosn why we have created our own blogs, so you must all visit his blog, because it too has much otaku-goodness.

So there you have it, the creation of my blog name...

Now tomorrow (by the time you read this it will actually be today that i post this) i am going to do a post about my favourite large figure i own, my "SAC 2nd Gig Motoko" with some nice photographs of her and the good and bad points (if there are any bad points? ^_^)

Then staying true to the nature of my site i shall then get ahold of some info to entice the gamers out there...so just hang in there ;)

Arekusus no Sekai...the creation of a world of its very own...

Ok ok...the title may be a bit miss leading...no i'm afraid this isn't actually the creation of a new world...this is really just an introduction to me and my blog ^_^

I am a 17 year old Otaku, i have loved Anime and Manga since i was quite young, and the thing that got me into it was Pocket Monsters!!! I then went from there, and have now seen many Anime's and read many a Manga. My favourite Manga has to be Naruto and my favourite Anime is also Naruto very closely followed by Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuutsu.

I love drawing and once again i have done so from a very young age. I aim to become a character designer one day and have my character(s) put into a computer game. Other hobbies of mine are, of course, playing computer/video games (Zelda is my favourite series), playing sports that don't involve excessive amounts of running (basketball, hockey, golf, pool etc), i also like taking things apart, siting in high places (like on the roof of a house), and i like thinking (sitting on a roof helps me think)...Finally i love gadgets, if there is a random gadget that does something cool that is absolutely useless, ill get it anyway just because its cool ^^

In fact, its gadgets that initially got me interested in Japan (I probably should have mentioned at the begining of the post that i also have a huge interest in Japan and all thigns Japanese), way before Manga and Anime and even computer/video games. From a very young age i used to watch "Tomorrows World" and they used to take frequent visits to Japan, and every time they did, it made me want to go there and see if for myself, so you see, my interest in Japan has been practically life-long, and although only a few are listed above, i have many more interests in Japan (and i'm sure over the course of my blogging you shall find out more ^^).

Now generally the term Otaku refers to anyone that is a huge fan (some say obsessed...but i feel the word obsession is a derogatory term so "huge fan" or "enthusiast" is a far better way of putting it) of Video games, Anime and Manga. Now most of you know this so this isn't me trying to tell you what an Otaku is, this is my way of getting to a point; All Otaku's have their own areas of particular interest, although many like Anime, Video games and Manga, usually, like most things in life, people will have something they are particularly partial too, and that is where i am getting to. Although i love Anime and Manga, my love for Video games and Video game characters is just a little stronger than my love for Anime and Manga, so this blog will be targeted more towards gamers/ gaming and all things Otaku when it comes to games...however, as a huge Manga and Anime fan as well, i shall be sure to do my fair share of coverage when it comes to those areas as well ^^

Well, i think thats quite enough for an introduction. I am not quite sure as of yet how regularly i shall post, i will try and sort out a time frame that fits around my school life so that i can manage both work and this blog...as well as life ^_^

Anyway, thank you for reading, and please feel free to comment, after all, comments are pleasing to read ^_^