Damn, it's been awhile....

First, and foremost, let me apologize for not getting off my ass sooner and updating this. It's been months since I've touched this blog, to the point that I had forgotten the damn password for it. XD Anyways, I'm back, having torn myself away from the various JRPG's that have been consuming all of my time for the past few months, in addition to my usual addiction to the latest and greatest fighters.

This post is mainly just to say that I'm back, and that I'm also working on my own manga style graphic novel now....and will be focusing on that fairly heavily in order to get it to a point that something can be done with it. I'll still post about video game related crap too, just wanted to share that there will be more down the chute than simply "Hey this game is rad, check it out"....I'll be posting script previews and other art related stuff as well for the new manga, so as to keep everyone updated on what's going on and get comments about how much you like it, or how much it sucks beyond repair.

Either way, it's going to be quite a ride, so stay tuned.

End of line. ;)

Catherine: Atlus' New Brand of Horror

So since TGS (Tokyo Game Show) kicked off two days ago, I've been keeping up with all the new reveals (really hasn't been much), and checking out the newest footage of games that have been in development hell for a decade (Versus XIII, I see you).

Of all the new trailers released, the second one for Atlus' new IP called Catherine has me the most excited. Branded as a horror game (whether it's and rpg or an action-adventure has yet to be confirmed), Catherine is also making a few waves across the inter-webs for its blatant sexuality and innuendo. Though the game is rated Cero C in Japan (ages 15 and up), it seems to be pushing the boundaries of the rating. Sex is nothing new to video games (been around since Duke was kicking ass and chewing bubble-gum), and even rpg's (Mass Effect, looking at you), but that hasn't stopped pretty much every gaming site from talking about it. The point of this post isn't about the sex though (just go to Kotaku or IGN to see them ranting about that), and instead about how psyched I am for the game, so we're going to move on, and I'll leave you with a shot of the games' official poster.

One of the very interesting things to me about this game, is it looks as though Atlus' is pulling out all the stops in making it not only interesting and mysterious, but also truly horrifying. Very few games in recent memory can truly be called scary, with the Resident Evil series going full-on action game, and the Silent Hill titles becoming more and more like re-hashes with a new main character, there's not much coming out of Japan that's been remotely frightening. Watching the new trailer (link at the end of the post), the monster designs, feel, and tone of the game seems as though it's a mix of a David Fincher movie, Silent Hill, and Clock Tower, all rolled up into a terrifying little package (looks exactly like something my nightmares are made of).

I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this, because not only does it interest me in a lot of ways (it's being handled by the Persona team), but the horror genre in general is pretty much stale these days. Here's hoping this will actually attempt to scare the players, and not just use the horror as some sort of selling point (thanks for that Capcom).

Either way, it looks like good fun, and I'll certainly be watching its release in Japan this Winter, praying that we get a US release date shortly thereafter.

Links below might be NSFW.

Catherine TGS Trailer: http://kotaku.com/search/catherine/

Catherine Reveal Trailer: http://kotaku.com/5617465/nsfw-catherine-gets-debut-trailer

Catherine Official Website: http://cathy.atlus.co.jp/

"Love and Peace"

Sign of the Times

Vincent and I had a discussion today regarding the announcement trailer of the new Devil May Cry title, aptly named ‘DmC’ (super catchy right?). The focus of the discussion was my sadness that Capcom had not only given the game to a different development company (Ninja Theory of Heavenly Sword), but drastically changed the appearance of the lead character Dante and deeming it a "prequel of a prequel." One thing Vincent said that still stands out in my mind is that games, like everything else in the entertainment world, have to keep up with the current trends on what’s in and what’s out. Take for instance Dante’s new punk-rocker, slightly Twilight, emo look. Fifteen years ago, no one would have even considered using this style of character for a lead in an action game, much less a game of any genre. With the changing currents in trends however, gaming must indeed follow in order to remain popular with various cultures, crowds, age groups, and genders.

Looking at the newest Kingdom Hearts title, the same holds true for Square-Enix games and RPG’s in general. Though the differences in character design between the first KH title and the new one remain slight (mainly due to Tetsuya Nomura’s inability to draw in any other art style), take a look at the previous iterations of a Square-Enix game. The first thing that will stand out, is obviously the difference in artwork due to the different artists that have helmed the series character designs, but look further, and you’ll see exactly what Vincent and I are trying to say. Take Butz, from Final Fantasy V, with his ultra 80’s leotard work-out gear, and compare him to the newer (and very N’Sync) look of Snow, from XIII. The differences in style, demeanor, and overall personality have been altered immensely to keep up with the current changes in society and even going so far as switching personalities to fit within certain age-brackets. Gone are the days of the soft-spoken (did most of them talk to begin with?), down to earth hero that takes sword in hand against his will, or simply on accident (ah, destiny). In their place are the overtly-buff, steroid ridden heroes of action games, and the younger, more emotional (whiny?) characters taking lead roles in your favorite RPG series.

Now, before I get a mass of comments about how I’m a “hater” and I’m just “trolling”, keep in mind that I still love these games just as much as the next person. However, to say that the transition has been easy for me, would be a blatant lie. Ultimately I guess, we all have to get used to it for now (poor Dante), and just keep watching for what new brand of hero will present himself in the future. 

Here’s hoping the next batch, decide to keep on more clothes, and rock a little less fishnet.

“Love and Peace”