Fighting games always make me feel like an old man. Not because I’m outclassed online more often than not, although that’s true, but because it reminds me of starting out with the original Street Fighter arcade game and the Genesis version of Mortal Kombat. There have been countless iterations on various franchises since those salad days, and I am always surprised by just how great the Dead or Alive series is. As much as I want to hate it for the rampant sexism,  Dead or Alive 5 Plus finally convinced me that the Vita could deliver an amazing rich fighter both online and off, boob physics or not. Read the full story

When I was first told about Super Little Acorn 3D Turbo, I immediately looked up a video like I normally do. I did not care for what I saw and passed on the game, thinking it was too easy and childish. A couple of weeks later I decided to give the game a chance; what could it hurt? I started to download it from the Nintendo eShop; the download was pretty quick! This caused me to think even more that the game would not be very fun and real easy to beat. Oh, was I wrong! Read the full story

When I first heard of the game Shin Megami Tensei: Devil Summoner: Soul Hackers I wasn’t sure what to think. I knew it was a classic RPG that many people enjoyed. With me I enjoy the heck out any RPG since I can spend hours having a good time. Maybe at times it’ll be hard but who cares; as long as you’re having fun it’s a good sign. Now let’s fast forward to 2013 in which this game is now being released on the 3DS. You can guess that this game is a port of the classic with more enhanced features than before. Read the full story

Years ago, manga artist/writer Rumiko Takahashi, creator of some of the most popular series on both sides of the Pacific (including the legendary Ranma 1/2), created her most ambitious work. It was the culmination of all her talents for comedy, romance, action and horror, a feudal fairy tale following the story of a girl thrown back in time, teaming with a half-demon boy on a journey to reassemble a magic jewel. That manga (and eventual anime TV series) was Inuyasha, and became possibly Takahashi’s greatest work. Due to catching up with the manga, the TV series had to end prematurely. Now, we finally get the conclusion in Inuyasha The Final Act. Is it worth it?

I feel the need to note that what I’m reviewing is the second DVD set, consisting of episodes 14 to 26 of this series. At this point in the series, the villainous Naraku has the nearly completed Shikon Jewel. Inuyasha, Kagome and their allies, the little fox demon Shippou, lecherous monk Miroku and experienced demon hunter Sango are racing against him, and others, to find the remaining shards. All the plot lines from the entire saga reach their conclusion point as the final conflict comes, and everyone will face their greatest challenge.

Which is all well and good, assuming that like me, you know who any of these people are, what the Shikon Jewel is, and what is actually going on already. Honestly, that’s probably the only major flaw in this series. If you’re not already a fan of Inuyasha, this is probably not the way to get into the franchise. Still, I have to stress that the quality of the series is really good. The animation is great, mixing both hand-drawn animation with computer animated effects, the music is great, and the voice work in both languages is really well done. And I have to add, the final episode may be one of my favorite final episodes in anime ever.

Features-wise, it’s rather slim pickings, with only an original Japanese trailer and cast credits in English.

Inuyasha the Final Act DVD set 2 doesn’t have much in extras, and is not for people new to the series. What it has going for it is a quality series, that has such a great conclusion, and a satisfying finish to a beloved series. It’s definitely one that fans shouldn’t miss.

Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch is a difficult game to talk about, not simply because of the mechanical side of the game, although that part is amazing, but because it is a difficult game to play emotionally. I have referred to it as “brutal” many times while talking to others about it. After many false starts and trying to write about Ni No Kuni as I would a normal review, I decided to address the parts of the game that make it so outstanding and unusual as both a game and a work of art. Read the full story

Still to this day I go back to the first Bioshock to have some fun and at times Bioshock 2 for some multiplayer. I mean there was nothing like being up late at night playing either game in the dark as you progressed throughout Rapture. Now let’s venture forth to the skies in the year 1912 where you’ll find the land of Columbia. Where would you find this area? In the newly released game Bioshock Infinite from Irrational Games.

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One of the things that often happen with popular anime, particularly of the shonen (boys) action variety is that they end up with lots of movies. These are usually not considered canon, and often have a self-contained story that has no bearing on the series’ main plot. The wildly popular Naruto franchise already had 3 movies before becoming Naruto Shippuden, and this is the second movie of that series… so technically it’s movie 5, but also movie 2. Anyway, let’s dig in and see how it goes.

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As some of you may already know, I’m something of a fan of the anime Bleach. And here we have the latest movie for the franchise, Hell Verse. Is it a good entry to the saga, or a dud?

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With so much coming out, one of the latest series I’ve finished has been Shakugan no Shana. You’ll be sure to see the Season 2 review and OVA review in the future. Of course later this year will be Season 3 once that has been released. With that said I’m starting with my review of Season 1. This series has a lot to offer and has kept me wanting more. Why? That’s a good question to ask anyone who seems to enjoy what this series provides. What can make an anime such as this so good that I couldn’t wait for the next part to release? That’s another good question! Does this series have what it takes to come out on top among many of the anime titles released lately? Let’s take a look! Read the full story

One of the great classics of anime among western fans is the sci-fi comedy Tenchi Muyo. This is one of the first anime I ever really got into when I was an early teen. And after decades, the original OVA (Original Video Animation) series is being re-released on Blu-Ray. Does this classic hold up? Read the full story