Thursday 8 December 2011
Thursday 24 November 2011
Cyber-Has a gander: One Piece Gigant Battle 2
Today I'll have a look at the new One Piece game: Gigant Battle 2. I had to tear myself away from Skyward Sword to play this (and kinda Skryim too.) I got the regular version since amiami sold out of the special edition very quickly. Here's what is in the box:
In the box I got the game, three special cards, one of which includes a password for the one, the only. Benn Beckman (that bastard gets everywhere these days), Yasopp and Lucky Roo. A large sheet which can be used as a poster or a sticker sheet (yup, I now have the power to stick random OP chars onto everything now! FEAR ME!) and the game cover is reversable. The back showing just about every char featured in the game.
The game plays the same as the first one, travel the map and select your level, character and support and then do battle. A new assortment of levels including Time-Skip Training Levels, The Junkyard and Fishman Island are included. Each showing off a group of individuals and obstacles to overcome. For example one level has a giant plant that would eat you if you stay still, also pushing the button for Vegapunk allows yourself to, too be blown up (worth it for the result tho)
As before you can use your supports by tapping the picture on the bottom scrreen or by holding L and pressing the corresponding button. Using the same supports more and more allows them to grow in level and become stronger or have a better effect.
The level up system has changed also, I haven't quite figured it out however it seems that everyone levels up at the same time rather than individual characters. While it makes it a bit easier personally I enjoyed the grind (usually on Magellan) whenever I unlocked a new character. Now it just feels like you can unlock them and can let them rot in the roster until the game forces you to use them in a level.
Most missions are based around scenes in the anime. Such as Franky vs Caribou or Sanji vs Okamas, whereas others are based on nothing. (Such as Zoro + Luffy vs Robin + Chopper where they beat each other up for cash. Just like in the anime!) Beating these missions usually unlocks money but some will also unlock new supports and characters.
Again, unlike the last game there are plenty of new playable characters. The Time Skipped Mugiwara are there (ALL of them this time.) classic villains such as Eneru, Lucci and Smoker and new enemies such as Caribou, Van-Der-Decken and Hodi Jones. And then we have the likes of Law, X-Drake and Coby. Characters who have shown very little fighting wise as of yet and it's somewhat baffling as to how they even got into the game. There are some odd omissions in the game. The likes of Moriah and Bon Kurei are still not playable despite being important to the plot. (hell. Moriah was only a recent arc boss too.)
Others were added at the request of fans apparently. According to Gambrion the fans wanted Wapol more than anyone else to be in the game. Little do they know that these fans have been quickly recaptured. (Although considering St. Charlos was the most popular WCF choice.... One Piece fans are a strange bunch.)
Each character has about 20 or so moves. Including 3 specials. Unfortunately most of which have just been made up due to how soon it's been after the Time-Skip. Zoro and Sanji feel exactly the same as they did in the past game (and I'm sure Zoro has the exact same moveset) while Chopper is missing most of his new forms such as Heavy and Monster Point, Robin is missing her Large leg and Clone Attacks and the ommision of Franky's mecha akes the game feel somewhat rushed out. Not quite as bad as the 100% bullshit movesets the likes of Law has.
Supports are a little more varied. We have most of the Supernova and classic characters such as Dr. Kureha, Pell and Hina now. Along with some new ones like Hyozaru, Dadan and Shirahoshi.
Overall the game is rather fun even if it feels like the game we should have gotten last year. The random choice of roster is a little annoying considering how rich the world of One Piece world is. Not to mention how lazy some of the levels feel (The Scrapyard is literally just a flat surface) and how some of the supports have just been left (For a game based upon the Time-Skip surely Keimie and Perhona should be their Time-Skip forms?)
The game is fun however and the inclusion of Wi-Fi makes the game much more replayable. The game does feel like the one we should have been given last year. I kinda feel like the game would have befitted the 3DS console more. Not for the 3D feature but for the DLC options. Although I guess the passwords count for that.
The game is worth a 7/10 at the most.
In the box I got the game, three special cards, one of which includes a password for the one, the only. Benn Beckman (that bastard gets everywhere these days), Yasopp and Lucky Roo. A large sheet which can be used as a poster or a sticker sheet (yup, I now have the power to stick random OP chars onto everything now! FEAR ME!) and the game cover is reversable. The back showing just about every char featured in the game.
The game plays the same as the first one, travel the map and select your level, character and support and then do battle. A new assortment of levels including Time-Skip Training Levels, The Junkyard and Fishman Island are included. Each showing off a group of individuals and obstacles to overcome. For example one level has a giant plant that would eat you if you stay still, also pushing the button for Vegapunk allows yourself to, too be blown up (worth it for the result tho)
As before you can use your supports by tapping the picture on the bottom scrreen or by holding L and pressing the corresponding button. Using the same supports more and more allows them to grow in level and become stronger or have a better effect.
The level up system has changed also, I haven't quite figured it out however it seems that everyone levels up at the same time rather than individual characters. While it makes it a bit easier personally I enjoyed the grind (usually on Magellan) whenever I unlocked a new character. Now it just feels like you can unlock them and can let them rot in the roster until the game forces you to use them in a level.
Most missions are based around scenes in the anime. Such as Franky vs Caribou or Sanji vs Okamas, whereas others are based on nothing. (Such as Zoro + Luffy vs Robin + Chopper where they beat each other up for cash. Just like in the anime!) Beating these missions usually unlocks money but some will also unlock new supports and characters.
Again, unlike the last game there are plenty of new playable characters. The Time Skipped Mugiwara are there (ALL of them this time.) classic villains such as Eneru, Lucci and Smoker and new enemies such as Caribou, Van-Der-Decken and Hodi Jones. And then we have the likes of Law, X-Drake and Coby. Characters who have shown very little fighting wise as of yet and it's somewhat baffling as to how they even got into the game. There are some odd omissions in the game. The likes of Moriah and Bon Kurei are still not playable despite being important to the plot. (hell. Moriah was only a recent arc boss too.)
Others were added at the request of fans apparently. According to Gambrion the fans wanted Wapol more than anyone else to be in the game. Little do they know that these fans have been quickly recaptured. (Although considering St. Charlos was the most popular WCF choice.... One Piece fans are a strange bunch.)
Each character has about 20 or so moves. Including 3 specials. Unfortunately most of which have just been made up due to how soon it's been after the Time-Skip. Zoro and Sanji feel exactly the same as they did in the past game (and I'm sure Zoro has the exact same moveset) while Chopper is missing most of his new forms such as Heavy and Monster Point, Robin is missing her Large leg and Clone Attacks and the ommision of Franky's mecha akes the game feel somewhat rushed out. Not quite as bad as the 100% bullshit movesets the likes of Law has.
Supports are a little more varied. We have most of the Supernova and classic characters such as Dr. Kureha, Pell and Hina now. Along with some new ones like Hyozaru, Dadan and Shirahoshi.
The game is fun however and the inclusion of Wi-Fi makes the game much more replayable. The game does feel like the one we should have been given last year. I kinda feel like the game would have befitted the 3DS console more. Not for the 3D feature but for the DLC options. Although I guess the passwords count for that.
The game is worth a 7/10 at the most.
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Figuarts: Nami and Brook Time Skip
Today we have a look at Nami and Brook figuarts for the New World. There's not a whole lot of things I can say about these two as opposed to Robin and Chopper so I'll keep it kinda brief.
The boxes are in the same vein as the rest of the Time Skip crew's. Nami's is the same size as Robin's was (and again could have been made a little thinner by putting the base behind her instead.) while Brook's is obviously a bit larger due to his large body and pose.
Brook comes in his Soul King outfit and guitar and is displayed in one of, if not the best figure poses in the One Piece lineup. While you don't have a choice in his pose it's easily one deserving of the Soul King. He does look a little odd compared to the regular poses of the rest of the crew but it's certainly fitting of him. The paintwork on him is impressively done. Maybe the colours are a little more shiny on his feather boa and guitar than needed it's still fine.
Unlike the rest of them Brook is unable to stand without his black stand which is a little disappointing but considering how top heavy he is and the pose it's understandable that he wouldn't be able to stand without it.
Nami seemed to be the biggest character who people had problems with. She doesn't look bad at all to me. The paintwork is spot on and the design seems fine, if a little basic. I don't really see much difference to this one and the prototype version on the box. Like Robin she comes with REAL butt action. errr. I mean as in you can see the crack of her butt on the figure. The pose feels a little static and boring and I kinda felt they could have added in a alt hand with a clima-tact included or something. She does feel very nice and her face is easily the best part about the figure.
The bases on Nami and Brook contain their new jolly rogers and are the same size as Luffy and Robin's. Nami comes with a clear block that allows you to stand her without the base however Brook does not.
And here is the crew together using their stands. They do take up quite a bit of space together which is greatly reduced when you pose them without.
Again I can't really complain much about these figures. From what went to being a series I barely cared about and dreaded the quality when they came they've went to one I'll be looking forward to. Here's hoping they can go back and go to multiple releases per month again soon. Oh and actually release them.
I'd give Nami a 8/10 and Brook a 9/10. There's just something about Nami that's bugging me. But I can't think what, maybe it's the lack of extras or something. Brook is pretty much fine tho (and is probably the best Brook figure out on the market at the moment.)
Unlike the rest of them Brook is unable to stand without his black stand which is a little disappointing but considering how top heavy he is and the pose it's understandable that he wouldn't be able to stand without it.
The bases on Nami and Brook contain their new jolly rogers and are the same size as Luffy and Robin's. Nami comes with a clear block that allows you to stand her without the base however Brook does not.
Again I can't really complain much about these figures. From what went to being a series I barely cared about and dreaded the quality when they came they've went to one I'll be looking forward to. Here's hoping they can go back and go to multiple releases per month again soon. Oh and actually release them.
I'd give Nami a 8/10 and Brook a 9/10. There's just something about Nami that's bugging me. But I can't think what, maybe it's the lack of extras or something. Brook is pretty much fine tho (and is probably the best Brook figure out on the market at the moment.)
Monday 21 November 2011
Figuarts: Nico Robin and Tony Tony Chopper New World
Hey gang. Today I'll be taking a look at the Robin and Chopper figuarts for the New World. These two are the last in the Mugiwara crew to be released from this line. (and joins the list of pairing releases like Sanji + Brook the perverts, UsoNam and RoCho)
As you can already tell the box design mirrors that of the rest of the series, and fortunately they've decided to be sensible too with the box size (to an extent) Chopper's box is a great deal smaller than Robin's although Robin's box seems a lot larger than it needs to be. Over half of the size used simply for her base. 
The lovely Nico Robin is easily the better of the two, an almost perfect figure finally in a more action themed pose than usual. The paint job is nearly perfect, her top and skirt designs done with care very rarely shown in a lot of figures. The shine of her top makes her feel unique compared to a lot of other variations of this outfit. Also of note is how tight fitting the skirt seems to be, not to mention how low it is. I can't help but wonder how nice a actual fabric version of this skirt could do on a figure like this.
The only downfall with the figure is I can't help but feel they could have done a bit more with her. She's in a pose that looks like she's ready for battle however could we not have seen alternate hands which included extra arms attached? (and why do we so infrequently see these Hana Hana powers used in Robin figures?)
Paintwork on this figure is rather decent. The only thing I have a problem is her sunglasses, the silver has ran into her hair slightly. However compared to Banpresto's usual paintjobs it's high quality.
Chopper is how you expect a Brain Point Chopper to be. Adorably cute. Again the paintwork is excellent, this one coming wiht no errors that I can see, even everything has been painted within the lines. A feat that seems difficult for most painters.
Chopper comes with both a regular arm for his usual brain point pose and also comes with the Ultimate Manly Stick Of DOOOOOM. A weapon so powerful we only saw him use it for a chapter or so. It's a nice addition to come with, even moreso when it's an extra arm instead of slotting in (considering my POP snapped within a day of putting it in.) means you get some nice variety if you wanna change things up a little bit. It's not Heavy or Walk Point (Despite both of these desperately needing larger figures) but it'll do.
Both Robin and Chopper come with the new four-sided bases as we have seen in the recent months. Another right step in the right direction taken in this line. Robin's base is the same size as Luffy's and Chopper's is obvious shorter. Due to the positioning of Robin it means Chopper's can easily fit on Robin's base to save on that much needed space. Chopper can also stand without his base and Robin even comes with a clear mould for her skirt to clip into that means neither really need their bases at all. Helping us fans combat that much needed space issue. It's something that I think has been required for some time and I do hope that we start to see this done by the others.
Overall these two are easily two of the better figures in my collection, going along with the Luffy. Personally while I love all the gashapon and WCFs it's not until we get larger figures like this that makes me really happy to be a collector. At the moment they're the best on offer for the Time Skip versions of these characters and it really makes me hope Megahouse and Banpresto pull their figures out and provide us with higher quality versions of them.
I give both Robin and Chopper a 9/10 While this might change once better versions of them come out by the other companies as it stands these are the best on offer thus far. I look forward to being able to collect more Figuarts in the future (especially if they continue to have these new type of bases.)
Now if only Nami and Brook would hurry up and arrive already...
The only downfall with the figure is I can't help but feel they could have done a bit more with her. She's in a pose that looks like she's ready for battle however could we not have seen alternate hands which included extra arms attached? (and why do we so infrequently see these Hana Hana powers used in Robin figures?)
Paintwork on this figure is rather decent. The only thing I have a problem is her sunglasses, the silver has ran into her hair slightly. However compared to Banpresto's usual paintjobs it's high quality.
Chopper comes with both a regular arm for his usual brain point pose and also comes with the Ultimate Manly Stick Of DOOOOOM. A weapon so powerful we only saw him use it for a chapter or so. It's a nice addition to come with, even moreso when it's an extra arm instead of slotting in (considering my POP snapped within a day of putting it in.) means you get some nice variety if you wanna change things up a little bit. It's not Heavy or Walk Point (Despite both of these desperately needing larger figures) but it'll do.
Both Robin and Chopper come with the new four-sided bases as we have seen in the recent months. Another right step in the right direction taken in this line. Robin's base is the same size as Luffy's and Chopper's is obvious shorter. Due to the positioning of Robin it means Chopper's can easily fit on Robin's base to save on that much needed space. Chopper can also stand without his base and Robin even comes with a clear mould for her skirt to clip into that means neither really need their bases at all. Helping us fans combat that much needed space issue. It's something that I think has been required for some time and I do hope that we start to see this done by the others.
I give both Robin and Chopper a 9/10 While this might change once better versions of them come out by the other companies as it stands these are the best on offer thus far. I look forward to being able to collect more Figuarts in the future (especially if they continue to have these new type of bases.)
Now if only Nami and Brook would hurry up and arrive already...
Sunday 20 November 2011
WCF: Special Roger and Luffy
I ordered this quite some time ago. Mainly for the book that goes with it. It arrived a few days ago.
The set includes a large box, Luffy WCF and Roger WCF and a book featuring all of the sets released thus far (and some new ones.) The box itself is quite a nice little design, mainly focusing on the two figures included. On the back is a Arabasta themed display for Luffy and Roger to stand on (You know, from all their adventures in Arabasta together.) but fortunately it can be used for any figure (so do the right thing and use it for Vivi and Carue instead.)
The scene is rather awkward to cut out, obviously due to it being part of the box itself. The picture above the scene shows where to insert nameplates for the two however I couldn't find them anywhere.
The main reason most people will be buying this is for the Monkey D. Luffy and Gol D. Roger WCF figures included with the set. This is the first WCF figure of Luffy in his Time-Skip appearance (and certainly won't be the last.) and the first Roger figure since vol.0 back in April. Both come with Gold/Yellowish stands as opposed to the usual Blue. Because everyone who collects things knows that Gold means more special!
Luffy is a rather nice figure that has donned the captain's coat seen so very often in merchandise (but not in the actual series, excluding the cover of vol.3) a coat that has been detailed rather well. Maybe I'm just lucky but there don't seem to be any major errors on this figure. Unfortunately he comes with the curse of the weapon. Much like Nami vol 12, Hannybal and Eneru before the weapon has been bent and took a few moments to straighten out. Compared to some of the other Luffy figures he's pretty nice. (Although the vol. 11 Luffy will still be the best in my opinion) although putting all of the Luffy figures together to me does show the inconsistant Banpresto are with making his hat. Did the hat grow in the two years training? Perhaps.
Roger too is pretty damn awesome, compared to the version released back in April this one takes on a more neutral look. Which I personally think suits him more. The coat isn't nearly as sculpted as the one in vol. 0 however manages to look just as good. Fortunately I think I was lucky again in that the only problems is his yellow scarf/belt thing (which I just twigged on that Luffy also wears.) The face looks tons better in my opinion tho.
The book I was rather excited for:
The book itself is rather basic, and feels like a leaflet simply showing whats out. There are a few group shots and half of the book is then used to show off the various sets and upcoming ones. The downside is that it really does show how bad some of the lineups are. (A Luffy in nearly every set, 4 variations of both Shanks and Bon-Kurei yet only 1 of pre Time Skip Brook and Franky?) it also shows off four new sets: Amazon Lilly (Luffy, Hancock, Salome, Sandersonia and Marigold, Nyon, Margaret and Hancock's ship), Time Skip (Luffy, Franky, Robin, Chopper, Fake Luffy, Fake Franky, Fake Robin, Fake Chopper. The latter coming with a chain to connect with Fake Robin....why doesn't the actual Chopper and Robin come with this feature?), CP9 and the results of the poll (St. Charlos, Johhny + Yosaku, ShuShu, Laboon, Handsome Duval and also including Shakky and Killer.)
The rest of the booklet is used to show off the various crane games you can play to win the WCF prizes and just what goes into making them.
Overall the set is quite nice, more as a collector's item than anything else. The price was a little steep for only two WCF and a small booklet (especially considering the two WCF have been released before.)
Hopefully next year we will have another booklet featuring the likes of Hina, Sadi-Chan, Blackbeard's crew, Sogeking, Inazuma and other characters that have been skipped over thus far. They can even include two exclusive figures of Shanks (With wet hair and not cloak on) and Bon-Kurei (As Zoro)
Since it's the golden rule of written reviews to have stars on them or marks out of ten I will do so. So out of ten I give this set a 7...of course these numbers mean nothing. But it is a 7/10 of figure awesomeness I guess.
Saturday 19 November 2011
Cyber-Reviews: Deformaster Set 4 and a game
Need to start and repost these. So if I remember I'll do all of the newer reviews for games and figures here. Along with marking out of 10 for games and maybe some figures. (maybe)
So here is the review of Deformaster set 4 (Time Skip) and one of the best games of all time:
So here is the review of Deformaster set 4 (Time Skip) and one of the best games of all time:
A blog?
Blogs are cool...apparently. And I don't find twitter and Facebook adequate enough for me to use and it's becoming increasingly difficult to post video reviews. So if I can update using a blog that could work too...maybe? What do you guys think?
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