As of this posting, I'm heading off to Hong Kong for a some R&R and vacation time. Hopefully I'll get to post some travel blog stuff here, so here's to a good few days! Later folks and Happy Holidays!
P.S - I'll also keep Popculture Crusader updated! Be sure to check from time to time!;)
As we slowly close off another installment of the most wonderful time of the year, I would like to greet and wish you all a merry merry Christmas one last time! It was truly a joyous and grand time with family and friends today, and nothing could have been more perfect than spending it together in peace.
I'm thankful for all the blessings and gifts, and I do hope everyone else out there had a good celebration as well. As we prepare to bid farewell to 2011 and make preparations for the new year to come, here's hoping you all stay safe and have good times. Happy Holidays!
Just a few days left before Christmas, and I've gotten these DC Comics items up on my list...
With the relaunch going on full swing and the next year heralding the final chapter in the saga of Christopher Nolan's Batman films, these books and DVD limited edition set compliment my 2011 sentiments and good wishes for the holiday season and new year. Here's a couple of notes on the items:
*Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! - The one-shot to end the first volume of Grant Morrison's ambitious and awesome new Batman series sees the revelation Batfans and readers have all been waiting for: the identity of Leviathan. Of course, I'm telling who exactly the mystery opponent of The Dark Knight and his posse is, but rest assured it keeps in line with what Morrison has done since he began his run with the Batbooks in 2006. All I'm going to say is the book is packed with all the things that made the series kick-ass: mystery, convoluted plotlines, and the kind of action that makes Batman the greatest hero he is. If you've stuck around since Batman Inc. started, you owe it to yourself to pick this baby up.
*Catwoman #4 - Despite the controversial beginnings and sexual undertones this book plays off, I have to admit that Judd Winick and Guillem March have perked my interest with Selina Kyle's new ongoing series for The New 52 era. The style of storytelling reminds me a lot of the Ed Brubaker Catwoman series, and March has proven himself a fan favorite artist with his time in Gotham City Sirens. This issue adds more fuel to the fire Selina has already started, and she's tangled up in more trouble than she could ever get out of. Also, the debut of a new villain, so if you want to get your mittens on this series, best to backtrack and start from #1.
*Justice League #4 - Geoff Johns and Jim Lee's flagship title for the New 52 rocks on action and artwise. This issue spotlights the abilities of one Arthur Curry, better known to the world as Aquaman. Anyone who has ever made fun of the superhero for his "questionable powers" will get a big wake up call when they see how he dishes out his stuff against the baddies. More exposition is added with the birth of Cyborg, and all hell breaks loose when the Big Cheese himself, Darkseid, makes a personal splash appearance at the end. Again, get this if you love all the heavy hitters in one book.
*The Dark Knight Two-Disc DVD Limited Edition Set - A Package containing the 2008 smash hit superhero movie sequel by Christopher Nolan, and a replica of the Bat-Pod. It's currently on sale now for the holiday season, so what more can be said?
That pretty much sums up the package review here. Enjoy the holidays folks, and a Merry Christmas again to all!
Opening in theaters this week and the coming days ahead depending on your country, the fourth and latest installment of the Mission: Impossible movie series has arrived, and arguably tots more action and intensity than the regular movie buff can take. Once again starring the franchise's figurehead and producer Tom Cruise as agent Ethan Hunt, this blockbuster flick comes just as we're about to say goodbye to 2011, and it certainly brings with it a lot of expectations and excitement at its core. Directed by Brad Bird of Disney Pixar's The Incredibles fame, does this new sequel make the impossible possible once again? Find out as I go through the motions in this review. Special thanks again goes to Solar UIP, Paramount Pictures, SM Cinemas, and FlipGeeks for the invites to the advanced screening last December 13 in IMAX!
Movie: Mission: Impossible: Ghost Protocol Starring: Tom Cruise, Jeremy Renner, Simon Pegg, Paula Patton Release Date: December 14, 2011 (RP), December 16, 2011 (US)
With Christmas in the horizon and the holiday spirit in the air, it comes as no surprise that Hollywood has chalked up a bulk load of films to celebrate this merry season. One such entry comes from Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema in the form of New Year's Eve, a film the gathers quite the all-star cast and assemble. With names like Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Ashton Kutcher, Jon Bon Jovi, Josh Duhamel, Zack Efron, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Robert DeNiro among the list, how can this flick, directed and produced by the Garry Marshall of Valentine's Day fame, not be an eye catcher for the holiday film viewer? Thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines, Ms. Sionee Lagman, and Mr. Jay Gonzales for the screening!
Movie: New Year's Eve
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Hilary Swank, Ashton Kutcher, Jon Bon Jovi, Josh Duhamel, Zack Efron, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Robert DeNiro
3D seems to be the going trend nowadays, and while it may enhance one's experience in theaters one way or another, it certainly doesn't live up to my expectations. Truth be told, if I had a choice, I'd pick conventional screenings any day, but there are exemptions to the rule that give me delight and excitement whenever I don those big dark and tinted glasses. Happy Feet 2 fits that description, and it's a sequel to one of the most beautiful and heartwarming animated movies I saw a few years back. It's a film that comes just in time for Christmas season, but the question remains - does this sequel live up to the first, or has too much expectation from fans chilled its reputation down? I saw the film a couple of days back, so let's find out with this review. Special thanks again goes to Warner Bros. Philippines, Ms. Sionee Lagman, and Mr. Jay Gonzales for the screening!
Movie: Happy Feet 2 Starring: Elijah Wood, Pink, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, and Hugo Weaving Release Date: November 18, 2011 (US), November 23, 2011 (RP)
As a follow up to 2006's Happy Feet, Happy Feet delivers that same kind of comedic song-dancing fun people adored in the original while adding new problems, both family-oriented and environmental, for the protagonists to overcome. Elijah Wood once again voices Mumble Happy Feet, the tap dancing penguin hero who is now father to a young and shy penguin named Erik (voiced by Ava Acres). As he tries to be a good dad to his son, Mumble's wife Gloria (now voiced by American singer Pink) tempers the male penguins in her life, and stay on as the voice of reason and comfort throughout the story. Also returning are Ramon and the prophet penguin Lovelace, who are again voiced by the talented Robin Williams, and each of them have grown bolder and wiser in the sequel. While Ramon looks for his preferred "mamacita" in the movie, Lovelace now preaches the good news and word of his newfound friend and savior Sven (Hank Azaria), a Puffin masquerading as a flying Penguin. This act inspires Erik a great deal, especially after the young penguin loses hope and confidence in his father. With family problems and a bigger threat looming over his own penguin community, Mumble must find a way to resolve everything and bring harmony back into his world.
Happy Feet 2 Trailer
For all intents and purposes, Happy Feet 2 is more or less the same product repackaged with a new story and mixed with more subplots one can possibly take in. That's either a good or bad thing depending on your outlook of stuff, and to be honest I enjoyed this movie only half as much as I hoped I would have. True, it's great to see old characters and familiar voices return (even Hugo Weaving reprised his role as the elder penguin), but the way the sequel told the story felt forced, and I didn't even sympathize with the new character Sven. Heck, even Brad Pitt and Matt Damon lend their voice talents as sideshow attractions Will and Bill, two Krills who suddenly decide to venture out of their herd and carve out a destiny for themselves. That subplot was funny, but it wasn't exactly necessary in the grander scheme of things. Everything else was pretty much filler, and while the kids may enjoy the funnies, from an adult standpoint it's totally unnecessary. Expectations for the movie all fell to Mumble and Ramon, and they outshone even Happy Feet's own boy Erik, who was pretty much a plot device than a new face sharing the spotlight.
Despite my little misgivings and preference for the original, I'd still give Happy Feet 2 a thumbs up for its fun factor and kid friendly atmosphere. I'm sure those who see this in theaters will be delighted by the smooth CG graphics it has to offer, and if 3D is your things, it's been converted nicely to fit that format as well. Families looking for a genuine Christmas film to see, look no further. It's still currently showing in cinemas now, so do catch it if you decide to do so.
It's been a long while since I've dug my hands into a fresh Tekken game, and I've been eagerly anticipating the release of the newest installment of the series, Tekken Tag Tournament 2, at my local arcade. That's not to say that I haven't been getting my fighting game fix, as other big name video game companies like Capcom and SNK Playmore have released their own new titles, namely Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 and The King of Fighters XIII. I have played both (and even reviewed the former), and while that'll satisfy hungry beat 'em up buffs out there, Namco Bandai also has a special treat release for their loyal fanbase. Suffice to say, it was quite the birthday treat for me, which I just had to play and review.
I'd like to start this entry off by extending a big "Thank You!" to all who remembered and greeted me on this day. It's a big honor and service to have known so many people through the years, and I know there's a lot to things to be grateful for in life. Lord knows a lot of things happened this year - the events, shoots, conventions, cosplay events, games, and even the Batman stuff; and as I add another number to the calendar now, there comes new expectations and possibilities. There's an old quote by English actress and writer Joan Collins that goes like this, and I'm sure people reading this will be familiar with the first line once they gaze their eyes on it:
"Age is just a number. It's totally irrelevant, of course, you happen to be a bottle of wine"
Short and simple words to live by, and I don't feel any different from yesterday at all. Thanks for making my birthday a wonderful occasion folks. You know who you are, and here's a big salute and thank you from me to you all.;)
When Marvel Vs Capcom 3 exploded onto the console scene this year, it brought back a lot of that old school flair, nostalgia, and appeal fighting game fans were long craving for. Following the path of Street Fighter IV, it swapped two dimensional graphics in favor or a brush art styled 3D graphics engine, whilst retaining classic 2D brawl gameplay so as not to alienate veterans of the series.
Now, a new "upgrade" of the game has finally been released. Called "Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3", new characters, stages, and gameplay additions have been added to this latest entry of the VS series. It pretty much lives up to the reputation Capcom has garnered with its fighting games by rereleasing them with "updated features" and quirks.
As we reach the midpoint of November, a LOT of long awaited videogame titles bumped their way to local retailers and shelves. There's so many out there to choose, you could spend weeks literally savoring each and every one of them. One of these games was the next installment of Ubisoft's long running Assassin's Creed series, Assassin's Creed Revelations, which continues the adventures of Desmond Miles and his ancestor, Ezio Auditore.
However, I didn't pick that up yet. Instead... I got Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3! BOOYAH!
Yes, the "big game" I was referring to earlier is actually an "upgraded version" of the same Capcom fighter released early this year, and in true Capcom fashion, it sports new modes, gameplay changes, and new characters to boot! I still have to try my hand on it as of this posting, but the game is now out for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360!
I picked up the PS3 version, and got a free poster to boot! Be sure to get your copies if you own either system, or wait for is along with the Playstation Vita as its one of the new portable system's launch titles this December! If you need more convincing why it's A MUST for fighting game buffs, here's the launch trailer to remind you why...
Ultimate Marvel Vs Capcom 3 Launch Trailer
With that, it's time for another fighting game session of awesomeness. Stay tuned for my thoughts soon, true believers, and hopefully good things come out my run with this"upgraded crossover sequel"!
It's November 11, 2011 (or 11-11-11 as it were), and now that I've had some time in my hands, I've finally gotten around to completing the almost 2 week old Zombiethon video compilation that I promised to deliver. In case you missed out what that was all about, here's the 101 again on what transpired!
On October 30, 2011, right in the heart of Makati City Philippines, local zombie fan group Dead Zone organized the second annual "Zombiethon" zombie walk, which was open to all undead lovers and ghoulish fans out there! Being one of those itching to go, I suited up as the main protagonist of AMC's The Walking Dead himself, Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes, and proceeded to meet with the rest of the zombie trope in the meeting point located at the heart of Makati City.
While we certainly lacking in number, there were enough zombies to cause panic, terror, and havoc as we treaded in the streets. Joining me along for the fun were guys dressed as Raccoon City survivors Leon S. Kennedy and Hunk from the Resident Evil series. We even had a visit from "Hulk Hogan" himself! The zombies themselves had "interesting" faces in their numbers, including a Silent Hill-like nurse ghoul, kid zombies, and even a zombie that looked like Jesus!
Despite the minimum attendance, everything went great, and I even got to choreograph some scenes for good photo op shots! I'd like to thank the guys at Dead Zone again for organizing Zombiethon 2011, and I'm looking forward to the next event soon! For more info on the group, visit the official Dead Zone Facebook Page!
Now, here's the video in all its undead and Gonk-like manner! Enjoy!
Dead Zone Zombiethon 2011!
Song is "The Gonk" from the original Dawn of The Dead (1978).
Yesterday, I picked up the Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection for Playstation 3. As the name suggests, it's a compilation of classic Metal Gear Solid titles, specifically Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater, and the then Playstation Portable exclusive MGS title, Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker. Being an avid follower of the series, I wasn't really happy at first with the notion that I had to repurchase these games, considering that I already have these title, the former two bundled with the Metal Gear Solid Essential Collection and the aforementioned PSP release of Peace Walker, but Konami and Hideo Kojima knew how to speak to the fan in me, by giving a lot of incentives why a diehard MGS fan should pick up this re-release. Besides, any excuse to play Snake again is a good reason to play through these titles again. Hit the jump for the review!
All Hallow's Eve has finally arrived, and with that said, I honor this day of horrors, monsters, costumes and the undead by showcasing some of my photoshop creations to commemorate the occasion! First up is a shot of me dressed as my favorite comic book character and superhero - THE BATMAN, recreated in a way which pays tribute to the dark roots of the heroic DC Comics character!
Lastly, here's something I made up from yesterday's Zombiethon 2011 zombie walk organized by Dead Zone, with me playing the part of Rick Grimes, police officer and protagonist of AMC's The Walking Dead...
With that, I leave you all to your scary tales and trick or treat moments. Happy Halloween, everybody!
Pleasant tidings come from the DC Universe, as I finally get to share a pic of me cosplaying my favorite character with the rest of the world, and just in time for Halloween too!
While wandering the Tumblrverse as "The Wandering Warrior", I stumbled upon Daily DCU's 2011 Halloween Costume submission post, which called for any DC fan out there to submit their best DC inspires costume. Since I suit up as The Dark Knight himself, Batman, I gleefully submitted my entry, which you can see below!
Credits go to Pamela Olarte for this shot, and thanks also goes to my cosplay team, Justice PH for the help and joys of cosplaying as Timzster. It's a real honor to be there with the rest of the DCU fans who have entries... and maybe you can get yours up as well if you're reading this and have a DC inspired costume! So just go to Daily DCU and submit your entry folks!;)
Back to blogging on a personal level with this page! Halloween is up in the air, and now's a good time to talk about some events this month, one past and one upcoming, and both involve zombies, zombies, and more zombies!XD
Last Saturday, October 22nd, Fox Philippines invited fans of AMC's The Walking Dead to their "Walk in at your own risk" Walking Dead Season 2 premiere event at Glorietta 3 Park over at Ayala Center!
Wearing a Batman costume and coming from an cosplay event nearby, I decided to check things out, and sure enough, there were lots of fans and ghouls there! People dressed as zombies lined up the staging grounds to entertain any would be survivors in the area, and the good people from Fox entertained guests by screening the complete Season 1 in the early afternoon, just before the local premiere of the first episode of Season 2 later that evening! I later returned after my event to check the after party, and it was a big ghoulish gathering!
Check out what I was able to film on that day, zombie fans!;)
Random Trips - The Walking Dead S2 Premiere Fox Philippines Event!
That pretty much sums up what happened the week prior. If you live on the US, you can catch an episode of The Walking Dead Season 2 every Sunday on AMC. For international territories like Fox International and Fox Philippines, you can catch it every Saturday at 8:55pm on Fox. For more info and details, visit Fox Philippines official Facebook page!
Also zombie fans, be sure not to miss this event, happening in a few hours time as of this posting date - The Zombiethon 2011 Zombie walk! Check out more details via Dead Zone's official Facebook page!
Whether or not you've noticed it, this site's going through a major overhaul. I'm planning on making this my "official page" dedicated to dumping all my journals, works, and just about anything that pops into my head at the moment. My hobby and popculture news site, Pop Culture Crusader/ The Crusader's Realm(as well my team sites GeekMaticand Justice PH), will still be updated accordingly with news and what not, but I wanted to make this particular page my own, detailing my own adventures and personal ramblings in typical and honest blog-like fashion. Hopefully it'll kickstart itself before the new month comes around in a few days, and it'll be updated constantly as time goes by.
Here's looking forward to a new direction soon. See ya!
This is it. The curtain call and swan song of the list. It's been one heck of a run, but all good things must come to an end sometime, and I can't think of any better way to end things than with a great song to send goosebumps to the nostalgic gamer out there. Anyone who's played Castlevania: Symphony of the Night knows what I'm talking about, and the song I've picked for the finale is none other than the stellar ending theme to the legendary Konami adventure and classic - "I Am The Wind". Sung by Cynthia Harrell (who also sang "Snake Eater", the opening theme of Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater). It's one of those video game themes that I've kept near and dear to my heart, and its jazzy tune accompanied by perfectly written lyrics are so inspiring and beautiful that I'm always in awe every time I listen to this song. Give this classic a listen.;)
With that, this brings an end to my Video Game Music Month list. Thanks for listening!
Mortal Kombat. Like Capcom's Street Fighter II, it contributed to the fighting game boom back in the early 90's. Developed by Midway Studios and created by the duo of Ed Boon and John Tobias, the brawler differentiated itself from the competition by allowing players to "Finish off" their opponents and perform a gruesome "Fatality" once the contest was over. This proved to be a controversial gaming mechanic that partly led to the creation of the ESRB, and the overwhelming popularity it received from fans spawned several sequels in the years to come. MK had its ripe beginnings in arcades, but eventually also made the transition to consoles, where its influence would spread further for years to come. Following their last and somewhat disappointing title Mortal Kombat Vs DC Universe, Midway Games eventually filed for bankruptcy, and all seemed lost for the MK series. Fortunately, a glorifying rebirth would follow when Warner Bros. picked up the rights to the series, and with the formation of NetherWorld Studios, a new Mortal Kombat was released this year, signaling the beginning of a new era for the series. It proved to be immensely popular after its release this year, and it proves without a shadow of a doubt the MK still lives and prevails in the continually evolving world of fighting games.
Technically this shouldn't even be in the list, but given the fact that I loved the series and the first movie in 1995 is arguably the best video game movie adaptation to this day, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to include this song. The song may have been created for the film, but it represents the game's legacy as a whole. Perfect for the nostalgia.
One of the hardest games to beat on the NES back in the day. For what I endured with the entire trilogy back in the day, Tecmo's Ninja Gaiden series really showed me that difficulty can only be surpassed by determination, patience, and a lot of luck. This stage music from Stage 4-2 serves as a reminder of that perseverance.
Capcom's VS games ruled during the latter part of the 90's. I remember spending countless hours and tokens in arcades just duking it out and playing through several rounds of Marvel characters squaring off against Capcom's finest. When the series reached its third crossover battle with Marvel Vs Capcom, I was delighted by the fact that not only did we get a different assortment of characters aside from mostly Street Fighter characters, but the end boss was a totally different beast, Onslaught himself (and not Apocalypse who was recycled for the two previous installments). Easily my favorite entry of the original trilogy, there were minor and subtle changes to the game's engine, but the overall brawl and tag team mechanics remained the same. Also, before things were blown out of proportion by its sequels MvC2 and MvC3, this game remains somewhat the most balanced of the lot, and it even sported some of the best fighting game themes for the characters featured in its roster.
While it had a very Megaman inspired soundtrack in a general sense (minus the character themes), Ithe one track I enjoyed the most from MvC was the Staff Roll. It's light hearted, colorful, and gives the player a sense of fulfillment for finishing off Onslaught and beating the game. I can still make out the assist characters in the game giving the player a final salute as the credits roll.
25 years of whipping out the Vampire Killer is a long time. If there's any way to celebrate a quarter of a century's existence and note how much of an impact the franchise has made in gaming history, then there's no better way to commemorate Castlevania's 25th Anniversary than playing the iconic theme song that has carried over to most installments of the Konami series - Vampire Killer.
Castlevania OST - Vampire Killer
Funny. It's the 26th installment of the list, and it's for a game that was released on September 26, 1986. How utterly appropriate.
I don't play that much RPGs (save for a certain few like Xenogears), but I've butted heads with recent installments of the Final Fantasy series to get a gist of how things go down in those games. Back in the PS1 era, Final Fantasy VII pretty much made Japanese RPG games mainstream, and with the acclaim and praise it has received as a result of its success, it spawned into a lucrative franchise that saw side stories and heck even a sequel movie made to appease fans craving for more Tifa, Aerith, and yes even silent emo protagonist Cloud Strife.
While the main game was pretty much a fun excursion, I found its prequel side story, Crisis Core, to be much more engaging. Telling the untold tale and past of Zack Fair, Cloud's friend, and the origins of their infamous weapon, the Buster Sword, helped bridge gaping holes in the main FFVII game, as well as flesh out more moments between Zack's short-lived romance with Aerith. I also liked the fact that it wasn't just your typical RPG, but rather an Action RPG, favoring a linear story setup and mixing it in with free flowing action gameplay, as well as a random "slot machine" type system called the "Digital Mind Wave". With that in mind, I guess I can rule down my favorite song from the Crisis Core soundtrack to "Encounter", which plays during the opening Wutai mission arc and during certain stages when "Combat Mode" is engaged. It's solid rock and action music, as only Takeharu Ishimoto can deliver.
Another NES classic. If you know who Billy and Jimmy Lee are and the side-scrolling beat 'em up action they partook in back in the 80's, then there's nothing else to discuss about Double Dragon. It's awesome video game action delivered by Technos Japan and published by Tradewest in the states. The challenge was complimented by the awesome 8-bit music too, and I can't think of a better theme song to get me back in the nostalgia groove other than Double Dragon's theme song played in the title menu.
Ezio Auditore da Firenze. The man who would become one of the greatest video game characters I've ever had the privilege of playing... And the protagonist of Ubisoft'sAssassin's Creed II, Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood, and the upcoming Assassin's Creed: Revelations.
I never experienced playing the first Assassin's Creed, but it was renowned and recognized for offering players a different approach in the action-adventure game genre by mixing it with stealth gameplay and making the story partially a period piece set in the time of the Crusades. However, it was not without its flaws, and there were certainly some mixed reviews surrounding its gameplay mechanics. When Part II came into the picture, everything changed. It offered a new array of game options to explore, and it improved on its predecessor's shortcomings by meeting demands and suggestions offered by fans of the series. Also, it was set during the time of the Renaissance, and a new protagonist was introduced... Ezio Auditore. Unlike the first game's hero Altair, Ezio did not start out as an Assassin... Fate made him into one, and gamer's experienced his life from birth to his eventual rise as a master of his order. I have enjoyed the series thus far with Ezio as its star, and now that we're looking to the twilight years of his career with Assasin's Creed Revelation, let us hope it ends in a good note for the adventurer and ladies' man from Florence.
The soundtrack for the Assassin's Creed series has been stellar to say the least. I could pick a handful of tracks and share them here just for its sheer excellence in recreating the mood of the period the game's are set in. However, if I had to choose one, it would be this one - "Venice Rooftops". It's usually played when Ezio accepts Escape or Speed Run missions in the game, but certain keys and its tempo can be heard in the official AC II Theme Song "Ezio's Family", and a huge chunk of the song was used for the ending credits of Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood. Here it is now to be listened to and played.
If there's one gaming franchise that represents action and adventure ala Indiana Jones and Die Hard today, it's the Uncharted series.
The series' main hero and star, Nathan Drake, combines the qualities and traits of Dr. Henry Jones Jr. and John McClane, and is a bit like JackAss star Johnny Knoxville as well for his death-defying stunts. He's willing to risk tooth and neck to hunt for all kinds of treasure, and his sense of exploration and keeping artifacts from falling into the wrong hands has put him in more difficult situations than his life can afford. Fortunately, Nate (who's also voiced by the great Nolan North) is a daredevil with skill, and on the two Uncharted games that I've played for the PS3, he's shown he's capable of getting out of sticky situations, with an injury or two along the way to remind him of the effort. Again, it's your modern day Indiana Jones' game with a fresh new face that highlights the power and spectacle the Sony Playstation 3 provides, and with a third game and an entry for the upcoming PS Vita coming along, I'm curious to see how Nate navigates through those adventures and come out of it in one piece.
Naturally, the only theme that resonates with my memories of this game is Nate's own theme song. Take a moment to listen to it and feel how adventure should sound in the modern gaming age.
Ryu Ga Gotoku, aka Yakuza in the West. It's a fantastic game series that gives us a good look at just how gritty and menacing stories set around the Japanese Criminal Underworld can be, especially when it focuses on the themes of family, friendship, revenge, and honor. Created and developed by Sega, the games play similar to Shenmue and the Grand Theft Auto series, where you navigate through a town or place, looking for clues to proceed through the story or doing almost anything you want in typical action-adventure game fashion. Fights are down via beat 'em up style, smashing opponents down with your bare fists or using weapons, and earning skill points to use in upgrading your character.
Majority of the series focused on the adventures of one Kazuma Kiryu, a former Yakuza gangster whose sense of honor to his Yakuza clan and family places him in a constant web of conspiracy and betrayal, all the while struggling to protect those he loves and keeping things in the right order. I've followed the character since his debut game in the Playstation 2, and every installment serves up some compelling gameplay combined with intriguing cinematic storytelling. With that in mind, I guess the most memorable theme I can associate with the franchise is the one from the first Ryu Ga Gotoku/ Yakuza game - Receive You. It's the kind of song that defines how "kick-ass" this series is. Give it a listen.
Konami's beat 'em up arcade games were classic sights back in the early 90's, and besides the TMNT arcade game, none may be more recognizable to gamers who grew up in that era other than the one based on Marvel's own band of mutant adventurers, the X-Men. Yes, the very same X-Men arcade game with awkward dialogue (Magneto's "X-Men, welcome to DIE!" comes to mind) was a quarter/ token eating machine, sporting simple and highly addicting gameplay that remains true to this day. Depending on what kind of arcade cabinet you were playing on, 2-6 players could team up to beat the game from start to finish, facing off against armies of Sentinels and evil mutants to put a stop to Magneto's plans of world domination.
I fondly remember days where I'd stay in the mall for the entire afternoon, sticking tokens in and playing with other peeps determined to finish the game. Difficulty ranged from mediocre to extreme, and regardless of what setting, boss battles were notoriously hard either way. Heck, I found this game harder to play than X-Men for the Sega Genesis and X-Men: Children of the Atom, and that's saying a lot since the former is a platform entry, while the latter is a fighting game entry developed by the same people behind the Street Fighter series, Capcom. Even as new life is given to this game as a downloadable game in consoles and mobile devices, the X-Men arcade game is seriously a tough cookie to beat if you plan to do it in one playthrough. Rest assured, you're going to keep playing and continuing until you reach Magneto and kick his ass for good.
Konami is notorious for providing some kick ass music to their beat 'em up games, and in the case of X-Men, I'd have to give a thumbs up to the first stage's theme, aptly titled "Here comes the hero". Getting a nice adrenaline rush as you start a game never gets old, and tunes like these only adds fuel to your determination to make all the lives count and finish the game as best as you can!
Who didn't grow up watching the Teenage Mutant Turtles? These heroes in a half shell were a definite part of my childhood, and although it sounded like a goofy concept for people to bite into, it remains one of the timeless creations people from my generation fondly remember and enjoyed watching back in the day. It originally started as a comic book series that didn't feature any of the light-hearted or camp themes most people knew, though the initial concept remained the same: four turtles mutated into human sized beings were trained in the art of ninjitsu to wage was against the Foot Clan and its leader, The Shredder. The origin story varied as a result of the violence presented in the comics, so the original 1980's TV Series became more family-oriented and kid friendly, focusing on the Turtles daily exploits of fighting crime and helping others as they battled not only The Shredder, but other mutated beings like Baxter Stockmann, Leatherhead, and Krang. The show's popularity spawned not only toys and retail merchandise, but games as well, and that brings me to my next entry to the list...
Back in 1989, Konami developed a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles platform game for the Nintendo Entertainment System, which proved to be one of the console's most popular releases for its time. With gameplay and difficulty that remains legendary to this very day, this is one of the few TMNT games next to TMNT: The Arcade Game and TMNT IV: Turtles In Time that I consider noteworthy and depicts the franchise well. Listening to the intro music again gives me goosebumps, and that's why I'm making it my pick for the list today.;)
Batman. The name alone means that it's goddamn awesome.
I've been a big fan of the Dark Knight since I've first known him as a kid, and several iterations of the character played out in various mediums besides the comics only serve to heighten my preference for the character and the rich history he has accumulated under his belt for the past 70 plus years since his inception. I've followed every actor who has donned the cape and cowl, from the legendary campy portrayal of Adam West to the seriousness of Michael Keaton, and even the realistic and gruff portrayal of Christian Bale. The comic book adventures of the Caped Crusader continue to evolve, and even with the recent relaunch of the entire DC Universe platform, the Bat's core history is intact and he remains the same guardian knight of Gotham City who has expanded his crimefighting arm worldwide with his new initiative, Batman Inc. In video games, I'm anxiously waiting for the release of Batman: Arkham City this October, and as the sequel to the 2009 monster hit game Batman: Arkham Asylum, it proves without a shadow of a doubt that even the Bat can be awesome in the gaming world.
Yes, Batman is that much of a cultural icon everyone has deep respect for, and I'm still dedicated to following his adventures to this very day. In fact, while he's basking in the spotlight now in terms of the video game scene, there was a time when only a few developers ever got it right in creating a Batman game fans could consider decent and enjoy. One such game is "Batman" by Sunsoft, released for the NES in 1989 and based on the classic Tim Burton movie that starred Michael Keaton in the titular role. The best way to describe this game is that it's merciless, and it plays a whole lot like "Ninja Gaiden" in terms of navigating Batman in a complex platform action game full of traps, respawning enemies, and tough bosses. Heck, even The Joker was tough, and he could summon lighting like it was nothing! Despite going way overboard with the stages and enemies that don't even reflect what's seen in the actual movie, the game was a fine and early example of an awesome Batman game, and that's why I've chosen a track from it for today's Video Game Music Month entry - The first Stage's theme - Streets of Desolation.
Go on. Play it and feel like Batman when you listen to it!
Metal Gear Solid. Most are familiar with the name "Snake", but the legendary soldier's roots have been presented in more ways than one could possibly imagine.
Starting off initially is the MSX2 as a little stealth game called "Metal Gear", the brain child of a then little known game developer named Hideo Kojima revolutionized the way action games were played. Instead of going all out with guns and shooting like crazy, the game focused on a FOXHOUND operative named Solid Snake, who infiltrates the military state of Outer Heaven to rescue prisoners and stop whatever weapon of mass destruction was being created in there. That weapon was Metal Gear, a walking bipedal tank capable of launching a nuclear missle. Snake succeeds in his mission and destroys Metal Gear, but is surprised to find that his commanding officer, Big Boss, is the leader of Outer Heaven and one behind everything. After a grueling battle, Snake eventually comes out the victor, but that wouldn't be the end of the story. Subsequent installments of series would expand Solid Snake's true relationship with Big Boss, and in the Playstation release of Metal Gear Solid, Snake is revealed to be the cloned son of the legendary soldier. From then on, MGS would spin-off into its own series of games, not only continuing the story of Solid Snake, but also telling the untold origin of Big Boss as well.
Released in November 2004 for the Playstation 2, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater served as the first of many tales chronicling the early years of Snake's father and commanding officer. Set in 1960's during the era of the Cold War, it tells the story of a younger Big Boss, who had yet to earn that title and went under the codename "Naked Snake". Subsequent events in the story show how he became the soldier he was, and it's possibly one of the best entries, if not THE BEST, the entire Metal Gear Solid saga has to offer. Arguably, it's one of my favorite games of all time (alongside the original Metal Gear Solid for the PS1), and it also has the best theme song for any MGS game to date. It's only fitting that it makes the list, sung by Cynthia Harrell and aptly titled "Snake Eater".
Megaman. Also known as "Rockman" in Japan. Saying his name alone opens the floodgates of gamer nostalgia, and mostly everyone has played or encountered Capcom's favorite "Blue Bomber" hero in one form or another. Like many, I played the original game for the NES in 1987, and I didn't develop a strong following to series until its sequel, Megaman 2, popped up a year later. To say that it improved on what its predecessor introduced is an understatement, as there were more interesting and challenging boss fights ahead in later installments. During the Console Wars era, Capcom introduced a futuristic incarnation of the series, which was appropriately called Megaman X/ Rockman X. It was a semi-sequel of sorts to the original Megaman series, but quickly spun off into becoming one of the "possible futures" the little blue hero would end up in. The original Megaman retained his own adventures, while "X" began his own series after his introduction in the SNES back in 1993. Over the years, the franchise has expanded and incorporated different versions of the blue bomber and his entourage in their own games with unique gameplay, but the fun factor that is the core of the series remains intact, and continues inspire various generations of gamers the world over to this day.
There are tons of popular tracks that can be vouched for in the series, and possibly the greatest theme associated with Megaman alone is the one from Megaman 2's intro. However, if I'm going to pick one track playing in my head now, it'll have to be Frost Man's stage theme from Megaman 8. That track had a nice chill, mellow, and soulful theme to it, and it stands out as one of the finer stage themes I've listened to in the history of the franchise. The 8th installment also happens to be the finest animated entry, so there's a little bias from me considering I loved playing it alongside Megaman X4 (preferred the Japanese version, Rockman X4 specifically) back in PS1 era. Here it is as the 15th entry to my list this month, so give it a whirl.
Tekken is a beast of a fighting game. There's no denying that Namco's prized fighter ranks up there along with my list of influential brawlers, and since I began playing the series way back with Tekken 2 for the Playstation, each entry in the series has been an exciting entry into the world of 3D fighting games. Sure, it still retains a sense of two dimensional rules, but Tekken was always more of a technical brawler than Street Fighter ever was. Unlike the latter, this game relied on getting the first draw and punishing your opponent quickly with devastating moves and combos that looked really painful to watch. Each fighter had his or her own unique fighting style based on real martial arts practices seen from around the world, and while it may sound as simple as picking anyone, it's quite the opposite. Every warrior in Tekken had a plethora of moves one has to master, and players literally spend countless hours practicing in order to hone their skills and learn their character's trade. That's how the game's been played all these years, and the system has only constantly evolved itself to allow new and dynamic ways to play it differently. No matter how much I practice, each new installment of Tekken always proves the point that you can't rely on your old tricks, and that suits me just fine.
Tekken Tag Tournament 2 - Character Select Theme
Choosing a memorable tune from the series wasn't easy. Since Tekken 3, there's always been an electronica/ techno based soundtrack for the series I've grown accustomed to, and right now I'm digging the character select theme for the newest entry to the series, Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Katsuhiro Harada, series producer (and someone I've met personally when he visited the country), has frequently collaborated with Akitaka Tohyama (aka AJURIKA), who also provided the techno beats in the first Tekken Tag Tournament. Since the game isn't out yet in my local arcade or the consoles, you can imagine my anticipation building up as I listen to this catchy beat. Groovy.
Guile. The soldier. The badass military fighter. The Sonic Blade.
I first ran into the man with "broomstick hair" back when I first tasted true fighting game goodness with the original Street Fighter II for the Super NES. My cousin picked this guy as his primary character, and unlike Ryu and Ken, he required a 2 second charging window and input to unleash two of his basic and well-known moves - the Sonic Boom and Flash Kick. Guile's story is also a cliche and tribute to the average action hero archetype - He seeks revenge for the death of his best friend and mentor Charlie (who would later become an actual fighter in the Street Fighter Alpha/ Zero series, named Nash in Japan, but later given the full name "Charlie Nash"). Guile's obsession to bring an end to Shadoloo reflected his heroism and determination as a fighter, and his theme song stands out as one of the recognizable tunes in the Street Fighter universe and beyond.
I suppose this song requires no other kind of introduction once you listen to it firsthand. The theme of Colonel William Guile is considered to be the most flexible, inspirational, and fully capable mash-up theme that has garnered a lot of "comeback videos" that you can freely look up in You Tube. This is the second Street Fighter tune I've featured in this list, and without a doubt, it's a classic that any old school gamer will recognize the instant the music hits. Go on, be a family man and click on play now.
Street Fighter II - Guile's Theme
Literally, the song goes with EVERYTHING. Oh, and Jean-Claude Van Damme's got nothing on this one.;D
Devil May Cry. I never thought those three words would translate into awesome.
When I first heard of it back in the latter days of the Playstation era, I wasn't quite sure it would meet my expectations for an action game. Originally, it started off as a proposal by Capcom for what was potentially going to be a new Resident Evil game under the direction of Hideki Kamiya, but those plans quickly changed and everything was radically departing from the traditional survival horror motif. In the end, we ended up with what was to become Devil May Cry, and upon release on the Playstation 2 back in 2001, everything kicked and became synonymous with Stylish and Awesome. We were then introduced to the wicked kick-ass protagonist of cool called Dante, and hack and slash gameplay was redefined for a new generation. The game's popularity eventually warranted some sequels, and while the first attempt, Devil May Cry 2, was a speed bump people would rather forget, Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening gave us one memorable adventure of a lifetime. The series' legacy would see multi-platform releases and another sequel in Devil May Cry 4 in 2008, but Capcom would decide to take a new route in 2010 and present the controversial "DMC: Devil May Cry" developed by Ninja Theory and starring a new version of Dante which looked more emo and punkish than his cool self. The game has no release date yet, and it remains to be seen how this will impact a great series like Devil May Cry.
Choosing a song for this game wasn't easy. With the exception of Devil May Cry 2, I enjoyed the songs presented in every installment thus far. However, if I had to pick one, it'll probably be from the prequel story itself, Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Devils Never Cry. Hearing this dark tune brings back memories of that tale, where Dante faces off against not only demons, but his own twin brother Vergil, to prevent them from opening the portal to the demon world and bringing destruction down to Earth. It's truly the definition of an epic action game song for the series if I've ever heard one. Check it out!
Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening - Devils Never Cry
Yes, the "big game" I was referring to earlier is actually an "upgraded version" of the same Capcom fighter released early this year, and in true Capcom fashion, it sports new modes, gameplay changes, and new characters to boot! I still have to try my hand on it as of this posting, but the game is now out for the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360!
On October 30, 2011, right in the heart of Makati City Philippines, local zombie fan group Dead Zone organized the second annual "Zombiethon" zombie walk, which was open to all undead lovers and ghoulish fans out there! Being one of those itching to go, I suited up as the main protagonist of AMC's The Walking Dead himself, Sheriff's Deputy Rick Grimes, and proceeded to meet with the rest of the zombie trope in the meeting point located at the heart of Makati City.
Back to blogging on a personal level with this page! Halloween is up in the air, and now's a good time to talk about some events this month, one past and one upcoming, and both involve zombies, zombies, and more zombies!XD
Last Saturday, October 22nd, Fox Philippines invited fans of AMC's The Walking Dead to their "Walk in at your own risk" Walking Dead Season 2 premiere event at Glorietta 3 Park over at Ayala Center!
People dressed as zombies lined up the staging grounds to entertain any would be survivors in the area, and the good people from Fox entertained guests by screening the complete Season 1 in the early afternoon, just before the local premiere of the first episode of Season 2 later that evening! I later returned after my event to check the after party, and it was a big ghoulish gathering!
Also zombie fans, be sure not to miss this event, happening in a few hours time as of this posting date - The Zombiethon 2011 Zombie walk! Check out more details via Dead Zone's official Facebook page!
