Oh God, Not an Essay on Linearity

With February being the prime month for gaming on the PS3, the releases of Heavy Rain and Final Fantasy XIII in particular, is it any wounder why I haven't made a post for a month? I thought not. But lets kid ourselves here and say since the last post I've been in the mountains of Tibet training intensely on some secret martial art? OK, maybe that ain't true but it's not far from the truth and besides sounds much cooler than saying I've played nothing but FFXIII isn't it? OK now that we've explained the inexplicable absence of posts (cough), let me get straight to an enigma that has been bugging me for sometime now: Why does Final Fantasy XIII feel so linear?

Why So Linear?

Now I know what your thinking, it's because the game is! But calm down. I'm not going to make some hopeless attempt to prove otherwise, with all the relentless cries of disappointment from many fans for the past six months, only a fool would try take up such a rebuttal. And while it is blatantly obvious that the linearity is owed to many reasons, from the rpg-on-rail level layout and leveling system to the many cut scenes butting in on your game time, I'm still confused. Haven't these elements always been part of a Final Fantasy game? So why do I still have this strong feeling that I've been cheated out of "true" and "instant hit" FF when I'm controlling sexy ass Lightening, or annoying Vanille? (Sorry I couldn't resist).

Was I wrong back in 2001 to fully enjoy FFX with it's linear level design? Why was it more enjoyable being forced along a linear path to Zanarkand back then? Granted there were more open areas in X, but when you think about it, is it all that different from XIII? I mean it wasn't until the end of the game, like XIII, that we got to then choose to re-vist previous destinations. Though I guess it didn't help that we were always forced to two or three characters in XIII and weren't given the choice of who to select in our party. Yet why was it enjoyable or at least tolerable in VIII? OK maybe we didn't have to wait to the end of the game like in XIII. And yeah, we did have a lot more stats for our characters (why did they take all of those useless stats, I missed those). I also missed the linear, yet great, leveling system that was seen in FFX or in all pre-FFX games where there was only XP.

OK so I am being cynical here. The matter of fact is FFXIII is or at least seems too scripted, with actually leveling removed and new levels of growth only being made available when the game allows. With everything from the leveling to where you walk being either scripted or directed by events, FFXIII is indeed too linear for a third generation RPG.

Why is Linear so Linear?

FFXIII is not a JRPG or a RPG for that matter. Since FFVII, or FFXII, the definition of an RPG has revolutionized so much by giant sandbox games like World of Warcraft, EVE and Fallout III. So much so that we now expect an RPG to be synonymous to sandbox game play and endless customization. Now I'm not saying that many of these elements weren't around back in 2002 or prior, far from so. My point being is that where it was OK for scripted events to dictate the story for a second or first gen RPG, nowadays were expecting more when it comes to game play or evens story telling (winks at Heavy Rain). Though linear isn't bad. When wielded correctly it can create an immersive and interactive story line. But when it comes to game play these days you have to use linearity ingeniously, or face a march or angry boy and girl fans.

But its here that we end up a small positive about FFXIII, the Storyline. I know many out there despise the story that is FFXIII and I fail to see why. With the odd exceptions like Vanille, the voice actors to the narrative of FFXIII has been enthralling. FFXIII is a more of a mature story than previous FF and in that sense is more to my liking. Appealing to older audiences the latest installment touches upon issues in the real world today, going as far as being a satire on terrorism and government propaganda. It cant be helped but be noticed the slight correlation of the universal fear of pulse l'cie to something in todays world. Some how a nation that rules its people by the words of a supreme being doesn't seem that different to some religious states today? Maybe I'm seeing something that isn't there, but to the point, FFXIII's story is told superbly and isn't afraid drift into gritty realism (I mean for starters theres finally more black people in the whole universe of FF).

A Sacrifice to the God of Linearity

While supposedly FFXIII's has sacrificed its RPG element to a story driven gaming, one wonders if there had to be a sacrifice at all with gleaming examples out there that counter that argument. Things get especially infuriating with statements from Square Enix stating that it would be an impossible work load to create a fully HD RPG game that is not linear. It does then beg the question why they bother focusing on three FFXIII related titles instead of one if they are finding under staffed or without time to make a fully HD game. With statements such as that it makes later statements less believable that FFXIII will be the last of its kind. Especially when Square Enix's credibility is burnt by insisting that the inferior Xbox360 version is the same as the PS3's.

Indeed Square Enix needs to up its game if it wishes to compete, as while western games such as Uncharted 2 and God of War III begin to break technical and story telling grounds, FF is still left struggling on what retro elements to keep and what news ones to make.

But I'm a hypocrite, a biased one at that, as I still love the game that is FFXIII. As after all, it is Final Fantasy.

Juggernauts and Verbal Diarrhea

Never Blow One's Own Trumpet.

Ok ok I know I should never have announced it, guess the podcast and joint post were really doomed as soon as I mentioned them. Yeah Major Sheppard and I were kind of busy during Christmas, no really we were, we spent most of our time trying to get all the stars in Modern Warfare 2's cooperative mode. Pitifully we only managed to get 3, brought me to tears at least. Can someone give me an actual scientific basis for how a Juggernaut can survive 5 mines? Seriously, its like facing Arnold Schwarzenegger on crack or something. That said the juggernaut has defiantly moved up my list of "people who you do not want to piss off". I think its the music when they appear that does it.

I'm Sorry, say what?

So not a lot has been happening here and to be frank I want to move away from talking about my life. Though before I do that I've just got to link you to my latest favorite song. That sentence doesn't do any justice to the amount of shame I'm feeling about it though. More interesting however is the little bit of anime news about a new season of Code Geass, especially considering the ending of the second which rapped up the story to a closed ending. It leaves many to speculate on whether an alternative storyline is in the works or an expansion of the main storyline as a continuation. Either way fans may expect to find out more as early as this year. On the same note, I think many of us are looking forward to the next few months, well at least those who have money, for the explosion of the most anticipated games. Personally I have high hopes for Heavy Rain and with its success I hope we find many more games putting empathises on story driven gaming.

Video Killed the Video Game

Though it has to be said that there certainly has to be a balance between the actual game play and cinematography, glares at Final Fantasy XIII. Seems like another game that has fallen into the fiery pits with a bad case of verbal diarrhea, now glares at Metal Gear Solid 4. Is it just me or is there a pattern forming here? Now don't get me wrong, I don't want to start a war, I am all up for the integration of movie scenes and scripts into gaming. Far gone are the days when the stereotypical programming did everything in the gaming production, thank god. We all know this, however gone too are the days when the video game creators or story writers direct the script. I think its now important to start hiring the pros and experts from the film industry to direct those complex scenes. This is defiantly where the Japanese Gaming Industry is failing, in the western world at least. But that said I still believe it was Metal Gear Solid 2 that revolutionized this movement with its balance of game play and movie-like-scenes. Never the less, do Square Enix really need to consider producing the Final Fantasy series abroad? Maybe I'm a hypocrite but surely they realize that Final Fantasy is as quintessentially Japanese as Cherry Blossoms (ok, I seriously couldn't think of anything else, it 5 in the morning, its the best I can do!).

Crap from the Internet.

Anyway I shall hopefully be posting again soon, but until then I leave you with the crap from the internet section. Oh, just in case the petrol I lay down eariler didn't catch fire maybe this will help; I saw Avatar and I loved it, so much so I saw it for a second time. See ya!

To commemorate Major Sheppard's and I's completion of RE5 after 1 year of playing (I asuure you people were not bad gamers).

When Country's Don't have British Health and Safety.

Breaking the Symmetry

Late, But Not Too Late.

So I've had this post sitting as a draft for the better of two months, waiting just for someone to push the publish button. It's been so long in fact, that I've had to rewrite the thing because of the Halloween theme, which seems kind of inappropriate now. So much for that idea. But, better late than never, no? Its also with that idea that Major Sheppard and I are attempting to restart the Podcast this Christmas, and yes, be published in the same time frame. Though I'm starting to believe that it is a bad idea me announcing such dedications as we hardly ever follow through on them. So, maybe its an even worse idea to be also announcing "another" joint post. I use the term "another" loosely, as it seems like another when in fact its our, or will be, our very first joint post if we follow up on it. Talk about dedication.

Sadly this isn't going to be a full post. Its been a busy few months and there is certainly a lot to wrap up before the beginning of the new year, yet at the moment holiday days have just offically started and I defiantly have to get as much COD:MW2 as quickly as I can. Just thought I would make a post however, so to not onlt break the nice pattern of two posts of mine against Major Sheppard's, but also to let you know were alive, that you cared of course. Anyway, hope you all have a festive holiday, whatever that means.

Theme of My Life

The Time Has Come

What better time than 11PM, after having been out drinking on a university night than to make another post? I have to admit that it was luck that managed to slip in another post for this month. With the start of uni its hard to keep up with my schedule let alone meeting my monthly goal of two posts a month. I know, goals, right? Amazing! Seeming as my last post was pretty heavy I thought I could bring things back down to reality. And by god do I need to be brought back to Earth. Being pumped full to me eyes with mathematics, can't been good for anyone. I can say with honesty that I feel like I'm going slightly insane. Mathematics is as clear cut as a stubborn donkey when its down to proofs. Equation: No sorry you havent proved anything. Me: What of course I have, I just solved you. Equation: Nope your wrong look it up. Me: I dont have to look it up its common knowledge. You get the picture.

Memory Lane

Though, its certainly a trip down memory lane at the moment. With iTunes being allowed to shuffle through all my music, which I admit I only allow as often as Jews were released from Nazi concentration camps, I'm starting to find it hard to explain why I haven't done this before. And funnily enough this seems to be the theme of my life for the last two weeks, as I finally catch up with Naruto Shippuuden. And typical, as soon as I give the show a rest they started a new and epic arch. Luck, eh? But similarly the show has also been going down memory lane with many flash backs to episodes way back. Not that this is any where important, just thought it was amusing how things are relating at the moment.

Something Extremely Unusual

Something extremely unusual now, me mentioning credible music, more specifically the kings known as Muse. The new album came out a week ago and is certainly a great listen, especially the epic 3 track long song at the end. To be honest, I do not know how they keep on bring out such songs at a high standard. I think I can say on behalf of Major Sheppard and myself that they are certainly to be recommended if you haven't heard them before. OK, ok, so its been along time since I've posted a song from my Shuffle Shame and so I will go out with a bang with the following! Time Has Come.

Deus Ex Machina and Visa Versa

The Count Down

Chaos. I think that's the word that sums up my world during the past few weeks, as everything in my new apartment has either broken or been broken by my landlord. Though in the final count down that is the end of the summer vacation, things seem to be winding down to a calm to much of my delight. And Drained, drained is the word that's probably describes how I feel at the moment. And there was no better timing than these weeks to watch the now three year old Anime series, Ergo Proxy.

Ergo Proxy: The Downfall of Man

Exaggeration. Defiantly something I am fond of and is something I use too often, but this is most certainly not needed to describe Ergo Proxy; it is without my doubt a masterpiece in literature. It is not the best Anime ever made, its certainly beautiful and highly captivating, but its not perfect. Though in a round about way, it is precisely this that poetically justifies Ergo Proxy. In a world that is a devastated by mankind's neglect, Earth is a barren and harsh environment (which pretty much described my apartment once). All that now exists however is one city, one pseudo utopia that cradles the last of "humanity" in a totalitarian and religious state. If this isn't bleak enough for you, maybe the lack of music, lack of a "protagonist" and the pessimistic outlook of man's future that is the storyline helps. If not then maybe the thoughts of your own suicide can only beat what is evoked. Though this is certainly far from a emo's whiny outlook on life. The integration of pretty much all the important works in philsophy such as Nietzsche, Plato and Kant make this the most educated Anime ever made. But dont dismay, you don't really need a degree in literature, philosophy or psychology to understand this Anime. And this is the wounder of such media as video. Instead it all can, as has, been conveyed though the music (or lack of it), the images and narrative. As is indeed the narrative is the most complex used for an Anime, it defiantly is not the best in telling a story. So much so its hard to begin to understand what is actually happening in some episodes until an episode or two after. Its hard to like, even I hated it until I realized it's importance in conveying some of the the ultimate question's in western philosophy concerning individualism and the protagonist's own confusion. Its difficult to describe in a blog post how excellent all of this is put together without making an English essay of it, suffice to say its a show to watch to not only entertain but to also educate. It is a defiant recommendation for those who want to learn more about literature, philosophy or psychology as the elements used in the Anime can be applied to any 19th or 20th Century western literature. Indeed if this was not an Anime, it could be mistaken for 19th century western literature. It has all things bleak, the emphasis being from religious texts in Catholicism and Hinduism. Yes, it even mixes both Western and Eastern philosophies well. Particularly when highlighting the conflict between individualism and collectivism that differs in the West and East. Watch Episode 1 Now. For once as well the intro music is relevant! And in English!

For All the Wrong Reasons

Thank God I'm Pretty.

So I'm going to be Mr.Surprise here and write another post only a few days after my previous one. The occasion? None whatsoever! Though it might have something to do with the incredible boredom I have right about now. And so continuing with that theme to the next level is the one and only topic, what I've been up to. I promise I will spice it up somehow, I mean I'm sure the header above caught some attention. Right?

That's no Moon, That's Your Momma.

Strange things have been happening to me recently, amongst them all one of the strangest has been my new urge to watch Dragon Ball Z. Its weird because the last time I watched that show was when I was probably 10 and back then I wasn't particularly impressed by it either. And so when I thought I would watch the first episode of that show, not even bothering to watch the series Dragon Ball that preceded, it shocked me how much I was entertained by it. Now don't get miss leaded here, I am far from suggesting that I was more mature when I was 10 than I am now. In fact it probably takes a few years to fully appreciate the show. I mean I have never come across a show that has far surpassed the A-Team and Walker, Texas Ranger in terms of over the top quotes. I have never laughed so hard in my life from the words: "That's no storm!" or how inoffensive the back talk between rivals are. But in all honesty, I don't really know what is funnier, the over the top evil laughter or the fact that the this is ironically one of the best English dubbed Anime ever. Its probably a given that I'm liking this show for all the wrong reasons, but I have to give the show some praise. Though the weirdness doesn't end there. It just so happens that around the same time I decide to watch this show, I find out that a re-masted version of the show has just begun being aired in Japan, Dragon Ball Kai. Strange indeed. Though I must say that the re-mastered version is the original; the bad song intro was enough for me (yes for me!).

Bord Yet?

I might leave the rest of the strange happenings for another time, as I want to leave with some of the best clips in comics I found on the net so far, I guess this could be added to the crap from the Internet section?

You Got the Boomerang.
Loud Sex
An Outsiders Perspective
Use Hard...

Straight and Traditional

Straight to Business.

I was hoping to make a grand opening in this post by saying an epic comment such as, not many things blow me away. But I know by saying something like that I will not only be lying as it doesn't take make much to blow me away, such as Trueblood at the moment (figuratively and literally), but I would also be over shadowed by the epicness that is the post below. I think my co-writer has raised the bar. So instead of doing something radically different in response, I'm going back to our traditional ways and giving some Anime News and finally some music! Yes that's right, you'll be glad to know that I'm skipping the boring part that is my life and diving right into things. And you thought you got away from my music.

That thing you might call Music.

So I'm going to kill you all firstly by getting to my music, as I know as always we have all missed it. Yes, finally, and to your joy, after many months of listening to some normal music, or at least music I could be proud to say I listened to, I finally fell back to old habits when I came across a cover of a "classic" of mine, "Haruka Kanata", which people may know from the famous Japanese band Asian Kung-fu Generation. Its probably sacrilege to say this, but I'm on my way to hell anyway, the cover for me seemed an improvement (ok guys, out of all the songs Asian Kung-fu Generation have done, this is the worst sung). You can get the cover on iTunes from the new Japanese band Gothic Dolls, sadly though, I think thats the only song that they do good on (and that's saying a lot from me).

Time of Eve.

It was intended that the discussion of Time of Eve be left to the podcast, as it was mentioned in the first episode, but... we all know what happened to that (I think). Anyway, its been a while now and after many months 5 episodes have been released, all of which can be seen where else but Crunchyroll. It has to be one of those animes you just have to watch. With some of the most beautifulest combination of animation and CGI and a story that carries its own philosophical and moral debate, this is one of the best anime around at the moment. I'm not going to delve into much the storyline, but the setting is based in the near future (and despite the anime itself being hesitant as to where on Earth this story takes place, it defiantly takes place in Japan, I don't think the lovely guys in Germany use chop sticks). While its fun to make a joke about this, it certainly serves its purpose that this story could take place anywhere, with androids just having been made available to the consumer and robots already having been implemented for nothing but labor, their place in society is seen as little more than servants. However one cafe is changing all of that. The anime certainly throws a lot of question towards a future implication of the rights of artificial life and probably more so towards today's current conflict between individualism and society.

Crap from the Internet.

Ok, so maybe I've gotten a little too serious, but let me throw some crap into the works now and lighten things up as it has been a while since I've done anything for The Crap from the Internet section. This itself is amazing in it own right seeming as I come across so many stuff while surfing the net (because it's really big you know). The one place that I find myself always checking out at the moment is Fallout 3 Nexus. If your a big fan of Fallout 3, which I'm an addict of at the moment (and having withdrawal symptoms from, just thought I would just share that with you) you'll find a lot of mods here that will improve the experience guaranteed. And because the site allows modders to upload their own works, its updated pretty much everyday. Of course quality is sometimes an issue, 9 times out of 10 I find something of real interest (ok I admit, its the only things at the moment keeping my addictions at bay without playing the game). So ending this post, I thought I would put some funny things I found and you know their going to be funny because I found them (cough). That's right they are Akamaru Certified . Well until next time folks!

She She She's A Bombshell
Mastermind 4
If you know what I mean

All Work and Fun

All Work and Fun.

Ok so I have to write another blog, just because I have the opputunity to write it during work. The boss is out, so looks like the work guys decide its best not to do any work. There is definatly something funny in watching grown men and women play fight. Hey! I'm working though. The bad thing is I can't really think of anything to write in this blog, so I guess it is kinda pointless in writing one. Nonetheless, here I am. Hmmm... maybe I'll come back and rewrite this?

To be or not to be a Slacker

Bearded Slacker.

I know I know! But give me a break, I'm on vacation so I'm bound to be slacking and by god have I been slacking! Neglected the Blankmind podcast of which the first episode has seemed to be lost to oblivion, forgot to do another joint post here, Haven't watch Naruto for two months (shock horror) and I've even grown a beard. No this ain't a sign that I'm lacking in personal hygiene, but is it sad that I'm reminded of Naked Snake from MGS3 when I look in the mirror? Probably. But don't fear people (well you can fear the last part maybe), because while I fail on deliverance, my friend and co-writer has currently gone underground and begun writing an epic - no let me rewrite that AN EPIC, post. So epic that even the caps lock isn't justice enough. No sarcasm intended people (cough). Though for someone who has been slacking, a lot has happened: I have moved into a new apartment for starters, started designing a website for a company and most excitingly have booked a trip to Japan during New Years. Though not sure if I'm going to make the latter though, that's unless Major Sheppard doesn't kill me out jealousy first. Eep.

Humidity and Boredom? It can only mean one thing.

At the moment sadly I've returned to the nomads lands again, Luxembourg. If it isn't the amazon like humidity that kills it certainly is the boredom. There is nothing to do here. Have I ever mentioned that? Looks like I don't learn. Yet, my adventures here come at least with some silver lining, that infamous thing called money. Yep, I'm getting paid glorious amounts to make a site. And I've got a beard! (I mentioned that right?). While I cant really divulge much about the project, I can say at least that this is bigger than anyone of my previous endeavors. Talking of which, while Project Final has gone quite I am still in fact working hard on more music, another album to be more specific. Though while the songs seemed to be completed in little to no time at all before, currently things have rapidly slowed down. My main hurdle has been trying to improve the music itself and create original tracks, of which I have 3 currently under works. Well that's all from me for now, I leave it up to Sheppard to wow us all now with his next post!

And the Vacation Begins

Times A Whore and She knows it.
It always seems that I'm writing how time has again flown by like a bitch. Maybe its just me but I swearer there is some explanation for this, time contraction maybe? With uni ending and exams finishing I am left ahead of me many months of vacation, woo! Celebrations indeed. And what better way to begin the celebration than a new computer? Yup, in part its the reason for why this post has taken ages to be published, as you know I'm a very easily distracted guy. Of course with all this power I had to give it the worthy name of GW (You don't have to point out I'm sad). But it must be coincidence or something, I know for certain it was great news to hear in the same week that a new Metal Gear Solid is under the works.

Metal Gear Solid 5!?
For the past few weeks now, Konami has been releasing tip bits of information about this coming game on the following page, Next. It was only a few days ago however that it was for certain that this project was indeed a new Metal Gear. At the moment many are equally awaiting for the current countdown timer to end this coming Sunday and to receive the next batch of info, but many more are holding much excitement for the planned announcement at E3 2009 (June 1st-4th). However it seems this tease advertisement campaign was somewhat foiled by Japanese magazine Famitsu. This months issue of the video game magazine featured an interview with the legendary creator of MGS, Hiro Kojima. Yet to the dismay of Japanese readers the published issue had some sectioned blanked out of the interview. Yet it would be an understatement to say that the images of what seems to be Raiden and Big Boss have not inspired excitement that MGS5 might be on the horizon. Its only left to speculation where this next installment will take the series, but I know that Major Sheppard and Myself have some ideas, as so far we have been right in foreseeing that Raiden will appear again. I cant believe it was almost a year from today that MGS4 was just coming out

The Next One is a Joint One
And so don't be surprised to see the next post on Blankmind to be a discussion on this. But please don't ask when this will be made, with me and my new computer and Major Sheppard's new graphics tablet, it could be when the next ice age begins. Talking about ice ages, I think our second episode for the podcast maybe actually our first. I wounder whatever happened to the first? (Cough)

Another Birthday Major Sheppard

Another Birthday
Just a quick post to wish a happy birthday to Major Sheppard and give him this surprise!Hope you like your bday present as this should be arriving at your door soon. Anyway, to everyone else I should be back soon with another post about some crap, and for some reason I think its gonna be Fallout 3... hmm, who knows! And I think if im not too lazy, this blog should be getting a mobile equivalent for all you blackberry and iphone readers (are there any readers at all, lol?).

A World Conquer and Nowhere

The Million Dollar Man:
I know! I'm shocked too that I'm writing another post so soon, but with all things considered its no wounder as I've once again returned back to my home in Luxembourg (Did I ever post where I once lived? God I'm informative). Its like the frikkin middle age over here! Many castles, villages and little shops. So you can image my frustration when I went on my pilgrimage to the capital the other day to get a charger for my phone, only to find that in fact their are no electrical shops in the capital city (I mean why would I ever think there would be any in the first place? Who knows?). Though things are not that bad here; I brought a new ipod before I came here and I've been using it ever since, messing around with the many apps that iTunes supplies. So as you may have guessed by my lovely segway, we love segways here, not the vechile thing...wait, have I spelt that right? Anyway, here's what I'm gonna talk about:

Conquering the World via my iPod:
So having been torn away from RE5 for three weeks, I've been looking for a substitute on my ipod and of all the apps I have there is no other that I spend so much playing on other than Lux DLX, a fun and comprehensive game of Risk. Not only can you relive my great daydream of conquering the world, you also get to download extra maps and scenarios for free. I further recommend taking a look at Artificial Life. Though lacking in interactivity, its very hypnotising watching the evolution of organisms in conditions you set.

The Final Project:
The few of you who do come on here and read this blog, well for starters its amazing that your reading this or have read this far of the post, but more importantly you may have noticed a new link on the right panel The Final Project. I'll talk about it more at a later date, but for now go check it out, its updated every so often.

Part Three: Happy Birthday

A Raving Birthday Party:
Well it was roughly this time last year that Major Sheppard and I were introducing ourselves to no one and writing our first posts. A year later and we're still writing a blog which no one reads. And so in cheer of this happy occasion I thought that it would be great timing if I wrote the final part to the three part special post today (OK, so maybe I didn't time it, but rather procrastinate for such a long time. And yes, I don't even know why these posts are special). But anyway, Happy Birthday Blank Mind!

Storytelling or Derriere :
OK, so the main reason it has taken me so long to write this post is because of the same reason many people around the world have either skipped, missed or delayed writing their essays over the past two weeks; the release of Killzone 2 and Resident Evil 5. I would like to say that I spent so long on RE5, not sleeping and even not shaving, because I was trying to get it done before this post, but then I would be lying. OK, so it wasn't as bad as me not shaving, but damn near. But I'm not going into too much detail about the game, but leave that for our second podcast (no, you haven't missed the first, its still under production, a fancy way of saying I'm lazy). Instead, here I'm going to be focusing on gaming's storytelling, because as I sat there watching the typical sunset ending Resident Evil games give (you know, the one where the helicopter flyies off) I'm not feeling the groove. I'm not feeling that satisfaction of having played a storyline. OK, so I cant really come up with a better word than groove, though I cannot help by compare this feeling to when I completed Metal Gear Solid 4. It suddenly hit me during the credits that both games have bad storytelling. Don't get me wrong, from the start of 21st century, games have finally proven their potential as storytelling on par with movies, not only cinamotography but also in budget. However, come the turn of the PS3, or more specifically those games which have titles with a large number tagged at the end indicating the sequel, storytelling has begun to miss a few key elements. Though those respective directors and writers had perfectly nailed it in MGS2 and RE4, so where the missing key? Where is that metal gear? (OK I'll stop with the metaphors). The trouble with RE5 and MGS4 more so, is the game tries to rap up many of the lose ends too quickly. The fact that they try to answer all unanswered questions left in previous games is bad storytelling in my eyes. Yet, while this is what every fan whats, it isn't at the same time. While a fan would love to get the answer to such mysteries, the best stories are those that flirt with them, allowing the player to imagine and brainstorm possibilities to the universe of the game. In turn it allows fans to create their own fan works or more bluntly, it leaves players wanting to get his of hers hands on the next game. And so when Metal Gear Solid 2 ended, when Resident Evil 4 finished, everyone was anticipating the next game. Though I guess, playing devil advocate, it is our own fault in part. We create anticipation of what the story should be like that when the writers deliver the end product, disappointment is met. The flaws of answers too many questions is that its left me and probably many other players feeling things are too far fetched. An overload of new information can not only take up game play time and thus losing the fact that it is still a game, but also ruined a series. I wont go as far as say the RE5 has ruined the series, because its a damn good game in terms of game play, but it has ruined the mystery of Albert Wesker. The game delivered what we all wanted, and yet it ended too quickly offering no twists, or ones that are not cliche at least. We'll maybe its just me?

The One That is not the Special Post.

Time Flys By.
Well its been about a month or so since my last post, I thought it be good to show at the least that I'm alive and well. While nothing in particular has been going on here, I've noticed that time is certainly passing too quickly and in turn I've been kinda sentimental. Just to think that it will be a year in March since this blog first started, almost several months since I finished school, exactly seven since my surgery and only four since moving to University. While looking back I've played some old songs on my iTunes some of which I cant believed I even listened too! More importantly I cant believe how one of my Japanese lectures looks like Mami Kawada, laughed at that one for a while. (All I need to do now is buy her a fan to get the wind effect and we're all set... ah sorry). Anyway, but seriously, as sad as it sounds, I don't think my tastes have changed at all since 2007 (please don't judge me). Furthermore, having done a review of my bookmarks, I've stumbled upon some good old laughs, like my random favorite flash. And again I cant say my humor has changed much either. I'm still watching Naruto for since two year (oh good god it cant be that long!), meanwhile moving from Innocent Venus to Gundam00 and Code Geass. Having played Metal Gear Solid Online since I got my PS3... hmm...

More of me: Oh what Joy.
Yes... Lets swiftly move on before I bore you all with boredom (God I hate irony sometimes). To much amazement I've been studying Japanese for sometime now and I'm getting the hang of it, still loads more to learn of course, but that goes without saying. However I do have a point (believe it or not) as I'm considering writing a few things every now and then in Japanese. Obscure indeed considering that few people to none read this blog in English! But it all helps... I guess? So yeah.

Anime News:
Some news now, Naruto related of course. I'm sure some of us viewers are now aware that despite the end of dattebayo's subbing, HorribleSubs are now supplying us, well to the extent of ripping from Crunchyroll, or so I heard. I do wounder how long that will last though? So with that jinx, I think thats all for now. I will be back very soon with the last and third of the special posts, I promise, I was lazy once but I'm a changed man now. By the way, MajorSheppard isn't dead either, just has a lot of "work" apparently.

Part Two: Nonprofessional

Just F**K! and Christmas Joy to you all
After spending three weeks in what seemed like the stone age; without an internet connection or computer, its great to be back home to put my addictions at rest. Though fear not, a man of my statue is very resourceful in any circumstance and during my Christmas vacation Major Sheppard and I completed recordings for the first episode of Blankmind's podcast! With many set backs things were running smoothly again, or I thought so, until I got the surprise that recordings were left back in England. Though also being a very sharing kind-of-guy, I also gave my whole flat a surprise with my anguish at 1 in the morning (and so the universe is balanced again). As a side note, could you send me the recordings again Sheppard? Thanks. Now that I've established that we here are no where near professionals, let me continue with this notion in the second part of my special posts. Realizing the formality of my last post, I wanted to do something a little less serious. Oh, don't worry, no bad music videos this week, even I have my limits, but instead I thought about collecting some fun links for you all.

The Special Part: Crap from My Bookmarks
Its been along time since I did something for the Crap from the Internet section, but I think I've got enough bookmarks and images now to at least share something. Very few people have seen my bookmarks, and there's a good reason for that, but I'm sure you you'll believe me when I say they are in a highly ordered structure with... yeah like anyone will believe that. So lets have a look here, as I don't even remember what I have. But here are a few links, in particular order, that I think are 10 most essential:

1. Anonymouse.org - Surf the Internet Anonymously.
2. Photobucket.com - One of the robust image hosting services.
3. Deviantart.com - For your viewing pleasure.
4. Minitokyo.net - Viewing pleasure with an abstract and anime focus.
5. Gendou.com - That interesting music is here.
6. Download.com - Need a program for something?
7. Vgcats.com - Internet Comic
8. xkcd.com - Internet Comic for geeks.
9. ZeroPunctuation - Game reviews made by a highly critcial, non-stop, British reviewer.
10. Onemanga.com - Manga Online.

Alot shorter this time, but part three, the final special post, will be made, claming the glory ofthe biggest post yet.

Part One: God and Revolution

Home: Its here.
Today I received an unexpected call that was beyond having a call from god himself. While I wont praise Major Shepard who called me today by implying that he is better than the all mighty himself, I will say that the news he brought of Home Open Beta Release for tomorrow was, in a few words, a godsend. Yes people, amongst the many delays that seemed to push the release date of Home until the next Ice Age, December 11th will forever be remembered as the date that Home Open Beta was released around the world. OK, so maybe I'm slightly over exaggerating, though for many PS3 fan boys out there, this has been a key date they've been waiting for. I can say in all fairness, similar to how India was once the gem in the crown of the British Empire, Home is that of the PS3's, which in it's towering glory can claim to have over any other next-gen console. (I thank you all for letting me blind you with the brightness of my holy praise of Home's coming.) Full Article Here.

Gackt, Maybe He's God?
Though bringing myself to reality, a lot has happened since the trip to Manchester in September (was it that long ago!?). From breaking my wife (i.e. Ipod, what else did you think I was implying?), moving to uni, getting a HD TV, the end of Code Geass's Second Season to finally watching Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle (I know, do not even start). But why would I bore you all with that when I know what we are all waiting to know about is what I've listened to! I can proudly say though, maybe what I've been listening to lately is not so, how should I put it, "interesting". Actually on reviewing that I'm not going to hold any promisises. So, after listening to 4 albums by Gackt I can finally say that he is truly talented (Lust for Blood ¦ Vanillia ). Ok, aside from the initial response of "Oh my god, he looks like a woman" part, this guy (let me emphasise this) is one of the few talented singers out there. Unlike most artists these days, his singing voice is all real, while his lyrics are written by himself. Its actually amazing some of the stuff he sings. I mean who would of thought that this, great translation by !SuperCat, is what Gackt was singing in that "interesting" music video for Vanilla (I certainly didnt when I posted it on Facebook, honest).

The Special Part: The Future of Anime and Fansubs.
So after my last annoucement about Dattebayo to soon finish subbing Naruto, with Crunchyroll to be a replacement for the latest Naruto to be found, I thought It would be a good idea to take my magnifying glass, smoking pipe and rename myself Sherlock Holmes and discover what this place was about. I did. And. It was the best thing I had done since deleting my Facebook account after posting those lyrics (joke, but I did delete my account). In short, Crunchyroll is another website that has sprung up in YouTube's fame, though unlike other such sites, Cruchyroll is a preview of a changing anime industry after the Anime Revolution. During the early 90's, before the time of broadband Internet, fans of anime looking for subbing had to receive the such in VHS format. Though fans were limited to a small selection of anime that made it through translation, not to mention depleting the little remains of their disposable income from their expense. While this situation has picked up with better variety, I assure you all the price has not. It is no wounder that fans turn to fansub groups for their supply of anime. While fansubs originally emerged from the days before broadband, it wasn't until the Internet really picked up that fansub groups revolutionized the anime world. Now many of us are use to having subs of our favorite anime a day or less after their air on TV for free. Yet the anime industry was missing out. I'm sure many of us have either read in an article or by word the problem of the TV as a declining format for watching video. But it has only been since YouTube and the progress of the Internet that a solution has arisen for companies. Instead of fighting the change ahead, many have now chosen to go along with the flow with their own view services on the internet. It is therefore no exaggeration to say that Cruchyroll or other of the like will be the main means where broadcasting and licensed publishers will present their shows or movies. By doing so the corporations eliminate the expense of distributing DVDs, allowing for faster and wider distribution of their productions and importantly putting them in direct competition with fansub groups. In other words, the corporations have setup shop next door on the high street, offering all the same services as the fansub groups, but only better in quality of subs and video. But, there is one huge difference and this is why, while fansub groups will now begin to decline, they will never die. And again the issue is the price. While technically illegal, fansubs will always offer free subs of anime, while the corporations will ask for a price. This is a pivtial difference. Though maybe its only a mater of time that this fee will be removed, where the revenue will instead be gained from advertisement. At the moment Cruchyroll offers the best of both worlds. But not only that, it combines features from those famous social sites making Crunchyroll in my eyes, probably better than Youtube. I highly recomend it to anyone to find out new anime as I have so done: Kuroshitsuji and Time of Eve.

But thats all for me until the second part of the special post.

You would think we'd died or sumthin.

Where on Earth have we been!?
You would think that this blog was dead or close to it from the lack of activity, but believe it or not its far from it. Yeah, ok, I have been slacking off, but give me some sort of break cuz I recently (within the past two months) moved to my university and settled in to what I like to call the slums. I do admit that there was alot me and sheppard wanted to do, but couldnt for some reason or other, however I do come with great news that we will be revamping a few things around here. First off I'll announce that I will be publishing a three part post over the next month dedicated all things anime. In mean time, sheppard and I will be also working on a new podcast for this blog, with its first episode to be published around xmas (exact date still to be confirmed). The podcast will model itself around the blog and should include a bit more info here and there. As sophisticated as I want to decide the podcast, we all know that it will be just as random as any other post in this blog. Plus on the bright side you will get to hear my songs in full quality, with no music videos of course! We all know we are looking forward to that!

Anime News!?
While I'm not going to make this post incredibly long, there is some news that cannot be avoided, which of course has to involve Naruto. To most fan's surprise the only comprehensive fansub group of Naruto, Dattebayo, will be halting its subbing of Naruto Shippuuden affective January 2nd 2009. The reason for the sudden announcement, as surprising as it might sound, is due to redundancy with TV Tokyo announcing to begin streaming Naruto Shippuuden English subbed one hour after it has been aired in Japan. Furthermore, Viz Media has also announced it too will be streaming free English subs of Naruto from its website Naruto.com, starting from episode one. The original article can be found here. On a personal note I know that many will find this disappointing, less so with the fact that viewers will actually have to PAY to watch Naruto, but that an era of Dattebayo subbing has come to an end.

Catch us soon.
I will be back within a week to post the first part of my three part special post (god damn thats wordy). But for now, I'll leave you with a more uplifting note.

First Up - Niirojuusan