Kingdom Hearts News Flash

Posted on by
Reply

screenshot_11

I don’t know if y’all have heard but KINGDOM HEARTS HD 1.5 ReMIX finally has a release date! WOO! The game will be available later this year on September 10th. Most retailers have the game priced at $39.99 which given that you aren’t really getting any new content seems to me to be a fair price point.

For those of you not familiar with this bundle here are a few details. First of all you will get the HD remastered version of Kingdom Hearts Final Mix, and Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories. This is coupled with Kingdom Hearts 358/2 with HD remastered cut-scenes. Also available for those who preorder is a gorgeous artbook, which in my opinion is well worth putting some money down.

My ONLY slight setback to this being announced, is that the Playstation 4 is supposedly releasing only a few months after. I wonder if it will be available for the PS4? If that is the case then one question remains… Can I wait that long to pick it up?

For full details, screenshots and video go to: http://www.kingdomhearts.com/

-Jessica Over and Out-

An Apology

Posted on by
1

Hi everyone, I would like to apologize to those looking for my review of Bioshock Infinite or the third part of my ReviewAgeddon series. Sadly that review is not coming. Due to work, and a myriad of other things I have not had time to play the game very much. Therefore even if I did review what little time I had spent playing Bioshock Infinite, I would not do the game justice and I feel my review would not even contain the smallest bit of any useful information. Again my apologies. Moving forward hopefully things will get less chaotic soon and I will be able to put up new content.

I am very sorry, hope to see y’all soon.

-Jessica out-

Final Fantasy Excitment!

Posted on by
Reply

Hey everyone! Megan Highwind here again with a short entry about something that I am highly anticipating, Final Fantasy X HD! Now this may not seem like a big deal to everyone, but Final Fantasy X is my second favorite entry in the series. My PlayStation 3 is not backwards compatible and I am not buying the game again, this time from the PSN store, without any upgrades. I will freely admit that I would prefer for Square Enix to just release Final Fantasy XIII Versus (or whatever they are going to call it now, I’ve heard rumors they are changing the title but who really knows?) but I am just glad that they are putting out something that actually interests me.

Ffxboxart

Recently, they have also disclosed to fans that Final Fantasy X-2 will be included in the bundle. While Fantasy Final X-2 is not on my list of top Final Fantasy games, I did enjoy this game. I liked Shuyin and Lenne’s story even better than I liked the main story of Yuna and Tidus and I thought that the mini games were entertaining and fun. I know that more of the Final Fantasy gaming community would have preferred an HD remake of Final Fantasy VII and myself and a few others would prefer other FF title remakes even before this one, but the way I see it this is a start. I think that if the reception of FFX remade is good, that may persuade Square to continue with remakes for the new generation. I am excited that any remake that Square releases may bring new audiences to the franchise since sometimes bad, or old in this case, graphics can be a turn off for newer gamers. I am glad that these games that I enjoyed so much ten years ago (I know, it makes me feel old too!) are coming back somewhat new and definitely improved. Hopefully, this will be the start of a revolution of remakes from the Square Enix crew and it gets them to realize that fans still love Final Fantasy and maybe get them working faster on releasing Final Fantasy Versus XIII.  Until next time!

-Megan Highwind has left the party.

Convention Craze!

Posted on by
3

Hello everyone! Megan Highwind here! Today, I am going to cover something a little different from what we normally talk about here at Disk Read Error. To preface what I am going to talk about, I am not only a fan of video games but also of anime, comics and the like. One of the most fun things that I have gotten into because of my love of the above is going to conventions. I just got back from one this weekend and had an urge to write about how much fun these events are. I have not been to very many and all of them have been in my region, but I would love to go to more outside of my hometown in the future. I have mostly only been to anime conventions, which also include video game and comic referenced panels (shoutouts to Anime St Louis and Natsucon) and look forward to going to as many as I can each year. I would love to share with all of you why I love these events and why you should go to one!

program 2013

First off, the crowd of people that attend these conventions and the amount of excitement they have for the subject matter pertaining to the chosen convention is something that is contagious. Whenever I attend these events everyone is so happy and welcoming so that it is hard not to want to be there.  Whether you want to dress up or not (in case you are wondering, I love to cosplay), people are open to starting a conversation about this or that game or show or even giving you a hug just for being there and being awesome. The fun vibe of the convention does not only stay within the convention center, but works its way into the city or town that it is taking place in as various people dressed up as their favorite characters take over restaurants surrounding the center. Whether you are outgoing or a little more on the shy side, everyone who attends the convention tries hard to make it a warm and inviting place and you know that you have at least one thing in common with everyone so it is easy to make friends. I cannot stress enough that while every other aspect of the con is fun, it really is the people who make it great. There are of course, those people who try to sour the event, but the amount of them compared to the amount of people who are there to just have a good time is next to none.

No, this is not a riot, I promise…but don’t tell us that there is no cake or you may start one.

Another thing I love about conventions are the panels. I really enjoy learning things that I did not know about my favorite anime, video game, voice actor and anything else people decide to throw panels on. There are enough panels per convention that I have never once felt like a topic is tired or that I would not want to attend them anymore. At the anime/gaming conventions I have been to there have been panels on things like the mechanics of how to make one of the above mediums, panels specifically about the different anime/games, game shows based on these topics, and my personal favorite, the 18+ panel that the voice actors throw in which they share their stories of things that have happened to them during their time in the industry among others.

I also love going to the conventions because of the cosplay aspect of them. I will freely admit that I can’t sew so I don’t actually make my own costumes like some others do, but something about dressing up as a character from a game or an anime is fun and adds to the experience.  Part of the thrill of it is that people at the conventions appreciate that you have dressed up and want to take pictures or discuss with you the character you are dressed up as. Another part of the fun is that the outfits that most of these characters wear are not something that is acceptable in everyday society so having one weekend to dress up in something out of the norm is a nice break from social norms regarding what people should and should not wear in public. I personally have cosplayed as Rinoa from Final Fantasy VIII, Tifa from Final Fantasy VII-Advent Children, and Serah from Final Fantasy XIII and am hoping if I can afford it in the future to branch out and maybe dress as some non-Final Fantasy characters as well.

The final thing I love about conventions is the dealer room. There is always at least one room full of stuff for sale relating to video games/anime/general nerdom… need I say more?

So. Much. Stuff!

All in all, if you have never attended one of these get togethers, you should! It may not be for everyone, least of all those who are not interested in the subject matter being presented, but as far as I am concerned it should be something that anyone who loves video games/anime/comics, etc. should go to at least once. Go, if for no other reason than to get the experience of being in a space with a bunch of people who love the same thing you do and want nothing else than to celebrate how great it is to be a fan.

So I would love to know, have any of you ever been to a convention? Which ones? Did you enjoy the experience and have anything you would like to add about why people should or should not attend one of these events? Please sound off in the comments below! Until next time!

-Megan Highwind has left the party.

Review – Jetstream Sam DLC, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Posted on by
Reply

What’s good, everyone? Joshua Evo here (yes, I’m totally still around) with a quick review for you guys. Let me just start by reiterating that amidst some of the criticisms of rapid tonal inconsistencies,  seemingly “shalllow” game play and bizarre story in Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, I still enjoyed this game, except that I felt it was a bit on the short sid.. Thankfully, this past Tuesday, April 9, 2013, Konami released a DLC add-on that traced some of the backstory of my personal favorite character in the the game, Jetstream Sam.

The add-on puts players into control of Samuel Rodrigues, dashing swordsman,administrator of justice and man of MANY monikers (Jetstream Sam and the awesome sounding “Cool Brazilian Wind). After cutting down drug cartels and other underground criminals across Latin America, he arrives in Denver at the World Marshal headquarters to  further test his skills. For me, Sam was an incredibly compelling character just based off of his appearances and role in the rest of the game, so assuming control of him in any form was a tantalizing concept, as was checking out the differences between him and Raiden. To avoid spoilers, I’ll be focusing more on the game play rather than going too into detail with the story points.

How dare you, sir! My story DEMANDS to be told!

How dare you, sir! My story DEMANDS to be told!

While a lot of the core game play mechanics like Zandatsu, parrying, Blade Mode, Ninja Run, counterattacking and stringing attacks together are all still intact, there are some pretty notable differences between the two characters. For starters, playing as Sam feels MUCH less emphatic on stealth. Raiden’s Enhanced AR is replaced by Sam’s Taunt, which serves to attract attention to himself and enrage his attackers. What does this do other than turn you into a moving bulls-eye? Well, it makes affected units take more damage and more prone to blade mode destruction. Considering that Sam is much more flashy than Raiden, his attack swings are a little bit slower and more deliberate feeling. Virtually ALL of Sam’s Hard attacks can be charged for a few seconds to unleash much stronger versions of themselves with differing effects. While some of these are stagegeringly powerful, they can leave Sam vulnerable. Luckily, he is also very maneuverable; as he has an air dash and is granted a dodge roll/somersault move to get himself out of trouble spots. 

Pictured: Trouble spot.

Pictured: Trouble spot.

While also a bit short, the add-on also includes several familiar faces and additional collectibles of its own. The interaction with LQ-84i is particularly interesting and fleshes the two characters out a bit more. The Sam-specific VR Missions are very challenging and the differences in styles between Sam and Raiden, while subtle, are enough to need to modify your approach and attack patterns to get in and do what needs to be done progress. The familiar locations look as good as they ever did and Sam is a great character to control and watching his story unfold and seeing the chain of events that lead him to his place in the main story of Revengeance is satisfying and fun. The DLC is available now on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live for $9.99. Definitely give it a look if you’re a big fan of the game, though it might seem a little steep for casual fans.

By the way, if you check out the trailer above, keep an eye out at the very end for a teaser regarding the next bit of DLC.

– Evo out.

Starcraft II, Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Bioshock Infinite… It’s ReviewAgeddon!! Part Two

Posted on by
4

I’m baaaaacckkk! Sorry for the delay, but I had much to do and less time to do it in, and sadly did not get around to writing this until right this moment. It’s weird, I am pressing these buttons and letters and words are forming on my screen. What is this magic? Weirdness aside I do believe that this time around I am going to let you know my thoughts (so far) on Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon.

Contrary to  what many would believe, but Luigi’s Mansion Dark Moon was my most anticipated game of March 2013. I have long loved the original Luigi’s Mansion for the Nintendo GameCube and was so excited for this second installment that I went on an adventure to acquire a GameCube and attempted to track down a copy of Luigi’s Mansion. I got the console, but sadly did not get the game until Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon was already out. You win some, you lose some. Moving right along, slight Spoilers ahead. 

Oh you POOR little green man.

Oh you POOR little green man.

Poor Luigi… Dude you are definitely not living large when E. Gadd interrupts your life. What happened to all that money you sucked up last time you went ghost hunting? Personally I would like to think he somehow got screwed over by Mario in some pyramid scheme but that is just me. It just makes you root for him just a bit more. Anywho if I remember the opening cinematic correctly E. Gadd was working with ghosts of the friendly variety. (Nope.. not Capser… though to be honest a cameo would be awesome)When suddenly King Boo shows up and just ruins all the happy fun ectoplasmic sci-ency goodness that is happening by destroying the “Dark Moon” that keeps all the ghosts nice. So naturally E. Gadd essentially kidnaps Luigi from his living room and thus the story begins.

Now that you know how it begins I can get into the specifics. For those of you that don’t already know the main “weapon” of Luigi’s mansion is the Poltergust 3000. Obviously E. Gadd has been busy in the years after the original because we now have the Poltergust 5000! Which is still essentially a glorified vacuum.

*WOMP WOMP*

Doesn’t seem so shiny now, does it?

The controls are what I expected them to be, simple. The one complaint I have is that I seem to keep forgetting that I can run. You have to hold B when moving around to run. For some reason it just doesn’t feel right and thus, Luigi gets around a bit slow for me. Oh well.

I am nitpicky about this game because I loved the original there are two other complaints that I have about Dark Moon. The first is the fact that you cannot save your progress during levels. This drives me insane! So if you die near the very end of a level or quit out or lose power. You have to do the whole level over again. !@#$ that! The other complaint is really minor. In the first Luigi’s Mansion the ghosts just felt like there was a little more depth to them. They had names. They had rooms. In Dark Moon the ghosts are more generic. Green ghost does this, blue ghost does that, etc. It takes just a bit of the magic out.

On to more positive things. I am enjoying the different locals and graphics. Now I do not use the 3D feature of the 3DS very often it gives me a headache, but I have to say the 3D in this game is pretty well done. I recommend that if you do pick up a copy turn the 3D up at least once just to give it a quick look. The puzzles are also something I would like to highlight, they have just the right level of challenge. I mean some times you get stuck but isn’t that the point who doesn’t love a good challenge?

E. GADD IF YOU HAD THIS, WHY DID YOU KIDNAP LUIGI, YOU SICK LITTLE MAN?

E. GADD, IF YOU COULD USE THIS YOURSELF, WHY DID YOU KIDNAP LUIGI? YOU SICK LITTLE MAN!

I feel like I have been talking too long so I will wrap up quickly. In the end you should get this game it’s fun, honest. BTW, multiplayer is hilarious if you don’t know what you are doing. I laugh at my own inadequacy! HA!

Stay tuned for Part 3!

Starcraft II, Luigi’s Mansion 2 and Bioshock Infinite… It’s ReviewAgeddon!! Part One

Posted on by
Reply

Howdy boys and girls, it’s me again, March was a long yet fruitful month. As you may know I was extremely excited for this particular trio of games to come out. And now my little duckies you get to find out if I liked, loved, hated or didn’t even play them. It’s been a busy month and honestly I barely found the time, but there was gaming to be done and by golly nothing was going to stop me. Not even real life… O_O

Because SCREW real life.

Because SCREW real life.

And away we go…

Let’s start with the first game on my list for the late month of March and that would be Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm. Heart of the Swarm, is the sequel to Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty. While Wings focused on the Terran the the ever awesome Jim Raynor, Heart of the Swarm focuses on my favorite faction the Zerg and the equally awesome Kerrigan. Suck it Protoss and Terran, Hydralisks 4 LYFE!

Hydralisk_SC2_Cncpt3

Disclaimer time! Now I am not a huge Starcraft nut, I mostly play just to see the story. PvP is not something that I will most likely, ever be interested it. This is not because I don’t find the concept interesting, it’s just I know that I am not very good at the game. Somethings you are good at others well.. not so much. RTS just happens to not be my strongest suit of mine. Moving along… I thought Heart of the Swarm at least the story bit was everything I wanted it to be. And that makes a Jessica happy.

To avoid spoilers here is my rendition of the story mode of Heart of the Swarm. At first I was like eh… Then I was like oh.. okay I see what your doing. Then I was like what?! Then I was like No way! No. Then I was like Dang, !@# be getting real. Then some other stuff happened and it was awesome. Then I was like Really? REALLY? Then I was like Ok Good. Then I was like FINALLY. The End.

If you don’t really enjoy RTS games, I still think that Heart of the Swarm is worth a look. The story is worth it (at least in my opinion) Gameplay is fun (regardless if you are lame like me or not) and you get to play as the Zerg what is there not to love?

Who would't love that face? LOOK AT THAT WIDDLE GUY!

Who would’t love that face? LOOK AT THAT WIDDLE GUY!

Stay Tuned for Part Two where I discuss Luigi’s Mansion 2: Dark Moon.