Title: .hack//G.U. Volume 1: Rebirth Type: Action RPG Players: 1 ESRBRating: T Available Files: Depends on the size of the memory card. Special Notes for ESRBRating: Fantasy Violence, Language Summary: The first of a trilogy, Rebirth starts off where its animated counterpart - .hack//ROOTS - left off. CC Corporation - which published a popular MMORPG called “The World” from the other series of the franchise - released a new version of “The World” after its servers were damaged in fires. Rebuilding the game from the ground up (but still with elements from the past) with new character classes, new areas, new monsters, CC Corporation and its customers believed the game to be safe and fun… But, that wouldn’t make a very interesting story, would it?
“The World R:2″ became a haven for “PKers” (Player Killers) which were previously frowned upon in “The World R:1.” The main character, Haseo, first starts playing the game but was PKed. His troubles with the game begin as he logs in for the first time…
A Disclaimer to all the readers: I have NOT finished the original four (Infection, Mutation, Outbreak, and Quarantine) games yet. I have played enough for SOME comparisons however.
My Ratings:
Graphics: 8.5/10
The full-motion videos/animations were very well done. The style had a touch of cel-shading. The areas have shown graphical improvement from its predecessor and even resemble the areas seen in .hack//ROOTS. However, the character animations while not in a full motion video are a touch subpar.
Story: 6.5/10
Alright, so for most of the .hack fans, story is of utmost importance. For those who have watched .hack//ROOTS, this series will seem like a continuation/finale. In that respect, it does not disappoint. However, after playing a bit, and players falling into comas again, the not-so-hardcore fans are more than likely to think, “Great… this **** again.” However, the way in which the gameplay is integrated with the story is better executed than its predecessors, as you will read in the following section.
Gameplay: 8.0/10
Alright, so gameplay. Those who have played the old games will be somewhat relieved that the gameplay isn’t QUITE as repetitive as before. The areas will at times seem repetitive, (I lie. They ARE repetitive.) but they throw in several “Arena” battles and “Sidequests” as part of the main storyline to further develop the bonds and characters that show the growth of Haseo. To this end, as Hiroshi Matsuyama - President of Cyberconnects2 - wanted to “create a ‘coming of age’ story… for a very long time,” they successfully plant the seeds for character development/coming of age.
Music: 9.0/10
I’ve been listening to the soundtracks in my car and iPod for a few months now. Doesn’t that tell you enough?
All joking aside, Chikayo Fukuda has done a great job with the music, developing a rather unique flavour to the environment of “The World R:2″ with a variety of choral, electronic, easy listening, metal, and many other genres of music.
What prevents me from giving this a 10, however, are the “Mecha-Grunty” and “Piros the 3rd!” tracks. I cannot even stand to listen to those for the first few seconds. There are also a few tracks that seem reused (only because they were remixed, slowed down, or sped up).
Overall: 7.5/10
This is an okay game for the casual gamer and a definite for those who are fans of the series. The story is better integrated and told at a better pace in THIS VOLUME than the IMOQ games. However, although the main theme of the trilogy is of “growing up”, it is still told under the same circumstances of players being put into comas, of which some will undoubtedly be getting tired of.
Disclaimer: .hack//G.U. and all content associated thereof are the properties of BandaiNamco Games and CyberConect2.
Title: Transformers Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi Director: Michael Bay Release Date (U.S.): 3 July 2007 MPAA: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi action violence, brief sexual humor, and language.
Plot: On a planet known as Cybertron, a war occurred between the Autobots and the Decepticons. As a result, their main source of power and life was lost into the far corners of space, landing in our world many years before. And now, they come to reclaim what is theirs.
Review:
“This movie is so good, it must be Japanese.”
No, I’m not saying the Japanese have better movies than us (though sometimes they do). This is an edited joke from the movie itself (”It’s a robot. You know, like a super advanced robot. It’s probably Japanese.”)
My impression, until I watched it a second time, was that I was probably extremely pleased with the movie as I went in believing it would be a flop. I was thoroughly disappointed with X-men 3 and my impressions of movie adaptations of things from my childhood was dwindling. So when I found it as an enjoyable movie, I refused to believe it. And so I watched it once more. And even trying to pick at the bad parts, I still enjoyed it.
Anyways, first and foremost, many would have watched it for the transforming bots. There is no disappointment there. The CGs make even the unrealistic existence of transformers seem realistic. Only if you’re a stickler to original designs would you be disappointed with them.
Bumblebee is no longer a young VW Bug, but a Camaro. His personality is also somewhat different, and well… he’s just badass. Ranging from his choices of music at the most convenient times… to his attitude, there’s no doubt he takes a star role out of all the autobots.
However, the movie concentrates more towards the human element than the robots themselves. This, I actually did not find a hindrance to the movie itself, as the Transformers came to OUR planet. Not only that, but there is plenty of commentary about humans in general in the movie, that not concentrating on the human element would actually be detrimental.
The camera work, despite filming nothing due to the robots having to be CGed in later, was amazingly well done. The actors were well picked.
If I had to pick a bad portion, it would be the choice of adding a certain sexual joke in the middle. Transformers, as an old cartoon and toy line, would lead one to believe that the movie was made to target the same audience. Of course, there are warnings in the MPAA, but not many moviegoers bother to take note of it. There are adults who may have grown up watching Transformers and believe that by watching this movie with their children, it may strengthen the bond between parent and child. However, it may actually place them in an awkward position, having to explain masturbation.
Oh, and Jazz died in one of the most wasteful ways I’ve seen on film since the death of Nathan Petrelli on Heroes.
As far as giving props to the old series, the movie has plenty. Bumblebee, as a Camaro, was parked next to a yellow VW Beetle, of which he slammed into with a car door. Optimus Prime made his “At the end of the day, one shall stand, one shall fall” statement that was mentioned in the original cartoon movie nearly a decade ago. The “More than Meets the Eye” statement is mentioned numerous times.
All in all, with scattered humour throughout the movie, great special effects, amazingly well blended story for an unrealistic scenario, good voice acting (and acting in general), well developed characterization (for some characters… mostly human), and commentary on our race from an “observing viewpoint”, this movie is pretty much right for anyone, Transformers fan or not.
Rating: 9.0/10.0
EDIT: This is a barebones version. I’m being forced to sleep right now, so I can’t finish. I’ll insert more to this hopefully later today.
As you know, I’ve had issues getting the Image Gallery to comply with this layout here. I’ve decided to pursue using a different template for the image gallery (”Modern” by Ross Howard). This uses a black on black colour scheme, but I tend to like it. It just doesn’t fit with the whole “Blue Haven” idea, so I may end up changing it eventually. Though, if you think it’s fine, I won’t if I don’t have to. So please leave a comment about that.
However, issues with Singapore makes it so that I can’t immediately upload my images, seeing as my images exceed 3000×2000 resolution when I take them. It ends up crashing the entire gallery. As thus, I’ve always had a qualm about when and how to update the gallery.
I found a nifty little program called “Multiple Image Resizer .NET” that can convert my selected images all at once to a smaller size. If utilized this way, I can definitely upload my images faster and without crashing the gallery.
So expect the gallery to be finished (not in terms of content) by the end of this month. I have AP tests and graduation coming up and cannot spend as much time immediately on it as I would like.
And yes, Michelle, I’ll include yours in there when I do so.
I’m more convinced than ever that a good reputation will in the end bring you great favours.
21 April 2007 was my high school’s prom. My prom date and I inadvertently left her corsage in the car and didn’t realize it until we had already given our tickets and went in.
Due to the popularity of teenagers drinking alcohol at this event in many high schools, ours specified that once we enter, we cannot leave, even to the car. So basically, I was beating myself up about how I forgot it and whatnot.
Refusing to be defeated by a memory slip, I asked the nearest teacher whether it was possible for me to go to the car park to get her corsage. Said teacher said it MAY be possible if I had an officer escort me out. So she referred me to an officer, who then referred me to the Senior Principal. This principal, though I have only talked to her once or twice already pretty much knew my name off the top of her head (it might have something to do with being one of the twenty-one people tied for rank one in my year). She sympathized and went with me to the officer closest to the car park and asked if it was possible for him to escort me out to the carpark and get the corsage. And then, she added “But I think he’s responsible enough to go on his own.” And because of that, I was able to get the corsage in less than a minute (I ran. If the officer was around, running wouldn’t be possible without causing him to suspect I was up to something I wasn’t supposed to do) and come back.
I don’t know how it would have turned out if the Senior Principal didn’t speak in my favour, but even so, I am eternally grateful.
The same, I would think, would apply to Credit Scores… of which I really need to start accumulating…
I went back to Borders in order to purchase a book required for my AP English Literature course: Power of One by Bryce Courtenay. On the way out of Borders to get to my car, I saw the aforementioned employee still working at the coffee shop. This brought me relief.
Prior to going back to Borders, my mother had a conversation with me about the brash customers that one encounters when in a business (she was a Business Major and once managed a restaurant during college). These customers are commonplace, I just never encountered them since last time. And because of that, my reaction and disgust was a little overdone. She also reasoned that, if the employee was doing a good job, then the manager would be more than reasonable enough to know that and would not fire or punish the employee for what was actually the customer’s fault. Although the manager may see fault in the customer, he cannot say it to the customer because if the customer leaves dissatisfied, he may spread bad news about the business (hence rendering my argument that the customer can just buzz off a stupid policy).
I’m glad that my mother was right, and that though there is injustice, there is still justice to balance it out.
Before I go further into this rant, I will make one thing clear. I’ve never worked retail, and after this event, I don’t plan to work retail. (EDIT: Unfortunately, my planned career choice - pharmacy - happens to be under my definition, retail… I should rephrase the above, but I’m too lazy to do so.)
Today, I was going around the Bay Area to finish up some preparations for my High School Prom. After eating lunch, matching up my tuxedo vest and tie with my partner’s dress, and ordering the corsage and boutonniere, I decided to go to the local Borders to grab a coffee/mocha and just chat. My other friend has so frequently called me to the Starbucks at Barnes and Noble to the point that I just needed change. That, and I like the atmosphere at Borders more than that at B&N.
So after parking, we went indoors and browsed the books before I got a Chocolate Mocha. The gentleman who was taking my order and brewed my Mocha was very courteous and friendly that I couldn’t help but tip him. Unbeknownst to me, there was another man who was standing by the pick-up counter on his cell phone. Well, I did notice him, but paid no attention and assumed he was just waiting for his coffee. And because of this assumption, I “cut” him and went to the register to order my coffee. Not too long afterwards, another man stood in line behind me, ready to order his coffee. I went to the island behind me to pick up some napkins before actually picking up my mocha when I suddenly heard a man shouting/arguing. I turned around to see the man with the cellphone shouting at both the man who was previously behind me in line and the man behind the counter working the coffee shop. Apparently, I had cut in front of him, causing the employee to skip him entirely to serve me first. Said employee immediately apologized and gave his reason: he was on his cellphone and in the pick-up counter. The aggressor (who I will now call “taaja” for “Typical Arrogant American Jerk that makes me ashamed to be American) did not accept the apology and immediately argued that it didn’t matter that he was on his cell phone, he was here first and should have been served first. The mbmil (Man Behind Me In Line) jumped in because it was his turn in line and here he was being cut by someone unfairly attacking the employee. Not only was this obliterating the calm atmosphere of a bookstore/coffee shop, but IT WAS DELAYING MY COFFEE DAGNABIT! So I tried to break this fight up, without success as “It has nothing to do with you, so mind your own business!” EXCUSE ME? You just accused ME of cutting you in your imaginary line and you say it has nothing to do with ME?
Eventually, it turns out he didn’t even want coffee at all and was trying to pay for a book. There’s an actual register at the front for those not interested in coffee who want to purchase a book for a REASON.
By the end of it, I was extremely irritated at how this customer apparently thought the world revolved around him.
Let us analyze this:
Accusation #1: He cut me in line!: Correct me if I’m wrong, but was I not in the line in front of the register and was he not in the pick-up area? Which do you think would be likely to be the area where he should pay for his book if this register actually accepted the money for his book? His argument? “Do I see a sign that says this is the pick-up area? Please by all means show me, smartass.” For goodness sakes, does everything have to be written out? This must be one of those idiots that put aluminum foil into a microwave simply because it doesn’t say right on the door of the microwave “do not place metal objects in this microwave.” Common sense! USE IT! If you’re not in line, you aren’t in line! If you’re here first but are not ready to order something and there’s someone who is ready to order, is the person who is ready to order supposed to wait until taaja finally makes a move? If the world worked that way, no doubt everything would be very inefficient. The employee simply did what was general business format. Serve those in line and ready.
Accusation #2: It does not matter if I’m on the phone!: He’s on the phone, doesn’t appear ready, etc. How is the employee supposed to serve this guy, assuming he was there for the right reason? This guy isn’t ready, he can’t order. Obviously, he would serve the person ready and waiting for service FIRST.
Implication #1: The world revolves around me, slave: I hate this about customers. Because of the saying “The customer is always right,” that is exactly what some customers think. This mentally allows them to think the world revolves around them, allowing them the ability and freedom to be as rude, brash, arrogant, and demanding as they wish to be, completely ignoring the fact that the employee who is servicing this customer is also a human being worthy of respect and dignity. This employee is not attempting to ruin the customer’s day, but is trying to do his or her best to satisfy the needs of said customer. When a person does something for a friend, common manners and courtesy demand that the friend offers some way of thanking the person or showing appreciation for such an act. Employees - especially those in retail or working as waiters and waitresses - are very similar. If he does not act in the best interest of the customer, they may lose their job. By doing a good job, he are paid and are able to support himself or his family. Other people have lives and should not be dictated by an idiot who believes himself >= (Programming Lingo for “Greater than or Equal to”) God.
Quite honestly, this guy wasn’t there for the coffee but for a service that could otherwise have been offered elsewhere in the store without having to wait. His attitude was “I really don’t want to do business with you, I just want to get the hell out of here.” I personally believe that if you don’t want the business, you have the right to get out of the store and never come back. I’ve done that with several restaurants who demanded that I tip for service I did not find satisfactory. I fully understand that one may require that tip to live, but I can only reward someone so much for not doing his job (as it should be and not some hyped up service that I demand because I - though I don’t - think I am of higher status than the worker). Upon business dealings, both the seller and the buyer are on equal terms with a coincidence of wants (how’s that for a Macroeconomics term, Mr. Longo?): The seller has the good, the buyer has the money. Both desire what the other has. The seller cannot be above the buyer, and the buyer cannot be above the seller. In a world of “equality”, there sure isn’t a lot of it.
Leaving the store and not coming back is a much better alternative. Both part ways without so much as a headache.
Upon thinking of what to write, I also came across another writer who believes that the customer is not always right. Check his entry here.
All in all, a great way to end the class of 2007’s last year with the Symphony.
Our contest was all the way down in Freeport because they changed our regions. The weather was pretty bad, knocking out power during our performances, but we kept pushing through.
For those curious, we played the following:
Crown Imperial by Walton
Daughters of Jerusalem: movement III by Horvit
Finlandia by Jean Sibelius
