PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale Review

Every once in a while a game pops up in our radars with a lot of hype. PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royale, or PSASBR, is one of them. Originally tagged as a copy of the Super Smash Brothers franchise, PSASBR has recently been released last November and I must say based on experience, and from fellow PS gamers, this is far from being so.

The heck is this?

The game is developed by SuperBot Entertainment, an independent company, who was brilliant enough to put together this long-sought after type of game for PlayStation fans the world over (why didn't gaming companies think of this before?). Careful study and meticulous research has been given to the final choice of 20 playable characters you get to choose once you play the CD in your PS3.

Overall, I'm satisfied with the roster; it has a mix of old and new beloved characters since the PlayStation's inception. It's funny how some fans reacted to choices like PaRappa (from PaRappa the Rapper) and Spike (from Ape Escape) - quite obvious that some of the rants come from gamers that were not even born or haven't had the chance to know these characters during the golden age of the PS1. Missing out on the list is Crash Bandicoot, MegaMan, Cloud Stryfe, Solid Snake, and Spyro the Dragon; but fans are still hopeful with the upcoming DLCs for 2013 that they would be included in.

According to Dan Ryckert of GameInformer, "Every character has approximately two dozen attacks in their arsenal, and they vary widely.". For fighting enthusiasts out there, like myself, this is pure joy! PSASBR wouldn't be limited to button-mashing alone, but carefully thought over combos that can make or break you during the course of the game; plus if you're bored, you can use the wide variety of random items / weapons that appear in the map for you to use against the competition.

Gameplay-wise, PSASBR features a robust online tournament mode where players will be able to compete against each other as well as play cooperatively. Story mode is simple at best, but if you plan to unlock a lot of trophies you have to go through this and the other features like Combo Trial mode and Tutorial mode.

This is madness!!!

Overall, this game is truly worth a buy for PlayStation fans out there. I'm currently using Sweet Tooth and/or Dante at the moment and boy are they addicting, and hopefully, the next few game patches won't NERF them out. I give PlayStation All-Stars Battle Royal a gargantuan damage score of 9/10! Will there be a sequel? Definitely! PSASBR is also the Official Game of the Month of the Pinoy PS forums as well.

I'd also like to thank Cynetzone Gaming's Cubao branch on their wonderful facility and services which allowed me to enjoy the PSASBR experience to the full!



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

NBA 2K13 Review

2K Sports has done it again. What's left for them to prove? What other improvements can they make to an already almost perfect NBA gaming franchise? Introducing the control stick. Taking their idea from EAs NBA Live 2003 freestyle controls and incorporating it into their gaming engine, 2K13 is now a beast to play. Players are now given more freedom to dribble, crossover, and shoot in different ways than ever before. The Association mode has been remodeled to the more challenging Dynasty mode as well.

EA: doing crossovers before it was cool.

MyPlayer afficianados should be excited for the new feature called MyCareer. Your player will start with a basic skill-based profile; choose from being a natural athlete, shooter, distributor, post-up guy, and other profiles matching your position of play. But in order to became a monster in the court you have to earn a lot of VCs or Virtual Coins, which you get by playing the game, A LOT. What's also nice is that even if you lose games, you still gent to earn VCs

So what's the point of earning VCs? You get to use these points to upgrade your player's skills, do more unique and creative pre-game rituals, get new headbands, shirts, t-shirts, jerseys, accessories, shoes to dress your player to look like the winner and prodigy that he is.

2K13 also revamped their already star-studded cast of guest rosters and teams. Now you can duke it out using the fabled '92 Dream Team against let's say, the 2012 USA Basketball Team (I know all you fans out there have been waiting for this moment). Bill Russell and Celtics are not too far behind, not to mention Magic and Kareem, Run TmC too. And to add a little fun to the mix, you also get to play a Celebrity Team featuring some of this generations famous stars: Justin Bieber, Bow Wow, Sean Kingston - to name a few.

Those who pre-ordered the game get to play the All-Star Weekend modes much similar to NBA Live 2004's feature. Pitting Dennis Rodman against Ray Allen in the 3-point shootout contest is just too fun to watch. Or maybe Spud Webb versus Nate Robinson to decide who's the baddest little guy dunker once and for all? You decide the outcome.

Now this is a dunk contest!

Overall NBA 2K13 is certainly a must-buy for fans of the franchise, the NBA, and the game of basketball. I can't remember how many hours I've spent playing as my favorite Brooklyn Nets team. Plus if you'll notice, every team has the same intro before the start of the game, Brooklyn's a little different. Well, the game was executive produced by Jay-Z so expect something special for my all-time fave Nets. I give NBA 2K13 a gargantuan damage score rating of 9.5/10.

I'd also like to thank Cynetzone Gaming's Cubao branch on their wonderful facility and services which allowed me to enjoy the 2K experience to the full!



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

White Knight Chronicles II Review

When it comes to Role Playing Games I have always been a Final Fantasy fanatic. Ever since I started gaming and got my first ever RPG, FFVII, the standard for RPGs got higher and the clamor to play the succeeding and previous FFs came after. So when I got a copy of White Knight Chronicles II, I didn't know what to expect.

Premium Heart :)

White Knight Chronicles II (or WKC2) is your typical save the world, save the princess RPG. While its battle system is reminiscent of Kingdom Heart's, but with a twist. The story revolves around your 5 main characters: Leonard, Yulie, Eldore, Caesar, & Kara, and their quest to defeat the revived Kingdom of Yshrenia from taking over the entire world. The battle is a recollection of the vicious and brutal Dogma Wars which happened 10,000 years ago between the Yshrenian and Athwani empires. During the course of the game Leonard, Caesar, and then Yulie can control giant robot-like beings called Incorruptus.

What makes WKC2 unique is the creation of your own special Avatar character which would fight alongside the other characters, for a total of 6 sprites to control and level up to your liking. But unlike the others, your Avatar has the chance to learn all the different classes to become one heck of a strong character! I remember spending hours just trying to create, mix-n-match, or just play around with the system until I was satisfied with what my Avatar looked like. Another thing to point out is that late in the game, your Avatar would also have the chance to get his/her own Incorruptus.

The online community is something to look forward to as well. This is where you can interact with other Avatars, do guild quests together, buy rare stuff only available online, and buy parts for your Incorruptus that you could not find offline to make it stronger. It would be challenging at first to find friends online, but once you do, you'll forget about going offline and just spend countless hours grinding and doing missions with your fellow Avatars.

Time to meet your maker!

I didn't know what to expect from WKC2, but boy did I enjoy every second and every hour of gameplay experience I spent. Plus, the blu-ray disc includes a remastered version of the original White Knight Chronicles game for you to further play and explore. What's also fun about it is that you can import your Avatar to WKC! For gamers who've been looking for other alternative RPGs to pry their gaming experience on, this is certainly worth a buy. I give White Knight Chronicles II a gargantuan damage score rating of 8/10.



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Buying New Games vs. Buying Used Games

Being an avid PlayStation gamer for so long, it has always been in my best interest to buy games when they are fresh off the market. That gaming rush I feel whenever I head to the nearest stores after school to buy a new release, it's just pure geekasm! Opening the CD case, reading the manual, or simply plugging it on to my console is joy in itself. This has always been the case, since games were cheap to buy back then.

Come the PS2 and PS3 age. What was once an easy access to gamers was now limited due to expensive prices and limited stores that offered the games. Now what did retailers and the masses back home here in the Philippines think of in order to solve the problem? Second hand games. The market was small when it first started, but through the years it eventually became as big as it is respected by gamers. I've never really thought that I would eventually participate in this type of transaction, since I would prefer to save up and buy a brand new copy instead.

Oh! Bunny ears :)

So what's the deal you ask? When you buy a brand new copy, you're sure that your disc is 100% scratch free, sealed, free from dirt, and of course, certified fresh. You also get interesting freebies along with the purchase like DLCs (DOA 5 extra costumes come to mind), extra manuals, maps, soundtracks (think KOFXIII), secret codes or characters, additional levels (2K13 is that you?), free shirt (RE6 anyone?), free action figure / toy (hello ACIII!!!) - this of course assuming you pre-ordered the game. But even if you didn't, some games still come with those additions we spoke of.

Now why buy a second hand game you say? It's CHEAP - you get to buy the game at about half or one fourth its original price. What you need to be aware of is where you buy these. Since the copies are already used, you don't know how intact the disc is; scratch free, no loading errors, etc. Plus, as these games have already been purchased by a different gamer don't expect that you'd still be able to use the redeem codes or DLCs to get those extra maps, costumes, or characters. No free shirt for you too!

Another thing that comes to mind in terms of second hand games is the monetary value that comes with it. If you're on the receiving end of this, retailers aren't the only ones who buy these types of games, you could also sell them yourself and earn some extra bucks! What some gamers do is buy a new game, quickly platinum it then sell it at around half the price. Instant cash!

Wario wants his cash now!

And like I said earlier, I never really thought that I'd actually participate in type of transaction. But lo and behold I bought a second hand copy of Final Fantasy 13 from a trusted friend with no second thoughts (apart from checking the CD for any scratches), I was good to go. With that being said, I leave it up to the reader their purchasing power of choice: new games or used games. In the end you'd still get to play the game no matter what your preference is.



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Tekken Tag Tournament 2 Review

I was never a Tekken fan (no flame intended folks) ever since its inception back in 1994. So, everything was new to me when I tried out Tekken Tag Tournament 2 (or TTT2 to fans all over the world) at Cynetzone last Sunday. The game lists all the characters from the first Tekken up to the present, and what's also great is that gamers have the option to either create a team of two characters or go solo.

What makes TTT2s gameplay unique is that it expanded from the first Tekken Tag and added extended tag combos and combined moves. New techniques include combined tag throws, simultaneous tag combos can be done by both characters, plus, it also has the Bound hits and walled arena features from Tekken 6!

Being a Tekken newbie, I was impressed by the realism of the fighting gameplay and character movements. The combos are hard to pull off and really takes a lot of practice before you can achieve God-like status in this game. Heck, I couldn't even defeat the final boss in Easy mode!

Konami code on?

Kidding aside the game is great, especially for die hard fans and gamers who'd like to test out all the Tekken characters and duke 'em out to find out who's the greatest. As for me I'll stick to my favorite Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3 and my new fighting gem, P4A. I'd like to thank Cynetzone's Cubao branch on their wonderful facility and service which allowed me to enjoy my TTT2 gaming experience.



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Talkin' 2K: Dunk'd

Who is the greatest dunker of all time? The Human Highlight Reel, Clyde the Glide, Chocolate Thunder, The Reign Man. These are just some of the names that come to mind whenever we talk about the NBA's greatest dunkers.

Yes. This is not a fluke.

In this latest episode of Talkin' 2K, the Lucas Brothers listed the NBA 2K13's cover athlete Blake Griffin as their personal greatest. All's well until a surprise caller phones in on the show to make his thoughts known. You can watch the full video here and tell me if you agree or not by commenting below or posting a shoutout on my Twitter.

NBA 2K13 will be hitting your local gaming stores on October 2, 2012. Join the fun! Join the brotherhood. BIG.



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Autumn Is Here: PS3 Games This Fall

It's that time of the year folks, where summer has ended and fall is dawning before the winter season. Are your pockets ready? Burn the budget and spend some freakin' cash on these awesome future PS3 releases:

1. Assassin's Creed III

Retooling the AC franchise and taking it a step further, Assassin's Creed III pits you deep in the good old U.S. of A. Parkouring (is there such a word?) your way through the unknown wonders of the American frontier, from the wild jungle to the high seas. Expected release date is on October 21, 2012.

2. Resident Evil 6

Chris Redfield and Leon Kennedy are back in this latest RE franchise, and this time the game goes global! Brains, brains, brains. Time to brush off that RE5 game rust and prepare for some various new action gameplay style that could keep you hooked 'til the next Resident Evil. Expected release date is on October 2, 2012.

3. NBA 2K13

NBA fans unite! Now THE basketball game that we love. 2K13 sports new teams (hello '92 Dream Team) and legends (hello Iverson) that would keep you hooked to the game even before the regular season starts. Expected release date is on October 2, 2012.

4. Dishonored

Set in an alternate 19th century London universe, this game was a pure revelation at this year's E3. Dishonored has an open-ended gameplay and striking art style that would put other genre's to shame. An action game at its finest! Expected release date is on October 9, 2012.

5. XCOM: Enemy Unknown

Aliens! Gamer's just can't get enough of them. The beloved turn-based strategy series makes a long-awaited return this year (hello 1994) packed with better and bigger graphics, a deep story, and new game play for its fans. Expected release date is on October, 9, 2012.

6. Skylanders: Giants

From the amazing people at Activision, comes the sequel to their famous toy/game last 2011. You'll have more chances to explore a bigger and vast world, and also try out 24 new characters! Here's the plus: all those Skylanders you bought for the first game will work in this one too. Expected release date is on October 21, 2012.

7. Medal of Honor: Warfighter

Call of Duty fans look out! Medal of Honor is staying grounded by following its success from the previous games: real Tier 1 operatives. You'll have the chance to explore hotspots like Somalia and the Philippines too! Gear up soldier! Expected release date is on October 23, 2012.

8. Need for Speed: Most Wanted

The adrenaline rush. The chaos. The defiance of the boys in blue. The longest-running (and best-selling) racing franchise is back! With Criterion Games at the helm, expect NFS: Most Wanted to be up a notch in terms of gameplay: think Burnout plus NFS combined and you might just get the next generation of the impressive Autolog social service. Expected release date is on October 30, 2012.

9. Lego The Lord of the Rings

Lego has done it again. If you think Batman and Star Wars wasn't enough, they've come and pulled off another one with the LOTR franchise. Play as your favorite sprites, Lego-style! Plus, who wouldn't miss on the chance to hear Lego Gandalf chant "You shall not pass!"? Expected release date is on October 30, 2012.

10. LittleBigPlanet Karting

Think Mario Kart plus Sackboy, and what do you get? A karting game full of fun, fun, fun! After pouring hours and hours into building worlds in the LittleBigPlanet, you now have the chance to build and customize karts and tracks and share it to the world! Expected release date is on November 6, 2012.

11. Call of Duty: Black Ops II

Destined to be the best-selling game of 2012, but will it live up to the hype as the best shooter? Let's see if developer Treyacrh can deliver with results. Expected release date is on November 13, 2012.

12. Epic Mickey 2: The Power of Two

Broadway meets Mickey's colorful world. The direct sequel to the 2010 hit Epic Mickey, this time it's more than a paint-as-you-go platforming formula, its a musical. Get ready to sing along folks! Expected release date is on November 18, 2012.

13. Hitman Absolution

A reprise of the franchise's stealth action game, Agent 47 is back and this time he's not alone. Betrayed by allies and hunted by the police, you are transported into a free-for-all world where you choose how to take out your targets and solving missions based on your own play style. Absolution indeed. Expected release date is on November 20, 2012.

14. Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale

Super Smash Bros. PS style! A cross-platform game (Vita vs. PS3) which lets players duke it out as their favorite Sony icon. From Metal Gear Solid's Raiden, to old-school hip-hop hero Parappa the Rapper, to God of War's Kratos, you're sure to be in for a treat. Get ready to brawl folks! Expected release date is on November 20, 2012.

15. Far Cry 3

A pure sequel to the Far Cry franchise, the game stays pure to the sandbox gameplay that lets gamers creatively solve problems by taking advantage of its open-world layout. One does not simply pass on this pretty but gritty wide open shooter. Expected release date is just after Black Friday, December 4, 2012.

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Final Fantasy: The Music

25 years. That's how rich a story the Final Fantasy (or FF to hordes of loyal fans out there) franchise has been since its inception in 1987. However, we've been rambling on and on about how FF has been a huge success over the years and how it has influenced a lot of the next gen RPGs we've been playing - along with the Materia system, to Zidane's swash buckling antics, to Kefka's eccentricities - but, we sometimes tend to overlook the other part of the game that makes it great: it's musical score.

From the Chocobo theme, to Sephiroth's badass One-Winged Angel BGM, to the music soundtrack of FF1 that started it all, Final Fantasy would not be Final Fantasy without its music. I know what you're thinking, "What's the deal with the music? Let's just get on with the gameplay!". Growing up as a 90s kid, attention to detail and attention span was something that was very important to me whenever I'm into something, and video games are no exception.

Final Fantasy would not be Final Fantasy without Nobuo Uematsu too. His is a personality worthy of being mentioned alongside the FF big guns like Hironobu Sakaguchi and Tetsuya Nomura to name a few. Alongside Sakaguchi, Nobuo Uematsu defined and innovated the JRPG music genre at a time where video game music was not yet advanced. Not everything was a bed of roses for the aspiring composer in his early years. As a self-taught musician he never really had any formal lessons to begin with, but as the years and experience went by, he is now one of the most famous, loved, and revered composers in the video gaming industry.

Originally thinking of composing songs for Square (Square Enix today) as a part-time job, Uematsu never envisioned that this would eventually turn into a full-time career, and a successful one at that. Apart from the Final Fantasy series, Nobuo also composed songs for games like Chrono Trigger, Blue Dragon, and Romancing SaGa 2; to anime / CGI movies like the Guin Saga, Ah! My Goddess: The Movie, and Final Fantasy: Unlimited. Channeling also on his goofy and rockish (is there such a word?) side, he also has a band named The Black Mages.

Legen-wait-for-it-dary!

As a young gamer back in the day Final Fantasy has really been one of my favorite games; this being also in part thanks to Nobuo Uematsu's music behind the scenes. Not only did he make great compositions, but his work helped me imagine that for a brief moment, I was in the game itself living and breathing the characters in every scenario caught in the world of fantasy, magic, love.

Final Fantasy VII was the first of many FF games that would dig deep into my heart and soul. The soundtrack was amazing, and at that time groundbreaking for me too. Music and games together? Priceless. Who wouldn't fall in love to Squall and Rinoa's Eyes On Me theme on Final Fantasy VIII? Or rock on to Final Fantasy X's heavy metal theme Otherworld? With every franchise comes spectacular music scores filled with emotion and passion that leaves you breathless.

Kefka appears?

Although Nobuo and Square Enix have parted ways since, it is evident that his legacy will forever be etched in Final Fantasy lore for years to come. I still have my copies of FFVII, FFVIII, FFIX and FFX OSTs on my CD rack and still get to play them from time to time, especially now since it's their 25th anniversary. It never gets old. Bottom line: What makes a video game great is not only its gameplay, its characters, or its graphics; but its music too. Thank you Nobuo Uematsu for 25 years of wonderful Final Fantasy music. Thanks for the memories!

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Sudden Death Fighting Game Tournament

Team PanCan has recently announced that they will be having a sudden death tournament on November 10-11, 2012. Fighting games included in the skirmish are; Street Fighter 4: Arcade Edition, Ultimate Marvel vs. Capcom 3, King of Fighters 13, Mortal Kombat 9, and Persona 4 Arena.

Are you ready?

Being a follower of the UMvC3 series, this is one opportunity that I've been waiting for - to be able to face the best of the best. Last year, I was able to go to the Pinoy PS tournament at the Best of Anime 2011 event, and boy was it awesome! I never got to join since I arrived late (boohoo) but I got to play against one of the players there.

End result was 2-1, but the experience for me was enough to get my fighting game blood boiling with anticipation. I got hooked. Afterwards, I fought with friends and colleagues alike but it feels that it wasn't enough. Never really satisfied. Then I saw this post by Team X-Over about the sudden death match, and then, I felt there may be a chance. "I'll definitely join this tournament!", I said to myself.

Mabuhay!

For Filipino fighting enthusiasts out there, this is the chance for you to shine and show your skills in front of the local fighting game community scene. You can get the latest updates on the sudden death tournament from Team PanCan's blog or their Facebook page. If you're overseas, and/or are dropping by the Philippines around those dates, feel free to join in on the fun and the camaraderie. Gamers unite!



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

F1 2012 Demo

Heads up Playstation fans, the F1 2012 demo hits PSN stores today. With the 2012 US Formula 1 Grand Prix starting soon on November and the actual game mid-September, fans should take a shot at the chance to try out the new circuit.

Also, the US Playstation team gives gamers and fans alike the chance to win some F1 2012 goodies! To win, just post your Monza lap times (with proof) on their site and they’ll send out a prize to the player with the quickest time! Do take note that the Season Challenge mode should be in hard mode in order for you to claim your prize. Buckle up!



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

NBA 2K13 - Official Trailer

30 teams. One victor. One goal. One purpose. The new trailer of NBA 2K13 is out today my friends.

Dream. Believe. Survive.

As a fan of the series, the trailer was eye-candy for me. Aside from that, fans should be excited because new teams and legends have been added to the roster as well. It's been every NBA fanatic's dream to play as the fabled '92 Dream Team. Think of the possibilities: the '92 Dream Team vs. the 2012 USA Basketball Team (oh the excitement and joy indeed)! Jordan vs. Kobe. Scottie vs. LeBron. Or have you ever thought to play as Allen Iverson again at the height of his powers? Now that would be awesome!

Executive produced by Jay-Z, 2K13 will be out on October 2, 2012. Plus if you pre-order the game now you would be rewarded with the All-Star Weekend downloadable content; dunk contest, 3-point shootout, Rising Stars challenge, All-Star game, the complete package!



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Darksiders II Review

Darksiders II is an action-adventure game by THQ and is the direct sequel to Darksiders. The game's story revolves around the Apocalypse concept and its Four Horsemen; War, Death, Strife and Fury. In the previous game players take on the role of War, one of the Horsemen. This time around however, players get to control Death.

Not this Apocalypse lol

This isn't just your typical button-mashing game either. Death can run through walls, climb and hang on vines, swim, jump through pillars to get to several locations if need be (you also get to view the marvelous world of Darksiders 360 degrees), plus, there are several puzzles you need to solve in order to press forward. What was also cool about using Death was his use of several other secondary weapons apart from his scythe, like the maces, axes, and hammers.

The game also has an RPG-esque feel to it wherein you actually get to level up your character, and in the process learn new skills and combos to help him grow stronger as the game progresses. Your inventory gets upgraded overtime too as you defeat mobs in the different dungeons in the game; armors, gloves, boots, etc.

MAD!

Story-wise, Darksiders II is deep and rightly discusses each of the Horsemen in detail which would help make light of the previous questions or clarifications you had if you've played the first game. Also, if you've never played Darksiders, this sequel wouldn't alienate you one bit as it can stand on its own and, fully explain events from the previous game too.

I really had fun playing this game and being a fan of action games I certainly recommend gamers into the genre, and not, to grab a copy now! Oh, and additional trivia for everyone: the game's art was done by one of my favorite comic book artists, Joe Madureira, of Battle Chasers and Uncanny X-Men fame. I got to play Darksiders II in 3D at one of Cynetzone Gaming's branches.

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Happy Birthday Final Fantasy VII

It's funny how time flies so fast in the gaming world - last week we celebrated Street Fighter's 25th birthday. Today, we celebrate the monumental 15th birthday of Final Fantasy VII.

Back in 1998, transitioning from the Family Computer and the Game Gear onto the Playstation console for me at that time was a big step. Everything was new; the games are on CDs now, the controller is comfortable to hold, and the graphics were awesome! As a new PS gamer, I rarely knew any cool and exciting games to get me started. It was then that my Grade 6 classmate introduced me to FFVII.

It was my first time to play an RPG, and it was a game I have never heard of before. What was the story of Final Fantasy? How does this game work? Will I get to enjoy and finish it? Those were the initial questions that crossed my mind since I was used to action genres. But once I plugged that first disc (3 discs!!!) on my PS1, the rest, was history.

FFVIIs intro caught me right away - graphics-wise, this was the bomb during its time. You're introduced to Cloud, the main protagonist, alongside his childhood friend Tifa, the leader of Avalanche Barret, and its other members Biggs, Wedge, and Jesse. You later of course get to be introduced to the other main cast of characters that you would control through the course of the game; Yuffie, Cid, Vincent, Cait Sith, Red XIII, and Aeris. Later on you were introduced to the antagonists; Shinra Corp., and the main bad guy, Sephiroth, a badass looking of a villain that side of Nibelheim.

<Insert comment here> lol

The story focuses on your band of heroes saving the world from a major threat that could mean the planet's destruction. There were a lot issues that FFVII tackled which made the story even deeper; the relationship of man and the environment, the searching for one's identity and purpose, family / relational issues, forgiveness, love. As a kid back then, it was nice that Squaresoft (Square Enix today) developed such a rich story which significantly impacted me a lot while growing up.

Being as this was my first RPG, I had to learn the ropes about the Active Time Battle sequences, how to develop Materia and setup combinations, Chocobo breeding, and inventory / item management. It was pure hands on experimentation for me to get to know and become knowledgeable of the game. What also kept my hands fully entertained to the game was the side quests, mini games (hello Gold Saucer) and "ultimate" bosses (hipster Ruby and Emerald was cool before Pokemon came in lol) that I needed to explore!

Of course, I was not alone on this adventure. At school, we would exchange ideas and techniques on how to defeat certain bosses and materia combinations. If we were stuck in a particular part of the story, there was always someone from my class who was willing to lend a hand as well. I remember we would also go to a friends house to play our separate saved games and compare notes.

Overall, and after playing the game 20 times or more, my experience with FFVII was awesome! In a time when gaming was still in its budding stages, this definitely stood out from the pack. Because of its phenomenal success, FFVII expanded to several other gaming titles (Dirge of Cerberus to name a few), a CGI movie (Advent Children!) and a deeply-rooted loyal fan base. I'd like to thank Square Enix for developing a gem worth keeping and remembering. Thanks for the memories. Thanks for the fantasy adventure. Happy birthday Final Fantasy VII! Knights of the Round!



My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood Review

Assassin's Creed (AC) Brotherhood is the 3rd installment of the famous AC series and its main story is a continuation of the events after AC2. You once again star as both the dashing Ezio Auditore da Firenze and Desmond Miles, though you control Ezio most of the time in-game. The story revolves around Ezio's adventures in Rome and how he liberated the Borgia influence in the region.

Roma

This was my first time to get a crack on the AC series and boy did I have a lot of fun. The gameplay was real-time, the graphics were amazing, and the fight scenes were top-notch. Having played the Grand Theft Auto series, I was really taken aback from the detail that the Ubisoft developers have done here - Rome was Rome! It really felt i was transported back to that era. The historical structures were in full detail and the AI NPCs were interactive too.

Because of the voice acting, I can't help but mimic the accent and pretend that I was Ezio and speak in his native tongue (Assassino!). What I also liked about AC Brotherhood was the multiplayer and the chance to recruit & recruit other Assassins to your flock. It was bad ass just walking along the streets of Rome, then with the flick of my hand and my unique whistle my brothers, and sisters, in the hood would appear out of nowhere ready to kick Borgia-butt!

Celtics, hurrah! Celtics! Hurrah!

In a historians perspective, you can't help but marvel at how Ubisoft was able to connect historical events and figures into the story. From Machiavelli, to the Borgias, to Leonardo, truly something worth learning history from. But of course, one must bear in mind not to confuse actual history from the game's content.

When I first plugged the CD I didn't know what to expect, and then and there, I got hooked! If you are fan of action and history rolled into one, then this is the game for you. I got to play Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood in 3D at one of Cynetzone Gaming's branches.

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Cynetzone Gaming Franchise

Having a vision to extend the total gaming experience to every Filipino, Cynetzone Gaming has truly come a long way. With 2 branches in Fairview and Cubao, they are now offering future and current businessmen a chance to franchise their brand. Yes, there are a lot of gaming stores out there. But what makes Cynetzone Gaming unique is they are the first of its kind to offer 3D Gaming to the masses!

Not sure if..

There are a lot of advantages if you plan to take a crack at this unique franchise. Let's take a look at some; (1) you learn to properly run a business according to proven systems, (2) it serves as a one stop shop for mom's - while they go shopping in malls they can leave their spouses / kids safely playing age-appropriate games in our Xbox and PS3 consoles, and (3) if you're a gamer, you get to earn while playing at the same time! Who says running a business can't be fun?

I  see what you did there

At the moment we are looking for serious, highly motivated, financially capable franchisees with an appreciation of the gaming industry and most importantly, the passion to be part of our growing business. If you think that's you, you can contact DJ Lee at +63 917 523 91 54 for further details. We look forward to do business with you! Game on!

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog and Cynetzone Gaming, my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Happy 25th Birthday Street Fighter

Street Fighter, or SF, made its debut on August of 1987, and the rest they say is history. Starting out as an arcade game, then Capcom started importing it onto the NES, then to the 2nd and 3rd console generations like the Playstation, Sega Saturn and Dreamcast, then onto the 3rd generation like the PS3 and Xbox.

You remember this guy, right?

My first interaction with Street Fighter was at one of our local arcades near my school, I think I was around 9 or 10 years old then. I'd head there after class just to hang out and buy toys like most kids my age that time do. And then, right then and there, I saw this cool fighter arcade game where a lot of kids were so busy lining up to just to get to have a crack at it; Street Fighter II (although at times there was just one badass player hogging all the glory, and playing time).

Getting to know the original characters like Ryu and Ken, Chun-Li and Cammy, and Guile from the bottom of my heart was really fun. With the Hadokens and the Shoryukens, I'd just button mash myself to death but never really reaching the final boss M. Bison. Then boom! In comes secret character Akuma (geekasm). The epitome of badassery was never the same again (hello air fireballs?!).

Messatsu!!

By the time I reached high school, Capcom and the Street Fighter franchise did something crazy, innovative and awesome at that time; vs collaborations with Marvel. And boy did it really set the bar for fighting games even higher. X-Men Children of the Atom, X-Men Vs. Street Fighter, Marvel Vs. Capcom; these games just kept us hooked both at the arcade and on our PS1 consoles at home. Yeah we were that addicted to it.

Come present time, 2012. A lot of Street Fighter games have been released, new characters have emerged, friendships developed, tournaments and skirmishes won and lost, and despite all that I'm still having a blast and enjoying this amazing franchise.

Cherry blossoms :)

Cheers to Street Fighter for 25 wonderful years of awesome fighting game memories. Thank you to Capcom for developing such a wonderful franchise and keeping it alive and kicking after all these years. For me, this is truly a masterpiece that no gamer should miss. Thanks for the memories!

As a treat to their fans, Capcom Unity made some cool SF avatars.
You can also follow Capcom Unity on Twitter.

My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

PS Vita Updates: PSone Classics

After almost 6 months, the PS Vita finally gets the justice it deserves; PSone Classics. With the System Software Version 1.80 available for download, owners now have the luxury to play their favorite classic games on their Vita.

Take a tour

Apart from that, there are other several new features included in the update: you can now use the D-pad and the back touch feature to navigate through your handheld, the Vita browser now has the search button on the top right corner for easy access, the video player can now be adjustable on screen, plus you can link your iTunes onto your device too!

One thing to note though, is the difference on downloadable content available in the US and Europe. Below is the updated list of PSone classics games for the US gamer as of 8/28:

• Arc the Lad
• Cool Boarders 2
• Final Fantasy VII
• Hot Shots Golf 2
• Jet Moto
• Syphon Filter
• Tomb Raider
• Twisted Metal 2
• Wild Arms

Really not enough to satisfy your retro junkies to say the least. For the European list, you can check them out here.

If you haven't bought or upgraded to the PS Vita yet, now's a pretty good time to get your money's worth. And if you've owned one since its release, now is the time for retribution. With PSonce classics and up and coming games to keep you company, you're certainly in for a gaming treat!

You can read more about the PS Vita System Software Update (v1.80) here.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Cynetzone 3D Gaming

Originally starting out as an Internet Café in 2006, Cynetzone Gaming has come a long way and after 6 years, is now known as the first ever 3D console gaming café in the Philippines. Spanning 2 branches in Fairview and Cubao, Cynetzone Gaming offers gamers out there the chance to experience their games on the PS3 / Xbox 360 / Move / Kinect in 3D. Coupled with it's unique kind of gaming environment; 23-inch LCD TVs, 40-inch LED 3DTVs, home theater sound systems, couches, and headsets, you're surely in for a treat!

Huzzah!!!

For just PHP 90 you can enjoy an hour of 3D gaming fun whether it be on the PS3 or on the Xbox 360, if you tag a friend along the price goes up to PHP 110, also for the Dance Central package they would charge you PHP 150; still worth every Peso. Cynetzone Gaming stores are open from 10am until 10pm, surely enough time to swing by and play for an hour or so.

Cynetzone isn't only about games, it's also about meeting new friends and fellow gamers in the country, getting gaming tips, friendships, experiences, and some awesome friendly competition. There are regular EBs by various gaming groups being held here, and even some local fighting game tournaments by Team X-Over! Who says gaming can't be fun?

Got game?

This is certainly the next generation gaming café you shouldn't miss. If you're ever in Cubao or in Fairview, feel free to drop by and experience 3D gaming at its finest!

You can follow Cynetzone Gaming on Twitter.

You can also check out their website.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.

Persona 4 Arena Review

There's a recent rave in the gaming Twitter-verse and Pinoy Playstation community about a new fighting game developed by Atlus entitled Persona 4 Arena. Who could have imagined that characters from the Persona universe can duke it out vs. style?

It's not over yet!

With its intense gameplay, HD graphics, deep story, and its 13 rosters ranging from characters of Persona 3 and 4, P4A is taking the world by storm. Just launched last August 7, 2012, it is highly recommended that fans of the franchise grab a copy of the game even if you're not a vs. enthusiast.

Another highlight of P4A is that the developers are also the same team who created BlazBlue and the Guilty Gear games. Fans of these two games will certainly get a treat out of this as well.

But..

If you've never played any of the Persona games, you will surely get lost in the story. The events of P4A take place just after Persona 4 and would clearly add depth to its plot. Also, if you're not into anime graphics you might probably pass this on and buy other fighting genres like Tekken or Street Fighter instead.

Clash of the Titans!

Overall, P4A isn't a pushover title. If you're truly a fighting gamer, you'll take on this challenge and battle it out with the best of the best in the Persona universe.

You can find out more about Persona 4 Arena here.
My PSN ID is NinjaKabute. You can also follow me on Twitter to get the latest updates on my blog, PS3 news, manga, the NBA, photography, or just my gaming experience cramped up in 140 characters.