"SO! THE LEGEND IS TRUE!!!"

About 4 months ago, I had stumbled across this game through one of the few YouTube shows that I regularly watch. Needless to say, I was blown away (and still am) by what the trailer promises to offer (especially with Goku fighting Kid Buu, ending the fight with the spectacular Spirit Bomb - my jaw just dropped). After looking more into the game (since, lucky for me, there have been gameplay videos on this game), I've learned several things about this game:

1. The game is still incomplete, with the game's developers constantly releasing updates to include more characters (including moves, intros and outros)/stages/music, while also balancing out the game's physics, mechanics, and AI (it's too challenging as of now). As of now, there are only 5 characters (Goku, Vegeta, Adult Gohan, Frieza, and Super Saiyan Goku).
2. The game is incomplete due to the fact that this is all entirely fan-based game! This is an amazing fact considering how much work has been put into the game (this was all accomplished in their free time! They can't monetize this project because of IP stuff).
3. The game utilizes the Mugen fighting engine. This means that the game will run flawlessly on a Windows machine, but it'll take some work to work around the schematics of a Mac (which is what I have, so I haven't had the opportunity to play the game myself, sad to say).

The game, as a whole, is not only an homage to some of the more advanced-skill 2D/2.5D fighters out there (think Guilty Gear,  BlazBlue, Killer Instinct), but it's outstanding that you know that people who created this game have deep love and respect of the DBZ universe. The detail to the sprites and their animations is just gorgeous (just look at Frieza's tail during his standing animation). This DBZ fighter is a must to those who are not only looking for a fun, challenging fight, but every DBZ fan must check this game out, despite the game not being entirely complete. Lastly, here is the demo trailer video that first introduced me to this already awesome game:

"Yukianesa...ACTIVATE!!!" (Late Post #6)

My Mitsubishi Lancer, OZ Rally Edition
Named Yukianesa (Yuki for short)

About a month and a half months ago, my Teggy, whom I've lovingly named Ophelia, had finally given up her last breath (metaphorically speaking). I've been thinking of buying a newer car (thanks to my co-worker letting drive his Mini-Cooper). So I've working hard and saving up extra money for that newer car, and had also decided to sell Ophelia for cheap (since she became barely drivable). 

So, for the past month, with the help of a friend, we had scoured the earth (or 5 cities, but who's counting?) looking for a used car that can be bought for no more than $7,000 cash (I'm a struggling university student, so I don't have the "luxury" of having a lease - not that I would want one, but that's a different story for another day). 

The search zigzagged us from various models of cars. We had begun with MINI Coopers (r50 or r53) but the majority of the vehicles were automatic transmission (this is bad because many MINI's with A/T tend to fail sooner than those with Manual Transmission). So many Coopers were dismissed, with the exception of three we found that were M/T. However, all three had major problems (one had electrical problems, another needed obscure sensors to be replaced, and the best priced Cooper had transmission problems - the transmission keeps slipping out the 5th gear, which would be a major problem on the highway and in my wallet).

After Coopers, we began to search for Scion Tc's and Acura RSX's with M/T, but that search was fruitless. We found a great Tc at a dealership, but in the end, the dealer was such a tool. He was, essentially, more eager to sell the car for what it was, and it just made me uncomfortable to make a sale with him, so I left that dealership and never looked back.

Then, after that, we stumbled across Mazda Miatas. Those little cars looked fun to drive, but I realized that it just wouldn't be practical to buy one. However, when I have the money to buy one, I most definitely will for my weekend trips to wherever. 

And lastly, the Mitsubishi that I now have, was a surprising find. We found this in a hole-in-the-wall used car dealership. We looked at it, we test drove it, and we negotiated the price. It's surprising to realize that I have a Lancer - it just wasn't something I wasn't expecting to own. I'm quite happy with it. As it's my own bizarre custom to name my pieces of technocrap (and a car is technocrap), I've been thinking of what to call my Lancer. Then it dawned on me. 

Jin Kisaragi, as portrayed in
BlazBlue: ChronoPhantasma
Yukianesa is Jin's weapon

Yukianesa. The name dawned on me since my brother and I have been playing BlazBlue: ChronoPhantasma over the summer. The name comes from Jin's Nox Nyctores weapon called Mucro Algesco: Yukianesa, which resembles a Japanese sword. Now here's where it gets pretty cool. Yukianesa's most interesting characteristic is that it can amplify its owner's state of mind, making even the coldest personalities passionate and on the verge of a psychotic breakdown, like Jin Kisaragi himself. Furthermore, unlike a real sword, Yukianesa's blade is made of permafrost from the water particles in the atmosphere fused with seithr. The blade can freeze just about anything in seconds! How cool is that?! I know, I'm a nerd. Hence, why I've decided to call my Mitsubishi Lancer "Yukianesa," since it's such a badass weapon in the BB universe.

"Blaze" It Up! (Late Post #4)

Key Characters in BlazBlue: Calamity Trigger

Over the summer, I've had the pleasure of diving into the "BlazBlue" universe, as I call it. So far, BlazBlue has been expanded through 3 main entries (Calamity Trigger, Continuum Shift, and ChronoPhantasma, respectively). With each new game that's released, new character are introduced, as well as both the overall main story and each character's backstory (for both new and veteran fighters) become more elaborated (as it should be). Since the BlazBlue universe has gotten considerably bigger (through spinoffs, an anime series, and supplemental novel and manga publishings), there's just too much info to share on this one blog post, but click here and it'll take you to BlazBlue's wiki page. All pertinent info can be found here.

 BlazBlue, in short, is a 2D J-Fighter, mixing elements from Capcom's classic Street Fighter and Marvel v. Capcom series, as well as a personal favorite series, Killer Instinct. BlazBlue, like KI, requires much time and patience to learn (let alone master), since much of the action is fast-paced.

What I've been enjoying most lately has been the game's soundtrack. It's difficult to label the genre (there's nothing wrong with that - a soundtrack with many flavors is greatly appreciated), but I'd say it's mostly hard rock/speed metal with melodic and symphonic elements infused in each music. However, the Chronophantasma remakes (marked by "ii") are full of surprises. So while, I'm not currently playing the games at the moment (damn you, adult responsibilities), at least I have to the soundtrack to drool over.

Here is Noel Vermillion's Bullet Dance II, from BB:CP:

Here is Jin Kisaragi's Lust SIN II, also from BB:CP: 

Shovel Knight! (Late Post #1)

Shovel Knight is one of those games that I bought as soon as I heard of its existence. I stumbled upon this game as a review for the ultra-popular Game Informer magazine, earning a 8.5 or a 9 (it's been months since I saw the review in the magazine. The review enticed me - it was a throwback to the good ol' days of 2D platforming (nostalgia) while harkening references and influences from beloved Capcom IPs of MegaMan and Ghouls n' Goblins (so yeah, and hell yeah!). 

The review and its second opinion both loved and deeply appreciated the difficulty that was once prevalent (especially in the games of the MegaMan and Ghouls n' Goblins series) and that alone just caught my attention. It's been a while since I've played such a challenging video game. Furthermore, the review also lauded the game's soundtrack, but that was an aspect that didn't fascinate me as much. I'm more attracted to the more dynamic (and frequently symphonic) soundtracks that are more prevalent in today's gaming world (Shadow of the Colossus, BlazBlue, and God of War are some excellent examples). Like any 2D platformer of the olden days, it's the attention to detail and sprite animations that bring the game to life. And it's for the 3DS/Wii-U and I desperately need more games for my 3DS, so that was also in my favor.

I spent about 15 hours playing the game in total (8 hours for my first run and getting everything and 7 hours playing the more even more challenging "New Game+" mode). Like MegaMan and Ghouls n' Goblins, controls are tight, the colors/animations/sprites are crisp and colorful, and not one song sounds similar to another. This is one of those games that has to be played by everybody (and if you don't have a 3DS or Wii-U, then borrow or steal or do something!). It's very rewarding, being both an homage to era of the past, while still being outstanding in its own right as it's own IP. 

First Day of School (Blogging Again)

It's been over a month since my last post here (which was about the initial days of my "Great Social Experiment"). Since then, I've been up to quite a bit. They are, as follows:

• I picked up Shovel Knight from the 3DS e-shop.
• I made a trip to The Ghetty Center (also in Los Angeles).
• I saw American Psycho at the Autry in Los Angeles.
• I revisited a Zelda classic.
• I also picked up BlazBlue (thanks to my brother).
• And I (finally) bought a new (e.g. used) car that's better than Ophelia (sorry, Ophelia).

So, yeah, busy month and a half since my Social Experiment. All of these topics will get written up soon! Stay tuned for the details.

In other news, I've started up school again! Today (August 26th) is the first day of my (hopefully) final Fall Semester. I am simultaneously excited and nervous about the next few months. So much is at stake here, but I'm confident I'll pass with flying colors. Wish me luck, fellow readers. Until next time (and it won't be months from now, I promise!).