Thursday, October 25, 2012

Zone of the Enders HD Edition

In 2001, the high-speed robot action video game that was Zone of the Enders was launched and most of them surprised that this video game, packed with some anime and mecha stuff, were made by the man behind the phenomenal Metal Gear saga, who is Hideo Kojima. Then, two years later, the ZOE story progressed even further with ANUBIS Zone of the Enders (The 2nd Runner).

I can't ever recall that these two blockbuster video games packed with some anime and mecha stuff mixed with some genes from Metal Gear finally rebooted for the first time in HD and this, Zone of the Enders HD Edition, is a must have for fans and newbies alike.

Zone of the Enders HD EDITION (PS3)

Zone of the Enders HD Edition
(XBOX 360)

Now about that whole ZOE stuff, this was what they called it a "robot animation simulator" according to Konami. Hideo Kojima said that this game was a logical consequence of the gathering of people. It combines the genes of robot animation and the genes of Metal Gear (games) by the best anime staff and the best video game development staff. It was screenplayed by Noriaki Okamura from the Tokimeki Memorial Drama CDs, character design by Nobuyoshi Nishimura from Gundam, and mech design by Yoji Shinkawa from the Metal Gear saga.

In the first ZOE, mankind expands to space because of the population explosion can't keep up with the planet Earth but the Moon and Mars couldn't keep up with the entire population so mankind extends to Jupiter. A colony somewhere in Jupiter called Antilla houses about a hundred thousand residents involved in mining and transport. There was a war occurred and the main protagonist, Leo Stenbuck, who lost his friends and the brink of the war and blamed for not saving them, he panicked and ran away from the scene of the attack, inadvertently stumbling onto the cause of the war, the Orbital Frame known as Jehuty.

In the second ZOE chapter, with mankind expands to space even further and with the terraformed Mars houses colonies from various Earth countries, new resources and colonies come with bigger threats. New main protagonist, Dingo Egret, who was working on a LEV on Jupiter's moon Callisto, until he discovered an Orbital Frame, Jehuty, and its awakening reminds him of a distant past and he's facing ferocious attacks of BAHRAM. The battle between ANUBIS vs. JEHUTY, the Aumann project, has begun within the orbit of Mars.

For these HD Editions of ZOE and ANUBIS: ZOE, we can expect some amazing changes such as the 720p capability, remastered 2D graphics and fonts, 16:9 resolution, trophies or achievements to collect, and of course, a new opening sequence created by the studio that brought you Mobile Suit Gundam animes, which is Sunrise.

It's been over a decade since Zone of the Enders first released on the PS2 and this was the benchmark of high speed robot action. Players can pilot as the Orbital Frame prototype called the Jehuty and what they do is simple, FLY, SLICE, TARGET, GRAB, and so on. That's what made this ZOE game so special, it kinda reminds me of some Gundam video game. It maybe a video game with some anime, mecha, and some Metal Gear-ish stuff but it is an ambitious game fans remembered for and with this HD Edition, it gets even better. Better than the best! Even though it says HD, it doesn't feel like High Definition at all. It feels like....HAIDARAAAA!!!!!! That's right! HAIDARA!!!! A famous Zone of the Enders line every fans want to shout it out through a loud hailer every time they got indulged into playing into one. I like that.

Choosing which one of these two ZOE titles is the best is a bit too pointless but I will say this. While some agree that the first one is the best while some agree that the second one is the best, why don't we put it all this way that all those two ZOE chapters are the best? Let's not forget, we couldn't know where we are now without them. Both these titles were important to the whole Kojima Productions history ever since Metal Gear became a phenomenal hit. ZOE is kinda neither here nor there and ANUBIS: ZOE is the best chapter in all of human history. The players will be insane for letting us asking it...

LIMITED EDITION:
For the ultimate fan experience, the ZOE HD Edition Limited Edition not only comes with the game itself, it also comes with the 364-page chronicle book that told the entire ZOE history, 148-page Reboot Book, and an 8-track CD that contains the main themes and some remixed ZOE musics.

PS3 EXCLUSIVE: METAL GEAR RISING REVENGANCE INCLUDED!!!
Exclusive to the PS3 version of ZOE HD Edition, there is a demo for next year's Metal Gear Rising Revengeance included! You can have a first glimpse of Raiden's new mission with this demo included exclusively for the Playstation3 version. We said that because Metal Gear Rising Revengeance is available exclusively on PS3 next year.

Forza Horizon: My first moments...

So, Forza Horizon...at the moment the first time I'm playing this game, I am totally WASTED and ADDICTED to this game because...well, what can I say? It's a free-roaming racing game set in Colorado, where the festival occurs, jam-packed with half-a-decade-of-cars from around the world, music, and some party people. I really really love this game, makes me want to play some more and more and more and more and more until I had enough.

Here are some of my first moments of Horizon...in photos because photographing the whole progress is much more fun in Horizon...

Horizon starts with the VW Corrado, a beginner car everyone starts with

Mustang vs. Mustang!

An epic trip with a classic Boss Mustang!

Lancer Evolution X is probably one of the best 4WD cars on Horizon

You can go off-roading on Horizon!

The battle of the Brits

Nighttime muscle madness

The crowd loves the SVT Raptor!

It's going to be a photo finish!

Hey! What's Fujiwara's Hachi-Roku doing here?

My first barn find...was a Cuda!

Mr. Bean's car?!

What a spectacular performance!!!

Ladies and gents...I found another barn find!

Pretty cool, huh? There's more to come as I progress....

Anime Saimoe Tournament 2012 update (October 25, 2012)

The quarterfinals for the 2012 Anime Saimoe Tournament have come to a close and can't believe that most characters from Saki Achiga-hen are ruling with an iron fist. Anyway, who's catching up?



(Group A) 10/16:
* Saki Miyanagi - Saki Episode of Side A - 226 (Winner)
Koromo Amae - Saki Episode of Side A - 214

(Group C) 10/18:
* Hisa Takei - Saki Episode of Side A - 317 (Winner)
Yayoi Kise - Smile Pretty Cure! - 305

(Group E) 10/20:
* Yuu Matsumi - Saki Episode of Side A - 271 (Winner)
Sanya V. Litvyak - Strike Witches (movie) - 157

(Group G) 10/22:
* Nodoka Haramura - Saki Episode of Side A - 278 (Winner)
Ako Atarashi - Saki Episode of Side A - 262

(Group B) 10/17:
*Toki Onjouji - Saki Episode of Side A - 583 (Winner)
Akari Akaza - Yuruyuri - 417

(Group D) 10/19:
* Louise de la Valliere - Familiar of Zero F - 293 (Winner)
Hinata Hakamada - Ro-Kyu-Bu! - 258

(Group F) 10/21:
* Kuro Matsumi - Saki Episode of Side A - 213 (Winner)
Kirame Hanada - Saki Episode of Side A - 143

(Group H) 10/23:
* Shana - Shakugan no Shana III (Final) - 263 (Winner)
Sena Kashiwazaki - Haganai - 257

Scoop: http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/interest/2012-10-23/2ch-forum-saimoe-tournament-2012-group-finals

So, we got the final 8. But the question is...who will be the final four? Check back on the 30th!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Let's Do The News! (October 24, 2012)

Hey, I heard that Forza Horizon's finally out in the US while it will be worldwide this Friday.

I know. And hey, while on the subject of Forza....MY SRT8 392's ARRIVED!!!!

(cheers and applause)

The SRT8 392 Bonus Car!!!

Wow! Since when did you pre-ordered Horizon?

About that summer but sadly, at the Gamestop retail instead of online.

You didn't really know that took it long before the SRT8 392 arrived at your FM4, eh?

That's right but since I pre-ordered it on Gamestop, I got some bonuses for use at Horizon.

Oh wait. Since you pre-ordered it at GameStop, you got the 458 Italia and oh wait, since you are a GameStop Power Up Rewards member, you got a 2010 VW Golf VI R, right?

Indeed and since that we got the cars of our dreams, we decided to take a special treat for our newly arrived SRT8 392 by putting this car round our track...



So, what time?

I'd say it's 1:27:287. At least it was a good try while it lasted...

Yeah...

Right, the news, and big news today because XBOX is now launching the Entertainment Experience update...today! Today as is NOW!

So, what's new about the XBOX Entertainment Experience?

Says here that the update maintains Microsoft’s “Metro” interface, but adds a new tile called “pins”, which allows you to pin your favorite apps, games, or other items to one easily accessible location. Additionally, the TV and Movie tabs have been combined into one channel.

(wow)

Also, Internet Explorer is added as well!

So that means...we can now surf the net in the XBOX? That's something that the XBOX failed to do in the past, I mean, good job though. This is really the update most XBOX users are dying to have...

Scoop: http://www.examiner.com/article/xbox-launches-new-entertainment-experience-today

Fantastic! And oh...while the the XBOX 360 gained a big update, it seems that its console rival, the Playstation3...

Oh Captain Slow, listen, we heard that the PS3's been hacked again and this time, this is the most serious problem ever faced in a console. It was the LV0 encryption keys that the PS3′s entire architecture is based around were leaked and causing damage to the PS3's security model.

Huh? What's just happened?

Well, there was this hacker group called The Three Musketeers, and no, not the book, and not even the candy bar either. They were responsible for the LV0 keys but they decided that they'll not going to make it public until there was this Chinese hacker group leaked the LV0 keys and was going to charge for further custom firmwares, based off of their work. They decided to release the keys along with a statement decrying the initial leak that allowed BlueDisk-CFW to sell custom firmwares.

Scoop: http://www.gamingbus.com/2012/10/23/playstation-3-firmware-hacked-lv0-encryption-keys-released/

You know what that means?

What?

Uh-oh....

I know. It is an uh-oh...Anyway, there's a new update but it's a mild update.

4.30, right?

Yes. And for this mild update, they are dropping the peculiar program called Folding@Home, which is an app that doesn't make sense at all...

Scoop: http://www.afterdawn.com/news/article.cfm/2012/10/22/ps3_firmware_4_30_update_axes_folding_home

Indeed and on that bombshell, on that news. Um...Tomorrow, we'll be tackling the results from the 2012 Saimoe Tournament, and tomorrow also, ZOE HD Edition and THE IDOLM@STER SHINY FESTA. Take care!

ZONE OF THE ENDERS ReMIX EDITION

ZONE OF THE ENDERS ReMIX EDITION

With the availability of the Zone of the Enders HD Edition draws near, the BGMs from the two ZOE games get remixed in Zone of the Enders ReMIX Edition.

ZOE ReMIX Edition features some of the handpicked ZOE background musics from the Zone of the Enders and ANUBIS Zone of the Enders (The 2nd Runner) remixed to give you a different ZOE experience at the comfort of your home.

TRACK LIST:
01 Beyond the Bounds feat. K Á R Y Y N - Eshericks Remix -
02 Ardjet - DJ URAKEN Remix -
03 Vacilia County - Wrexx Remix -
04 Chaotic Fight - FIREWORK DJs Remix -
05 Train - Specimen A Remix -
06 City (The Earth Light) - DJ URAKEN Remix -
07 Leo! Leo! - Smooth Remix -
08 VR - Wall5 Remix -
09 ALOIVIA - arousal mix -
10 Final Battle - L.E.D. STYLE MIX -
11 Compression Space - evocation mix -
12 GLOBAL - Wall5 Remix -
13 Factory (Vivid Transparency) - Sota Fujimori Remix -

FOR ENGLISH SPEAKING CUSTOMERS:

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

The Philippines' 2nd Saint - Pedro Calungsod

San Pedro Calungsod

On October 21, 2012, the Pope canonized Pedro Calungsod as Philippines' second saint since San Lorenzo Ruiz. It was the moment that all Filipinos been waited for because San Pedro Calungsod marks an important chapter to our religion. Being the country's second saint since Lorenzo Ruiz, I was becoming fascinated about the life of San Pedro Calungsod and discovering how did a youth became a saint.

To learn more about San Pedro Calungsod, you can visit the official website at: http://sanpedrocalungsod.com/?page_id=628

GOD BLESS SAN PEDRO!

Forza Horizon

Forza Horizon Limited Collector's Edition

When racing video game enthusiasts think about "Forza", they all know that this is a GT-beating racing game that is all focused on circuit racing and the finest selection of cars. This is it, what you're looking up here is the first ever Forza video game that is truly...just another free-roaming game where you are free to drive your car wherever you want, whenever. When we said free-roaming, I mean yes. This is the first free-roaming Forza game set in Colorado. Welcome to Horizon. Forza Horizon.

There was a festival coming out in Colorado and Horizon is all about the celebration of cars from different decades and because this is a free-roaming game, it's freedom to drive wherever you want, when you want it. Unlike previous Forza Motorsport games, the car list of Forza Horizon are handpicked by the staff deciding that only the best cars of the Forza franchise are welcomed, especially the 2013 SRT Viper GTS. Aside from the handpicked selection, there are new cars never before seen in Forza games such as the Ford Focus RS500, the all new 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8, classic Cinquecento Abarth, all new 2013 BMW M6 F13 Coupe, 2012 Nissan GT-R Black Edition (yes, really), 2013 Shelby GT500, Mercedes S65 AMG, and (since you've asked for it), a 1965 MINI Cooper S! There are 127 garage cars in Forza Horizon, plus Barn Finds, Unicorns, and DLC cars.

Apart from this free-roaming, there are new stuff that were never before seen in the Forza franchise such as...driving by nighttime and driving offroad! Offroad driving? Driving at nighttime?! Oh yes! It's possible in Horizon! Also, aside from races, there are some epic races where you can race against the helicopter or a jet! I know it's hard but you guys can do it. Don't give up!

Graphics-wise, well, thanks to the UK-based Playground Games, Forza Horizon delivers the best graphics of any other racing game and all that dynamism a fludic beauty really shows just how cool Horizon can be. It is truly breathless to see how Colorado is thanks to such graphics and what's amazed fans is the music. There was dubstep, rock, club, everything that was curated by BBC Radio 1 DJ Rob Da Bank. Of course, if you are not satisfied with the music offered on Horizon, you can turn the radio off. Simple as that.

However, there are a couple of problems on Horizon. Sure, Horizon features the most of the upgrade components for each car as in FM4, which can be saved as Setups.  Tuning specific settings (gear ratios, etc) is not available in Horizon. Sadly, Forza Horizon does not have an Auction House like the one in FM4. Simple as that, but there are some good stuff going on in Horizon such as Car Clubs, storefronts where you can buy tuning setups, designs, and vinyls, and hey...DLC Packs coming. If that wasn't enough, there's going to be a Rally Expansion this December. No details yet but this expansion adds more challenges on Horizon.

It is simply one of the best racing games of 2012 and to be honest, Horizon is all work and play where you can take your car, no matter what kind, all over the Colorado rockies and finding that sweet spot to take pics. It's more fun having multiplayer in Horizon and more importantly, this game is where all cars live. It is truly a celebration you really don't want to miss and hey, everyone's invited to the party.

LIMITED EDITION
The Forza Horizon Limited Collector's Edition is a must have for the Forza aficionados worldwide. With this LCE, not only you'll become a VIP on the game, you'll also get perks such as...

• Five Car VIP Pack (2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder, 2011 Koenigsegg Agera, 2011 Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, 2012 Pagani Huayra, 2011 RUF Rt 12 R)
• Special recognition in the community as a VIP member with VIP icon affixed to their Gamertag in “Forza Horizon”
• VIP Rivals Mode Events: VIP members will have access to exclusive Rivals Mode events in “Forza Horizon”
• Exclusive in-game gifts from the Forza Motorsport community team
• Expanded Storefront: VIP members receive extra slots for things like photos, liveries, videos, etc. 
• Expanded MyForza Gallery Space: VIP’s can store an additional two videos and/or Big Shot images in their MyForza Gallery on www.forzamotorsport.net
• Custom-designed Steelbook packaging 
• Horizon Festival ticket to access exclusive Xbox LIVE content 
• Day 1 Add-on Pack (Ferrari 599XX Evo, Gumpert Apollo Enraged, Alfa Romeo 8C Spider, Lamborghini Aventador J, 1957 Chevy Bel Air, and 2013 Mustang Boss 302)
• Horizon Accelerator Token Pack 
• Five exclusive LCE Car Pack liveries