THE IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa

THE IDOLM@STER, this title seems to be familiar if you are a complete speed freak. It's a game that pits you as the producer and nurture the idols of 765 Productions to fame and stardom. They did have a PSP game on it but now, in 2012, they're back. THE IDOLM@STER's back on the PSP. It's the new THE IDOLM@STER SHINY FESTA but however there's a bit of a problem. Which version of SHINY FESTA do I want?

HONEY SOUND - with Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, Azusa Miura, and Ritsuko Akizuki

THE IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa
Honey Sound

GROOVY TUNE - with Miki Hoshi, Takane Shijou, Makoto Kikuchi, and Yukiho Hagiwara

THE IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa
Groovy Tune

or

FUNKY NOTE - with Ami and Mami Futami, Hibiki Ganaha, Yayoi Takatsuki, and Iori Minase

THE IDOLM@STER Shiny Festa
Funky Note

If I was that geek in Japan shopping for one of these, my choice is simple. I went the one with Haruka, Chihaya, Azusa, and Ritsuko on it.

About Shiny Festa, this game is becoming a "rhythm action" game, much like the Hatsune Miku Project Diva video games before. So what you gonna do is simple, you gonna need a lot of concentration and timing to push the buttons right while listening to your favorite IDOLM@STER songs. Because I can't explain that on words, why don't we let the promo videos do the talking?

Oh wait! I almost forgot. Each version comes with a new anime footage and some bonus extras. The people from Aniplex's A-1 Pictures and director Atsushi Nishigori from the TV anime adaptation of THE IDOLM@STER, are now responsible for those three anime stuff included in three versions. Like I said, HONEY SOUND - with Haruka Amami, Chihaya Kisaragi, Azusa Miura, and Ritsuko Akizuki. GROOVY TUNE - with Miki Hoshi, Takane Shijou, Makoto Kikuchi, and Yukiho Hagiwara. And FUNKY NOTE - with Ami and Mami Futami, Hibiki Ganaha, Yayoi Takatsuki, and Iori Minase. Each run about 23 minutes for you to enjoy.

WAIT! According to Namco Bandai, those who pre-ordered will get a "backstage pass" that allows buyers to log into the limited premium shop site, a product code for "The world is all one!!" song, and a serial number for obtaining an exclusive Haruka Amami idol card in the separate Idolmaster Cinderella Girls game.

So, how can I say about this game? Even though it has three different versions, the gameplay is still has some Project Diva push-button stuff to keep it in the rhythm. It's either a good, perfect, almost, or a miss but with such effort, your effort pays off.

URL: http://www.bandainamcogames.co.jp/cs/list/idolmaster/festa/

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!

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:

http://www.yesasia.com/global/zone-of-the-enders-remix-edition-japan-version/1031012212-0-0-0-en/info.html

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!