Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Sleeping With The Enemy: Accepting Aged Games (Hey Poor Player)






I don't recall how much I've elaborated on this subject here, but this is actually a deeply personal subject for me, so I'd be thrilled if you'd read it.

Anyway, I've got some important stuff to discuss regarding the blog, so watch for that later this week. I also may pop in to discuss the Super Smash Bros. Ultimate Direct goodness tomorrow, but in case I don't, just know I'm likely in a hype-induced coma.

Saturday, October 27, 2018

How The Grinch Stole Smash Bros. (Hey Poor Player)



This came entirely on a whim last night; somehow, I finished up a 1000+ word rough draft last night, and it spiraled from there. Needless to say, a) I never expected ever writing this title, let alone featuring the above banner crafted by my boss, and b) I've never had as much fun following a potential leak/hoax as much as this one. Fingers crossed it'll come true, but as elaborated within the article, I'll certainly not blame anyone if it crashes and burns.

Anyway, speaking of Smash Bros...well, expecting something else by the month's end.

Friday, October 26, 2018

The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess Vol. 4 Review (Hey Poor Player)

 

Annnnnd that's a wrap!

...well, not really, as there's still the three VIZ sent me for this month and inevitably November, too. Needless to say, this month's been brutal, but I've learned a lot from it.

By the way, expect some meaty articles over the next week.

Detective Pikachu

Warning: While I don't outright ruin anything like "whodunit", my discussion of the story does imply some things; in other words, reader discretion advised.

The oddity of my first Pokémon review being a spin-off is duly noted, particularly considering that aside from Pokken Tournament DX, the last one I recall engaging with was the first Mystery Dungeon back in 2006 on Game Boy Advance. Still, you can't deny the appeal of Detective Pikachu: as anyone familiar with Meowth from the long-running cartoon will tell you, this is hardly the first time we have witnessed a talking Pokémon, but it's how this particular critter conducts human speech and mannerisms; namely, the adorable series mascot in Pikachu belting out a gravelly, world-weary vocalization and expressing fondness for women and coffee. Also, he's a detective.

A key sign of both The Pokémon Company and its home developers in Game Freak and Creatures relaxing regulations in the face of Pikachu's enduring popularity, which is a direction we should all celebrate. While thankfully nothing reaches beyond a G rating, Detective Pikachu's eye-grabbing concept is unlike anything the series has ever accomplished before: there's no starry-eyed youths seeking adventure, but a young adult cast on the job; no far-off dreams of being No. 1, but personal drive and soul-searching to discover oneself. All hardly adult, yes, but new territory just the same.

Monday, October 22, 2018

Astra Lost in Space Vol. 4 Review (Hey Poor Player)



One more! While Astra Lost in Space ends in the next volume, it'll be going out with a bang via a spoiler-intensive review, so catch up with it if you haven't already!

By the way, we've decided we'll emphasizing "one-and-done" articles for new manga here on out; in other words, Kaguya-esque situations where we'll simply preview new series (or, in the case of next month, just review one-shot manga). Sadly, I'll have to cut certain series to make room, and Fullmetal Alchemist: Fullmetal Edition and possibly Kimetsu no Yaiba are set for the chopping block. Apologies!

Sunday, October 14, 2018

Super Mario Sunshine


And now, a story: there was, once upon a very brief time, I would've placed Super Mario Sunshine in My Top Five Video Games of All Time; No. 2, in fact, only behind Super Smash Bros. Melee. Call it the fervent hype of one little boy -- stumbling across a pre-release demo in New York City's Toys "R" Us remains one of my all-time favorite gaming memories -- but my bliss in Mario's tropical acrobatics couldn't be denied: be it bopping upon hapless NPCs and aimlessly hopping around the beaches and villages of Isle Delfino, hours upon hours were spent within torrid festiveness. Paradise was here, and it arrived in the anticipated thrill of a new Mario game.

Not many months later, however, a curious thing happened: the game slipped to No. 5, then No. 9, and then slipped off my Top Ten without a trace. It kept falling, falling, falling out of sight until its place within a Top 50 would be unfathomable. To say I grew a budding, resentful disappointment would be inaccurate, but the honeymoon period was certainly over, and the game's faults were too much to ignore.

Friday, October 12, 2018

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

Dr. Stone Vol. 1 Review (Hey Poor Player)



Been waiting forever to write about this one! Dr. Stone is yet another series I'll be stick with until the end, so look forward to it!

Anyway, three more.

Thursday, October 4, 2018