Thursday, October 3, 2013

Heroes of Cosplay

Last Thursday night was the season finale of Heroes of Cosplay. I've been putting off reviewing this show for awhile, because I didn't have much good to say about most of the people on the show, and I would like to keep this blog classy. However, once the final episode has aired, I've gained more insight to the people featured on there and so I have a much more well rounded review to give. Overall, it's a very interesting show and I learned a lot about cosplay, such as costume construction, fabrication, materials, and performing skits.

Left to Right: Yaya, Jessica, Riki, Monika

I originally thought this was going to be more like Face Off where a group of contestants would have a weekly competition where the worst cosplayer would be kicked off. This show is actually more of a docuseries where each episode revolves around a specific convention's cosplay contest. The people the show follows is a little different each week, but mostly revolves around the same ones. Yaya Han is in every episode and she is typically the judge in every competition.

There are many highs and lows to this show and many moments where I really hate the cast interspersed with moments that I love them. Almost all the outcomes to every contest are disappointing, but I think that lends to the authenticity of the show. Just because these people are on camera doesn't guarantee them a win.

If I had a more exciting life, I would probably hate this show along with everyone on it. But like I mentioned in my Fangasm article, I really have nothing better to do than watch shows about nerds because I live out in the middle of nowhere.

There are people I do respect on the show. My favorite would be Chloe Dykstra who got a very deserved win on the next to last episode for cosplaying the Mechromancer from Borderlands 2. During the beginning of the season she really advocated for cosplay to be more inclusive, saying that people of all genders, body shapes, and races should be able to cosplay anything they want. If I were Gatsby, I would tell her, "You're worth the whole damn bunch."

 

Another favorite moment of mine was in the season finale when Jinyo used Peter Mayhew to propose to his girlfriend, Victoria. Say what you will about the couple, I cried a little. Mostly because she was wearing a Star Trek uniform to a Star Wars panel.


I've always been interested in cosplay (I've even started a costume recently), but this show taught me never to do it competitively because competition sucks the fun out of everything.  I give this show a C-. If SyFy ever decides to make a second season of this show, there are a lot of improvements to be made.

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Nintendo Direct for Upcoming 3DS and WiiU Games in 2013

I'm not the biggest Nintendo fan in the world, but because of my childhood nostalgia, I still think I care about what goes in in the world of Nintendo. On Tuesday morning, a Nintendo Direct conference took place and there was tons of news, so I'll make this into a list for you.


1. We all know Super Smash Brothers is an upcoming game for both the 3DS and the WiiU. I'm actually planning on getting this one, even though it will have to be for the 3DS because that's the only current gen Nintendo system I have. On Nintendo Direct, they have announced Sonic the Hedgehog as the newest playable character.

2. Pikmin is getting DLC for $1.99. This is in the form of a pack called "Collect Treasure" which consists of four stages. On October 1, there will be an update for the game and then the DLC will be available to download. Don't worry, there will still be free bonus content for the game.


3. We also have a release date for Super Mario 3D World. The game will release on November 22 in North America on the WiiU. I watched game play on this and it's almost worth getting a WiiU. Mario's newest power is the kitty cat suit, which gives him special jumping powers and lets him climb up to the top of flagpoles at the end of each stage. Also, if you get a cherry, you get two Marios. Almost makes me wish I had bought that Wind Waker bundle!

4. Now for some bad news. Remember how Donkey Kong Country: Tropical Breeze was supposed to release December 6? Well, not so much anymore. The game was pushed back to February 2014.

5. Back to good news. The demo for Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is now available for download on the 3DS. The game will be released on October 24 and will have day one DLC in the form of outfits for the main characters. If you purchase the game between 10/24 and 11/7, you get the outfit pack for free. After that, the pack will be 99 cents. I am under the understanding that this game is only available for download on the eShop.

6. A new Kirby game was announced for the 3DS! What I got from the trailer is that it's your typical Kirby game, but modernized for 3D. It will release sometime this year. That reminds me, I still have my old Gameboy with Kirby's Dreamland. Time to relive some childhood memories...


7. The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds now has a November 22 release date on the 3DS. Not only that, but the game will be played a bit differently than before. You will be able to play the dungeons in any order you want. In order to be fully prepared for each dungeon, there will be a shop where you can buy important items normally found in other dungeons.

Well, that's about the most important news from the presentation that I have. Like I said, I'm not the biggest Nintendo fan, but I still have huge respect for them, since they were a huge part of my childhood. I'm actually very interested in buying the 3DS games I've mentioned above, and I'll probably download the Phoenix Wright demo within the next few days.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

October 2013 New Game Releases

It's October first and we're part of the way through fall, which we all know and love as new video game season. Here is a roundup of all the game releases that are due out this October. Personally, I'm excited about Beyond: Two Souls, Batman Arkham Origins, Battlefield 4, and Assassin's Creed IV.. I'm on the fence about Pokemon X/Y. Which games are you excited about this month?

10/1
Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Milennium Girl (3DS)
NBA 2K14 (PS3, XB360)


10/8
Beyond: Two Souls (PS3)
Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness (PS3)
F1 2013 (PC, PS3, XB360)
Just Dance 2014 (Wii, WiiU, XB360, PS3)

10/12
Pokemon X and Y (3DS)


10/13
Skylanders: Swap Force (Wii, WiiU, XB360, PS3)

10/15
Valhalla Knights 3 (PSVita)

10/16
Zumba Fitness: World Party (Wii, WiiU)

10/18
Lego Marvel Super Heroes (PC, WiiU, XB360, PS3, DS, Wii)

10/22
Sonic Lost World (WiiU, 3DS)
SpongeBob SquarePants: Plankton's Robotic Revenge (WiiU, 3DS, XB360, PS3, DS, PC)

10/24
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies (3DS)


10/25
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate (3DS, PSVita)
Batman: Arkham Origins (PS3, XB360, PC, WiiU)
Wii Party U (WiiU)


10/29
Assassin's Creed IV: Black Flag (PS3, XB360, WiiU)
Battlefield 4 (PC, XB360, PS3)
Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures (PC, PS3, XB360, WiiU, 3DS)
WWE 2K14 (PS3, XB360)


10/31
Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate (PSN, XBLA)