Super Smash Bros. for 3DS and Wii U, Most Gender Neutral Roster Yet

More amazing news from Nintendo! They've added Lucina and Robin (Player 1 Avatar) from Fire Emblem: Awakening (check out my review for that game here!) to the Super Smash Bros. Roster. How awesome is that? We've seen characters like Palutena (Kid Icarus: Arising) and Princess Rosalina (Super Mario Galaxy) get added, but with another female character announced I couldn't be happier. On top of that they've made characters gender neutral by allowing players to pick between their male and female counterparts; the Villager, Wii Fit Trainer and now Robin are all playable as male or female. I love a lot of the characters they've announced already, but making the roster equal parts female to male is a step in the right direction. So many gamers are female so why not represent the gender better? Good on ya Nintendo!

Rosalina Enters The Ring!

Rosalina enters the ring with her super cute buddy Luma in the new Super Smash Bros! I can’t get enough of the female fighters in this series! Not only is she badass, but she’s a welcomed addition to the roster. I’m very excited for this game to come out.

Should You Buy Dual Destinies' DLC?

In October we saw the release of Ace Attorney Phoenix Wright: Dual Destinies (that's a mouthful) for the 3DS and a couple weeks ago they released their first DLC case featuring Sasha Buckler and Orla Shipley the Orca. The headline behind this case is that you're defending a killer whale in court, thus, hilarity ensues. I recently purchased and played through the DLC so here's my thoughts on the feature.

The Story

Phoenix Wright games are best known for their complex stories and cases that are full of plot twists and intrigue that keep you interested until the chapter's completion. This case is no different. It is centered around Shipshape Aquarium and the cast of funny characters that inhabit it, animals and all. Orla the killer whale is accused of murdering of one of the stage performers and is going to get euthanized for her dangerous behaviour. Sasha Buckler (Orla's trainer) reaches out to Phoenix to help save Orla by defending her in court. It's Phoenix's first case back from his break and it's a strange one too. The case holds no bearing on the larger story at hand so you won't be losing out on getting the full Dual Destinies experience by skipping it, it's just a fun side story if you're looking for a little more lawyering.

My Opinion

As I just mentioned, it's a side story that doesn't add any context to the main plot of Dual Destinies, so if you're thinking of saving the $6.00 it's not one of those have-to-play experiences. It's about 4 hours long (typical case length) and is worth the extra dollars if you can't get enough Phoenix (and is priced right, as the full game is $29.99 with 5 cases which works out to $6.00 a chapter).

Top Ten Hunks in Video Games

As a girl gamer you've probably rolled a few eyes at the copious female characters in video games that have the curviest features that are barely considered humanly possible. You're thinking "these games don't even think about their female audience" and you're most likely right, but every now and then you encounter a game where a character wins your heart. He's the video game heartthrob you've been waiting for in that sea of busty npc's and they're subtle reminders that sometimes there is something for the female audience. So this is my personal top ten list of hotties in video games! I'm not including any characters from dating sims because that feels like cheating, these characters are from games that can be appreciated by both the male and female audience.

10. Commander Shepard from Mass Effect

Let's be honest with ourselves, what more could a woman want than a man she can tailor to her liking? Cue in Commander Shepard who saves the world from a huge alien threat, all while obeying your every command literally. Sure, you had the option to play as a woman commander, but who could pass up the opportunity to make a man using whatever combinations they want? These games were hella addictive, and having a fun hunk of your own design made it all the more enjoyable.

9. Professor Sycamore from Pokemon X and Y

So you're catching some cute Fletchling's and Pancham's in the wild until you reach the metropolis of Kalos, Lumiose City. You've heard from your friends about this Professor, who for a Professor in a Pokemon game, has been taking his sweet time to make an appearance. But once you meet him you hear that theme song of his play... you're instantly smitten! His curly coiffed hair and subtle stubble will instantly win you over, plus he gives you one of the original starters! And did I mention... he's French?! Too bad Pokemon didn't have some sort of social sim integrated into the game!

Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies, An Amazing New 3D Experience

Have you been missing your fill of Phoenix Wright? Well I certainly have! Available today for download or purchase off the Nintendo E-Shop is Phoenix's latest romp that's shaking the courtrooms! Not only is he back, but he's got new friends with him as well! Anthena Cykes joins you as your new assistant and uses her special ability to sense emotional fluctuations within a witness' voice to find out important testimony. There's also a slew of new faces that need your help, as well as a convict prosecutor?! There's tons of exciting updates including the gorgeous new art all in 3D (including cutscenes!). Any fan who enjoyed previous iterations has to check this out.

For those who are happy to see Phoenix return to the courtroom, you'll also notice Apollo Justice is back. Once again these two are intertwined but not as mysterious mentor to justice apprentice, but rather as equals who fight for justice together. And for those who are wondering where the Fey's are at, Pearl Fey returns as a young woman! And of course Edgey (Miles Edgeworth) has to return as well, I think the fans would be livid otherwise! 

Top 10 Kickass Females in Video Games

I play video games quite regularly and I’ve come across quite a few female characters who inspire me a lot. Fighting big bad guys all while looking stylish and awesome (of course!) they’re some tough chicks who any guy would be crazy to reckon with. I’m going to give you my top 10 kickass females in video games as I chronologue my childhood and reach back into this awesome list of ladies. Please keep in mind that this list is subjective and features games I’ve played, I can’t vouch for a character I haven’t played as before. If we look beyond the curves there still are some deeply developed females in this list. Women have had a tough time being taken seriously in video games so I’m going to take them seriously here. Let’s get on with the list.
10. Jill Valentine from The Resident Evil Series

Fighting zombies is pretty terrifying, but Jill doesn’t flinch! I feel like her character is often missed and forgotten so she deserves some representation here. Her character has to be strong in the face of hardship as she fights the dreaded Umbrella Corporation and their slue of zombies, she’s badass as she shoots them down and moves on to fight and find her teammates. She was where it all started and she still appears in the series as she’s prominent in their newest title Resident Evil: Revelations. Although she’s a little feminine they’ve strived to make her character physically appealing to everyone while also making her more muscular and strong willed. She’s definitely a role model character that is often overlooked. In the face of fear she strikes it down, and that makes her one brave chick.
9. Princess Peach from the Super Mario Series

She is Nintendo’s female mascot that is an alternative for girls who play Nintendo’s Mario series of games. She may be cute and a little hopeless but despite her fragile nature she has been the hero before and will be again (with Super Mario Bros. 2, Super Mario RPG, and the upcoming Super Mario 3D Land on the Wii U). I always liked Peach because she was pretty and pink, and I looove pink. But pink doesn’t have to be cute and her character doesn’t have to be perilous unless you think she does. In the Paper Mario series you get to be in her shoes and play her after game chapters as she bravely goes around her kidnapping ground. She’s prepared to save herself while communicating back secrets to Mario that she’s sleuthed from the bad guys. In Super Mario 2 made her the pick of the lot with her awesome floating ability. And in the Smash Bros series she’s been my pick of the roster as she packs a heavy punch, all while looking cute and refined! So although she’s sometimes in the background, (but certainly not always!) Princess Peach is no damsel in distress.

Sweet Fuse: At Your Side Review

Another title from the guys who brought Hakuoki on the PSP comes their next translated title on both the PSP and Playstation Vita, Sweet Fuse At Your Side. An original title that doesn’t play like most other otome games, offering a strange but interesting story and some new unexpected gameplay mechanics. My review will go in depth into the pros and cons of this title, focusing on story, characters and gameplay. At the end I tally up my overall score on it with my final thoughts. So Let’s get into the review!

The Introduction & Story

The game thrusts you into its story within the first 10 minutes. It doesn’t beat around the bush, you’re playing for life or death (and you can get GameOver!). It has a sort of 999 feel to it as you have to play through games that the terrorist Count Hogstein has created, and if you fail you and everyone playing the game will die. Also like 999 it is text heavy as it is a visual novel first and foremost. This game however is much shorter than 999 as you can finish a story-arc in about 5/6 hours.

It’s set in a theme park centered around video games! How could it not when its host and park designer is Keiji Inafune? So it features some awesome backgrounds while paying homage to titles like Mario Kart, Final Fantasy, Resident Evil etc. The setting is fun and the story is kooky and mysterious enough to make you want more out of the game. The mystery won’t be completely solved after one playthrough, so you have to go through different story-arcs to fully flesh out the mystery behind the Count Hogstein and his treacherous plot. Each story-arc feels meaningful as you get to know the past of different characters as well as their motivations. Each playthrough feels like a genuinely new experience which is unheard of in most otome games, and you have to give Sweet Fuse credit for that.

Sweet Fuse’s story gets an 9.0 out of 10. It’s extensive, mysterious and fascinating as it’s just weird enough to keep you guessing! The story will surprise you as it isn’t clear cut, so even on new playthroughs it throws you more curveballs. Each story-arc changes the story and perspective completely as you gain the affection of the different characters. It was very enjoyable despite it being text heavy (and you can skip through already read text with the square button so the introductions fly by quickly).

Josei Games on the Nintendo DS/3DS Part Two

So this is Part Two of my recommendations for josei fans who are looking for games to play on the Nintendo DS/3DS. It can be tricky because as young women there’s not really many developers who directly target our demographic. Luckily for us though, our numbers are growing, and we’re getting more and more recognized as time goes on. So I’ve compiled a list that attempts to bring together games that would appeal to any josei fan, as well as being fun games to play. I’d never recommend something I personally dislike! So let’s continue this list, I’ve got 10 more games/series up my sleeve! Check out Part One here if you missed it!
Fire Emblem Series

Fire emblem has quickly become one of my favourite handhelds as it has great titles for both the DS and 3DS. They’re Tactical Role-Playing Games set in a fantasy medieval setting. On the DS you’ll find a remake of the very first Fire Emblem game (originally on the famicom). You can finally learn about the infamous Prince Marth and his exploits in this game titled Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon. The touch controls allow for smooth gameplay that’s easy to maneuver through. There’s also Fire Emblem Awakening on the 3DS which I’ve previously reviewed. It’s a great title for anyone new to the series. I recommend these games because they do a great job at bridging both female and male players by having a large female cast who all wield swords and kick butt (which isn’t always common in North American games). The stories are also large in scale, and the tactics element leaves you satisfied with just enough of a challenge to keep you going. If you like rpg’s and are looking for something new to try or you love large-scale stories with heroines and dragons, then check this series out! You won’t be disappointed.
Harvest Moon

This series has a lot to offer for both newcomers and old veterans of the series. They’re simulation role-playing games where your aim is to rebuild the farm, find love and eventually have children. Intermixed is addictive gameplay as you farm crops and take care of the livestock. It’s a laid back game but it’s adorable and addictive. The simulation aspect is welcome for any quasi otome fan, and you have lots of potential bachelors at your disposal. The customization and options involved make for new experiences with every game, and as each title adds in new elements, every game is a new experience. If you’re picking up Harvest Moon DS, make sure to get DS Cute as it features a female protagonist instead of a boy in the regular DS version. You can even travel to an island in two of the DS titles, Island of Happiness and Sunshine Islands (which is a nice change of scenery compared to the other titles). And speaking of changing scenery….

Professor Layton Vs. Phoenix Wright Officially Anounced for North America

Two of my favourite series on the Nintendo DS/3DS are clashing together for this awesome mashup on the Nintendo 3DS. For a while it seemed like the title would be exclusive to Japan, but Nintendo Direct released news on August 7th that the title will be coming to NA/EU in 2014. Both titles have awesome stories with problem solving elements, so it seems natural for them to appear together in the same game. I included both series in my josei DS games list here. I’ll do my best to update news on this title as it comes out! Until then I’m very excited.
Christina

Josei Games on the Nintendo DS/3DS Part One

If you’re anything like me you’re always looking for a fun new game to play. There’s tons of pickings out there, and there’s an especially great library for the Nintendo DS. It’s one of my prized possessions and I still pick up some of these titles to replay from time to time. So I’m making a list of DS games that I think any josei would enjoy, whether it be story based, great gameplay, or awesome fanservice. If you own a DS but don’t know where to start purchasing then you’ve come to the right place. Let’s get on with the list!
Phoenix Wright Series

What a series! I love this series for its ability to mix great storytelling with compelling gameplay. You play as a lawyer who investigates different murder cases, meeting funny new faces along the way. It’s point and click style gameplay mixed in with detective problem solving, as you must point out the contradictions within different testimonies etc. The art style is done in anime style, so it’s got that eye candy appeal. They’ve also done a manga along side the games which involves different cases separate from the games. There’s also an upcoming title on the 3DS which will be out this fall.
Hotel Dusk/Last Window

Another detective mystery series following a more American protagonist Kyle Hyde, an ex-detective who stumbles into profound mysteries that he must solve. Intermixed is its problem solving gameplay, where you go around looking for objects as well as interacting with different characters where you must coerce them to give you the information you need to move forward. The stories in both games are very compelling, they push you forward to play through the entire game. Although the gameplay is at times troubling, it is always satisfying when you solve the puzzle to move forward. The artwork is beautiful and unique, it’s all done in a sketched style. Any mystery fan would definitely enjoy these games.

Collecting Sailor Moon Video Games for the Super Famicom

I’m a collector of many things, and among my collection is a few Super Famicom (SFC) Sailor Moon games. When I was younger I emulated the games and played them a lot (terrible I know! but they weren’t available in North America). So for nostalgic reasons I began purchasing the physical games, so today I’m posting about my experience buying these games as well as giving some advice on how to pick them up for yourself! I also have a trick involving the region lock on North American & European Super Nintendo games that can be undone so you don’t have to pick up a Japanese console to play these awesome games!

I’ve picked up 3 SFC games through Ebay, and they’re among some of my favourites from the roster of Sailor Moon games available. Above is Sailor Moon SuperS: Fuwa Fuwa Panic, a balloon popping puzzle game that feels like a cross between Bust a Move and Bejeweled. You pop balloons of similar colour and send over unpoppable gray balloons in a sort of backwards tetris. Intermixed with it is the Sailor Scouts who have different special attacks that can help your board or hinder your enemy’s board. The sprites are colourful and the game is a lot of fun to play through, whether solo or against friends. See gameplay of it here. There’s also Sailor Moon Sailor Stars: Fuwa Fuwa Panic 2 which is the same thing but much more difficult to play solo. It is also hard to find, and probably expensive to purchase if you do. Check out its gameplay here. Both games are fun so if you see either for a decent price then pick them up! Any puzzle game fan would have tons of fun playing these games.

Fire Emblem: Awakening Review

With the launch of the 3DS we expected Nintendo to deliver with a plethora of great games. What we got was a mixed bag, and a peripheral (the circle pad pro) that felt awkward and unusable. With disappointments like Paper Mario Sticker Star, and New Super Mario Bros. I figured Nintendo couldn’t release a good game that wasn’t on previous consoles before. Thank God Fire Emblem arrived exactly when 3DS owners needed it, without this game I would’ve most likely ditched my system. Developed by Intelligent Systems, it is a welcome entry into the Fire Emblem franchise. It introduces new gameplay mechanics that I hope are here to stay, as well as a welcomed difficulty range that offers something for every player. It gives homage to old characters such as Marth, as well as including those old characters as bonus maps you can defeat and then add as units in your roster, an addition that veterans can’t pass up! With randomly generated maps of risen, along with street pass challenges there is a lot to do, and you can clock in close to 30 hours just on the campaign alone, but with so much extra to do you can be looking at 60+.

 
For those unfamiliar to the franchise, and wondering why this would be appealing to the josei audience, I’ll break it down for you. A very welcomed addition and an appealing relationship system is developed through pair-up support on maps that can create relationships over time. Once a relationship has maxed out with two of the opposite sex they can become husband and wife. Around the half-point of the game you can unlock and add their child character to your roster as well. For those who want to maximize the child stats you can pair up based on stats to  determine what traits pass over to the child character. For others, (like me!) you can pair up simply based on how their story will carry out. Each character has a distinct personality and make for interesting side stories as you learn about their past and who they are. It gets you attached to the characters in a way the old games couldn’t fully accomplish. So for those josei who love a story driven experience with a customizable romance element, this is definitely a game worth looking into.