Kingdom Hearts: Re:coded Impression

Sora is back again in digital form but is there anything new to do?

Kingdom Hearts was such a unique title when it first released on PlayStation 2, a mixing of Square Enix and Disney characters and worlds that many gamers wondered how such an odd pairing would turn out. Needless to say the first two titles were excellent gaming experiences with tight combat controls, easy inventory management, outstanding graphics but most importantly a story and characters that gamers could and do care about. Since Kingdom Hearts II the tale of Sora has been watered down a bit with many handheld offshoots, not sequels, but offshoots. From Game Boy to DS to PSP the story continues, the past is told and gaps filled in. While gamers await a true Kingdom Hearts III these portable offerings are nothing to ignore as they continue the tried and true formula established from the beginning. Here in lies the problem as there have been tweaks to the formula but even die-hard series fans have to be feeling the déjà vu.

Guinness World Records 2011 Gamers’ Edition Impression

Another year; another round of records. Guinness keeps it rolling and the formula is solid.

With Guinness World Records 2011 Gamers’ Edition the publishers have continued the fine stride achieved with the 2010 edition. The gaming sections put great focus on records by genre with a few featured games while the feature sections are great and could stand on their own with more in-depth coverage. So what’s this 2011 edition offering up? Let’s take a look section by section.

Introduction – Welcome to 2011. What’s changed this year, what’s new and gone … Introduction lays it all out essentially doing what an introduction should.

Chrome Shelled Regios DVD Part 1 Impression

A fight for survival that feels like a refreshed E’s Otherwise meets Blue Gender

Chrome Shelled Regios from FUNimation is solid. The characters, design, story is all solid but not spectacular. This series of survival keeps the mood lighthearted but mixes in the action and an intense storyline for one solid anime. Let’s take a look at a bit more of the story then pass a wee bit more judgment.

Biomega vol. 3 Impression

A Sci-fi Horror manga short on words, long on action and style

Tsutomu Nihei crafts and continues and interesting story with Biomega volume 3 from Viz but it’s not a tale for the faint of heart or lacking in concentration. The action is great but the story fairly detailed and not easy to just jump into. Start with volume 1 then head over for some volume 3 love. What does volume 3 offer up, let’s take a look.

Call of Duty: Black Ops on PlayStation 3 Impression

Not for the faint of heart, this call to duty is one amazingly polished ride.

War games are violent and bloody with a realism in HD not seen on this level before but they are always just a game, until now. Call of Duty: Black Ops is an excellent first-person shooter and follows very well in the path set by the Modern Warfare entries but it jacks up the disturbance just enough to make most gamers take pause. What is this fine line in gaming warfare that’s close to being crossed? Let’s take a look.

10 Free and Addictive Games for Your Droid

Gaming on Droid; as good as iPhone?

iPhone has been written about time and time again when it comes to applications, especially gaming apps. Now, like in every other aspect, Droid is catching up so let’s check in with Online Certificate Programs (I know right) and read their 10 Free and Addictive Games for Your Droid.

What’s nice about this list, besides being an easy read to the point, is the inclusion of video to show off some of the games. Seeing is believing especially when the controls can only get so complex. Who missed the list? Which Droid game was overlooked? Chime in and let your voice be heard.

Oh, I love me some top 10 list, who doesn’t?

Batman: Arkham City Comic Book Miniseries by DC Comics

The Dark Knight gets even more back-story for the upcoming Batman: Arkham City video game

Batman fans, get excited, get very excited. The upcoming Batman: Arkham City is receiving its own six-issue comic series from DC Comics. This series will help bridge the gap from 2009’s excellent, nay amazingly amazing Batman: Arkham Asylum to Arkham City. The writer is Paul Dini who’s handled the two games as well as Batman: the Animated Series. What this means is the story is in very rock solid hands. The first issues land in May, yes two issues a month, in both digital and print modes. The accompanying image is by concept artist Carlos D’anda and it’s a thing of beauty that moves the gritty realism of the Arkham games into comic form.

Here are some official detail but needless to say this should make the wait for Arkham City all the easier.

UDON to release Mega Man Gigamix manga series

UDON and Capcom are set to unleash another great title. Are you paying attention?

Comics and video games go together like peanut butter and jelly, Mork and Mindy, beer and … well the point is they exist very nicely together. While big boy publisher like Marvel and DC Comics put out many video game tie-ins they are not the leader when it comes to comics based on video game series. UDON rules the day thanks to their relationship with Capcom and the slew of Street Fighter, Darkstalkers and Mega Man comics (just to name a few). UDON keeps the stories going through every iteration of their games from the more well known titles to the little guys. The latest video game related title is Mega Man Gigamix. Check out the exclusive images below then head over to UDON for more on Gigamix.

One Piece Season 3 DVD Impression

Luffy and the crew of the Going Merry continue their adventures in Sky Island and take on God

It’s been a while since we’ve taken a look at One Piece but with these new adventures what better time to regroup. See the edited version and even un-edited versions only hit most televisions on cable in limited form. This means not every episode folks. Even if they did it’s tough to keep up with these sequential offerings. That being said the One Piece Season 3 DVD sets from FUNimation give fans a chance to get all the action broken up into 12-13 episode purchase (or online, your choice).

What’s so great about these releases? Besides great story, characters and action the flow of One Piece allows for fans to get hooked and attached to the narrative. The release schedule from FUNimation makes it easy on the fans bank account with affordable purchase options and plenty of episodes to dive into and finally the release schedule. These episode hit fairly frequently with only weeks between release so fans are not left forgetting key story points.

LittleBigPlanet 2 Impression

Charming, polished and deep; Sack Boy delivers the goods yet again.

For any gamer who has ever uttered the phrase " I could create a better game" it's time to prove it. The ease of use, feature options available on LittleBigPlanet 2 on PlayStation 3 delivers a package that's as fun to play as it is easy to create on. A game that's cute on the outside with one he'll of a creative engine appeals to the single-player and multi all in the same package. What's not to love? Let's take a look.

Fuzz and Fur Japans Costumed Characters Impression

Fuzz & Fur: Japan’s Costumed Characters introduces readers to one fun and very interesting aspect of Japanese culture.

Edward and John Harrison have done a ton of leg work in compiling this very unique (first volume?) of the Japanese obsession with costumed characters known as kigurumi. This collection gives a bit of background as well as the focus of the book which is not on every costume out there but mostly ones with regional ties. So what’s this lovely hardbound collection offer fans of costumes, Japanese culture and yes, us anime and manga fans? Let’s look at the content.

Gaming on Friendship Day

Sorry St. Valentine but you've been PC'd

Friendship Day; the latest PC'ing of a holiday and/or event this time replacing Valentine’s Day. So with this shift from love to friendship how should gamers now celebrate? No more gaming with your gal or guy, it's time to game with friends (but don't we do this every day?) sadly yes but to be PC now it's time to look at a few of the newest and best games for friendship day. Are there more, yes, but these need to be shared on this very special day of friendship.

Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman on PSP Impression

More portable goodness from the house of Prinny with Z.H.P.

How can any game with Evilman in the title be bad? Z.H.P. Unlosing Ranger VS. Darkdeath Evilman on PSP delivers hours of addictive, customization gameplay with the same twisted humor, setting and characters NIS America has become known for. There are many references to past games such as Disgaea (hello Prinny) and to the costume, live action shows prevalent in Japan that fans will dig. All this means nothing without solid gameplay and on this front Z.H.P. delivers. What’s a gamer to expect, let’s take a look.

Gaming and fatherhood: finding a balance

Thinks it’s hard to game and be a father? Here’s a few tips from one who’s made it work

As a gamer it's easy to get lost for hours in an epic RPG or engaging FPS. These hours were easy to come by as a single youth and got more challenging with a girlfriend, but were still attainable even into marriage but now a new challenge; kids. These are not baby, in a crib feed me age nor are they let's play together age kids but the on-between. Age 2+ who are mobile and learning but not interested in gaming structure. What's a gaming dad to do, and no, playing M rated games in front of them is not an option nor is missing out on this special age where learning and parental engagement is so important. A gaming father needs to be involved heavily with their kids, period, so how to achieve the hours of gaming time from our youth? Here are five tips from one who's managed to game without taking away from the joys of fatherhood:

Ratman vol. 2 Impression

Humor, action and great art continue in Ratman volume 2 from Tokyopop

Shuto has an ideal view of what superheroes are all about but these views take a punch in the gut in volume 2 of Ratman from Tokyopop. This very shonen action manga pokes fun at a few established franchise and concepts and manages to take the young boy as hero concept in a new and very funny direction. The story crafted by INUI Sekihiko is brought to life by plain beautiful manga art. So what’s volume 2 all about, let’s take a look …

Shuto is settling into his role as a bad guy in Jackal while still holding out hopes of becoming a real hero, a corporate sponsored hero fighting for all that’s right. Even as he tries to play at hero he still manages to get into enough trouble to be seen as a villain. Shuto is taught how the Ratman