Friday, September 27, 2013

In this post: proof that the English voice acting in Bravely Default is all sorts of painful

Throughout the following, just-released trailer for the English version of Bravely Default, it's stated that players can choose between either English or Japanese audio.

I hate to say it, but after watching said trailer (which can be seen below), I'm definitely going with the latter, as the English voice acting seems ... well, let's just say it's not the best I've ever heard.



Who cares, though, when everything else sounds and looks so wonderful? I especially love the character designs and the backdrop art. Oh, and Revo's dramatic soundtrack, of course.

By the way, according to a recent Nintendo UK tweet, Bravely Default's still due for a 2013 release throughout Europe. Lucky bastards.

Thursday, September 26, 2013

A PSP-based rhythm game set in feudal Japan? Put me down for a copy (or two)...

Before I move onto the particulars of this, I just have to say that I'm so glad games are still being made for the PSP.

(Normally I'd follow that up by saying I wish people were still making games for the DS--aka my all-time favorite handheld--too, but I'm enjoying my 3DS so much it's hard for me to pine too much for its predecessor these days.)



As for which in-the-works (and just-announced) PSP game we're talking about in this instance: it's called Bakumatsu Rocker, and it's being developed by the folks at Marvelous AQL.

Oh, and as is shared in the header above, Bakumatsu Rocker is a rhythm game set in feudal Japan.

For those who are interested, here's a slightly beefier description of this 2014 release (on Feb. 27) courtesy of siliconera.com:



"Set in the final days of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the Shogunate is using the 'Heaven’s Song' to brainwash people and rule the country. Freedom fighters are 'rockers' led by Sakamoto Ryoma."

Sounds (and looks--based on the screenshots above) great to me. Now someone just needs to start accepting pre-orders for this sucker.

(Via famitsu.com, by way of siliconera.com)

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Surely there's space on my puny little desk for at least one of these Pikmin plushes, right?

Don't worry, I'm not actually planning to buy any of the adorable plushes seen below--in part because the bulk of my gaming allowance for the rest of the year was accounted for long ago.

That won't stop me from pining for one or more of them, though--especially the trio found along the bottom of the following photo.



Although I think the Blue Pikmin clinging to the coffee mug is my favorite, the other two also are pretty cute.

Speaking of which, here's a closer, if slightly mangier, look at the "Red Pikmin with flower pot":



All were produced by Japanese toy manufacturer Sanei, by the way, and can be bought via importer NCSX (here) for between $13.90 and $23.90.

See also: 'A few thoughts on (and a photo of) the new Club Nintendo Pikmin tote bag'

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

'Dreamy Mushroom Munchers'

Sorry for the art inundation as of late. I guess I've just been in an artsy kind of mood. (Another possibility: the headlong sprint into winter--here in Seattle, at least--has temporarily sapped me of the energy that's usually reserved for writing blog posts.)

Anyway, the focus of this particular art-centric post is the following illustration, created by a deviantartist who calls himself "Luce in the Sky."



The piece's title is "Dreamy Mushroom Munchers," appropriately enough, and it was produced in honor of Luigi's 30th anniversary.

To see more of Luce in the Sky's stuff, check out his deviantart gallery or his brand new (and as such still sparsely populated) tumblr.

Monday, September 23, 2013

Cherry on top

Dublin-based Twitterer (and YouTuber) MechaGamezilla made my night (no, not in that way) last week when he drew Animal Crossing: New Leaf villager portraits for five of his followers.

My favorite of the bunch was his rendition of the punk-ish pup, Cherry:


His Ankha and Snake portraits (below and, er, below-er) are pretty awesome, too.


As for how they were created: MechaGamezilla shared with me that he began with pencil drawings on paper, then scanned them and colored them using Photoshop's pen tool.


To see his takes on Gaston and Muffy, check out the "photos and videos" section of MechGamezilla's Twitter page.