Tag Archive for: Japan

No More Heroes 1 & 2 Review

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You’re all alone in the bedroom – put down that laptop down and pick your Nintendo Switch and give your attention to No More Heroes, 1 & or 2.

Yes – The Hack and Slash adventure that was Nintendo Wii more adult esq adventure. Which had you waving your wii stick and follows the journey of Travis Touchdown, and is a must for your Christmas stocking.

No More Heroes. Not for Kids.

Now NMH is not a game for Kids, don’t let the cell shaded animation fool you.

We talking Toilet Humour, Stylist art style!! Dope dope music and OVER THE TOP action.

The game follows Travis Journey to become the number one assassin by killing off the others in a very battle royal movie still. Like this game could be straight out a Tarantino movie, with lightsabers! YES Travis has a Katana which is basically a lightsaber and his personality has a touch of Jonny bravo. Yes he loves the ladies and it’s a bit of that one the top tongue in cheek and sexual references.

No More Heroes 2

No More Heroes 2 is more of a revenge tell and it’s your job Is to go and kill the top fighters. It plays really well on the Switch because as cool as it was waving around the wii remote. That type of gameplay has become a little played out. Game runs really well on Handheld mode.

No More Heroes

No More Heroes isn’t an open world game, the game has a map with lots of cool little hubs you can jump on your bike and ride to. From the most random side missions, which are basically 8bit mini games, that have you do anything from catching mice and rodents, to moving pipes. The best training mode, with the best chest hair wrestling looking,

No More Heroes feels like a OTT Japanese version of an American action. With some real stylist look that could’ve been taken from a persona game.

So yes like me if you think Die hard best Christmas movie, then No More Heroes 1&2 port are for you.

Written by Mr Midas

Purchase your own copy of No More Heroes 1 & 2 here: (No More Heroes) (No More Heroes 2)

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Reon Pocket – Wearable Air Conditioner

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Reon Pocket is a wearable air conditioner, which is produced via it’s First Flight internal startup platform. It’s palm sized and is a white device that charges over USB-C and connects to an iOS or Android phone via Bluetooth.

There’s a silicone pad on the back which presses against your skin and uses the Peltier effect to cool or warm itself up by absorbing and releasing heat. You can use it handheld but it is best used with Sony’s special V-neck undershirts. As they have a pocket on the inner back. Helping the device to rest between your shoulder blades.

Reon Pocket’s app is simple to use and gives you direct control over the temperature settings. There’s three levels of cooling or warming and a boost mode. Which is limited to two minutes and a control over the speed of the “fan”. Also you can set automatic modes which will auto start whenever you start the device using the power button. Rather than using the app. The device weighs 80g and lasts 2-3hours on a charge. Though this does depend on the intensity of the settings.

The Reon Pocket is available now although it is exclusive to Japan. It costs $122 dollars for the device and the undershirts cost $17 each. While the app does work in English if you wish to import it.

(The Verge)

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Xenoblades Chronicles

Xenoblades Chronicles: Top 5 Tips For Beginners

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Xenoblade Chronicles Definitive Edition is out and here are our Top 5 Tips For Beginners from our JRPG Guy Mr Midas!

A sprawling RPG classic is reborn in Xenoblade Chronicles: Definitive Edition for Nintendo Switch. In the aftermath of a devastating invasion, embark on a journey that will take you beyond the horizon. Can you change the future, or is your race doomed to extinction?

With a brand new epilogue adventure, HD visuals, smoother gameplay, remastered music tracks, and more, new and returning players can freshly experience the ultimate version of Shulk and co.’s epic RPG adventure!

(Nintendo)

5 – Auto Attack

Now Xenoblades Chronicles has one of the most unusual fighting mechanics in any roll playing game. And has pages on pages of instructions that may go over the head of a newbie to the series. 

Now the first thing you need to be aware of is Auto Attack. Shulk and the rest of the party will automatically attack an enemy once you select them. Now you select them by using the right trigger and drawing your weapon by pressing the A button and therefore selecting the fight icon. Now as long as your character is in range of your targeted your character will alway auto attack. 

4 – Arts  

Now building your auto attack not only slowly damages your opponent, but it will build up your arts. Now your arts are your spectacular and all important attacks, buffs and defence in your battles. Positioning yourself right in a fight is crucial to get that extra damage, for example Shulk Back Slash is gonna buck up an enemy way more from behind than it will standing in front. So run forest run, and keep positioning your character all around your enemies.

Now upgrading your arts is super important, Xenoblades doesn’t have any health potions like in other JRPGs so you have to, use your skill points to increase the strength of your arts in battle. Now this is easy enough, select the arts menu and

Heal

Unlike most JRPGs Xenoblades has no healing positions so you can only heal yourself using your arts, now as long as you’re upgrading your art levels you should be okay but make sure you heal early in battles. Don’t wait until your nearly dead as

3 – Seeing the future

Now because of the power of the mernado, Shulk has the power to see into the future, which is super helpful in two respects. Combat, now once you have a vision that a character in your party is on deaths door, you can run over to them and warn that character by pressing the B button and sometimes allows you to select a move for that party member, allowing them to block, heal the party or give their own pre-ented attack, which helps change the future!

Another super useful tectonic is Shulk ability to see what items you’ll need for future side quests, in your items menu these items will have a blue enchantment mark. So you can stop yourself from selling to your local shop keeper.

2 – Run forest run

Now it may sound silly but Xenoblades is a very level based JRPG, you can be in a battle with a few enemy’s of your level or above, and then hijacked by more and more opponents and you can quickly find yourself over ran and out matched, so don’t be afraid to put away your weapon and run for the heels, if you find yourself randomly in persuade by an op enemy 50 levels above u that can kill u in one hit run n jump off a mountain into the nearest lake.  

1 – Chain Attack

Now Chain attacks are super cool, they help you easily topple an enemy or just beat them down, now Chain attacks are easy enough. Once your party gauge is full! All 3 bars, the party is linked with blue lines. Press up on the Talent arts Icon and you get to link three arts, pay special attention to what arts you use and the tiny writing telling you the perks of that specific art. The higher your affinity in your party the longer chains you can achieve. 

Xenoblades Chronicles Definitive Edition, written and reviewed by Mr Midas

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Final Fantasy VII Remake Review

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Final Fantasy 7 Remake Review: Is it worth an hour?

Final Fantasy VII Remake is THE game that all Final Fantasy fans are waiting for. Arguably one of the best games, Final Fantasy VII is getting remade for a modern look and a lick of paint. Is it worth an hour of your time? Watch and you'll see 😉

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Thursday, 9 April 2020

Final Fantasy VII Remake

Final Fantasy 7 one of the most beloved video games EVER! , wanna know how beloved. We’re taking original, remastered, Prequel, Animated Movie, features in Super Smash Bros, Dissidia, Kingdom Hearts, FF7 manga and the list goes on. So to say the excitement for Final Fantasy 7 Remake is huge is an understatement. Check out our Final Fantasy VII Remake review below!

This review contains minor spoilers ahead. No story spoilers.

Final Fantasy 7, FF7, is the game that I always honour as the title that made me a hardcore gamer. So if it wasn’t for this title, I may have never worked in gaming.

So quick backstory for those of you who are like,So wtf? Is Final Fantasy 7?

The original is turn based role playing game created by Japanese development studio Square enix in January 1997!! Damnnn I’m getting old. FF7 released on the PS(one) took the world by storm, taking you on the adventures of Cloud, Tifa, Barrett and crew.

Now the Final Fantasy Remake is a new game brand a new vision inspired from original, now big man ting. I was super nervous starting this game, when I heard the opening sequence which matches the original to a t, my heart sank.

Long gone are the miss mash of shapes, trying to visually present 3D, we now have a beautiful, like stunning game, with colours that pop! MPCs who’re actually living out their lives and one of the best games I’ve seen on my 4K TV.

And man to see Cloud, Tifa and Barret in all their 3 dimensional glory. Mind blowing.

So does this beloved game, still make me  feel the same? Well yes, yes and no!

Yes!

So Final Fantasy 7 Remake, kept very true to most of the original story, but also added most of new things, including Seporath, the games glooming bad guy, he’s a major part of FF7R and messes with you through the game.

The game does an amazing job of helping you build relationships with characters, even characters like Jessie, who took a back seat in the original is a huge and major part of your story now. And midgar has a more realistic feel, the streets look like somewhere you may of visited or seen on your favourite TV show,

Yes

One of the reasons FF7 is loved and adored. Is it’s cast, FF7R feels so diverse, with characters of all different races livin together, and the leading cast is incredible;

Cloud strife, is beyond iconic and easily the most memorable in the FF series, his gruff loveable personality can’t be missed as he stores around with his giant busted sword. And he looks better than I could ever manage.

Barrett the gruff, strong black male who cares so for the planet, his people and his family more than anything and will die fighting to protect them, stays very true to the original although he’s very Mr T like.

The games leading ladies, Arieth, the caring girl next door, who is super funny and got banter for day’s, which really surprised me. Furthermore she looks stunning in that opening cutscene.

Also everyone’s favourite, Tifa, the strong, independent female, who can kick ass while looking super hot at the same time. Plus she showed a vulnerable side that I really enjoyed.

No!

Although we all reference the original game. Final Fantasy Remake is new title that’s basically redoing an old idea. One of the main changes is the the combat system. It has been completely rebuilt, and it’s soooo f** cold, the game goes all out with real time action, with options to choose your magic and special attacks, via menu. The combat is fast paced, colourful, dramatic and at times a challenge, you can take control of the all characters by pressing side on your D-pad. This has completely changed the feel of the game and makes it feel completely modern. And the music, the musicccc has been completely enhanced to accompany the new style.

FF7R is not a perfect game. Some sections feel super padded out, in a typical JRPG fetch quest fashion, sometimes when your talking to characters the conversations on the street overtake yours and the but these are such small complaints, their like having a ugly spoiler on your Lamborghini, but it’s still a Lamborghini!!!

Now I could talk about this game all day long, you much give this game a try and you can right now as there a free demo on the PSN store and you need this game in your life.

Final Fantasy VII Remake Review

So it looks like Final Fantasy VII is THE game that all Final Fantasy fans are waiting for. Arguably one of the best games, Final Fantasy VII is getting remade for a modern look and a lick of paint. While the question remains. Is it worth an hour of your time?

Well, the answer to that question is yes. Yes it is. It’s worth many hours of your time.

While it’s been altered to bring it to the modern era and attract more fans and bring new eyes to the Final Fantasy Franchise. You can either play in classic Final Fantasy turn based battle mechanics. Or you can play in a more modern fluid battle mode. Furthermore, the characters are well balanced and are very relatable. Whilst still retaining what we fell in love with them for all those years ago.

Also, it’s very pick up and play and even Final Fantasy novices can get into it. Also, they don’t need to worry about what has gone on in previous games. So, they can simply play this game as their 1st foray into the franchise and be hooked. Within minutes as well!

Final Fantasy VII Remake Plot

The world has fallen under the control of the Shinra electric power company. A shadowy corporation controlling the planet’s very life force as Mako energy. In the sprawling city of Midgard, an anti-Shinra Organization calling themselves Avalanche have stepped up their resistance.

Cloud strife, a former member of Shinra’s Elite soldier unit now turned mercenary, lends his aid to the group, unaware of the epic consequences that await him. A spectacular re-imagining of one of the most visionary games ever, the first game in this project will be set in the eclectic city of Midgard and presents a fully stand alone gaming experience. [Square Enix]

 

 

Written and reviewed by Mr Midas

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The Opening 30mins of Final Fantasy VII!

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The Opening 30mins of Final Fantasy VII Remake! Gameplay!

Final Fantasy VII Remake is out very soon and with thanks to Square Enix we got to play the game early! Here's the first 30 minutes for your enjoyment!

Posted by How To Kill an Hour on Wednesday, 4 March 2020

Final Fantasy VII Remake is out very soon and with thanks to Square Enix we got to play the game early! Here’s the first 30 minutes for your enjoyment!

Final Fantasy VII is THE game that all Final Fantasy fans are waiting for. Arguably one of the best games, Final Fantasy VII is getting remade for a modern look and a lick of paint. Boy oh boy does it look good! We’ve had a little play and we’re really enjoying what we’ve been able to get our hands on so far.

It’s very pick up and play and even Final Fantasy novices can get into it. Also, they don’t need to worry about what has gone on in previous games. They can simply play this game as their 1st foray into the franchise and be hooked. Within minutes as well!

Final Fantasy VII Plot

The world has fallen under the control of the Shinra electric power company, a shadowy corporation controlling the planet’s very life force as Mako energy. In the sprawling city of Midgard, an anti-Shinra Organization calling themselves Avalanche have stepped up their resistance.

Cloud strife, a former member of Shinra’s Elite soldier unit now turned mercenary, lends his aid to the group, unaware of the epic consequences that await him. A spectacular re-imagining of one of the most visionary games ever, the first game in this project will be set in the eclectic city of Midgard and presents a fully stand alone gaming experience. [Square Enix]

Stick with How To Kill An Hour for a FULL Review soon!

So, what are you waiting for? Pre-Order Final Fantasy VII here!

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Episode 340 James Haskell (BONUS)

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Batman Ninja

Batman Ninja: Batman like you’ve never seen him!

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The guys recently went to see a brand new Batman movie from Warner Bro’s! However, this wasn’t just a regular Batman Movie. As this was a Batman movie that was animated and set in Japan! This is Batman Ninja! Batman has been transported from his regular stomping grounds of Gotham to fight crime. Yet he is fighting a familiar old foe. The Joker!

Batman Ninja is an animated movie from DC comics and Warner Bros that’s set in Japan. The movie is classed as an animated martial arts superhero film. While it features a lot of famous Japanese creatives on the movie. Including the creator of Afro Samurai: Takashi Okazaki acting as the character designer for the film.

So how does Batman go from Gotham to Japan? Well, Gorilla Grodd’s time displacement machine transports Batman, alongside Japanese versions of Nightwing, Red Hood, Robin, Red Robin, Alfred and Catwoman to Feudal Japan. Alongside these characters Gorilla Grodd also transports many of Batman’s worst enemies! The enemies confirmed to be of Joker’s allies in Batman Ninja are: Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Poison Ivy, Two Face, Clayface, Deathstroke, Bane and Gorilla Grodd himself. So there is some battle taking place in Feudal Japan!

Batman Ninja: Plot

The villains of the story take over forms of the Feudal Lords that divided the land of Feudal Japan. With the Joker, of course, taking the lead among the warring factions. Yet, due to Batman’s hightech weaponry becoming all but depleted immediately. The Batman must rely on his intelligence and the help of his team of allies to restore order to the land and return once again to Gotham City. In the present day of course.

 

What did we think of Batman Ninja? You’ll have to listen to the latest episode (276) of How To Kill An Hour to find out!

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Electronic Skin

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Electronic skin has been developed by researchers in Japan

The Electronic Skin can be worn on the human body and has many uses.

The skin has an organic circuit that can be worn on the skin, it’s ten times lighter than skin and lighter than a feather.

The skin is surprisingly tough and resilient and has been in development for 10 years.

Many potential uses for the skin include monitoring your health, it can be worn as an electronic tattoo or in the future generate images within the electronic skin.

Robot Volleyball???

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Japan have created a team of robot volleyball players to help their national women’s volleyball team to improve their game, by creating a team of opponents that mimic the actions of blockers. (Players who jump close to the net with their arms above their heads and stretched out wide) They can even programme them with play similar to their opponents!

The three pairs of robotic arms move left and right along a track at a speed slightly faster than that of a human player and whilst impressive the robots can only move along a pre-determined line and don’t react according to what is happening in front of them. However developers are working to make this a reality by incorporating motion sensors into the robots.

To listen to the guys chatting about this please click here!

Real Life Super Mario World

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An announcement has dropped that will give everyone who likes games a real excitement of what is to come from Universal Studios. There is going to be a “Super Nintendo World” – Yes you read that right, a “Super Nintendo World”

The featured image is some concept art of what the final design will look like when the park opens in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. The press release states that the park will be:

“expansive and multilevel environments filled with unprecedented, state-of-the-art rides, interactive areas, shops and restaurants, all featuring Nintendo’s most popular characters and games.”

While it looks like you can walk around in a real Super Mario World, sorry, hop skip and jump, Nintendo’s very own Shigeru Miyamoto is apparently working with Universal to make the characters as accurate as possible.

Super Nintendo World is also set to drop in Universal Studios, Orlando and Hollywood.

Click here to listen to the guys talking about this on the show!