Syfy Animo

For starters there is a lot of hype on the re-mastered classic game from PS2 to PS3. Fans of the game expect on the improvement in graphics, sound quality and the bonus features will not be disappointed with this release on the PS3. Let’s begin with the graphic details, first thing that you will notice is the higher resolution rendering at 720p and very smooth game play that create so much differences when compare to the PS2 version. It’s just looks sharper and more details without any jagged lines due to the 2x Anti Aliasing and running at 60 frames per second. Secondly is the graphic textures which is now uncompressed but unfortunately it’s remain the same size not bigger size like most would hope for but still looks very good although not really next gen quality and same thing with the geometric details which also remain the same. So with the uncompressed texture reveal more details and color depths even it is stretch to 720p resolutions because of the 2x Anti Aliasing to smooth/sharpen out the pixilation of the texture when stretch. On top of that the game now supports 16:9 wide screens for a great wide experience that was not on the PS2. Other graphic improvement are the particle effects like water, fire and magic effect are also improved to reveal more details and color depth. The game play mechanics remain faithful to the original and there are no installation require, just play direct from the disc like in the PS2.

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Posted in: Video Games by Animo / Tags: Fantasy

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You must have heard about it coming and read about but this is my take after reading through the available news that has been release so far. This is the thirteen installments of the famed Final Fantasy RPG series by Square Enix and it is the first Final Fantasy series on the new generation of PS3 or Xbox 360 console. Final Fantasy XIII theme this time is futuristic and also magical and the usual Square Enix style ATB (Active Time Battle) system gameplay with some changes. The last Final Fantasy XI was on PS2 and you must be wondering what happen to Final Fantasy XII, well it was never release on console but it was actually release on PC platform online only.

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The rumor about Nintendo releasing a bigger screen for the portable DSi is now confirmed. This is probably driven by below expectation of the sales of the DSi which was not really well receives as it only comes with built-in camera and also the removal of the cartridge slot that really does not create the attraction or wow factor for people to buy or upgrade. The Nintendo DSi XL will come with 2 x 4.25 inch LCD screen with improve battery life as compare to the normal DSi which only come with 3.25 inch screen but even with the increase in size the resolution of the screen remain the same. It comes with 2 stylus of choice, the new one is bigger and also the existing normal size stylus. Basically the Nintendo DSi XL mainly target for people who want to use it for movies or web surfing with a bigger screen it will make it easier to do so and also RPG games that you have to read a lot.  Sony PSP have been enjoying this competitive edge up until now that Nintendo decide to compete on those areas as well. It will be release in Japan on November 21 with 3 colours and the price tag of 20,000 Yen and will be release to the rest of the world in Q1 2010. Following this announcement do expect there will be price reduction of the existing DSi model for this coming Christmas.

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Posted in: Gadget, Video Games by Animo / Tags: Console

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This is a brand new fantasy action adventure game developed by Platinum Games and publish Sega that have been receiving quite a lot of attention lately due to excellent review by famous Japanese game reviewer Famitsu prior to the release. It was originally plan for Xbox 360 then later ported over to PS3 due to Sony improved business relationship with Sega. The game designer Hideki Kamiya for Bayonetta is also famed for designing Devil May Cry game series and promised over the top action game play in Bayonetta.

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I got the Asia version of the game and I finally finish the game in the story mode and here is what I think about the game. There are no screen shots or videos in this review because I don’t have any video capture device to grab from, if you want to see the game screen shots click here. For the story wise I am not going to cover also because there aren’t much to talk about but just think of it like a good guy ninja clan with the charter to stop the evil fiend from hell. There are 17 chapters all together an average 30 minutes to complete 1 chapter but there some chapters are really long so I think about 9 hours to finish playing through the story mode. The extra contents are the 3 chapters dedicated for Momiji, Rachel and Ayane play using existing stages in the game with some modification. Team mission game play is basically survival game trying to fend off all the horde of enemies using the 4 characters in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 without any time limit and chapters challenges basically play specific chapter to try to get as much karma points as possible to obtain certain ranking to unlock additional character costumes.

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Posted in: Video Games by Animo / Tags: Ninja

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Another great old game for this coming Christmas holidays is God Of War Collection. Nope it is not a new game but a re-mastered of the best action adventure hack & slash game from PS2 to PS3 system. So it is a collection of God Of War part 1 and 2 that will be re-mastered into HD 720p resolution and will be running 60 fps with 2x anti aliasing. That’s right one of the best PS2 game that have won many awards is coming to HD and already look very good on the PS2 and will look even better on PS3. There are many 3D hack & slash release before it but never quite reach the hype of gamers expectation after moving to 3D gaming but this game set the bar on how 3D hack & slash game should be. It is currently plan to be release in November 2009 and selling cheap for 2 games for the price of less than 1 regular game at about 40 USD. At the moment there are no screenshots available yet but there are more discussion updates here.

Posted in: Video Games by Animo / Tags: Fantasy

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Alright I know the game have been announce for quite sometimes and it is already release in Xbox 360 but I want to reiterate few things since this is a great action game and it will be release next week on PS3 and I can’t wait play it since I like the first Ninja Gaiden Sigma.

Let’s begin by looking back a bit, Ninja Gaiden is popular series back in 8bit and 16bit console era and they are great games but those series are consider the first generation. The second generation series is release first on Xbox, Xbox 360 and PS3. There are no stories related between the first series (1 gen) and second series (2 gen) personally I don’t think there are any stories to talk about because it is basically a pure action game. So the second generation of Ninja Gaiden series is more like continuing the Ninja Gaiden game reputation with a new story and new 3D platform setting. The new series was first release in Xbox and then ported to PS3 dubbed Ninja Gaiden Sigma with quite significant additional new contents.

The game play of Ninja Gaiden is all about nail biting outstanding hacking & slashing of evil demon. Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 stories will continue from Ninja Gaiden Sigma. Now Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 for PS3 will have a whole lot more additional new contents when compare to Ninja Gaiden Sigma. The new stuff are the co-op mode, new stages, new playable characters like Ayane, Momiji & Rachel, new weapons, SixAxis play mode support and etc.. Unfortunately it is also comes with reduce bloodshed (less blood) and less gore when compare to the Xbox 360 version which have crazily huge amount of blood squirting off from slashed enemies.

For those who have played the new generation of Ninja Gaiden series know that this is a very challenging game to play but very fun. Even in normal setting most people would find it extremely difficult to even pass through the early stages. I have never played Ninja Gaiden 2 on Xbox 360 but I expect the same challenging game play in Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2. There are a lot unhappy people in regard to Ninja Gaiden Sigma 2 releases on PS3 especially those bought the Xbox 360 version will find that they are losing out on the additional game contents and would have to buy the game again on PS3 just to play the new contents. This is probably cause by Microsoft trying pay more to get “Time Exclusive” game titles to be release on Xbox 360 first and when that 1 year time exclusive is over the publisher or developer can choose to release the game on other platform of course they need to add new stuff or else people won’t buy the game.

If you like challenging hack & slash action adventure games, this game should be very high on your wanted list and also this could be the final Ninja Gaiden game as the lead game designer Tomonobu Itagaki left Team Ninja and Tecmo the publisher have not made any announcement about any sequel or new development for the Ninja Gaiden series.

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Posted in: Video Games by Animo / Tags: Ninja

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