Another Code R: A Journey Into Lost Memories (Import Review)

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In 2005 a Nintendo DS game entitled "Trace Memory" was released. It was a pretty fun game. You follow young Ashley Robins as she searches for her father. In 2009 a sequel was released in Europe and Japan only, entitled "Another Code R: A Journey Into Lost Memories." Is it worth the import? Or should this be something you will like to forget.

Story- The game like it's predecessor is very story driven. In the sequel it's three years later and Ashley is now sixteen years old. Her relationship with her father is still on the rocks. However they still communicate from time to time. One day Ashley gets a message from her dad to meet him at a campsite. Ashley reluctantly agrees to go thanks to some convincing from her aunt. When she arrives she is robbed for her bag and has a flashback of her mother. The overall of the story is to find the bag and uncovered the mystery of her mother. The story is well written and the characters will keep you playing. What really makes the story is the relationship Ashley has with her dad. It's a nice theme of how important parents are to the kids. Only thing with the story is that it really starts off slow till chapter 6.

Gameplay - The gameplay is very simple. Players will use the Wii-Mote to control Ashley. You don't do much but solve puzzles and find items. To move Ashley you point the Wii-Mote at the direction she can move too. It's simple and it works for this interactive novel. The flaw with the controls is when it comes to certain puzzles. In the beginning of the game you have to take a picture of Ashley with the DAS. The DAS is how Ashley communicates with her dad and keeps her data. Taking a picture was a chore. It literally took me five minutes to get the controls in the middle. Other puzzles such as getting a bag was also proved to be annoying. The controls are horrible when it comes to solving puzzles. Thankfully it doesn't kill the experience of the game. Ashley also comes equip with a new gadget called TAS. The TAS is shaped like a Wii-Mote and it was created by her mother. It used to unlock doors and it's heavily used in the game. Also heads up pay attention to the story, so when Ashley has to remember you get the correct answers. Overall the puzzles are easy to solve, it's just getting the game to respond to your actions.

Gameplay Video


Graphics - The graphics work well. It stays true with the DS feel. It's nice to see Ashley in full 3D and the cell shaded feel really brings it out. I like the look of the campsite, the trees blowing in the wind and Ashley's facial expressions. The graphics isn't nothing mind blowing, but it is great on the Wii. The graphics does what it's suppose to do, and that's keep true to the original with bringing new fresh elements to the story.

Sound - The sound is very mellow. The music is relaxing and gives you a lighthearted feel. The music reflects Ashley's character the most, kind, sweet but mysterious. There is no voice acting at all. For a game to be an interactive novel, I would of like to see voice acting. I think that some good voice acting would of really help bring the world to life some more. However it's staying true to the series, so it's not a big lost.

Replay Value - Another Code R: A Journey Into Lost Memories is a great story. However this will be a one time play through. It doesn't offer much outside the core story, still you will play it again just to play something different on the market.

Final Grade B-/8.0 - Another Code R: A Journey Into Lost Memories is something different that I hope we will see more of. I would love to see more interactive novels on the Wii. The story is interesting, music relaxing, but the clunky controls might turn some gamers off. Overall it's a nice experience that you should check out. Final Grade B-/8.0.


Final Fantasy Distant Worlds Concert Coming To New York

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On April 1st and 2nd the Final Fantasy Orchestra "Distant Worlds" will be having a concert. The concert will be at BAM Howard Gillman Opera House. Here is a list and tracks that will be played on each night. Also the creator of the this great music Nobuo Uematsu will be there. Tickets are on sale for more info visit Ticket and Info

Music on April 1 includes:
• FF VII: Prelude
• FFVIII: Liberi Fatali
• FFXI: Memoro de la Stono - Distant Worlds
• FF VII: J-E-N-O-V-A
• FF VIII: Fisherman's Horizon
• the American premiere of FF XIV: Answers, featuring Susan Calloway
• FFX: To Zanarkand
• FFVI: Terra's Theme
• FFXII: Kiss Me Goodbye with Susan Calloway
• FFV: Clash on the Big Bridge
• FFVII: Opening - Bombing Mission
• FFVIII: Don’t Be Afraid
• With full Chorus!

Music on April 2 includes:
• FF VII: Aerith's Theme
• FF V: Dear Friends
• FF IX: Vamo' alla Flamenco
• FF VI: Opera "Maria and Draco"
• FF IX: A Place to Call Home – Melodies of Life, featuring Susan Calloway
• FFX: To Zanarkand
• FFVI: Terra's Theme
• FFXII: Kiss Me Goodbye with Susan Calloway
• FFV: Clash on the Big Bridge
• FFVII: Opening - Bombing Mission
• FFVIII: Don’t Be Afraid

Let's Be Perverts (Manga Review)

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Title: Let's Be Perverts
Author: Youjung Lee
Illustrator: Youjung Lee
Number Of Volumes: 4
Pages:667


Story - Perverto is just a regular 17-year-old...with the unavoidable nickname, "pervert." Unlike his namesake, he's actually quite naïve when it comes to sexual matters; his first and only youthful romance having ended terribly. To escape his bad reputation, he transfers to a new school for a fresh start. But on his first day there, he's falsely accused of groping a girl named Hongdan on the subway. To make matters worse, she happens to be another new student who has just transferred to his new school, to his very class.

The story is well written. The characters are very well developed. Perverto is a just your normal teenage guy fighting with his hormones, and trying to find his place. Youjung Lee has written a Manga with characters that many can relate too. The story starts off very light hearted and you will laugh at the first volume. However as the story progress it gets dark, dealing with issues such as cheating, rape and student teacher relationships. As well crafted and executed this story is, the ending felt rushed and you will feel like Lee lost steam towards the end. My favorite character is the main character Perverto. He is misunderstood by the ladies and has to go through awkward moment after another to get the girl he desires. I also love how dark his frustration gets when he finds out his recent girlfriend did something. Another interesting character is Hongdan. Hongdan is the Perverto love interest. She is a tough girl, that is kind of a tomboy. What makes her interesting is her inner battle with herself. She was in a relationship with a girl, and is trying to move on to be with Perverto. However the past keeps following her, as her ex is trying to win her back. Overall the story is fun, dark and you will re-read it over and over. Just a heads up there is plenty of fan service.

Art


The art has a lot of fan service. There is enough boobs and pantie shots to make you say "I see why this is the title." There also some use of real photos of real girls in a section of the book. I really love the facial expressions in this. There are some close up shots of Perverto that will have you laughing. The art really shines during the emotional points of the story. You can really feel the pain of each character and it's great detail.

Final Grade B+/8.5 - "Let's Be Perverts" is funny, dark and gets emotional in some points. The theme of teenage insecurity is explored greatly. Fun characters and a whole lot of inner conflict makes this Manga a worthy read. Final Grade B+.

Geek Fashion :: Suggestions from a Kid!

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This week, I'll take some time to welcome Ja'kiyah (Little MISS Madness). To welcome her to Team Artistic Sole and because she's a mini fashion guru, I asked her to tell the people what she feels about geek fashion, her suggestions for rocking it, & some pics we found as examples of her "approved" geek wear while perusing the inter webs ...

This is what she had to say about the matter ::

IKB: What's your take of "geek fashion"?
LMM: I usually think glasses , comic books, computers,  and video games.


IKB: The average "geek" is simple in dress, a tee & jeans type of person,what would you suggest we geeks do to look fashionably clever?
LMM: I'd say jazz up the poindexter look and make it look more fashionable, with sttrroooong geeky roots! The good thing about geek fashion is that you can mix geek chic with other styles too: Like Emo, preppy goth, Urban, Hippie, Indie & more!


Little MISS Madness is the newest member to my team. If you see her around, please be sure to say hey! She's what she like to call "in training to become a better artist"!

If you'd like to share your cool geeky fashion, please email us at ipbrand@artistic-sole.com

Til next time,
~je t'adore!

Marvel vs Capcom 3 Launch Party

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Whats up everyone. Im still recovering from the Marvel vs Capcom party, it was great. I spoke to so many great ppl. I also had a nice chat with Seth Killian the community manager for Capcom. Seth didn't reveal much but he did say we may see Birdie and/or Sodom make a return to the Street Fighter series....well at least I put the bug into his ear.

Check out the footage I took with my itouch.

TokiDoki How I LOVE Thee!

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So, it's no secret that I'm a ginormous fan of Tokidoki. Recently, I got a sneak peek to their Spring 2011 bag collection. *le siiihgh* Usually, I'm excited to see Legno's characters overlap to but this bag was way less than what I've ever expected of the brand. The design wasn't "whack", in my opinion. I just think the punchline wasn't their ... like they put out an idea that they're going to build on.

Hmmm ... now that I think of it, I hope that's what they're planning on doing. If so, oh boy that's be a brilliant way to bait people in. "Why?", you ask. Well, because I know I'm not the only one in this world who'll still continue looking at Tokidoki and following the brand, even after this (in our eyes) miss.



Well, I'll remain hopeful. For now, I was able to discuss the artistic perspective of this with two of my artist friends, Terry Biddle and Darryl Bennett. Here's what they think of the brand and how they felt about sneak preview.

IKB: When you think TokiDoki, what comes to mind?
DB: Superflat style, bubble gum pop
TB: Japanese influence without "mimicry"

IKB: What's your favorite tokidoki piece (that you own or admire) and what about it do you like?
DB: I like there bags and purses where they are covered with Tokidoki characters, I love that collage of their characters.
TB: I just own one hat, but I love his t-shirts (Simone Legno). I find his artwork to be really inspirational. I'm really into creating characters (I have been since I was a kid), and I have a real interest in producing apparel, toys and other merchandising featuring my characters.
I work as a designer full time, and an illustrator/artist in my free time...so I'm really inspired by people that seem to straddle the line between those worlds. That's the happy medium I'd hope to someday achieve.


IKB: What do you think of the sneak peek in comparison to products you've seen? What would get you to buy it?
DB: I just seen this cheap looking purse with these sparrows on it, it kinda looks like he is trying to re-invent Ed Hardy stuff, which i have no issue with cause he is taking a idea thats been done and making it his own, but the build of the purse just looks like some mall kiosk embroidery stuff.
TB: This looks more tattoo inspired than his other work. As a dude, I'd probably only buy it if my wife wants it. ;)



until next time!
~je t'adore