The December issue of this year's Famitsu Wave DVD is jam-packed with video footage from the recent Tokyo Game Show 2007. There's games galore, booth babes in revealing outfits, and the unwashed masses crowding around the bright lights and shiny new sights. The editors of Famitsu offer their thoughts and insight as they walk around the venue and make sense of everything for the viewer. The games featured in the issue include:
» PS3 Metal Gear Solid 4
» PS3 Devil May Cry 4
» PS2 Sengoku Basara Heroes 2
» PS3 Africa
» X360 Ninja Gaiden 2
» Wii No More Heroes
and many, many more.
The date is August 10, 2010 and invading mechs known as Knightmare Frames from the Holy Britannia Empire have destroyed and taken over Japan. The citizenry is rounded up and forced into slums known as Area 11 and the oppressed are called "Elevens." As a result of the injustice, rebel forces rise up to regain Japan with small scale attacks. Amidst the strife, an unlikely hero from Britannia named Lelouch Lamperouge sides against his own country after witnessing what Britannia's actions have wrought. To help his cause, he obtains the awesome power of Geass from a girl named C.C. which allows him to control the actions of others. This power is shown at the outset of the game where an enemy agent is compelled to shoot himself in the head.
Oekaki puzzles are very popular in Japan and they've made the transition from paper to pixel over the past few years. Illust Logic plies the Oekaki puzzle trade with a collection of 400 pictures that are created by filling in a grid by following the cues along the side and top margins. For example, if the first line of a grid has the number "1" that's colored green on the left margin, that means there's a green block measuring 1 unit to be filled in somewhere in the first line of the grid. To find out where it is exactly, look at the markings at the top margins of the grid to find a logical matching assignment. Fill the grid in properly by following the clues and a rudimentary picture appears when you're done - be it an image of a ladybug, a ducky, or a character from various retro Hudson games.
Hearken back to the Warring States period in Chinese history where players take control of a territory and wrangle it to a position of primacy through fits and starts. By using the touchpen to issue commands, armies are marched against neighboring territories and domestic policy is dictated to the populace. Many other menial tasks are also at your disposal at discretion along with the use of diplomacy rally allies to your side when conflict rears its ugly head. Another important factor is technological development to manufacture powerful weapons of war that'll lay waste to enemy bastions. A tutorial mode teaches newbies the ways of kingdom management and a Challenge Mode features objectives that must be achieved within the parameters of each scenario.
In the To Heart 2 game and subsequent OVA series, Tamaki Kousaka was an interesting character with depth and complexity. She had poise, she played the piano, had female admirers, and could cook up a storm. Normally garbed in a school uniform or casual wear, Wave's upcoming Tamaki figure does away with outerwear and features the redhead in a black two-piece bikini. She's also positioned in a compromising and vulnerable pose instead of a de rigeur stance. Two words might explain Tamaki's awkward aspect: Fan Service.
The DreamTech Tamaki Kousaka 1/6 scale PVC figure is sculpted by Tomoki Maeda and measures 255mm in length which is approximately 10" from top to toe. The toy ships in a see-through window box for obvious reasons. An elliptical base is also included for display purposes. Pricing is set at JPY5800 or US$60 from NCS. Preorders and new orders will ship today. Jan Code: 4943209610150
Good Smile Company's line of Nendoroid toys such as the Sabre (Fate Stay Night) figure and the Mesousa set invariably feature rounded sculpts and big heads. The company ships a 130mm (5.11") Nendoroid Tachikoma which represents the first mechanical construct in the product line.
The new Tachikoma features the rounded proportions that have come to define the Nendoroid line but neither the pod nor the body are exaggerated in size. The four legs are stubby and are fitted with wheels while Tachikoma's pincers are functional and may be opened and closed to grip the Eneuron Organic canister included with the toy. The default weapon that is affixed to the undercarriage of the mech is a grenade launcher but it may be swapped out for a gatling gun. A sheet of decals is also included to paste on Tachikoma's body. Jan Code: 4582191963105
Mao Shingyouji hails from the Boy Meets Girl eroge game and is dressed in her regulation-issue black and purple school uniform which is prim and proper. However, she's a flasher and perhaps a girl gone wild to boot. In addition to the exposure on top, Mao's skirt may be hiked up for an additional revelation. The completed figure is set at 1/7 scale or 21cm tall which converts to 8.26" in height. The producer is listed as Ranmaru and distribution is handled by Sofmap in Japan.
A regular edition will be available along with a Sofmap Limited Edition which is exclusive to Softmap retail shops. Please note however that NCS has only stocked the regular edition of the figure at US$58. Preorders will ship today and new orders are welcome. Jan Code: 4582191962801
In the Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core game, Genesis Rhapsodos is fond of his book titled "Loveless" from which he recites snippets of prose to no one in particular. Square entices fans with a silver Loveless Pendant which priced dear at JPY12500 or US$129 from NCS. View larger photos. Jan Code: 4988601310215
