There are many things to be impressed about the Shenmue games, but one I want to focus on now are the secrets/optional content. These are games you can play through many times over and still discover new things in. While the first game lacks in these compared to its sequels, there are still enough to pick out 5. Click "read more" for the countdown.
I must admit that I am so very glad that I am once again able to routinely attend film releases in theaters. While I enjoy streaming as much as the next guy, there is fundamentally something different about watching a new film on a massive screen, with surround sound and a comfy chair (popcorn included). Last week, I was able to take an opportunity to watch the new Sonic the Hedgehog 2 with Cendoo, the review of which you can find right here on Emerald Rangers.
This week, I was able to enjoy something of a back-to-back feature as both my sister and girlfriend were able to go to individual showings of the latest film in the Fantastic Beasts series, the prequel franchise to J.K. Rowling's generation defining Harry Potter series: Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore. An experience I knew that I wanted to have in a theater, despite my opinions on the Fantastic Beasts franchise as a whole.
Rest assured, I have an editorial in the works that will go into much greater detail about the franchise as a whole, but today I will focus on the third film in this...complicated, prequel series.
Is The Secrets of Dumbledore a secret worth knowing, or is the film, much like its authorial inspiration is increasingly becoming, that which must not be named?
Sonic Origins was revealed shortly after the leak of the PSN Artwork, that we also shared the other day. As fast as Sonic could run, details were officially shared by SEGA about the new title shortly afterwards. But this led to some confusion and frustration amongst the fans over the game's planned separate DLC.
Today it's been reported that a new Sonic Origins artwork has been revealed on the PS Network!
Before Sonic Speed Simulator was announced for Roblox platforms, I had never played Roblox. Sure, I knew about the 'oof" meme, but other than that I never cared to notice the game since the Sonic announcement.
Due to the lack of news and gameplay footage that still surrounds the upcoming title, Sonic Frontiers - which is due for a release in apparently 6 months from now, and we've still seen no gameplay whatsoever, Sega decided to finally feel sorry for us and give us a Sonic game to be entertained by for free while we wait painfully for the next title.
But Sonic Speed Simulator may be the best new Sonic game in ages.
The original Sonic the Hedgehog holds a rather exalted place in my recent theatrical viewing history, as it was the last film I watched in theaters in the before times (pre-COVID). I was exceptionally motivated to support the film following the massive fan interest in the film project after Sonic's redesign, as I desperately wanted the film to succeed and further incentivize films studios to listen to fan input on a project. Thankfully, I was pleasantly surprised when Cendoo and I watched Sonic the Hedgehog.
Video game movies, by and large, tend to really suck, either failing to successfully adapt the thematic spirit of the video game in question or becoming simply a collection of vaguely associated Easter eggs held together by hopes and an annoyingly dated modern soundtrack. And while the original Sonic the Hedgehog certainly had quite a few moments that existed solely for Easter egg moments, they were also coupled with subtly established world-building, fantastic and funny characterization and a surprising amount of heart that quickly won over audiences and led to the film becoming a massive financial success.
So naturally, all of us were anticipating a sequel. Especially as the world slowly but surely went into our new COVID era. And sure enough, we weren't disappointed as Sonic the Hedgehog 2 released almost 2 years after the first film with quite a bit of hype around it.With a new release I decided that I should watch this film with Cendoo as well. So we did just that last Saturday.
Did the film live up to expectations or did it lose everything that gave the first film charm?
We have reached the point in the story where Ryo is now seeking to travel to Hong Kong. This means the events of the first game will be wrapping up within the next couple episodes most likely. How will this be adapted? Click "read more" and let us find out.
In the past, I have expressed a degree of pickiness when it comes to watching certain anime, generally preferring to watch largely comedic, lighthearted, or romantic-based anime. I will however, make exceptions for anime that particularly capture my attention, either due to an interesting narrative or thematic concept or simply one that has a beautifully done animation style. The consequence of this is that I don't tend to watch a great deal of anime, but when I do, it is usually of fairly high quality or at least is something that I personally can become invested in.
So when I say that today's anime is one which managed to tick off every damn box I have ever required of an anime and is one that I not only watched, but watched in both dub and sub and hope to continue watching in a future season 2, I hope that expresses to you the sheer degree to which I adore My Dress-Up Darling, the anime that might already very well be my favorite anime of 2022.
This simple 12 episode romantic comedy is a masterful combination of compelling and deep narrative story-telling, a heartwarming and slightly erotic (whilst maintaining an innocence) romance, and a beautiful thematic love letter to cosplay and the passion of artists and fans; all expressed in beautifully flowing animation that is some of the best that I have ever bore witness too.
I could keep on going in this intro, but I think its more important to get into the main article now.
Yes, i've seen Sonic The Hedgehog 2. But i've actually now seen it 2 times. How is this possible? In Australia it premiered last week; on March 31st, and I went on the first day, at 4DX Cinemas, and again, at 4DX cinemas a few days ago, taking a friend along for the ride. Before 2020 COVID shutdowns messed everything up for the next year or so, the last film I went to see in the cinemas was....Sonic The Hedgehog (2020)! Also, at the same 4DX cinema I went to see the 2nd one!
We continue the journey as the story races on. This is only the 3rd episode and we are already half way through the first games content. This leaves me very hopeful that this anime will finally give us the Shenmue conclusion. So, lets not waste any time, click "read more" and may the analysis begin.
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