Batman Ninja – Indescribable Insanity

/ Michael Beckwith / Leave a comment

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Where do I even begin trying to describe Batman Ninja? Usually after watching a film, I have a pretty solid idea of whether I liked it or not. We all have an immediate, gut feeling after we’ve absorbed a piece of media that we can easily share with others when they ask the obvious question – “How was it?” But Batman Ninja? Words fail me. Not because it’s so good or so bad, but because I have no idea how I feel about it.

I guess I’ll start with the usual info. Made in Japan and released last year, Batman Ninja is an animated film that sees Batman, alongside his many allies and enemies, accidentally travelling back in time to Feudal Japan, where he must learn the ways of the samurai to free the country from the tyrannical grip of his most dangerous enemies. You’d probably think “Well, this doesn’t sound too bad.” But trust me, this synopsis does not accurately sum up this film. Continue reading →

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Ten Anticipated Games of 2019

/ Michael Beckwith / Leave a comment

2018 was a very mixed year in terms of videogames. It was a year of stellar highs and abysmal lows. On one hand, the PS4 exclusive Spider-Man game proved that not only were single-player titles still in demand but licensed games could also be incredible, Octopath Traveler was a perfect throwback to SNES-era RPGs and showed how beloved turn-based RPGs still are and only last month we got Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, which very much lived up to its name considering it’s a game where Princess Peach can beat up Cloud Strife in the middle of Dracula’s Castle.

On the other hand, however, gross mismanagement led to the closure of TellTale Games, resulting in several highly anticipated titles getting cancelled and its employees suddenly jobless, the lootbox craze became so bad that some countries have made them illegal, which sets a worrying precedent for the possibility of games becoming regulated, and do I even need to bring up the utter fuster-cluck that was Fallout 76?

As always, I prefer to not dwell on the past but focus on the future. We all have high expectations for 2019 and while I’m sure there’s a myriad of bullshit headed our way, there’re gonna be some amazing things too. So let me share with you the ten games I’m most looking forward to this year. Continue reading →

My VG Music Picks #71 – Boss Battle Song 1 (Super Smash Bros. Brawl)

/ Michael Beckwith / Leave a comment

By the time this post has gone up, Super Smash Bros. Ultimate will have finally launched and we’ll all no doubt be obsessively playing it so we can stop worrying about stumbling across spoilers online. But I’m not here to write about Ultimate; I’m here to write about Masahiro Sakurai’s first attempt to quit this series – Super Smash Bros. Brawl, which Sakurai described at the time would be his magnum opus. Continue reading →

The Proposal

/ Michael Beckwith / Leave a comment

Synopsis: What should be a simple marriage proposal turns into a terrorist incident.

Charlie’s hands fidgeted as he wiped the slight amount of sweat from his brow. This was a big moment for him. The risk was great but the potential reward would be greater. He double-checked the inside of his pocket to make sure it was still there, safely tucked away. Its presence relieved him somewhat. How he hoped with all his heart that it would go well. Doubts once again began to creep in; he shook his head frantically as if it would shake them out.

The sound of footsteps alerted him. He’d already wasted enough time and it wouldn’t be long until people started asking where he was. With her face at the forefront of his mind, he steeled himself. It will all turn out OK, he told himself, as he pulled on his balaclava, pulled out his pistol, tucked his homemade bomb under his arm and kicked the door open.

Continue reading →

My VG Music Picks #70 – Cursed Leorina (Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil)

/ Michael Beckwith / Leave a comment

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Klonoa 2: Lunatea’s Veil

So I recently found out that the Klonoa 2 soundtrack is available on iTunes but only in America and Japan, and that makes me very annoyed. Come on, Namco, let me pay you money for your cool game soundtracks! Anyway, brief rant over, let’s talk about probably my favourite boss theme from Klonoa 2. Continue reading →