Speaking of Anime-based Video Games…

Attack on Titan: Chains of Humanity is just the latest.

This was the first one I played back in 2003:

Yes, that’s the opening from the Game Boy Advance game. Yes, Game Boy Advance not Nintendo DS Reminder: Nintendo released episodes of Kids shows on GBA Carts (GBA Video I believe it was called) two years later just to show how powerful the GBA was. Those who know the history behind Legacy of Goku 1 and 2 know the sequel was an apology to DBZ fans for how unrecognizable the first game was to fans of the Legendary Anime.

Needless to say, all was forgiven XD

Legacy of Goku II spans the Android Saga to the Cell Games Saga. Goku is the main character (of course) but over the course of the game, you will also play as Gohan, Vegeta, Piccolo and Future Trunks. And yes, you will be able to go Super Saiyan when playing as one of the Saiyans. The game’s soundtrack also comes from the Anime. They pulled out all the stops to make you forget the first game even existed.

There is an unlockable character and a hidden boss as well: Hercule/Mr. Satan. His name is actually Mr. Satan but to make the series (Anime) approachable in the West, his US Name is Hercule in both the Video Games and the TV Version of the Dub (though from what I understand, he will use the name Mr. Satan in the Dub currently airing on Toonami). He is correctly called Mr. Satan in the most recent English home release versions of the Anime episodes. Anyway, he is unlocked by leveling all of the playable characters to 50 (the maximum level) including Goku. After you beat the game, Hercule will be unlocked as a playable character. Leveling Hercule to 50 gives you an additional ending for him. There is also a hidden boss: Cooler. For those who need a refresher, he’s Frieza’s older brother and has two movies around him and his quest for vengeance against the Saiyans responsible for the deaths of his brother and father. Unlocking Cooler requires collecting all 50 Gold Capsules scattered around the world. Once you’ve found them all, talk to Dr. Briefs in West City and you will be able to fight Cooler on New Namek.

…Of course, you can’t talk anout Legacy of Goku II without also talking about its sequel:

The third and final game in the trilogy finishes off the series. It spans The Underworld Tournament to the Buu Saga. Goku, Gohan and Vegeta are back as playable characters and they’re joined by Goten and Trunks. You do get to briefly play as Piccolo and Hercule in two parts of the game, though. Like Legacy of Goku II the game went well out of its way to stay true to the Anime: Goku can go Super Saiyan 3, There’s Fusion (“Fu-Sion-HA!”) and there’s even some crossover with the movie Fusion Reborn: The main villain from that movie is a boss in Buu’s Fury. There is also a hidden boss now that we’re on the subject. This time it’s The Legendary Super Saiyan himself, Broly (!) and you encounter him if you’re playing as Gohan, Trunks or Goten at a certain point in the game. This is purposeful as Gohan, Goten and Trunks fight Broly in the movie Broly II: Second Coming.

…Oddly, from what I understand neither of these games have been released on the Wii U or 3DS Virtual Console. I’d say it’s about time at this point XD

As a reminder, the Anime preceeded both the Trading Card Game (still going strong 10 years later) and the Anime. Most of the Trading Card Games released on consoles follow the rules of the physical card game though the first two–Forbidden Memories (PS1) and Duelist of the Roses (Gamecube)–do not. In recent years, the video games have gone mobile only and can be bought on the Google Play and Apple App stores respectively.

Although it wasn’t released in the US, this is one of 3 Death Note video games released on the Nintendo DS, all of them following the Anime’s plot. Its spiritual successor Attack on Titan got a US Release so we should be happy with that!

This video game series recently made the jump to Anime. Unlike most Visual Novels made into Anime, the anime series is not a retelling of the video games but instead follows an original storyline. The above game was recently released on the Playstation Vita. Speaking of, all but one of the Hyperdevotion games are on the Vita. The only one that isn’t is on the Playstation 3.

 

And of course, Clannad was first a video game–a Visual Novel–before it was an Anime. The game is finally coming to the U.S. later this year ^_^

 

There are other Anime that have video games based on them as well–Inuyasha, Fullmetal Alchemist, Naruto and Bleach to name a few–but most have only been released in Japan. Of course, Bleach and Naruto have had several games released outside Japan. One thing publishers learned with Clannad and Attack on Titan in particular is if fans ask for it, they will bring it to the U.S. and Europe!

 

First Look Review: Attack on Titan: Chains of Humanity (Nintendo 3DS)

The first thing you see when you start the game is the Opening from the Anime–Guren no Yumiya by Linked Horizon:

…Never gets old.

Before I continue, obviously I don’t reccommend buying Chains of Humanity if you are not a fan of the Anime. That said, although I am reviewing a video game, since it is based on an insanely popular Anime it felt more appropriate the post the review here and reblog it to my Video Game Blog. I also reccommend playing either with headphones or with the volume turned up since the game has video clips from the Anime ^_^

The game is split into Story Mode and World Mode. Even though it’s digital only the game is massive (1.2GB). In Story Mode you play through the events of the Anime as Eren, Mikasa, Armin, Levi and Sasha. I assume after you’ve either cleared Story Mode or played through most of it World Mode is unlocked. World Mode is more mission-based and less linear compared to Story Mode and you create your own Character.

For once once, I agree with those who’ve said this game would have been better on a larger screen (console). Mostly for visualization and to be able to better appreciate your skirmishes with the Titans. I am hoping the game is later ported to the Xbox 360 or the Playstation 3. Due to problems with my 3DS (more on that below), controls were problematic. I want to put that out there before I continue. That said, taking down Titans is a 2-part process: First you attack the ankle to immobilize them and then you hit the nape of their necks–their kill spot (see above picture, which is from the anime). Of course, in the Anime you usually just see ’em go for the nape.

In most missions you will roll in a squad of 3 or 4 people to help you take down Titans. From what I’ve read about World Mode, your squadmates come with various skills to help you on missions. Rolling with a squad is helpful for your survival and increases your chances of success: If you or one of your squadmates gets grabbed by a Titan, you or one of your squadmates will bail you out. They also actively help you take down the Titans. That said, it’s pretty easy to avoid becoming Titan food even when on the ground. Relax, it’s mostly due to the game’s mechanics.

Also, keep in mind like the Anime your blades and gas do have limited durability. You will not be able to use your ODM when you run out of gas and you will not be able to hurt the titans when your blades break. It only takes a moment to replace both. You start each mission with refills for both and you can pick up refills on the field.

…I will provide a more complete review when I’ve cleared Story Mode but unfortunately for me, that will take a month to 6 weeks: I found out when I started Chains of Humanity I will need to send the 3DS I downloaded the game onto off to get fixed due to an unresponsive button. Not one of shoulder buttons either (by the way you will need both L and R to play the game) but the X button, which is needed in this game to attack and target attack(!) so…yeah. It took me several tries to clear the missions I’ve done so far since I kept running out of time.

It will also cost me $85 but since it’s my Ambassador 3DS I will get it fixed so I can properly play this game and other upcoming games. I find it more cost effective to pay to get my 3DS fixed vs. either buying a new one or buying the game again on my other 3DS (since Nintendo doesn’t have 3DS to 3DS cross-play/cross-buy).

Chains of Humanity costs $40 and it’s reccommended you have an 8GB or 16GB SD Memory Card to download it on to. It is a full game just like Phoenix Wright Ace Attorney: Dual Destinies so yeah, the cost is spot-on. As an aside the game is compatible with the Circle Pad Pro so if you have one, you can use it with this game on your 3DS.

 

Review: Air

I made good on my promise to buy more Anime on DVD last month. This was one of them.

From the makers of Clannad and Angel Beats comes Air, which tells two stories across 13 Episodes: Kanna in the past and her future incarnation Misuzu (the lead female protagonist). The 3-Disc DVD set comes with both OVAs, which are extended versions of Kanna’s adventures in the past. Kanna’s tragic fate in the past has a devastating effect on Misuzu: Every time Misuzu gets close to someone, she starts crying uncontrollably.

Each one of Key’s series has a clearly defined overarching theme. Clannad’s is Family and Angel Beats’ is Friendship. Air’s is clearly Reincarnation with what happens to Yukito and Kanna. That said, Air’s ending left Kanna and Yukito’s situations unresolved: Kanna is still trapped somewhere while Yukito is trapped in the form he takes on after leaving town. If the intent was for the viewer to draw their own conclusion, I feel like I’d need more information to come to one.

That aside, the Anime’s score and visuals led the way. This is Key we’re talking about. They’re the best.

Overall I give Air an 8/10. The ending felt abrupt and unresolved, taking two points off. I got this and Kanon together for just $10 (I had a gift card) from Amazon so…yeah. I will provide a review for Kanon sometime next weekend.