Magus

[quote name='Raiyuu']After the Hinamori-stabbing incident, there was a lot of debate over exactly when Aizen released his shikai. I may be way behind on the speculation here, but I just remembered this: [url]http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/376/03/[/url] [url]http://www.onemanga.com/Bleach/376/04/[/url] So Kyouka Suigetsu's effect has been active [B]at least[/B] since Aizen got bored and took out Harribel.[/QUOTE] [size=1][color=darkred]You, sir, are a friggin genius. I completely forgot about that.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Episode 3 was a pretty good episode. I purposely skipped episode 2, but in this one Vic sounded really good. And Al's V/A sounded fairly close to the original. I'd say at this point the V/A's have gotten back into the groove of things, but that's only the folk that were in this episode. Rose definately sounded good, but then again, I forgot whose doing her voice (Colleen?), but she always sounded good as both Rose and Winry (I think). Now all that's left is for Mustang to get back into tiptop shape. The short bit she was in, Lust still sounded as good as always. Laura Bailey is a very dangerous woman to have whispering in your ear :luv:. I think she might've become my new favorite female V/A. (It used to be Major Kusanagi) I can definately tell this one seems to be more comedic over the first one. It has a Bleach feeling in a sense, where it has the comedic moments in serious situations (or rather, Bleach used to have those moments. They're long gone) I need a little spoiler just to know ahead of time so I can skip it. For those who've seen it already, [spoiler]Tucker turns Nina/Neena into a chimera and Scar kills her in what episode[/spoiler]? I'm asking because I have a tendency to drop anything [spoiler]involving the killing of animals[/spoiler]. And I don't want to drop this so soon.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Have no choice but to play these games again since the whole erasing of the gamertag crap. [b]Ninja Gaiden 2[/b] - On chapter 5. I've died quite a bit, mainly on chapter 3. I hate the boss fight in that chapter. I only died because I called myself trying not to use any items against that thing. I was also thrown for a loop for a little because I could've sworn you get a Talisman of Rebirth in the 2nd chapter, but then again, if you do I think missed out on getting it. I've died once on chapter 5, again, calling myself trying not to use items. I suppose it don't matter though since I am on Warrior and have to unlock Mentor again. And the weapons I have (up to the Kisugari...thingy) are maxed out except for the chain-like weapon, although I can max it out if I wanted to, but I think I'll wait until I get my Scythe before upgrading it since I'm no good with it anyway. I'm slowly getting back in the groove of this game. My controller sucks (Ryu moves to the left automatically when my hand is no where near the analog stick.. It happens on all my games) and my OLC skills still need some work lol. I think by the time I get to either chapter 7 or 8, I'll be in full swing ready to take on mentor again. [b]Gears of War 2[/b] - I've beaten the first level already. I don't think I've forgotten how to play the game too much, but I am trying to get used to the controls again. Marcus is an amazing character, and I think I've stated once before that whoever is voicing Marcus does an awesome job. [b]Tales of Vesperia[/b] - My last playthrough was my first playthrough, and I never finished the game. Starting from square one is not a bad idea since I've pretty much forgotten everything, and this time I can actually listen to the story as well as pay attention to certain skills stuff. (I didn't really find out about this until I was at the midpoint or nearing the end I guess) I'm literally right at the beginning of the game since I just started. Haven't even gotten to the tutorial part yet. (I say, how dare you block my arte/attack... That was funny the first time I heard that) I'll eventually start playing [b]Halo 3[/b] again as well. So I'll be rotating between 4 games over the next few months, although Tales probably won't get as much attention as the other games since I also have to focus on college work... (Watch how fast I ignore that lol)[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Like I said, I don't think the chapter was all that bad, but I do gotta rant here. (Reading it multiple times getcha thinking) You know times like this I really wish Byakuya were there to make up for the tactical parts that everyone else seems to lack. Honestly, why the heck is Toushiro the only one using Bankai (I can understand Soifon not using it... Aww she cares)? I applaud the teamwork that was involved when taking down Hinamori, but still, it seems like none of the shinigami's can match wits with Aizen except Byakuya since he's the only one that seems to ever use his brain. I'm not saying that Byakuya can beat Aizen, but I do think with his decisiveness, Byakuya could've given everyone a better chance at taking down Aizen. Seriously, Yama-ji letting the others take on a fully healed Aizen while they're wounded no less. Where/What is the logic/tactics in that? How can the other shingami captains follow someone like him? (They get no choice in the matter of being a sacrifice or not either....) But then again, (and I'm pretty sure we talked about it before) they are just as demented as him so I guess that answers that question. In a sense I have Aizen pegged as an anti-hero than being a clear cut villain simply because Soul Society seems to do more sadistic stuff. (I'm looking at Mayuri and Kenpachi)[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Mixed feelings about this chapter. Sakura almost wrecked it for me with her stupidity. She is a teenage girl who hasn't killed a soul so freezing up like that is/was expected, but still, why you go back there for if you were just going to hesitate? Man, stuff like that really pisses me off. There's definately some nice build-up in this chapter, and I am a bit relieved that logic is back in this series. Sasuke being able to fight in his current condition just don't sit well with me at all. Seeing side effects take place really does make me a happy camper again, but like I said, the chapter itself is a mixbag for me. So much for Kakashi vs Sasuke >_>. I really do hate how Kakashi has been dumbed down. Kakashi's last greatest fight was when he was fighting again Hidan and Kakuzo, and since then it just seems like he's been dumbed down. I can understand that the arrow being too fast and all, but still... I just don't care for how Kishi has Kakashi fighting as of late.[/size][/color]

[quote name='rotlung']I have to totally agree with u on this. I just got through the first season[spoiler] where he starts fightign and eventually wins the featherwieght championship[/spoiler] Great charachter development and stories make this just a great series. I'm also a bit of a sucker when they mention old school boxers like Jack Dempsy, Mike Tyson, and the like. It interesting to see how he's taught thier techniques cause the coach doesn't say "ur learning to throw this punch" he says "go do 300 squat thrusts" I also like how there isn't a villian. Their are other people who are striving for the same thing Ippo is. Ippo actaully become good friends or at least respects the fighters he fights. Shows good sportsmanship and leaves u feeling good after watching it. (that and ur eye isn't swollen shut...)[/QUOTE] [size=1][color=darkred]While I still believe Hajime no Ippo is underrated, The New Challenger almost had me changing my opinion about the entire series. The fights were still great, but I just hated how they had Ippo to just stay where he was. They could've had him go after Ricardo, or at the very least give us a rematch with Miyata. They had him doing matches against nobody worth caring about. It was like after he won the title that was it. If that were the case I would've left it alone after he beat [spoiler]Sendo for the title.[/spoiler] I liked the focus on other characters but this is Ippo's story is it not? Having Ippo not go after Ricardo or Miyata was like a swift blow to the face. I am aware that the manga is still going, but with how NC ended I don't even have any interest in this series anymore.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]From what I read of the spoilers, yes Ichigo is an idiot. Still staring around and crap. As for everything else, yay except for Wonderweiss. I just don't find anything appealing about the guy. And then I need answers about Kensei. It's sad that Yama-ji comes finally steps in only to get handed by Wonderweiss. (I've yet to see his release but I imagine being a butterfly is really lame) So much for seeing just how powerful Yama-ji really is. Toushiro loses arm/hand/half of something officially. (There is no clones now, take that :devil:) Honestly, I just don't see Ichigo beating Aizen in this arc. (While I do see a bailout coming from Urahara and folk, I don't even see them beating Aizen either) In fact I have Aizen actually winning this entire battle and we go into the next arc with the goodies contemplating their next move of going after Aizen. I have Aizen pegged as a pimped out version of Naraku, being the one big baddy everyone gotta take down. There's just no creating a better villain than Aizen in this series, and as sly as Gin looks, I don't even see him being able to double cross Aizen, at least not at this point I don't. (Thought I throw that in there in case people are thinking that Gin maybe betray Aizen to become the bigger baddy) Edit: Having officially read the chapter, that wasn't actually bad. I am glad that Yama-ji finally did something. I still don't really care for him at this point though... (release your bankai and I just might have a different opinion) I guess its official that Yama-ji is stronger than Aizen. Too bad he's not a tactician. (At least from everything I've seen of him so far, he's not) I've commented on it quite a few times, but I feel I have to say it again. Kubo's artwork is awesome. Honestly, if the anime was done just like the manga (left in black & white, and the same attention to detail) I'd probably respect and enjoy it a lot more because I don't care for the anime that much. [/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I'm not big on the mecha genre outside of a couple series here and there. (Code Geass has been entertaining and I really enjoyed IGPX, and the 1st episode of Gun Sword has really caught my interest) Gundam 00's first season was great, but the 2nd season caused me to lose interest for some apparent reason. (I don't know what happened, but it just got boring to me) I may give unicorn a shot, but I wouldn't bank on it. [/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]While I've never played Power Stone 2, and after watching it on youtube, I have to agree with Korey. It definately looks more like a Smash Bros game with the ability to run around the area, and I do not like them Smash Bros games. I just never could get into it. From what I've seen of it, James, you just might like it more than the original since you like the Smash Bros games. Or do I have you mixed up with Des?[/size][/color] [youtube]hgT1tqSL1Qg[/youtube]

[size=1][color=darkred]Pretty much a game version of the anime thread. I actually think this is better suited for games over anime... "shrugs" I thought this would be an interesting topic for here. I'm just going to copy and paste it because the poster certainly did a nice job in wording it. [i]"This might be an interesting exercise and awesome discussion fodder. We have games we love. We have games we hate. In a normal discussion, we tend to heap praise on a game we love and tear into a game that's terrible or too silly. Nothing wrong with that, it's perfectly normal. Yet at the same time many great shows have something that could improved. We think "man, if these things were change, it would be perfect!" Conversely many awful or silly games may at least have a little redeeming virtue, and so one might think "man, if this had been done differently, it wouldn't suck!" So here, the challenge is to think outside the box and look at your favorites and pet peeves with a critical eye. The rules are simple. [List]Choose any sort of game. (PS, PS2, XBOX, etc) Do this as often as you like with as many anime as you like. [*]If you like it, list and discuss the things you like most about it. Obviously it's vice versa for something you hate. These details can be broad or specific, it doesn't matter. Maybe it's a character, maybe it's the plot at large, maybe it's the graphics or music. Anything goes. [*]Here's the trick. For every favorite strength or weakness, also single out and discuss a flaw or virtue respectively. [*]Discussing and/or challenging the criticism and praise that others have to offer is fair game and highly encouraged. [*]Just for even more emphasis, discussion is key. Please, please don't make this a list thread. [/LIST] Here's a very simple example to get everyone on the right track. [quote][B]Final Fantasy Gundam[/B] General opinion: positive [U]Strengths[/U] Well first off, wow! I can't believe Sunrise commissioned Square-Enix to make up a Gundam story. Sure, all of the men are designed like bishonen and they brought magic into a mecha show, but the story is epic! And best of all, the corresponding game won't suck for a change! Now that's merchandising done right. [U]Weaknesses[/U] Hey, wait a minute! This show doesn't actually exist! And it's a delusional fantasy that will never happen! Whew, thank goodness. That was close."[/i][/quote] I'll leave that Gundam quote there just for a general idea even though it is geared towards anime. But you get the gist of how it goes. Personally, I don't care how you set it up.[/size][/color]

[quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium]What do you mean by "practice" part of the game?[/font][/QUOTE] [size=1][color=darkred]Where you go into empty places and just practice. I really enjoyed that aspect of the first game, whereas, in 2 the only way to master your moves are by getting into actual fights. Of course there's nothing wrong with that (and it's completely understandable in sense since a lot of the moves that were taught to you required a sparring partner), but I still would've liked to have gone into an empty lot/warehouse and just practice by my lonesome, or actually have someone you can fight as many times as you want without the need of story progression of some sort.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]Went back to finish my run of Final Fantasy 7. I just recently got to disc 2 at that snow village (the name escapes me at the moment). My party's levels are between 42 and 52 with Cloud being at 52. The main 3 I'm using are Cloud, Cid and Barret. I normally alternate between Tifa, Barret, Vincent (sometimes I don't use him at all), and Yuffie. I was using Aeris over everyone else because I wanted to see what Great Gospel look like, but unfortunately she wouldn't learn it. [/size][/color] __________________________ [size=1][color=darkred]Shockingly, I just recently found out my gamer tag is gone on the 360. Not only is it gone, but it's been replaced by another person named Diamond. What's even more weird is that my brother and his wife said they don't know what happened. Anyway, I started playing [b]Ninja Gaiden 2[/b] again. My intention was to play on Path of the Mentor to get a good challenge going on, but unfortunately that mishap happened. I guess it's a good thing since it gives me a chance to beat the game again on Path of the Warrior. Playing on that difficulty is a good stress reliever for me since it never plays with my emotions lol. I did happen to die once because I was trying to get used to the game again since it's been a good 6-8 months since I've last played the game. I finished chapter 3 recently. Falcon's Talon is great, but it's taking me a while to get used to them again. I think it's going to feel even weirder when I get my hands on the DCTF's since I also played with those a lot too. I've also been watching someone play [b]Shin Megami Tensei: Digital Devil Saga[/b] and I've had a renewed interest in the SMT series. I think my real issue with the game is that these dungeons seems overbearingly long, but in this one there are save points and healing points so that makes up for it a bit. From the brief 10 minutes of my experience with Nocturne, I don't recall there being any healing points at all. I'm also enjoying the voice work that's done in this game. Sounds like it's straight from an anime with superb (I don't use that word) voice talent. The music is also pretty good, and much to my surprise, I haven't really heard anything that sounded like heavy metal (I don't listen to that at all), and considering the dark tone of the series I would've expected to hear some in here. The music seems like a mixture between soft (I guess?) rock and jazz (I think), almost something like you'd hear in Death Note. Characters have been pretty good too, although Heat (as great as Crispin Freeman sounds as him) is beginning to get on my nerves. I'll stop there since I'd rather give my experience with the characters when I actually play the game. But from the looks of it I think I will enjoy this game very much. It also makes me actually want to play Nocturne again as well along with Persona 4. (The thought of not being able to control my characters in 3 is a huge turn off for me) Edit: I take it back. Heat's a rockstar.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I remember there was a time when I used to try to own all the consoles. Now days I just get what I can afford / what interest me the most. I don't have have all the consoles I used to have anymore because I either gave them to my sister or they don't work anymore. PS2 (Man I need some money so I can buy some more games) Xbox 360 (temporarily) Gamecube (it's my brother's) Saturn is still floating around the house somewhere Nintendo 64 Dreamcast don't work anymore, and I only play my ps2 and 360 these days. (Only game I want to play on the GC is Twilight Princess) Hopefully I can get my hands on a PS3 someday as well. (MGS4 is calling my name)[/size][/color]

[quote name='Humaru']Games were much more fun in the 90s....no parental warnings telling us that something is too violent for us kids. [/QUOTE] [size=1][color=darkred]Did you miss out on Mortal Kombat when it was first released?[/color][/size]

[quote name='James'][font=franklin gothic medium]If you do get the chance to buy another Dreamcast, I strongly recommend importing Shenmue II. It's going to be a bit more expensive than other titles, but I think it's well worth it. [/font][/QUOTE] [size=1][color=darkred]Are there any differences between the Xbox and Dreamcast versions? I played Shenmue 2 on the Xbox, and I did have fun with it, but I tend to favor Shenmue 1 over 2. I think it's because of the "Practice" part of the game.[/size][/color]

[quote name='visualkei']When I was a kid, one of my favorite movies was "Snoopy Come Home". I watched this movie several times, and thought it was the best Peanuts movie produced. It is kind of long, and basically about Snoopy leaving Charlie's side because he receives a letter from his previous master who's sick in the hospital.[/QUOTE] [quote name='Justin']I found Conan the Barbarian and Conan the Destroyer for $8 in Blockbuster last week. I made this big *** event out of watching them and all, only to get about half-way through Barbarian and turn it off.[/quote] [size=1][color=darkred]Oh, y'all are some of the most evilist people ever to even bring those movies up. Those are some of the worst movies ever, and Snoopy, that stupid tune always got stuck in my head. Snooo-oooo-oopy, Snooo-oooo-oopy.. X_X (RAGE!!!!) And thinking about those movies automatically made me think about movies like He-Man (ewwww!!!!), Howard the Duck, and Monster Squad (LOL!!! Movie was so corny that it was actually pretty good) Speaking of nostalgic stuff... Ever 80's child knows something about [Youtube]HnsHpPNltBw[/youtube] Dangit, James, this thread is awesome, but you're pretty evil to be causing bad memories. (It's sad, too, because I know the words to that song too.... "dies")[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I'm pretty much in the same boat. Super Mario Bros, Duck Hunt and probably Pac Man were my first games. Zombie, some bike game? That game wouldn't happen to be Excite Bike would it? That game was pretty fun along with Skate or Die... (Man, we had a blast with that game)[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I forgot about Haki.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I welcome all characters to the SF games, but personally, and I don't wanna be a spoil sport or anything, but I don't get any kick out of the SF3 characters. I think that's why I never really cared for SF3. Outside of Ryu, Ken, Akuma and Chun li, I found no one else to be really memorable. Of course there's no development or anything in fighters, but the roster just lacked "something" (I can't think of) that the 4 I mentioned had. But whatever, I still get to see Guy vs Fei Long. And Ibuki vs Guy might be an interesting match.[/size][/color]

[quote name='Allamorph'][FONT=Calibri]Lazy Cat (Gavin) – . . . whatever, man. [/FONT][/QUOTE] [size=1][color=darkred]LOL. Random stuff like that cracks me up. Internet window shopping for ps2 games.... Think I might go after Splinter Cell: Double Agent. School sucks, the usual stuff still going on here.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I agree. Sasuke shouldn't be able to fight at all here unless Kishi is going to pull a Kubo and give Sasuke an unlimited source of power he gets from the darkness? Seriously, Sasuke's used up his sharingan. Madara specifically told him he needs rest, and is going into battle against Kakashi in his current condition? If he's able to still fight then I just might be done with this series. It throws any sorts of logic that's left in the series out the window. I like Kakashi. Best character in the series at this point. Best character in the leaf. Only redeemable character in the leaf. (Shikamaru as well) But even he's not enough to hold my interest. Kishi's just doing so much garbage, and I've let it slide quite a few times, but this crap he's pulling now has pushed my buttons to the limit. Karin's suppose to be dead, and now we're gonna have Sakura save her just to hear some more fangasming? Sasuke.... I hardly have any words hear. Like Itachi, the maniacal look don't fit him at all. And to be honest, he don't make a good villain either. In fact I actually liked him a little more while he was searching for Itachi. (Don't get me wrong, I've been enjoying his fights though) And anyone that knows my history with the characters in this series knows that I prefer the villains (except Kabuto) and side characters (except the leaf side characters and Kakashi) over anyone else. And Sasuke don't stack up to any of the villains that's been shown in this series. [/rant][/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred][spoiler]Blackbeard showing up was great.[/spoiler] Leaves a lot of questions though. [spoiler]Did the poison not have any effect on Blackbeard or did Blackbeard get to Megallan (sp?) first?[/spoiler] Logia users... It's my understand that they can't really be touch unless you use a weakness of some sort. (Which is why I'm still having a hard time buying the whole "magma vs fire" thing) How the heck is [spoiler]Whitebeard able to touch Akainu?[/spoiler] He even got him to the point of bleeding. I really don't like these double spreads. But for the first time it's a lot more clearer in this chapter than the others. It always seemed so cluttered to the point it was hard to tell what was going on. It was a good chapter though.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I knew that was gonna be brought up lol. I'll quote myself at another forum about the same thing. (Guy pretty much said the same thing you said) [quote name='Me']Sorry, I just don't buy that. Going back to chapter 389 (It seemed as if Aizen and Shinji were hinting that Kyoka Suigetsu was not released until that chapter) Komamura and even Soifon said some words to Ichigo. He had all the time in the world to tell them that's not him. And even then, with all them being affected, he could've done the next best thing (although he probably would've came out injured) which was go after the real thing. [/quote] Yep, Ichigo's officially an idiot. But on the bright side Naruto's a bigger idiot :)[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]After rereading the chapter again, something hit me. I'm not a fan of Hinamori at all (heck I was glad that it happened.. "coughs"), but why didn't Ichigo speak up beforehand? Looking back over chapters 391-392, if kyoka suigetsu was already released and Ichigo is just sitting there watching everyone fight Hinamori then he's just as guilty of being an idiot.[/size][/color]

[size=1][color=darkred]I'd also like to go to an All-Star game one day. I probably could've went 2 years ago, or whenever it was in Arizona had I'd chose to stay. In any case, I'm usually a supporter of the All-Star events, but this year for some reason I just didn't feel like tuning in at all. From what I saw with the highlights, I'm glad I decided not to watch it either because they certainly didn't do anything new, and the whole "short" dunkers just don't impress me anymore. (We short people gotta stck together :)) I've seen enough short dunkers around my neighborhood and in the NBA now and it's becoming tiring. (And besides, I'm not a fan of Nate Robinson) I also missed the All-Star game which I would've like to have seen, but couldn't stay up to do it. I'm pretty certain everyone put on quite the show, and I think it would've been even tighter had Kobe and Chris Paul been healthy. (Heck probably would've came out on top) I only tune in to the all-star game for the "oohs and aahs" though. And I saw there were a few.[/size][/color]