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Saturday, July 8, 2017

Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions - A DVD Review

I hope everyone had a great week and 4th of July (if you celebrate it). Speaking of celebrations, today's review is on a movie that celebrates one of my favorite anime shows: Yu-Gi-Oh! I cannot tell you how many hours I've spent watching this show and buying cards that I saw being used by the characters. I still buy cards and watch the latest show (Arc-V) but not as often as I'd like. Still, when I heard this movie was coming out on DVD, I was very excited to get it. It wasn't shown in theaters near me so I had to wait until a DVD release to be able to see it. How did it hold up? Let's take a look at Yu-Gi-Oh! The Dark Side of Dimensions.

I don't want to give away much so we'll keep is simple. The basic storyline is all about what happens after the Pharaoh's spirit moved on. Strangely enough, the main focus is on Kaiba and not Yugi. Without giving anything away, the movie is great. The animation is amazing and a little different from the original anime. You can definitely tell its based on a manga story since there is little or no censoring (e.g. they show a gun) as far as I can tell. Some characters look a bit different but they are still identifiable.

Speaking of the characters, I am happy to say that most of the voice actors are the same as the anime. The only one that is definitely not the same is Grandpa Moto but his voice actor does a very good job so it's not that bad. This movie was very nostalgia and at times, made me feel a little sad. Again, I won't spoil anything but it definitely puts you in the "feels". I can honestly say it is also the longest Yu-Gi-Oh! movie which is great since the last one was too short. The story is clearly the focus of the movie so there is less emphasis on the dueling. This actually works quite well and again, shows that this is based off of a manga story opposed to a strictly anime story. There is even a few flashbacks that are different than in the anime because they occurred differently in the manga.

Other than that, this movie was just wonderful. If you have ever been a fan of this original anime then you definitely need to see this movie. It hits all the notes of a new story and a nostalgic rush at the same time. It's beautiful and action-packed. Check it out! Anyway, that's it for this week. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. Follow me so you won't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me what you thought of the movie (if you've seen it) or your favorite moment from the anime. Have a great weekend and as always, keep on gaming!!   

Saturday, July 1, 2017

Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales - A Movie Review

I just got back from the theater and wow... this movie was a surprise. Before I get ahead of myself, let's start at the beginning. This is a review of Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales. I originally didn't even want to see this movie, but I am glad that I did. Where to begin...how about the story?

The story is pretty straightforward - Jack Sparrow is back and trying to escape another group of undead pirates. Believe it or not, this actually works quite well. While the last couple of movies weren't the best, this movie was much more like the original movie. It embraced the fun from the first movie with fights, beautiful undead CGI pirates and a curse that needs to be broken. I won't give away any more than that, though. Jack is just as wonderfully odd and goofy as ever. There were familiar faces from the other movies and some new characters as well.

One of my favorite things was how the undead pirates were animated like they were floating in water. That was not only cool to look at but pretty convincing. Another thing was the story itself. It wasn't depressing like Pirates of the Caribbean 3 or Jack Sparrow just on camera all the time like in the fourth movie. I did like the villain in that one but the rest was just...okay. This is the first Pirates movie that I have really enjoyed since the first sequel. Like I said before, I didn't want to see this one at first...but it was really good. I think it perfectly captured what made the franchise so enjoyable in the first place without being too focused on Jack Sparrow.

Overall, I highly recommend this movie and hope that if they do make another sequel, it will be just as fun as this one. Other than that, it was a swashbuckling good time and you should definitely check it out. I hope you enjoyed this post and will Follow me so you don't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me what you thought of the movie (if you saw it) or any of the Pirates movies in general. Have a great weekend and as always: keep on gaming!!  

Saturday, June 24, 2017

Top Ten Alolan Form Hopes for Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

We still don't know much about Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon but that doesn't keep us from wondering what new Pokémon we will get. This post will focus specifically on Alolan forms that I hope to see in the upcoming games. Once again I started with a base image and manipulated it in Pixlr.com's editor since my own artistic skills aren't so great. You can use my images as long as you give credit to me - KelleyG. Without further ado, let's take a look at my top ten Alolan form hopes for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon.


Alolan Mantine image




10. Alolan Mantine - Water
I know, this isn't a Kanto Pokémon. I decided to include this in my Alolan form list because I thought it would be fun to explore more Alolan forms for Johto Pokémon. Plus, most of the Kanto Pokémon have received either pre/post evolutions, Alolan forms already, or Mega Evolutions. My reason for choosing Mantine is that I think it would flourish wonderfully in the tropical waters of Alola. It would drop it's Flying typing and adopt some brighter coloring.


 
9. Alolan Hoothoot - Psychic/Flying
I had 2 different ideas for this Pokémon but ultimately chose the Psychic variation for this list. I like how I made it look like it's about to use a Psychic attack. I chose the Psychic typing because Hoothoot learns a lot of good Psychic type moves as it levels up. This type change would add more power to the moves.



8. Alolan Snubbull - Dark/Fairy
One of the first things I enjoyed seeing in the Sun and Moon demo was the figurine of the Granbull in the Police Station. I decided to base my design upon that figurine. Alolan Snubbulls are tougher and they acquired the Dark typing. They're fierce and loyal to the end so it's no wonder their evolution is the mascot of the Police in Alola.







7. Alolan Sunflora - Grass/Fire
First of all, I just realized that I cut off the top of Sunflora's topmost petal when I was working on it and fixed it. That's why the top petal tip looks a bit off. Anyway, I chose Sunflora because everyone appears to hate this Pokémon. How can you hate something so happy?? Anyway, Alola's environment would boost Sunflora's colors and its stats so it would be much stronger. It would also acquire the Fire typing plus an ability called Sun Shower. Think of it as a combination of Sunny Day and Water Absorb but for Fire instead of Water. Plus, it would weaken Ice and Fire type moves.




6. Alolan Furret - Ice
I think Furret is so cute and overlooked. Since Yungoos and Alolan Rattatas are so fierce, Furrets retreated to the icy peak of Mount Lanakila. They became ice types with white and blue coats for camouflage. I just love this one so much. It's adorable.



5. Alolan Wigglytuff - Dark/Fairy
This is another Dark/Fairy idea. This time Wigglytuff gets a type change and becomes dark colored because of it. It also becomes darker in mood too. I love the expression that I gave this one... it's sort of a moody Goth version of it's Kanto counterpart. I wanted to make the gray darker but the color replacement tool wasn't being very forgiving.




4. Alolan Staryu - Water/Ground
I had so many ideas for this Pokémon's Alolan form. I made 3 different images and had to decide among which to use. My ideas were based on Staryu's evolution in reaction to all of the predator Pokémon that live in Alola's waters. I decided to with the defensive evolution. It would lose it's jewel and adapt a color that would let it blend in with the sand on the ocean floor. It would become flatter and much more defensive in stats. It would also become slower.


 
3. Alolan Growlithe - Water
Remember all those Sun and Moon leaks that turned out false? Of all of those rumors, 2 in particular were the ones that I wanted the most. One of them was the Water type Alolan Growlithe. I was so excited for this and so disappointed when it didn't happen. Maybe it will happen in Ultra Sun and Moon. Come on, let's have a blue Growlithe!!




2. Alolan Butterfree - Bug/Psychic
This is the Alolan form that I wanted the most and I still can't believe it didn't happen. I decided to go the Bug/Psychic route this time since Butterfree can learn Psychic by TM and Confusion by level up. Butterfree seems to be one of the snubbed Kanto Pokémon that hasn't gotten a single new pre/post evolution, Alolan Form, or Mega Evolution. Maybe this time Butterfree will finally get some attention. Oh and it's antennae aren't fuzzy - that's its Psychic powers glowing.




1. Alolan Arbok - Poison/Ground
Yes, it's back again. I still have not gotten over what I call the 't-shirt tease' of the Alolan Arbok. I feel like I am still the only person who noticed this Cobra Tank in the Heahea City Boutique for the female character in Moon. I hope that this was a hint for a future Alolan Form since Arbok isn't even in the Alola pokedex. I originally wanted it to be just Ground but I think Poison/Ground typing would be a better fit. It could utilize Rough Skin or Dry Skin as it's abilities. However, when I did some more research, in Pokémon Sun for the male character, there is another interesting tank that can be found in the same shop. It's called the Dark Tank and has a blue Houndoom head on it. Interesting...could there also be an Alolan Houndoom coming too?? Wishful thinking or sneaky hint - you be the judge.


 Well, that's it for this post. I hope you enjoyed this post and will Follow me so you don't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me what Alolan forms that you hope to see in Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. Have a great weekend and as always - keep on gaming!!

Saturday, June 17, 2017

Top 10 Upcoming Video Games Revealed in 2017

With the end of E3 comes time to contemplate and anticipate the video game releases that were revealed this year. The key word here is 'revealed' since some of these games may not be released this year. That doesn't make me any less excited for them. Let's jump right into it and look at my top 10 upcoming video games revealed in 2017.


10. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
I am not the biggest fan of Microsoft games. However, the trailer for this game was so beautiful and well done that I am very curious. It is a sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest. I have not heard of that game before now but I will have to look it up. The visuals were breathtaking and even though there weren't any words spoken, I got a sense of a very deep and interesting story. I can't wait for more information about this game to come out. This will be for the Xbox One and PC and the release date has not been given yet.


9. Sonic Mania
Do you remember the Sega Genesis? I do and nothing was more fun than playing Sonic the Hedgehog. Now we will get a chance to play his games again in the classic Sonic style. It looks beautiful and nostalgic at the same time. I can't wait to see what this game has in store. It will be released August 2017 for the PS4, Switch, Xbox One, and PC.


8. Uncharted: The Lost Legacy
The last thing I expected what another Uncharted game. Unfortunately, Nathan Drake will not be in this one. This one features Nadine Ross and Chloe Frazer as the main characters. While I cannot agree with the choice, I am still interested in seeing what this holds for the future. It will be released August 2017 for the PS4. Let's hope they can make it as fun as the other Uncharted games.


7. Yoshi
Even Yoshi is getting a game for the new Nintendo Switch. Again, not much information is known but there is clearly a similarity to this and Yoshi's Woolly World. This time the world seems to be made of cardboard while Yoshi is animated in his classic 3D appearance. I am curious to see what kind of story with go with this game. I found Yoshi's Woolly World to be adorable and fun even though I had to watch someone play it (I don't own a Wii U). Still, it is another great game offering from Nintendo which will be released at some point in 2018 for the Switch.


6. Assassin's Creed: Origins
While I have never played Assassin's Creed, I have always admired the game graphics, atmosphere, and story. This addition to the series takes place in one of my favorite history subjects: Ancient Egypt. The image of the assassin sliding down a pyramid is epic by itself. The rest is beautiful and so amazing that I may just have to get a copy when it comes out - or hope someone does a let's play of it on YouTube. This game will be released in October 2017 for the PS4, Xbox One, and PC.


5. Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy
I love it when older games get re-released for newer systems. It seems like a reward for long-time gamers to be able to enjoy older games again. Crash Bandicoot is finally getting his day in the sun with the re-mastering of his original three games. It's not by the game company, but that's okay. The gameplay that I have seen is beautiful and faithful to everyone's favorite crazy bandicoot. I can't wait for it to be released at the end of this month (June 2017) for the PS4.


4. Super Mario Odyssey
Speaking of old game characters getting new looks, Mario is back again in what appears to be his most amazing adventure yet. Using his now magical hat, he can traverse open levels and possess enemies. The image of a Goomba with a mustache and Mario cap is just adorable. I am usually pretty old-school when it comes to my games but this looks too good not to play. I eagerly anticipate any new information about this upcoming game. It will be released October 2017 for the Nintendo Switch...which means I may have to save my money up to buy the system if I want to play this game.


3. Spider-Man
This was unexpectedly epic to watch. I have never been pulled so completely into a game trailer in my life. It was non-stop action in a beautiful, smoothly animated world. Our favorite web-slinger is getting his own game and a new look to go with it. I can't express how epic this game looks. It just looks so amazing...but it wont' be released for the PS4 until sometime in 2018 or so. If the game is anything like it's trailer, then it will be worth the wait.


2. Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon
I was surprised when this wasn't mentioned at E3. Still, this is one of the best reveals by the Pokémon Company this year. While it is not certain if this is a sequel, prequel, or just a repeat of the same story with a few changes (like Pokémon Emerald or Platinum), I am still so excited about this game. What new Pokémon and places will we get to see? Will there be new characters or will we see the characters from Sun and Moon with different appearances? All I do know is that on November 17, 2017, I will be heading to the store to buy my copy of one of these games for my 3DS.


1. Kingdom Hearts 3
I know, it's release date is still TBA but the trailer shown at E3 renews my hope that it will finally be released. I feel like I have been waiting for an eternity for this game. It looks beautiful and seems to be very action-packed. This will be for the Xbox One and PS4. I can't wait to play it!!


Well, that's it. For more information on these games you can look here for all games that were revealed at E3 and here for what little is known about Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon in the Pokémon Direct video that was posted to their YouTube channel. That's all that I have for today. I hope you enjoyed this post as much as I enjoyed writing it. Follow me so you don't miss out on future posts and leave a comment below telling me which revealed games excited you the most. Have a great weekend and as always, keep on gaming!!

Saturday, June 10, 2017

Top Hopes for Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon

This past week, Pokémon Company released trailer for new upcoming games. While most of the emphasis was on the Pokken Tournament DX for the Switch, the biggest news was the upcoming 3DS games: Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. While little was revealed, we can still speculate upon what we could like to see in the games when they come out this November.


More Pokémon
Of course, with the release of any Pokémon game, there is the guarantee of new Pokémon. How many isn't certain, but any new Pokémon would be much appreciated.


More Places to Explore
Alola was beautiful, but it always felt a bit small compared to other regions. Hopefully, these new games will include new areas or even islands for us to explore.


More Clothing Options
Yes, I'm hoping for more clothing options as well since Sun and Moon's offerings seemed a bit limited.


More Hair Options
If there is one thing that also seemed limited, it was the hair options in both style and color. The main characters revealed in the trailer had different hairstyles so it gives me hope that new hair options are on the way!


More fossils
I was very disappointed that all the fossils you could get were from Unova and Sinnoh. You got one from each mentioned region per game - meaning that you had to trade to get the others. Hopefully you can get fossils from more regions in the upcoming games.


A longer main story
The story for Sun and Moon was great. However, it felt shorter than most of the other games. Hopefully the story in the upcoming games will be longer.


Pokéball and Evolution Stone Stores
Getting pokéballs and evolution stones wasn't easy and there were few options even though there were many shops. Please, Game Freak, make shops like in Kalos were you can get all types of balls and evolution items!


Pokémon Amie, Poké Pelago, extended and improved
While I enjoyed both of these features, they felt limited or not as great as they had been advertised. Maybe Game Freak can use these new games as a chance to enhance already great features.


Return of gyms?
While the trials were interesting, I still like the gyms better. Assuming these are sequels and that the  Pokémon League has finally gotten established in the Alola region, there could be gyms instead of trials.


A Chance to visit another region - Unova, maybe?
It's no secret that there were numerous references to the Unova region in Pokémon Sun and Moon. In fact, there were even Pokémon from Unova that could be found in Alola. It stands to reason that Unova must be nearby (like Hawaii and the US) so why not have the possibility of being able to visit Unova?


Well, those are my top hopes for Pokémon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. When more information is revealed, we will see if there is any chance for these hopes to come to fruition. Until then, we can always hope. I hope you enjoyed this post and will Follow Me so you don't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment telling me your thoughts and hopes on the upcoming games. Have a great weekend and as always, keep on gaming!!

Saturday, June 3, 2017

Top 10 Most Useful Summer Pokemon

Anyone who has ever played any of the Pokémon games will tell you that Pokémon do not exist solely for battling. They have many uses ranging from contests to helping out at home. As things begin to heat up this summer, I began to wonder which Pokémon would be the most useful during this time of year. So, grab your flip-flops and your shades, because we are going to look at the top 10 most useful summer Pokémon.

10. Kricketune

What's summer relaxation without music? Kricketune can make up melodies on the spot that will have you relaxing in no time.

9. Machoke

Need help setting up the new pool or carrying all your luggage to the hotel room? Machoke is here to help! It is super strong and can handle any task.

8. Lapras

This Pokémon can carry you on its back across any body of water. Its intelligence and gentle nature make it a cut above most other water type Pokémon.

7. Wailmer

Like Lapras, Wailmer can carry you on its back in water. However, it can also bounce around like a beach ball and play with you for hours as long as it has access to water.

6. Comfey

Comfey's flowers give off a great scent so it will perk up any room. As an added bonus, if you use its flowers in your bath, it will make the bath very relaxing. Now if only Litwicks came in aromatherapy variants...

5. Floatzel

What's better than a Pokémon that you can ride on in water or play with? How about one that doubles as a lifeguard? That's right, Floatzel will willingly rescue anyone in danger of drowning (human or Pokémon).

4. Rotom

Rotom can fuse with and take control of any electronic device. It can become an electric fan, a can opener, a blender, a fridge, an ice machine....and all of it without needing batteries or electricity.

3. Tropius

Tropius can fly you anywhere you want for free and without the hassle of dealing with a crowded airport. While any flying Pokémon could take this spot, Tropius outshines the rest because it also grows tasty fruit under its chin.

2. Vanillite

One of the biggest issues of the summer is keeping cool. Vanillite is perfect for this job. It can cool the air around you. It can also turn any drink or dessert into a frozen delight.

1. Hoopa

Have you ever gone on vacation and realized that you forgot something? Have you had to give up relaxation time to run errands? Hoopa can solve all of your problems. With the use of its rings, it can transport any object or person to anywhere in seconds. Forgot the camera? Hoopa will get it for you. Need to run to town to get something? Hoopa can transport you to the store and back quickly. This is one useful Pokémon and that's why it gets the top spot.

Well, that's it for this week. I hope you enjoyed this post and will Follow Me so that you won't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me which Pokémon you think are the most useful in summer. Have a good weekend and always, keep on gaming!!

Saturday, May 27, 2017

Top 10 Vacation Spots in the Pokemon Games

Ah, summer... it brings the sun, the heat, and the need to go relax somewhere exotic. This is true in real life and in the Pokémon world. So, in my vacation mood, I decided to compose a list of places in the Pokémon world that would be great vacation spots. I am going to limit my choices to locations in the games for this list. Also, they must have some sort of inn, hotel, or resort to be considered for the list so Mt. Pyre, for example, will not be considered. Okay, with that out of the way, let's get started!

10. Resort Gorgeous - Sevii Islands
This resort lives up to its name. In an extremely remote locale in the Sevii Islands, it requires multiple boat rides in order to get to it. Also, due to its remote location, there aren't any shopping or dining opportunities.

9. Hearthome City - Sinnoh Region
This city is home to the Pokémon Hotel. You can head to the Super Contest Hall or the Pokémon Gym. You can even take your cute Pokémon on a stroll in Amity Square.

8. Cyllage City - Kalos Region
Hotel Cyllage is found in this lovely coastal city. With easy beach access, you can stay outside all day - swimming, snorkeling, fishing or even biking around the city's bike track.

7. Celadon City - Kanto Region
The Celadon Hotel invites you to stay in one of Kanto's loveliest cities. You can play at the Game Corner or go shopping at the Department Store. There is also a bike route to the west of the city.

6. Lilycove City - Hoenn Region
The Cove Lily Motel may seem quaint, but don't underestimate its charm. There are lots to do here: visit the Museum, walk on the beach, shop at the Department Store, or even watch a contest in the Contest Hall.

5. Battle Resort - Hoenn Region
This is a resort dedicated to Pokémon battling. It hosts all sorts of battling amenities against a scenic island location including: a replica of Kalos' Battle Maison, Pokémon Daycare, and move tutors.

4. Hotel Grand Lake - Sinnoh Region
This hotel is found on Route 213 between Veilstone City and Sunyshore City. Accommodations are cute bungalows with access to the beach and a pool. There is also the famous Seven Stars Restaurant for fine dining and battling.

3. Ambrette Town - Kalos Region
This scenic coastal town is home to the Hotel Ambrette. It is a vacation spot for the true explorer. There is a large aquarium and nearby Glittering Cave that is only accessible via Rhyhorn.

2. Lumiose City - Kalos Region
The bustling central hub of Kalos is home to the wonderful Hotel Richissme. Lumiose City has no shortage of things to do like: getting a haircut at the salon, shopping at the boutique, admiring art in the museum, or even shooting a video at the PR Studio. However, the potential to get lost is very high so be sure to keep a map with you at all times.

1. Hano Grand Resort - Alola Region
The luxurious Hano Grand Resort can be found on Akala Island to the east of Heahea City. It boasts great accommodations right on the beach with easy walking distance to town for shopping and dining. A resort in the tropical Alola region - what's not to love?

Well, that's all for this week. I hope you enjoyed this post as much I enjoyed writing it. Follow me so you won't miss out on future posts. Leave a comment below telling me where you would vacation if you could in the Pokémon world. Have yourselves a great Memorial Day weekend and as always, keep on gaming!