Electric Sista Hood :: Video Game Reviews, Tech Gadget Reviews, and Anime Reviews

Final GTA Trailer...And Now We Wait

posted @ 4/01/2008 08:59:00 PM by Douceswild

I’m sure you all know that the official release date of Grand Theft Auto IV is set for April 29th. I’ve played and completed every installment of the series and I plan on adding this one to the pile as well.

I’m not going to waste time trying to convince you of how good GTA is. You’ve heard of it and at this point you’ve probably made up your mind if you’re into the controversial video game by now or not. A few days ago the final official trailer was released and now we sit and wait. The problem is…I CAN’T WAIT!

Labels: Douceswild, Games, GTAIV, Rockstar, Videogames

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"Move up, ladies"

posted @ 12/02/2007 11:05:00 PM by Douceswild

The delay of Grand Theft Auto IV put a frown on the faces of many gamers, but don’t worry. You’ll get another glimpse of things to come real soon.

Set your calendars and bookmarks people. Rockstar announced that a third trailer will be released on December 6, 2007. The announcement was made on November 28 and coincided with the unveiling of the official box art. The trailer will go online at 3:00 PM EST, and will be available at the official GTA IV website.

See ya there!

Labels: Douceswild, Rockstar

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Bully II: When You Lose, You Really Lose

posted @ 10/10/2007 09:56:00 AM by evermore

Rockstar Games has announced its follow-up to last year's Bully, called Bully II: RIAA Edition. Unlike the original, the new game has a single bad guy: the Record Industry Association of America.

In the game, the player portrays one of many real-life victims of the RIAA: a single mother, an 83-year-old grandmother and an 11-year-old grade school student, among others.

The player must fight against self-serving politicians, befuddled judges and vicious lawyers as they travel from level to level up the chain, until they face the most devasting adversary of all, the mammoth, snarling, four-headed RIAA Monster.

The Deluxe version of the game comes with a first-generation Microsoft Zune with 24 tracks of low bitrate versions of songs obtained from Kazaa and other music sharing websites.

The game itself is free, but you will be charged $222,000 if you lose the final battle with the RIAA.

Labels: evermore, Music, RIAA, Rockstar

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New Podcast Day

posted @ 6/25/2007 11:41:00 AM by Ninjasistah

Monday brings with it once again a crunchy new episode of the Electric Sista Hood podcast, and this one is just as off the wall and fun as the other ones!

All three regular hosts hop on the cast this week to bring you some info about some cool and not so cool goings on in the worlds of anime and video games. First up at bat is Panda "Stop Saying I Have Herpes" licious who shares with us her experiences with the anime Hare+Guu, which [like many anime series] is very weird.

Magic "I Forgot About the Giant Ball Monster" MysticGrl chimes in at the number two slot to share with us EVEN MORE .Hack// goodness with us by imparting her sort of found wisdom from .Hack//roots.

And bringing up the rear [as usual in this weekly menage] is NinJa "Get a Twinkie, Cuz Yer Gonna Need Brain Food" Sistah dropping her 2cents on the whole Manhunt 2 debacle.

Yeap! Grab yourself a Twinkie and something to drink, Episode 55: Welcome to the Eyefor Towel is up and running!

Labels: Anime, ElectricSistaHood, Games, Jack-Thompson, MagicMysticGrl, Manga, Ninjasistah, Pandalicious, Rockstar, Take-Two, Videogames, World-of-Warcraft

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Take Two vs. Jack Thompson. And the Winner Is...

posted @ 4/21/2007 01:35:00 AM by Douceswild

Things have been pretty light-hearted for the past few months around ESH. With last year’s console wars kicking off, there’s someone we forgot about. We totally dismissed good ole’ Jack Thompson from our minds, but he’s back. Thanks to Take Two, we’re FINALLY going to get a little downtime from Jacky-Boy.

We all read and/or heard about Jack Thompson’s crusade on video games, specifically Bully and Grand Theft Auto IV from Rockstar and Manhunt 2 from Take Two. If you haven’t then Google it and you’ll be up to speed. Basically, Jack tried to halt some games from these companies. Take Two sued Jack. Jack countersued Take Two and was held in contempt of court for, well, being Jack Thompson. Realizing that he was facing some jail time if the contempt of court charge panned out, J.T. waved the white flag and agreed that he:

· will not sue or threaten to sue to block sale or distribution of any game published by Take Two or its subsidiaries (i.e., Rockstar)
· will not communicate to Take Two or anyone doing business with T2 (like, say Wal-Mart) any accusation that the company committed any wrongdoing by selling its games. Thompson is not restricted from criticizing the content of T2 games, nor is he prevented from acting as counsel in lawsuits brought against Take Two by other parties
· will make any future contacts with T2 through its attorneys

In return, Take Two dismissed their counterclaim and dropped their contempt of court charge on Thompson.

Jack Thomson claims that he is extremely concerned about the effects that video games have on those who play them. He claims to believe whole-heartedly in his crusade and there is nothing more important than the safety of kids from these violent video games…nothing except his own safety and keeping himself out of jail. When asked to comment on the settlement, Jack Thompson said,

“I’m still concerned about the effect of these games on the youths of today…but I ain’t going to jail for them. Those little smacktards are on their own.“

OK. I’m kidding. He didn’t really say that. He just showed us that by his actions. I don’t know about you, but I can sleep much better knowing that he’s got my back.

The papers of Jack Thompson’s official defeat are here.

Labels: Jack-Thompson, Rockstar, Take-Two

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Bully Review by Geek Woman

posted @ 11/24/2006 05:31:00 PM by geekwoman

Bully turns out unexpectedly to be Rockstar Games' tongue in cheek response to criticisms of their games. Despite of the feigned outrage by video game hater Jack Thompson, this game is actually harmless fun. There isn't anything in this game that you wouldn't find in an average American comic book from 1955 or in any anime today.

The game play consists of running missions where you make deliveries, or escort nerdy kids to classes and protect them from bullies. The game takes place in a school of unruly toughs where you play as an average boy who is just trying to make it to class and have a little fun. You are scored and earn money by finishing missions. You also go to classes such as art, english, chemistry and gym. Each class is a series of mini-games that increase in difficulty as you progress. The game would benefit from a wider range of classes to go to, and a better arrangement on the way that all the missions are timed. It would be even more fun if you could take your time going through it so that you can see and try everything along the way. It would also be better if you could hold more items.

You have a meter in the upper right hand of the screen that tells you how much trouble you are in. As you commit acts of truancy, violence, or trespassing then you need to find ways to hide or lower the amount of heat you are under. It is set up similar to the way that you get Wanted by police in Grand Theft Auto. You can't die in the game but you can get Busted or Knocked out. If you get in trouble and skip class or other problems there are immediate repercussions. bigger boys called "Prefects" will come along and try to bust you or beat your character up. You can evade them by hiding in lockers, or trash pails. Contrary to popular belief the game doesn't really reward misbehavior.

If you do well in the classrooms at the mini games you get rewards such as a can of soda, or the skateboard. In chemistry class if you pass then you are able to take a chemistry set back to your room with which you can make fire crackers. By beating bullies that are preying upon weaker kids you can get their "weapons" such as a sling shot. Once you have it there are various uses for it, Who wouldn't want to hide up a tree and nail a few over pumped macho football players?

The camera in the game could have used to be more refined it doesn't respond quickly enough to turn around during a fight sequence. If you are in a hurry to escape the prefects, your character may get stuck in a wall or other minimal obstacles that shouldn't be impeding the action.

There is a peace sign that you can use to make peace as an option as well.

The graphics are more detailed than expected as well. They are well done and you'll see things in the art class or library that you expect to find in real life. However the scenery isn't very interactive. Outdoors the game gives you more to explore and interact with. There are a variety of pick ups and missions that you can commit all sorts of vandalism with.

Your character can change outfits that are mainly limited to the school uniforms and aren't very imaginative. The environments and backgrounds are homogenous and average. Like the usual Rockstar games it isn't about the look of the game, as it is about the activities. The facial artwork is better than the rest of the graphics.

The music in the game is limited to monotonous baselines. It is boring and it is a flaw to have such lame tunes backing up a game put out by "Rockstar". The voice acting is one of the best things about the game. Like Grand Theft Auto that has a funny sound track, the background comments made by the NPC's that you overhear are just hilarious. Guys walking around will say things like "My butt itches." "I think I spend too much time playing RPG's." "Your Mama hits harder." " How did I get mayonnaise on my pants?" " If the sky fell on my head I wouldn't feel worse than I do right now." "I know I'm a good kisser, I practiced for years on my arm." "I can't believe people like condiments, I mean they are like snots or something."

The game is a riot. It's fun, it's pick up and play. You don't have any learning curve to deal with. It is all straight forward. You can sit down with it and enjoy lots of laughs and have a good time. It is a game that doesn't feel like work. You go to class or not, you play missions or not. You can blow things up, beat people up and be as criminal or truant as you want to. If you want to be a good kid, then you can do that too. It is basically a mirror of real life. In spite of the vagaries of life that present themselves, the choice of how you react is up to you. There are Bullies, Prefects that pick on you and a generally hostile environment that puts unfair amounts of pressure on kids in both directions. Good and bad are portrayed in a ratio that is a reflection of what any high school is like today.

This game may just be Rockstar's back handed apology to female gamers for the infamous Ho's in Grand Theft Auto. If you want to get attention from the girls in the game and kiss them, you have to offer them candy or flowers, and dress nicely to impress them. Hitting them over the head does not work in this game.

It is a shame that there isn't an option to play as a female student. The story-line is familiar from just about every high school genre anime on TV. In anime girls get into fights and pull off all of the antics that you find in this game. The game is devoid of sexism, and T & A. The girls are expected to be treated with at least a modicum of respect.

Whether it's rats that tell on kids, beatings, bribes, stealing from weaker kids, and making the nerds pay for protection none of it is new or shocking. Those high school horrors aren't limited to one gender or another. Kids are cruel on both sides of the schoolyard. There aren't any guns or killing, just mayhem and silliness.

Once again we have what might be expected to be a "guy game" that girls will enjoy. I know plenty of girls and women who play GTA and the whole gamut of WW2, and the other war games. Enlighten up dudes, we don't want Barbie - we want this game right here. Design me a female, gum chewing, pigtailed, kung fu fightin' girl, in a leather jacket to play as, and put her in the sequel to this game, and don't forget to pay me my royalties for the idea.

This game exemplifies the reason why people should play a game through before they open their mouth and start complaining about it. This game gets all up in your face and says "Buy an F'ing Sense of Humor America". It doesn't advocate violence or encourage kids to be anything that they are not. It is original in the way that Rockstar gives us a slice of life that some people might not want to look at or deny that has always been right there. If Grand Theft Auto taught us that "It's Hard Out There for a Pimp" then Bully shows us that it is just as hard out there for a teenager. I give Bully a 5 out of 5 for misbehavior rock on Rockstar Games.

Labels: Anime, Games, Jack-Thompson, Lies, Rockstar

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Skypecast Goes Off Friday

posted @ 10/18/2006 12:37:00 PM by Ninjasistah

You know the drill, it's free-swim Friday: EVERYBODY INTO THE POOL

BYOSAAH [That's Bring Your Own Skype And A Headset for those of you not in the know] and join us for a live recording of the ESH podcast this Friday OCT 20 at 5pm EDT. Ask questions, , chat along, it's all good in the hood. NinJaSistah will be talking about the Rockstar game Bully and the lack of student violence/deaths in schools [poor Jack Thompson, proven wrong yet again] and the value of online gaming. Who knows what Pandalicious will talk about, but you can rest assured it's going to be a party ya'll!

So get on your Skype account, make sure you have a mic and headphones [or a headset] plugged in [you know, to keep ambient noise out] and go to Skypecasts.skype.com we'll even give you this link log in with your username and password, and then at 5pm EDT on Friday under the "Find A Skypecast" click on "On Now" and look for "Electric Sista Hood." It's just that easy. If you have any difficulty, you can read this page for help and instructions.

See you then.

Labels: ElectricSistaHood, Jack-Thompson, Ninjasistah, Pandalicious, Podcast, Rockstar

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Daily News: Is That Linux Hiding Inside the Wii?

posted @ 10/10/2006 11:10:00 AM by evermore

In today's news:
Does the Wii have updatable Linux?
Gamers adored -- in South Korea
Live in Mario's world
Another volume of Gundam goodness

Does Wii Have Updatable Linux? The geeks are dancing in the streets as word leaks out of the Nintendo camp that the new Wii uses the Linux operating system. One tidbit that Nintendo has already released is that, whatever OS it has, it will be updatable. From an interview on the Nintendo site: "Wii is the first system from Nintendo that we can continue to be involved in (via operating system updates) after the customer buys it. This means that Wii will greatly expand and diversify the ways in which people will enjoy games in the future."

Wanna Be a Star? Play Video Games in South Korea: The screams and shrieks from the shopping mall weren't for a new boy band. The hundreds of girls were singing songs and waving signs for a new kind of rockstar: video game players. Dressed in track suits covered with logos, gamers play StarCraft and enjoy the adulation of throngs of women. One woman, a fan of gamer Park Yong Wook, told the New York Times, "I watch basketball sometimes, but StarCraft is more fun. It’s more thrilling, more exciting."

You Can Live in Mario's World: It's not enough just to dress up like Mario to experience his world. The Nintendo Amusement Park in New York City consists of one ride, that's described on the How Stuff Works website as, "a real-life interactive adventure that allows players to dress up as Mario or Luigi, enter the Mushroom Kingdom and perform the actions that the heroes perform in the video game. Players can jump over obstacles, land on and ride moving platforms, and smash enemies. They can even collect gold coins and punch power-up boxes." I bet that little moustache is itchy.

That Gundam Thing: Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Destiny, Vol. 4 was released last week. Here's the synopsis, for those of you actually keeping track: "In the year Cosmic Era (CE) 71, a war between the Earth Alliance and ZAFT (Zodiac Alliance of Freedom Treaty) breaks out. The Earth Alliance catches up in technology after ZAFT has a head start building giant man-piloted robots called mobile suits. Immediately, four of the Earth Alliance's five new mobile suits called Gundams are stolen by ZAFT, with the remaining Gundam falling on the hands of a young Earth Alliance pilot." Got that? Well, get it!

Labels: evermore, Games, Rockstar, Tech, Videogames

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A Game by Any Other Name...

posted @ 9/02/2006 11:02:00 PM by Ninjasistah

"His mama named him Clay, I'mma call him Clay!"

I have not been a big fan of Rockstar to begin with. I have enjoyed a few of their games, not to the point of pre-order or anything like that, but I did have a lot of respect for their refusal to cave under the "video games are killing/ruining our kids" pressure. That took serious balls. I respect having and exercising your balls. And Rockstar had been exercising their balls on a regular basis until the recent game name change. They stuck it out when they were first pressured about the game and kept developing it. They continued to weather the storm when the waters got rough with mounting protests outside their office buildings. They seemed to flex their balls at every turn and so my respect grew.

Rockstar Games this week changed the name of a game they are releasing in October 2006 called, "Bully" to "Canis Canem Edit" which means "dog eat dog" in Latin. As a professional and individual capable of educated thought processes, I understand why Rockstar felt the need to make this change. The folks over at Rockstar must be tired of the flack they have been receiving over the Bully game; tired of the protests and weary of the constant barrage of negative press from the mass miss-informed public.

I mean, look back over the past year...with "Hot Coffee" problems, the FCC inquisition, and Jack Thompson declaring that they are responsible for all that is unholy in present day America the name change must have seemed the easiest of decisions to make in order to gain some sort of reprieve. [Let's face it, when Adam Sessler ends up defending you to your buddy and mine Jack Thompson, you probably need all the rest and positive press you can get your hands on.] So change your products name to something that will not aid in triggering more negative responses. Really, I do understand it...but at the same time, it seemed like a total "wuss" move to me. I am not afraid to say that a little piece of me died that day.

But back to the game. The main thing that I got my attention about this new game Bully was how the game's basic plot line resonated with me. The game is about a character going through school having to either face or run away from bullies. I was picked on elementary school [being the only black kid didn't help, but neither did being the shortest kid in school either] and in high school [being the only black female in my school to get into an ivy league college didn't help me get a superlative in the yearbook let me tell you] so the idea of a video game that would allow me to avenge my younger self against the embodiments of my former tormentors really interested me. Then I started thinking that it could be therapeutic for me, and not only me but other gamers as well. This game might allow players to express any feelings of repressed anger or resentment that they may have to be released in a safe and controlled environment. Wouldn't that be a great thing? If people used the video game to blow off steam as opposed to self-medicating using alcohol, drugs, or resorting to violence?

It would wonderful if people would recognize video games as the fun diversions they are meant to be, but the politicians and "family values" groups won't allow that to happen. These groups that say they want to protect children from sex and violence refuse to address the issues that make kids choose these outlets for their emotions or how to handle them in the first place. No, they will continue to harass the people at Rockstar, make appearances before the media with no real or educated arguments and just out right dog this game...but in my heart of hearts I hope that the Rockstar dog eats their dog.

So from today until the end of time this game will always be Bully to me.

Labels: Games, Jack-Thompson, Lies, Ninjasistah, Rockstar, Videogames

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Final GTA Trailer...And Now We Wait

posted @ 4/01/2008 08:59:00 PM by Douceswild

"Move up, ladies"

posted @ 12/02/2007 11:05:00 PM by Douceswild

Bully II: When You Lose, You Really Lose

posted @ 10/10/2007 09:56:00 AM by evermore

New Podcast Day

posted @ 6/25/2007 11:41:00 AM by Ninjasistah

Take Two vs. Jack Thompson. And the Winner Is...

posted @ 4/21/2007 01:35:00 AM by Douceswild

Bully Review by Geek Woman

posted @ 11/24/2006 05:31:00 PM by geekwoman

Skypecast Goes Off Friday

posted @ 10/18/2006 12:37:00 PM by Ninjasistah

Daily News: Is That Linux Hiding Inside the Wii?

posted @ 10/10/2006 11:10:00 AM by evermore

A Game by Any Other Name...

posted @ 9/02/2006 11:02:00 PM by Ninjasistah