Yearly Archives: 2017

Streets of Rage Joins the SEGA Forever Collection

First released in 1991, Streets of Rage was the definitive beat ’em up for the Sega Genesis, and as of today, it’s on SEGA Forever, which is the collection of SEGA games in a free-to-play format on mobile devices. Streets of Rage supports cross-platform local multiplayer capabilities and, like the rest of the collection, it offers added features like leaderboards, cloud saves, and controller support. The multiplayer option will also be added to previously released SEGA Forever’s Golden Axe and Altered Beast in the coming weeks. Whether you play Axel, Blaze, or Adam, you and your friends can team up to do battle with Mr. X.

Music Review: Sins of Hyrule

Music Review - Sins of Hyrule

by Jason Parker (Ragachak)

The Legend of Zelda is far and away one of my favorite franchises, even if I’ve missed a lot of the more recent titles, mostly due to not having a console to play them on. I missed out on the Ocarina of Time/Majora’s Mask craze, as well as Twilight Princess/Wind Waker. So when I got word that Materia Collective produced a Zelda album, I was immediately on board. Composed and Arranged by Rozen, it’s a trip through the Zelda mythos, focusing primarily on The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Ocarina of TimeSkyward Sword, and Twilight Princess alongside some of Rozen’s personal, original work, it really packs a whole lot of drama and tension into fifteen tracks. Though the world of Hyrule is bright and colorful, the history of this land is filled with darkness and pain. The way that Rozen straddles that line, and creates moments that even someone who has not played the titles can enjoy. There are some very incredible moments and composition that would find itself at home among any epic fantasy TV series or film. But more important than that, it would compliment any of the Zelda titles. Julie Elven, the London Strings, and everyone else who had a hand in this ought to feel proud of what they’ve created. It strayed away from a few more common, obvious songs, or older songs, such as pieces from Zelda 3: A Link to the Past (my personal favorite) and the more common Zelda fanfare, which I think is an interesting choice. If it was there, I missed it. I could listen to Julie Elven sing all day, as an aside.

“More than a straightforward orchestral remix album, this album goes deeper into retelling the mythos of Hyrule, scoring the key moments where humanity is the audience to the colossal battles between light and shadow,” notes Rozen. “Through the use of live instruments, huge percussion, choir, hybrid elements, and dreamy vocals, experience the dark nature and the never-ending cycle of the curse trapped inside the divine-given Triforce.”

Gerudo Legend (ft. Julie Elven, Track 4): This is, without a doubt, my favorite song on the entire album. Julie’s vocals match the epic, slowly building crescendo for a very familiar, fan favorite in the modern Zelda titles. Julie’s voice is ethereal and is a delightful contrast to the heavy thud of the drums in this song. Sure, I love every single song on this album, but if I had to pick a favorite, it would be this one, far and away. There are a lot of songs that feature Ganondorf and his Gerudo tribe on this album, but this one feels the most majestic. The rise and fall of the chanting/singing mimics the rise and fall of Ganondorf Dragmire. It’s also one of the longer songs on the album, coming in at a whopping 7:22 minutes, and halfway through, with the more organ/church sound to the music really suits it, in my opinion. The song has a marching quality to it as if I could see Ganondorf himself making a dedicated walk towards the battle, or Link himself squaring up to do battle with the Thief.

Calamity (Track 12): I have not played Breath of the Wild, but I am familiar with Calamity Ganon, so I assume this is what that track comes from. The cello in this piece made this piece stand out all on its own. This in a way, reminded me of Final Fantasy VII, in the pieces early in the game where AVALANCHE was on their way to try and stop ShinRa’s evil ways. That’s not a knock, that’s just what it made me think of. This also has parts where it sounds like it belongs in a church. It builds to a fever pitch, the music growing frantic, chaotic, louder, truly befitting the name “Calamity”.

Ganon’s Requiem (Track 13): A requiem has a few definitions, but the one that springs to mind here is “an act or token of remembrance”. It could be argued that Ganondorf, the King of Evil, is a tragic hero. I mean, you could definitely argue it. This song certainly has a religious feel to it, and a remembrance of what Ganon/Ganondorf could have been. It’s really a fascinating series, The Legend of Zelda, even with its ludicrous timeline. About halfway through the song, it breaks from its pace and switches to a piano, chant and stringed instruments, as if he were about to perish, and Ganon looks once more upon the Triforce, or perhaps his eternal rival, Link. This album gives you a lot to think about if you let it.

Song of Hylia (Track 5):  Song of Hylia starts dark and grim, evocative of this album, before brightening with a haunting voice in the background. The track swells and grows, creating a more peaceful sensation as it goes on. It’s very reminiscient of the cycle of life and death in Hyrule, how one always gives way to the other, not unlike some other RPGs I can think of (FFX’s Spira). The strings picking up their pace, barely heard in the distance was a nice touch, and it certainly got my blood pumping. This album could easily be a Zelda game soundtrack all on its own.

If you even love one Zelda game, you owe it to yourself to pick this up. Even if you didn’t play Breath of the Wild, Majora’s Mask, et cetera. Even if you have a love of the original few titles, this won’t go amiss in your collection. You can find them on Bandcamp, iTunes, and Spotify. My only regret, is that I do not own this on CD/Vinyl. This would look fantastic in any vinyl collection.

 

Toy Attack

Toy Attack is a one-on-one arena fighter featuring the ability to code a personally customized robot to do battle against other mechanical creations. Strategically slot in A.I. commands and work to become the #1 engineer in the world! Available for iOS and Android.

Features:

Playing God: Program in actions such as rushing the opponent in a vulnerable moment, or protecting oneself when in danger.

Fresh Dress: Personalize your avatar and robot to your heart’s desire!

More Than a Box of Scrapes: Collect increasingly powerful parts and components to stay competitive on your journey to the top.

MapleStory Blitz

MapleStory Blitz is a quick and decisive real-time tactics game featuring the ability to craft a deck using a variety of cards based on the MapleStory universe. Explore a vast collection of freshly reinterpreted heroes, creatures, skills, and characters as you compete for the top spot on the multiplayer leaderboard. Available for iOS and Android.

Features:

Scavenger: Take on a variety of content for an abundance of rewards.

Hyper Processor: Plan your strategy several turns ahead of time to stay competitive against tough opponents in fast matches.

It Wasn’t Much: Discover what works and what doesn’t as you build the ultimate deck recipe.

Digimon Links

Digimon Links is a 3v3 strategy RPG featuring the ability to capture, raise, and bond with a variety of diverse creatures from the Digimon universe. Use various skills and plan around particular attributes and resistances as you go on a quest to find the root cause of the troubles that have befallen the digital world. Available for iOS and Android.

Features:

Digital Daycare: Create facilities for your Digimon to grow up in.

Veteran Trainer: Defeat tough enemies with the tactical usage of leader, signature, and legacy abilities.

Allied Forces: Team up with 2 friends to conquer challenging bosses in real time co-op.

Forgo Lengthy Boardgame with the Digital Wartile

Wartile-Early-Access-Review04

After three years of development, the digital boardgame Wartile is finally leaving Early Access in 2018. February 8th is the big day, and it is sure to impress board game lovers everywhere. In response to that, today’s update introduces two new Battleboards, allowing players to lead their Viking horde to Jotunheim, land of the giants, and the realm of the Niflheim, where terrifying Frost Giants of Norse mythology await. Wartile is gorgeous and fun to play, but the one of the major criticisms has been heard, and the menus will receive an overhaul, much to the delight of the audience.