FIFA World Cup 2014

We Are One

Normally I never write about soccer, but during this world cup, I simply became more involved in it than ever. In previous world cups sure I would at the very least see the semi finals and final whenever my country would survive so far, but this time I saw plenty more, including the performance of others.

The Netherlands proved that they are consecutively still one of the strongest footbal teams in the world, yet the curse continues to visit us whenever we attempt to become world champion for once. Nevertheless, there have been amazing tactics and goal shots on display.

Such as the very first one made by Robin Van Persie, or the one made by Memphis DePay in what I believe was the match against Australia, and of course the huge satisfaction upon Klaas Jan Huntelaar scoring after a penalty against Mexico.

My support aside from observing the Dutch matches involved dressing up in orange traditionally, shouting out my lungs and one time I cooked Mexican with my sister in law in order to eat up the Mexicans, and in the end we did!

Other matches which were exciting for me include Brazil vs. Chile, Colombia vs Brazil, Belgium vs. U.S.A. and Germany vs. Brazil. As you can see, a lot of that is with Brazil because they have a great reputation and they are the host of 2014.

And after their last performances against Germany and us, well, the country who sees soccer as a religion is damaged for the upcoming years to come. As for the Netherlands, well, I really felt bad we lost against Argentina, but at the same time we can be proud of our achievements.

Perhaps this was our best chance yet of becoming the world's number 1 because of our extraordinary strong team and coach, but now people are wondering if they might need to be replaced in 4 years time.

Although I am normally no soccer fan, the world cup series are exceptional because of the global hype they receive and pretty much the fact that so many people are connected with this sport around the globe.

How to Make F-Zero U

Top 3 Cars:

-Fat Shark
-Hyper Speeder
-Black Bull

After monday's revealing return of our beloved main character from F-Zero in Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U, seeing Sakurai's subtle question about the next title in the series prompted me to remind myself of typing out this particular blog post.

Shigeru Miyamoto's surprised response when questioned about the future of the futuristic racing games left be profoundly dumbfounded by his answer, the potential the overall franchise has for improvements and frankly, it's one of the few times I disagree with his statement entirely regarding having no ideas left to implement.

On the contrary, F-Zero U(or 3D if you prefer) is long overdue for an announcement, and despite that Mario Kart 8 seems to have gotten some racing elements from it's neighbour, there is plenty of features that could be added for an eventual sequel.

Let's start with the most obvious and easiest way to bring back the hype surrounding F-Zero. Which is, re-release previous titles and preferably remake GX for Wii U before announcing the successor, similar to The Wind Waker and Zelda U.

Thus, 1080p, 60 FPS and HD graphics seems to be a no brainer if this were to happen. In any case, a new generation deserves to play the amazing GX version, because it continues to uphold replay value in plenty of ways.

A returning track editor from the X version would do wonders not only in the sense of creativity, but in the sense of communication and connection. A crossover project similar to the latest Super Smash Bros. would be a benefit towards popularizing F-Zero once again proudly next to the other famous Nintendo IP's.

Just think of the Miiverse features and even Amiibo features that could be used with a new title. Share exciting moments and time trials, comment on custom tracks, debate about the drivers and their cars and what about a lineup of F-Zero figurines lining up with the exception of Captain Falcon himself, already being confirmed to get a figure?

I haven't even started on the potential of having an online mode available so that the replay value can be quadrupled easily, just like recent Mario Karts have. Seriously, there are enough differences between both franchises, and Nintendo can easily create another golden racer with at the very least using a few of my suggestions in this post.

Top that all off with more customization, more kickass songs, another challenging storyline or a separate challenge mode, potential DLC, potentially breaking the speed limit further, potential flashy showing me your moves and potential extra's such as the ending videos of every driver and you can POTENTIALLY make for me the most hyped up Nintendo game since the newest upcoming Super Smash Bros. crossover crossplatform project and besides a new long overdue Advance Wars as well(but Project S.T.E.A.M. kind of makes up for that).

As it stands, there is no excuse Nintendo. I know the hype train makes the sales go around the world, and that you are busy with countless projects, revivals, sequels and such, but F-Zero cannot end here. 11 years after the last console version is an eternity for the video game industry!

Top 3 Character Themes:

-Captain Falcon
-Black Shadow
-Princia Ramode

Transcendence

A scientist who is fascinated by the universe and artificial intelligence is working on a grand project to combine nature and technology closer towards each other, creating a sentient computer, until after an anti-technology movement takes out his laboratory and himself.

His wife and close friend reluctantly agree to try to upload his consciousness inside the quantum computer, and eventually, the scientist, played by Johnny Depp, is successfully transcended beyond the physical reality.

As his wife is relieved and fascinated by her husband's state of being, it becomes apparent that the motivation of the scientist is growing more dangerous, radical and revolutionary. Transcendence is a movie not primarily about emotions, but more about ideals where nanotechnology, society and the singularity can bring us to potential futures.

As such, it is an ambitious movie directed by Wally Pfister who was responsible for the cinematography towards Christopher Nolan's movies. Yet, it also continues to show us the developing relationship of the wife and the scientist post-transcendence, which is intriguing, and rather different from a movie such as Her(2013).

Many actors in here are world famous including Morgan Freeman, Johnny Depp and Cillian Murphy, but Rebecca Hall is the main protagonist, struggling with the rise of her husband. Despite growing an impressive technological utopia called Brightwood using his newfound knowledge and resources by the use of the internet and his new will, once Evelyn the wife witnesses Will the scientist's power to remote control people's minds using nanotechnology, things get more scarier.

It all sounds exciting on paper, but the execution pales in comparison, despite strong actors being there. Yet, Transcendence is better than I expected after hearing mixed responses. It's worth giving it a try for those looking for their possible foreseeable science fiction fix.

Rating: 7.0

The Extended Phenotype

After borrowing and completing The Selfish Gene(1976) from a friend a few years ago, this sequel is considered by Richard Dawkins to be his best written book. So I was always reminded to eventually start on it, which turned out to be deeper in it's concept than I thought.

Where as his first book introduced to us the perception and behaviour of genes, this one goes much further in detailed arguments for what the title itself represents. A phenotype is summarized as the composite of an organism's observable characteristics, such as a spider's web.

The Extended Phenotype argues how genes are affected by all effects of their environment, so that individual organisms are morphologically shaped differently amongst other fields of biology. Phenotypes are not limited to predictable outcomes depending on proteins and tissue growth.

Dawkins is asking for a new perspective of observing organisms, molecules, genes and cells here, and he goes in great depths to argue about many topics surrounding those, while cleaning up any confusion and mis-interpretations people might have had on his previous published works, including five arguments surrounding the term "Survival of the fittest" and in particular the word "fittest" or "fitness".

It was originally meant to be read for professional biologists and anyone supporting Neo-Darwinism. Being a fan myself of Richard for quite a few years already thanks to his debates being uploaded online, which mainly are against religious people, I discovered his earlier reputation of a well respected biologist soon after and before I knew it I finished reading The Selfish Gene.

Although I was only educated in basic terms about biology back in high school, I continue to be impressed by myself to have the will to read through some of the most important books of history out there, including this large topic of science.

The Extended Phenotype is a very detailed look about phenotypic phenomenon which are basically categorized into 3 types commonly, and it certainly let my brain run wild at certain moments of imagination and rational thoughts.

But you might be surprised of it's potential to give a new perception of the micro universe that resides in every human inside their bodies, and of course the natural environment that even humans experience daily.

Perhaps The Extended Phenotype is also a symbolic book connecting biology with societies and cultures.

Rating: **(out of 4)

Shovel Knight

With the absence of impact for two beloved franchises for a few years now, Castlevania and Mega Man are luckily not forgotten, as new heroes take over their capes and add their own twists and tweaks upon their formula's.

For instance, Shovel Knight is a great hybrid of DuckTales and Mega Man melee based gameplay, alongside Super Mario Bros. 3, Castlevania and Zelda II elements, yet it still has a pleasant identity of it's own, and the references are subtle.

As the latest retro based nostalgic throwback to the middle to late 80's video games, Shovel Knight can easily charm older gamers away because of it's graphics, animations, music and controls. All which are mentioned are solid, enjoyable and reminiscent of the NES library as a pseudo title.

Our hero has the option to pogo around the various themed levels on platforms, enemies and other objects. Alongside shoveling and digging your way around, you are bound to discover hidden area's inside suspicious walls, such as finding a turkey plate behind a wall, another homage to Castlevania.

Alongside the primary melee combat, Shovel Knight can upgrade his weapon of choice, as well as his armor, health and magic meters. On the world map, aside from seeing the 8 main stages in general, you can encounter extra boss battles or little bonus stages among a few other optional stuff.

The Order of No Quarter are a fine alignment of knight bosses to fight for our hero. Coincidentally, all their first names haven't been claimed by Robot Masters yet, and two tracks have been composed by the original Mega Man composer, Manami Matsumae. Both tracks are among the best to be found.

Shovel Knight is well designed and has a fair amount of difficulty. It's a breeze compared to what I was playing and beating around this month last year with a little game called Mega Man Unlimited, but that's okay, it's certainly no walkover either.

It's yet another fine rendition of older times gone past. There will aways be time to appreciate older generations, either by simply going back to the past, or by shaping up your own creations with cameo's, inspirations or references.

Rating: 8.5