Downloadable Content: Dark Souls II(Scholar of the First Sin)

While technically it's a remastered edition too, for convenient sake, I will be talking about Scholar of the First Sin now alongside the 3 previously included DLC contents. Improved and more robust, this is the definitive version to play.

With 3 large new locations to explore alongside some very intimidating new bosses, it also mixes up some of it's level design with regards to enemy placements, balances certain aspects further out, and deepens multiplayer.

Scholar of the First Sin is a brutal challenge on top of the other titles as my souls were taken away many times. The amount of rage and suffering is rarely elsewhere to be found, but luckily that is the exact reason why I kept playing, in order to taste sweet victory.

Graphics and animations are better, and some would argue that the additional locations are in overall better than the core game. I don't share that opinion, but welcome additions include Brume Tower, Sanctum City and Frigid Outskirts.

Some of the toughest new bosses to be found include Sir Alonne, Burnt Ivory King and Fume Knight, but none really left a visual impression like those found in Artorias of the Abyss. Still, for a challenge, you have come to the right place.

Dark Souls II: Scholar of the First Sin is worthwhile to play even if you have beaten the core game already, as replay value is some of it's greatest strengths in the form of NG+ and PvP.

Downloadable Content: Super Smash Bros. for 3DS/Wii U

Who would had thought or dreamed that eventually, Nintendo's Super Smash Bros. would include downloadable content, including characters, stages and costumes?

Actually, it's still going on, as the Smash ballot is about to end, a personal vote from the community about who they would like to see included next at perhaps the end of this year, or 2016. Personally, I voted for Andy from Advance Wars, because that series deserves more recognition.

Roy, Lucas and Mewtwo are returning DLC characters which all are faithful to their original movesets, but perhaps have become even stronger when compared with the others in this huge roster. Ryu is the latest third party fighter, also from Capcom, and it's interesting to see him and basically his legacy included.

Of course new stages also come and go, such as the upcoming Super Mario Maker based one, and there's a plethora of costumes to choose from as well. What arguably is more interesting than all of these extra's are the eventual balance patches, another new addition.

Whenever Nintendo decides to direct the next Nintendo Direct(without Satoru Iwata, R.I.P.) we can be sure that the results of the ballot will be shown, and I wonder what's up next for our favorite Nintendo fighting game.

Downloadable Content: Dark Souls (Artorias of the Abyss)

 

The incredible Dark Souls experience is enhanced even further.

Also known as the Prepare to Die edition, this downloadable content feels just like the expansion packs from the old, like Yuri's Revenge or The Frozen Throne, adding in a whole bunch of new areas, lore and bosses to keep you even longer busy.

Oolacile is getting terrorized by fearsome inhabitants, and the bosses in question are arguably the best lineup of any other game in the series seen so far. With Knight Artorias of the Abyss with his intimidating attacks, Kalameet's fearsome dragon size and the very aggressive final boss Manus, Father of the Abyss, they really cared for this content.

From Software's requirements for entering Oolacile are a bit cryptic, as it involves killing a large mini boss and then returning later on to find a new Golem enemy further along the river, but once this is done, you will save Dusk of Oolacile and be able to enter the realm upon returning to this river yet again.

Other than that, Artorias of the Abyss/Prepare to Die is a great example of how downloadable content nowadays should be done. All included, long enough and full of quality, no Souls fan could ever go wrong with this content's presentation.

Downloadable Content: Mario Kart 8

It's time to discuss DLC from various games this month.

Nintendo has entered the downloadable content scene as well, and from the top of my head, Mario Kart 8 happens to be one of the first, if not one of the most full fledged deals seen from their end so far.

There are not 1, but 2 tempting DLC packs, each of them consisting of 8 additional tracks to deepen replay value. A typical Mario Kart game nowadays consists of 4 cups with 16 new tracks, alongside 4 retro cups with older tracks. With these packs, we basically got another new Mario Kart game technically.

Not only that, but new characters towards the franchise are playable for the first time, such as Link or Villager, and some have already concluded that the next entry just might be called Nintendo Kart. Alongside them, most of them have a representable track to enjoy.

Although not really included as DLC is the so called 200.CC mode, the first time where the series has gone beyond the usual 150.CC mode. In here, the speed of the karts has gone even faster, making it almost feel like a lite F-Zero version. It's a fun extra addition, but fairly, some of the tracks are kind of ruined by it.

This is what Mario Kart 8 currently offers. There have been rumors about a third DLC pack getting announced soon, but if you ask me I am more than content with this already. Well, except for the battle mode I guess, which I already pointed out in my review. Then it would instantly become the best entry available.

More Mega Man Fan Games

While Mega Man remains in limbo, and while Mighty No. 9 is delayed yet again, let's dig in deeper into the fandom creations and see how these next 3 games affected me:

 Mega Man Rock Force

Released only a few months after Unlimited, Rock Force is another very solid fan game of a classic Mega Man formula with 8 original Robot Masters(and actually 8 more under certain circumstances), a new established “Everlasting Peace” league of playable allies including Elec Man, Tornado Man and more, plus compelling gameplay in general.

Although not as amazing as Unlimited, Rock Force has plenty of creativity, and I think that the Robot Master designs and the stage hazards are the highlights. It’s also very faithful to the classic art style, has an above average story(without Dr.Wily this time, I promise!), and the ending with all of those humorous scenes is very effective!

Mega Man Rock Force is another strong reason why I am happy and jealous at the same time to get my Mega Man fix while the Blue Bomber is still missing in action from Capcom headquarters.

Rating: 8.2 

 Mega Man Eternal

Despite development time being around six years, Eternal just isn’t as well designed like Rock Force or Unlimited in regards to mechanics and feeling authentic towards actual classic Mega Man games.

For instance, when you are hit, the knockback is longer while the invincibility frames are shorter. Enemy bullets travel to the next screen(and you will still get hit), and screen transitions are sometimes clunky, and there are certain things missing such as an animation for when you use an E tank, or when you acquire a new weapon, no introduction or example scene is shown.

The RM weapons are very similar towards each other which is bad, but the Robot Masters themselves are alright. Eternal’s highlights are the overall level design, the challenge(it sometimes went crazy though, see Wily Stage 3) and the throwbacks and tributes towards the classic Mega Man games. And the Wily Machine Eternal final boss was well designed! 

Rating: 7.6 

Mega Man: Revenge of the Fallen

This is an excuse to re-use assets from previous classic Mega Man games, but it’s controls are almost all the way faithful to them. Revenge of the Fallen’s namesake is about reviving old Robot Masters and letting them have their revenge by letting Mega Man go through very long stages, and they all also have a few new attacks up their sleeves.

Once you enter Dr. Wily’s fortress, you become aware that there are a total of 8 stages to conquer next in here, making it the largest final destination in any Mega Man game, quite ridiculous!

Utility items and using Rush have all been hidden away through many kinds of alternate paths in the RM stages, and I wasn’t able to find them all quickly on my first run, making the game in overall quite harder what with the endless amounts of pitfalls and spikes being everywhere.

What also disappointed me is that MIDI is used for the soundtrack, I still don’t understand why some would prefer this over the NES originals. Good controls and level design, not much else really.

Rating: 7.0

And while I am having a little Top 10 month, how about I let you know what my favorite Robot Masters from the actual Classic games are? Here they are, except there are actually 11 entries(8.5 is Mega Man & Bass):

1.Elec Man
2.Bubble Man
3.Gemini Man
4.Ring Man
5.Gravity Man
6.Wind Man
7.Turbo Man
8.Astro Man
8.5.Magic Man
9.Jewel Man
10.Solar Man

Epic Rap Battles of History Appreciation

Another YouTube phenomena has caught my attention over the years, and it's called Epic Rap Battles of History. Promising on delivering exactly that, each video represents two sides which are connected in some way, and then they proceed by performing rap battles.

The thing is that although they are structurally called rap battles, as far as lyrics, music and styles go, anything goes! From pop stars to scientists to historical figures to fictional characters, anyone who is well known for various reasons has a good chance to appear, provided that there is a counterpart character well up for the task to oppose him or her!

Being highly popular and promising new content depending on which rap battles the masses of fans want to see next, Epic Lloyd and Nice Peter have been sitting on a mountain of fame and profit, not only because of the idea, but also because of the high productive values, including the music, the costumes, the battle structures, the special effects and so on.

It's not everyone's cup of tea, but I wasn't exactly a fan of actual rapping before this either. Try out one of their videos if you get the chance, you might be surprised at how they are delivered, like I was at first!

My current top 10 favorite Epic Rap Battles of History are currently by the way(in no order):

10.Bruce Lee VS. Clint Eastwood
9.Gandhi VS. Martin Luther King Jr.
8.Rasputin VS. Stalin
7.Sir Isaac Newton VS. Bill Nye
6.Steven Spielberg VS. Alfred Hitchcock
5.Jack the Ripper VS. Hannibal
4.Steve Jobs VS. Bill Gates
3.Zeus VS. Thor
2.Adolf Hitler VS. Darth Vader Round 3
1.Nikola Tesla VS. Thomas Edison

Top 10 Martial Arts Cinema Scenes

Martial Arts is not only spiritual fulfilling and philosophical, and has many benefits such as self-esteem, teamwork and fitness, it also happens to be one of the most beautiful yet violent competition to see in the world.

Cinematic choreographic scenes tend to range from being relatively tame and effective, towards being over the top. My favorite fighting scenes are the ones which are for the most part realistic, fast-paced, unique and whom happen to have a surprise or two along the way.

In no particular order, (except for the last one which is my new favorite), these 10 are truly great, and always worthwhile to rewatch.

1.Tony Jaa VS. an entire evil gang in The Protector(2005)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pPne0fXREhY

Otherwise known as the final fight, with it's rather amusing and yet also sad plot of elephants being stolen and "consumed", Tony Jaa fights his way through countless amounts of enemies, and the final fight is so crazy and over the top to watch, it's like a video game beat em'up actually.  Obviously not the most realistic fight scene, but entertaining? Hell yes! Just try to count how many bones does Tony Jaa break.

2.Donnie Yen VS. Wu Jing in Kill Zone(2005)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_H-3NKj8yO8

I forget what Yen's weapon of choice is actually called, it looks like a lite version of what police men carry around. That weapon against his opponent's knife makes up for some of fastest attack movements I have ever seen in cinema. Combined with the excellent cinematography and a memorable song, it's a short but great encounter, and it's not even the most important story wise.

3.Sammo Hung VS. Lee Hoi San in The Magnificent Butcher(1979)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebfw8EFghak

To be frank, I have yet to see many more movies of Sammo Hung, but I did see The Magnificent Butcher already, where his final fight is similar to the orginial Drunken Master, going through several fighting styles to defeat his enemy. Comedy value is also to be found!

4.Jet Li VS. Billy Chow in Fist of Legend(1994)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9T_UL6GlsnE&list=LLfvQLwgxxUzR6ELoTm_eIYA&index=3

Fist of Legend is already an above average martial arts film with an interesting story, and then it ends with a fight against a brutal Japanese general which literally headbutts and punches his way through objects like glass, furniture and trees in order to knock down Jet Li. It's a long and intimidating fight, and it ends with a whipping belt against a sword, and guess which one wins!

5.JeeJa Yanin VS. Kittitat Kowahagul in Chocolate(2008)
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAN1GTRPyto

Often nicknamed the female version of insert any famous martial cinema artist like Tony Jaa or Jackie Chan, JeeJa Yani with her autism in this movie must eventually fight against an epileptic hip hop fighter which looks more fun to watch than to explain. Although a very short fight scene, it does continue to be a unique encounter in choreography. Chocolate also has many other effective fight scenes such as in the warehouse or on the rooftop, but the one I choose happens to be the most memorable for me.

6.Biao Yuen, Sammo Hung and Jackie Chan VS. thugs, smoking boss and Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez in Dragons Forever(1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XLXKJMj3aw

Not only does this factory fight feature 3 good friends in real life, it also has destructible environments, somersaults, an annoying smoking coward and it ends with one of the most impressive opponents for Jackie Chan, which is of course Benny 'The Jet' Urquidez, whom happens to be a world champion in real life and whom I have also met briefly last year. Although their Wheels on Meals scene is legendary too, this one simply has more to offer in combination with the rest of the scene.

7.Jean-Claude Van Damme VS. Bolo Yeung in Bloodsport(1988)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXFBggMSgo8

Our Belgian martial artist star was at his prime during his early movies, and Bloodsport just might be his most famous one. Fighting against the intimidating Bolo Yeung in a tournament where you are allowed to die, Van Damme treats us with nice kicks and a few surprises up his sleeve here!

8.Bruce Lee's final fights in Fist of Fury(1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ySZkNITezk

Honestly you can include any final fight scene from any of Bruce Lee's few movies and it would still fit with the rest of this list. Enough has been said about the star himself, he was innovative, inspirational and as often said, way ahead of his time.

9.Jackie Chan VS. Feng Tien in The Young Master(1980)
http://killerfrog.com/videos/jackie-chan---young-master,-final-fight-6617.html

Another hard to find fight scene, beware, the screaming at the beginning of it can make your ears go painful. In one of Jackie Chan's earliest memorable fights, he must overcome against an actual master who completely outranks him until he adjusts his fighting style so extremely that he eventually beats him while a very energetic song plays.

10.Iko Uwais VS. Cecep Arif Rahman in The Raid 2: Berandal(2014)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5YeXsK2bMQ

This scene has the tendency to get deleted instantly on YouTube, but you may recognize it as the final fight or the kitchen scene in The Raid 2. This particular video also starts with another entertaining and impressive fight against Hammer Girl and Baseball Boy.

Our protagonist's biggest challenge awaits out of all places in the kitchen, where he engages against the assassin in an amazing, enduring and long fight, upon which the cinematography, music and varied fighting styles all come together to bring in my opinion the best fight scene I have seen so far and definitely the best modern fight scene of cinema.