Sunday, June 10, 2012

Thumb Wars - June 2012

It's time for some thumb wars. There are lots of great video game tournaments going on this month.

First up is a Super Smash Bros. tourney at the Doris van Doreen Library on Redd Road on Thurs. June 14th at 3pm. There will be tournaments for both Melee and Brawl. It's free, it's fun and it's educational if you decide to stay and read afterwards. So, dust off that 'cube controller and check it out.

Next up is the Ultimate Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 tournament at 1 More Level, 1580 George Deiter on Saturday, June 20th at 7-m. One More Level had a good turnout for their last Super Street Fighter IV tournament, but there should be loads more competition at this one. Be sure to BYOC and get those teams all steamed up, because anyone who wins this one is gonna be looked upon as a Marvel.
Finally, don't forget that there are Fighting Game nights every Monday at Tortuga Bar and Sports Lounge, 126 Shadow Mountain, every Tuesday night beginning at 7pm. Warm up for any of these tournaments in a friendly environment where it's okay to drink. Isn't life grand? It is if you're 21 and over....

So, be sure to check out any of these events and stay tuned to Augmented Reality for any updates about future game tournaments.

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Marginal Gaming - In The Next Installment

 Mike Cervantes' latest article for 8bitfix tackles the pros and cons of episodic gaming. Was the attempt to make Sonic 4 an episodic series the reason for its downfall?

Check it out on the 8bitfix website.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Good vs. Evil 2012: Light up the Night


The legacy continues with Good vs. Evil 2012:  Light up the Night!  Who will be victorious in the battle of the century, Paladin Alexander Anderson, or Alucard?

Special thanks to those who participated in our production at FAL-Con 2012!  We hope you all enjoy the show!!

(c) 2012, Retro-Cam Productions, all rights reserved.

"War of the Independents" Comic signing at Asylum Comics


Who's that standing next to The Tick on that comic cover? That's right! It's El Paso's very own superhero El Valiente. Join El Valiente writer Ray Ramos this Wednesday, June 13th at Asylum Comics, 5360 N. Mesa. He will be signing issues of this comic "War of the Independents" issue 3. Join him and the rest of the Adversary Comix crew as they celebrate this milestone in El Paso Superhero history. Pick up your copy this Wednesday!

Monday, June 4, 2012

Aspect Ratio - FAL-Con 2012 (Day 1)

This week on Aspect Ratio, Ruben Rascon covers day one of FAL-Con 2012 and interviews several guests, including this year's 1st Place winner of the first annual FAL-Con Idol.

(c) 2012, Retro-Cam Productions, all rights reserved.

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

[Anime of the Week] Mezzo DSA (5/20-26/2012)

Image copyright goes out to Arms Corporation.

Not to be confused with the prequel Mezzo FORTE!
Mezzo DSA is one of those "girls with guns" anime but after watching 10 episodes I can say that this one does not focus solely on that aspect which makes me really, really happy. There are story arcs that last about an episode or so and I'm really liking the characters and voice talent behind the characters. It's a fantastic watch as the animation is crisp... too bad animation is no longer like this.

I tried finding a cool trailer.... but no luck so you're stuck with the opening video for the show.


# of episodes: 13
Type: original
Rating: OT
Synopsis:Mikura, Kurokawa, and Harada are the 3 members of the Danger Service Agency (DSA). Mikura is the brawn of the group, Harada is the brains, and Kurokawa is just a bitter ex-cop who likes to think he's in charge. They'll take on any job as long as it involves lots of danger and, of course, money. Their biggest case, however, could prove to be finding out why someone wants Kurokawa assassinated.
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Supah Hero Time! Adorable&Nostalgic War!


What's up my Milleniums! Welcome to another segment of-!
Today is special. You see, there's a tradition with Super Sentai and Kamen Rider which are the VS and Rider War movies! Every year the current sentai has a team-up movie with the previous sentai and the same goes for the current Kamen Rider. And recently, the subs for The Kamen RiderXKamen Rider Fourze & OOO: Movie War Mega Max was released! So now I can review it! (the thing about toku movies is that it takes longer to view them as they are released theatrically first, then after a few months, sold on DVD which is then subbed a few weeks later) So without making you wait any longer: let's begin!
The Rider War movies are usually split into three main segments: the first segment picks up where ther previous Kamen Rider series ended and serves as a continuation. The second segment is about the current Rider, and sometimes has no effect of the main plot of the show. The final segment is the team-up segment, where both Riders come together to defeat the main villain.
The OOO segment opens with the 7 Legendary Riders kicking Waste Yummies, Masquerade Dopants, and Dustards' behinds. Apparently, Foundation X (Kamen Rider Double) has been funding a project that involves both Medals(OOO) and Switches (Fourze).
Then we see a new Rider(Poseidon) that hails from the future kill several officers of the Kougami Foundation.
For some reason Ankh has returned, which Hina gets the impression that Eiji has fixed the core. They then discover that when Mako imploded, all the cores flew into the future and were absorbed accidentally by Miharu, turning him evil.
He was meant to be a Rider, but due to his fear of water, he wasn't able to be Kamen Rider Ocean, which the future Kougami then gave him the power to be Poseidon, before succumbing to the Medals. They defeat Poseidon and Miharu returns to the future, which shortly after Ankh disappears. Eiji reveals he never fixed the Core and Ankh probably came from the future, giving them hope that he will return. Suddenly Foundation members arrive and take Poseidon's Medals.
This segment is simply delightful. I was a huge fan of OOO though the ending of the series left me with an empty feeling. I felt that the story didn't resolve in a truly satisfying way, which mostly applied to Ankh's death and Eiji's loss of using OOO, which this segment fixed immediately. The action was amazing, namely the first fight with Date and Gotou vs Poseidon. The only thing I can complain on is the Power Ranger-esque explosions that appear behind Eiji in one scene, though the attack was a slash that was straightforward.
Also the fight in the Cous Coussiere was extrordinary, showing that Shu(Eiji) and Ryosuke(Ankh) are more than capable fighters! Also Sotonaka manages to bust some moves.
My waifu!
We then cut to Fuuto where Shoutaro intercepts some Foundation X members transporting something called SOLU.
It's so good to see Shoutaro in action again! Meanwhile, the space goop (SOLU) goes down a drain and excapes.
Cut to Amanogawa High School and the Kamen Rider Club is participating in a festival(NOTE: This takes place after Fourze has just received Switch #20: Fire)
And people say I'M a dork? Anyway, a girl falls from the sky and Gentarou catches her.
Ok, forget Satonaka, THIS IS MY WAIFU! A fight then ensues where Nadeshiko(girl that fell from sky) transforms into a female version of Fourze!
Even her henshin is ADORABLE! >.<
AND she attacks with a bear hug?! *throws on Monster Suit*
Um...
Gen-chan, you perv!
They wrap up the fight and Gentarou then goes out with Nadeshiko
My KAWAII meter is off the charts!!! Ok it doesn't take you long to realize that Nadeshiko is actually the SOLU that took the form of the actual Nadeshiko. I won't give much else away cause, well just watch it :,(
This segment is just GREAT. The romance between Nadeshiko and Gentarou is ADORABLE to say the least. I've always enjoyed the fight scenes in Fourze too so there's nothing to complain about.. Well... there is ONE thing … :,(
The next segment involves Fourze, OOO, Double, and the 7 Legendary Riders kicking villain booty. 
This final segment is action packed and does NOT dissapoint. All in all the ENTIRE film is GREAT. It gives me a much more satisfied ending to OOO, it's nostalgic to see Double fight again, and Fourze has been nothing but a great series. The fight scenes are STUPENDOUSLY choreographed and there wasn't a single moment where I felt uninterested. This is a MUST watch for fans of Double, OOO, and Fourze. Oh before I forget, the movie ends with a sneak peek at Kamen Rider Meteor, Fourze's secondary Rider.
I LOVE this Rider War movie and will definitely be looking forward to the Super Hero Taisen Movie which will pit Sentai against Riders!
Aw.... :,)