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Kotaku EastThe Moment That Changed How I Viewed Music in Games
Back when I was a kid in the late 80s and early 90s, game music didn’t seem like anything special. Sure, I knew the Mario Bros. Rap and could hum the theme to Sonic the Hedgehog, but no game music ever captivated me. Then I played Final Fantasy VI To me, game music had always…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 27, 2014 -
Kotaku EastTen Awesome Anime Openings and Endings from Spring 2014
I love anime music and it is one of the main things I look forward to each new anime season. And as we have 60 new anime this season, we also have 60 new openings and endings—in addition to the new second-half themes from the winter anime that are still on the air. So below…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 23, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Japanese Games with Unfortunately Perverted-Sounding Titles
A lot of time and effort goes into choosing a game title. But sometimes despite this effort, some game titles may invoke a sexual vibe quite by accident. This is especially true of the following Japanese games. Sometimes these names were the fault of the original Japanese creators who likely didn’t realize the English sexual…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 23, 2014 -
Kotaku EastCheck Out the 109 New Final Fantasy Tracks in Theatrhythm: Curtain Call
While growing up, I, of course, knew the Mario and Sonic themes, but it wasn’t until I first played Final Fantasy VI that game music really started to affect me. To say I have a soft spot for the series’ music is an understatement—which is why I am ecstatic that Theatrhythm: Curtain Call has 109…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 23, 2014 -
Kotaku EastGundam Unicorn Is an Excellent Ending to a Story 35 Years in the Making
Originally started four years ago as a six-part anime movie adaptation of a novel series, Gundam Unicorn has finally reached its conclusion with the 7th and final chapter, Gundam Unicorn 7: Over the Rainbow [Note: While original planned for 6 parts, due the massive amount of remaining content, the creators announced a 7th episode to…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 20, 2014 -
Kotaku East
I Love “Trapped in a Video Game” Stories
I love “trapped in a video game” stories—be that in books, anime, or even games. As a gamer, such stories directly relate to my greatest passion. But more than that, “trapped in a video game” is setup brimming with the potential for epic plots and thematic explorations. Much can be done with the “trapped in…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 20, 2014 -
Kotaku East
The Sword Art Online Game Is a Boring Slog, Unless You Are a Fan
Sword Art Online is an anime about 10,000 gamers trapped in a VR MMORPG where if they die in the game, they die in real life. So of course it was only a matter of time before they made a game about it. Unfortunately, if you aren’t already a fan, there is little in this…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 20, 2014 -
Kotaku EastIron Man, I Choose You!
When I read the official description of the new anime Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, I couldn’t help but laugh. After all, it was quite obvious that it is a series that blatantly mixes two things that are popular among Japanese kids: The Avengers and Pokémon While not the first Marvel superhero anime series, Disk…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 16, 2014 -
Kotaku EastYou Can Now Remote Play PS4 Games with the Vita TV
One of the coolest things about owning a PlayStation Vita is the ability to link it to your PS4 and play your PS4 games remotely. And now, with the latest firmware patch in Japan, the Vita isn’t the only system you can remote play PS4 games on; you can stream to the Vita TV as…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 16, 2014 -
Reviews
Sword Art Online’s Fourth Arc Is Both Heartbreaking and Beautiful
Last year we took a look at the third arc of the light novel series Sword Art Online (which is getting an anime adaptation later this year); but as enjoyable as that was, it is nothing compared to the heartbreaking, beautiful tale that follows it: Mother’s Rosario. [This review assumes you have seen/read the first…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 16, 2014 -
Kotaku East
The Five Anime of Spring 2014 You Should Be Watching
There are 60 new anime on the air this spring season and so it can be understandably more than a little difficult to know which ones to watch. Luckily, we at Kotaku East are here to help with our recommendations. As we hit the half-way point of the season, it is finally time for me…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 13, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Visiting a Real Life Pokémon Center
It’s an understatement to say that Pokémon is popular in Japan. “How popular” you might ask? So popular that it has its own Pokémon Centers that look as if torn straight out of the games. You can even buy pokémon there (well, stuffed ones anyway). Currently there are eight of these Pokémon Centers in Japan.…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 13, 2014 -
Kotaku EastWatch Us Play a Game about Being Trapped in a Game
Sword Art Online was easily one of the most popular anime of 2012. And while the West never got the first game, Sword Art Online: Infinity Moment, on the PSP, it will be getting the updated version of the game, Sword Art Online: Hollow Fragment, for the Vita later this year. But how exactly does…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 13, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Golden Time Has Great Romance, Comedy, and Drama—and a Terrible Ending
Golden Time is an anime filled with realistic romance, gripping personal drama, and some thoroughly enjoyable low-key comedy. It also has an ending so poorly put together that it almost seems like a deliberate attempt to undermine everything that has come before [*Note: This is a review of the second half of Golden Time and…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 2, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Going From Fan to Professional Game Translator and Back Again
A few weeks back, I talked about how fans of Steins;Gate animated one of the audio dramas to make an hour-long extra movie. What I didn’t mention is that the main translator of that project is also one of the main translators of the game’s official release. And how he came to that job is…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 2, 2014 -
Kotaku East
Love Plus Makes You Care about a Virtual Girl
The Love Plus series is infamous for being the most extravagant and popular dating sim out there. Two weeks ago, I took the plunge and set out to gain a virtual girlfriend of my very own in the newest game in the series, New Love Plus+. The outcome? It is a solid, emotion-grabbing dating sim…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published May 2, 2014 -
Kotaku EastJoin Me on My First Date with a Virtual Girl
Last week, I chronicled my adventures in winning the heart of a virtual girl in the Japanese dating sim New Love Plus+. Now, I invite you all to join me as I take her on our first date—and once again prove I am not quite the Don Juan of dating sims. New Love Plus+ was…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published April 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
The Pilot’s Love Song is a Tale of Planes, War, and Star-Crossed Love
A woman who can control the winds. A fallen prince looking for revenge. A world of flying islands, holy quests, and magnificent aerial dogfights. The thematic exploration of love, hatred, and forgiveness. All this and more can be found in the excellent tale of two star-crossed lovers in The Pilot’s Love Song Good – A…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published April 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
I’m Embarrassed to Play Dating Sims—And I Shouldn’t Be
I’m not going to lie, even after talking about the virtues of the genre, I am still embarrassed to admit I occasionally play dating sims—and I shouldn’t be. It’s funny. If I say I play Angry Birds, Call of Duty, or Street Fighter, I never feel embarrassed. Games have been a part of my life…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published April 29, 2014 -
Kotaku East
What Are the Most Nonsensical Japanese Game Titles?
Over the past week, I’ve been playing a Japanese dating sim by the name of New Love Plus+. And as ostensibly odd as that title is, it is far from the oddest Japanese game title I have come across. Now, while I could just list all of the crazy Japanese game titles I know, I’m…
By Richard Eisenbeis Published April 25, 2014
Richard Eisenbeis
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