The Flash Season Two: Flash Of Two Worlds

Straight out of the comic

Team Flash decides whether or not they can trust Jay Garrick who calms he is the Flash in an alternate reality called Earth 2 and is after an evil speedster called Zoom (Voiced by Tony Todd). Meanwhile Meta - Human Eddie Slick AKA Sand Demon (Kett Turton) appears and new police officer Patty Spivot (Shantel VanSanten) asks Joe if she can join the Meta - Human Task Force.

 

On to the second episode now which I have been looking forward to because of Jay and this was a great introduction for him. First off the actor did a really good job of portraying this more experienced Flash despite being way younger than his comic book counterpart and he is just really likable and got on well with the rest of the cast. I also really liked the whole explanation of Earth 2 and seeing Zoom was so damn awesome! He had such a great voice (as expected from Tony Todd) and to me he looked like a kind of menacing ghost, hope to see more of him and that small fight we got to see of him and Jay was so cool. Back to Jay Garrick I got to say that what I am disappointed in seeing is him without his powers because I was hoping to see a Flash team up where they have both their speed, plus this is similar to Eobard Thawne from Season One. However I loved the new move of throwing lightning he taught to Barry which really cements his job as the new mentor. The other introduction is Patty and I was really impressed with her as well because she brought a lot of energy in to the role, she fit in instantly with the cast and I liked the chemistry between her and Barry because they do have a relationship in the comics (most recently the New 52) and I think it could do well in live action.

 

"I'm back"

As for everything else Sand Demon was an awesome villain and it was interesting seeing Team Flash struggle with there being two Eddie's because of the multiverse. The final showdown at the end was done so well with Jay going in first to distract Sand Demon (despite lack of powers that was a good team up) and Barry finishing him off with lightning. But of course who could forget the iconic shot of the two Flashes running towards Patty which was an excellent copy of the famous comic cover. Another highlight was the interactions between Cisco and Stein and them working together which was good because they haven't had much before now; Stein did really good explaining the multiverse to those who haven't read the comics. As for Cisco we see him tapping more and more into his new powers but it is quite the twist that he seems to be rejecting them despite his fascination with Meta - Humans. Of course this is explained that he doesn't want them because of Eobard, its menacing to see that he is still causing grief from beyond the grave. Again I think Barry was one of the weakest links in this episodes because while his reluctance to trust anyone is understandable it was just a bit annoying in the beginning and I wanted him to just get over it, especially since it was Jay Garrick. Finally we get the unexpected arrival of Joe's wife and while I'm not sure why she has returned I think it could be something to do with Wally West who is confirmed to appear this season.

 

This version of Zoom is so cool!

Overall Jay, Patty and Zoom really helped make this episode better than the previous one and I am looking forward to seeing a new Harrison Wells in the series.

 

SCORE: 8/10

 

Highlights: Jay, Patty and Zoom debut

                   The two Flashes vs. Sand Demon

                   Cisco and Stein subplot

                   The multiverse was explained really well

 

Let - Downs: Jay with no powers

                      Barry's attitude in the beginning

 

 

The great screenshots of these episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/

Arrow Season Three: The Offer

Bet he isn't one for long speeches........

While Oliver has to deal with the aftermath of his meeting with Ra's al Ghul a new villain terrorizes Starling City; Michael Amar AKA Murmur (Adrian Glynn McMorran). Meanwhile Laurel and Nyssa bond, Thea comes to terms with Malcolm and Quentin shuts out both Laurel and Arrow.

We have the aftermath of Ra's offer to Oliver of becoming the next Head of the Demon and even though I expected Oliver to turn it down it was great watching him struggle with the decision. It was great that the first part of the episode focused more on the background of the League, though more screen time could have been given to it, and the confirmation of the Lazarus Pit. Finally glad that we got to see it in live action and the effect of it healing Ra's wound was cool. The strongest factor of this episode to me was Oliver struggling with his decision to accept the offer because he really was considering it after going over what changes he has made in Starling. Ra's did make it tempting because he made it seem that Oliver has barely accomplished anything and Oliver was beginning to believe it. However in the end, and with the help of Felicity, he chose to reject it and we have already seen the consequences of it when Ra's posed as the Arrow in a murder; I'm guessing Quentin and the police are going to turn against the Arrow now. The other main two characters in Oliver's arc, Thea and Nyssa, where a real let down however and I just found them completely annoying. I know Thea is dealing with murdering Sara but she is just all complaints lately and I hate that the first thing she says in every scene is how she wants to kill Malcolm; I just wanted her to shut the hell up about it already, she has been all bark and no bite this whole season. Plus she has gone back to her stupid habit of hating someone for a season; one it was Moira/Oliver, two it was just Moira and now Malcolm. As for Nyssa she is a good character but can they just give her something else to work with than just Sara, Sara, freaking Sara all the time and it was annoying seeing her going against Ra's because of her.

..........but he is one for complete slaughter!

As for everything else I really enjoyed the Murmur, McMorran gave a really creepy portrayal and we got some cool shootouts/fighting, but I just wish they gave him more screen time since he was only in it for two major scenes. I also must admit that besides the action scenes with the Murmur the rest of the episode wasn't that exciting so again shame we couldn't have more focus on him. Quentin was also great once again and he is doing a could job of showing his turmoil at Sara's death and a justifiable cold shoulder to Laurel and Arrow (Laurel of course deserves it more because of her stupid plan). Seems he will be an enemy of Arrow once again and even though it was sometimes annoying in season one that was mainly because I just hate how he treated Oliver and everyone else but this time it is a lot more personal and now Laurel is a vigilante. Finally the Flashbacks where not really that important, like they always are this season, but I'm not sure what to make of Shado again. I hope there is no stupid reason they have manage to bring her back after being shot in the head and I would actually prefer it to be her twin sister.

"I can get used to this green hood"

Overall this episode was great showing Oliver's dilemma to the offer but it would have been a lot better if we got more background on Ra's and the League and more focus on the Murmur. As I mentioned above when it wasn't about Ra's or the Murmur the rest of the episode was a bit of a drag and not that exciting.

SCORE: 5/10

Highlights: Oliver's decision at Ra's offer
                   The Murmur
                   Quentin still dealing with being lied to

Let - Downs: Nyssa
                      Thea
                      Not enough focus on the League and Murmur

The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/       

Arrow Season Two: Heir to the Demon

The second daughter to the Demon

The episode begins with Nyssa al Ghul (Katrina Law) taking out airport security because her credentials issued an A.R.G.U.S alert meanwhile at Queen Consolidated Moira is preparing to run for Mayor and Felicity tells Walter that Tempest (the old organization connected with The Undertaking and Moira) is making withdrawals from the bank. Oliver sees Laurel at the hospital, Quentin and Dinah are also there and Laurel tells Quentin that she saw Sara, later Oliver finds Sara at the Arrowcave and wants her to stay for her family but Sara says the League are still after her. In a Flashback six years ago Sara is visiting her family after get time off from college but texts Oliver, in the present Sara and Quentin meet up briefly but when Sara leaves Nyssa shows up wanting her to return to the League and even though she still refuses the two kiss, Arrow watches from a distance. Nyssa and Sara meet up again later because Sara wishes for Ra's al Ghul to release her from the League but Nyssa says that may be impossible. Diggle later finds out Laurel was actually poisoned and Dinah is kidnapped at the hospital by Nyssa and Arrow and Black Canary fail to stop her, they both then tell Quentin about this.

"Ever thought of getting a car? You can equip it with lots of gadgets!"

In a Flashback Quentin and Laurel have just found out the Queen's Gambit has sunk and Moira shows up later to tell them Sara was on the boat, in the present Team Arrow runs into a dead end tracking the poison but Nyssa calls and says she wants Sara in exchange for Dinah. Oliver notices something off with Felicity who replies that she has found out something about Thea which shocks Oliver at Moira's campaign event but he keeps it to himself, later he finds out Sara has taken more of the poison with her to confront Nyssa. Quentin and Sara confront Nyssa and Sara poisons herself however Arrow shows up and saves her after a brief fight with Nyssa, this compels Nyssa to release her from the League. Later Oliver tells Moira that the two of them are now done, having been told by Felicity that Thea is Malcolm's daughter meanwhile Quentin and Dinah are overjoyed Sara is back however Laurel (incorrectly/unfairly) blames Sara for every bad thing in their family and demands her to leave. The episode ends with Slade telling Sebastian that he will deal with Moira and Sara and Oliver kissing passionately.

Really thought Sara was dead for good at this moment

Looks like the League is back and we have the arrival of a major character from it, it might not be Ra's al Ghul but one of his daughters. At first I thought it would be Talia because she is the most well known of his daughters however having Nyssa instead is better because Talia is more associated with Batman. Nyssa really made a strong debut; kicking a lot of ass and being a awesome archer and having a great costume to match. She is willing to do whatever it took to get Sara back, poisoning her sister and kidnapping her mother, and I kind of wish we got a bit more history on their relationship. This would have made for better Flashbacks than what we got this episode because it just felt unnecessary because it was basically no new information. However despite that I always like seeing the League and we had a great show down between Nyssa and Arrow.

"Your not the only one who can do this"

It was also again good seeing Walter and that Felicity was involved again in an effort to find out the truth of Moira's lies. She had a great confrontation with Moira and I don't really blame her for telling Oliver the truth about Thea and that was just one more lie that Oliver just could not take. I wonder if he will see or treat Thea any different now that he now she is Malcolm's daughter but he is done with Moira now in any case. We also got to see Moira starting to run for Mayor now and like I said last review I am interested to see more because it is something new for her character and she finally gets to do something that is good for the city.

Why couldn't we just have a nice reunion

As for everything else I did like the drama between the Lance family and that they where all together but it was ruined at the end by Laurel. This might sound cheesy but I wouldn't have mind at the end that the Lance family, including Laurel, embraced each other now that their family is whole again but it did go that way. I just hated Laurel's sudden hostility towards Sara and blaming her for every bad thing that has happened because every bad thing is really her fault and of course she was drinking at the end again. I have read some reviews saying that her anger was justified this time but I don't see it that way and it just makes me continue to hate her. Plus I while I said the Flashbacks where not needed it was nice seeing the Lance Family as they where six years ago but again except for Laurel because she was just like in the present she was a bitch in the Flashbacks. Lastly I don't like that Sara and Oliver got together at the end because even though I am not a fan of any of the couplings, Oliver/Felicity is better than any of the ones we have had so far.

"Get over here and give your speech Oliver!"

Overall this was a great episode but the ending, Laurel and Flashbacks where at let down.

SCORE: 7/10

Highlight: Strong debut for Nyssa
                  Moira and Oliver conflict
                  The Lance family (except for Laurel)

Let - Downs: Laurel ruined the ending like she ruins everything now
                      Flashbacks


The great screenshots of the episodes where provided by the great site Screencapped. You can look for yourself from the link below;

 

 





http://screencapped.net/     

Game Review: DMC Devil May Cry

Time to finally do another game review, this time on a game that received much backlash after it's release; DMC Devil May Cry, the remake to the popular game series.

DMC still has the same basic plot of the original games but with a lot of changes, the first being that the world of Demons (Limbo) and the world of Humans are separate and only certain people can pass in between them. Dante is one of those certain people because he is a Nephilim (a hybrid of Angels and Demons) and he battles the Demons when ever he is dragged in to Limbo. Unbeknownst to him and the rest of society the whole world is under the control of the Demon King Mundus, who prefers to operate in secret and control the Humans through finance, politics, media and drugs. However a mysterious person named Vergil, who leads a resistance group called The Order, challenges Mundus and wishes to recruit Dante to his cause.

DMC was developed by Ninja Theory and I admit I am not that familiar with their work however I know of their two other games, Heavenly Sword and Enslaved, both of which are third person, melee action oriented gameplay so it seems that is their main type of genre. What they have done with DMC is that they have decided to try and make it more appealing for the Western and younger audience.

Namely this includes changes to character designs such as Dante; gone is his trademark silver hair and long, red leather coat (which is a Japanese, anime style) . Instead he is given more of street punk redesign where he has brown spikey hair and a hooded trench coat. But that is not all; Vergil has gone through a similar redesign where they have removed a lot of his Japanese influence (luckily he still keeps his katana sword and silver hair) and Mundus, instead of being a demon in the form of a Roman - looking statue, his human form is that of a business typhoon who resides in a massive office tower.

Also it is not just the characters that are changed it is also the whole entire tone of the game as well like the overall gothic tone of the original games. Instead it has a more Hollywood action movie feeling to it whether it is the heavy metal music that is in much of its soundtrack or the fact that the setting is in a twisted version of a city instead of a ancient castle or tower.

As for gameplay it is still very similar to what you expect from the original game series however I noticed that while I was playing it that it was a lot easier. This was because the developers wanted it to appeal to newcomers but veterans of the original series and hack and slash games in general would want to put this on the harder difficulties when playing this.

It still has the same multiple button combos for new moves with your weapons and guns and you can still buy new skills with orbs as well however they have introduced a new colour coded mechanic. Since Dante is Nephilim he can switch between his blue, low damage, fast paced Angel moves or his red, high damage, slow paced Demon moves. This offers an interesting variety to the gameplay because their are certain enemies that can only be killed by a certain colour however while this is good there is a severe lack of weapons in this game for my taste. Dante has only two weapons each for red and blue and even though he can instantly switch between them in game so you don't have to break off a combo, I would much rather have had to pause the game and equip a new weapon like the original series if it meant more weapons. One thing I dislike but also don't mind much is that they have removed the option to lock on to any enemy you want however the automatic lock on feature is  really smart and can accurately predict which enemy you want to attack anyway. 

The enemies in this game are really good, like I mentioned above some can only be damaged by a certain weapon, however I have played through every difficultly setting in this game and I didn't really have any trouble with them no matter how hard the difficultly said it was. The same goes for bosses too, they have some great designs but I was just a bit disappointed in them. Also thought I'd say that since this game was published by Capcom they have put a chainsaw wielding enemy in it and I am getting sick of seeing them (There is enough of them in the new Resident Evils!).

There isn't that many cast of main characters in this game and their personalities have also changed with this remake. Dante is a lot more cocky and outspoken now and less laidback like in the original, I guess this was another change that the developers wanted to appeal to a younger audience. Vergil however is a lot more reserved in this, preferring to take a back sit throughout the majority of the game. There is the lead female named Kat, a member of The Order, who is really good but not as good as Trish or Lady from the original. However I do like the new Mundus in this because he has a lot more personality in this than when we barely got anything of his ideology and reasoning from the original.

Now I guess the most important question in my review is; Do I like it? Are all of these changes for the better?

I do really like this game however I do not agree with many of the changes. Devil May Cry 1 and 3 where known as one of the hardest games back in the day and while it was really frustrating at times, who really wants a easy game? I do not like the removing of the gothic themes and while the character redesigns of Dante and Vergil are cool, I still prefer the original. This is probably because I am more of a fan of Japanese style when it comes to creating characters (Anime and Manga). However I do really like the overall story of this game because it creates a more detailed backstory for Dante, Vergil (in Devil May Cry 3 it is implied that they have battled many times before but it doesn't go in to detail) and the world they are apart of in general. Also despite not being a challenge like the originals I immensely enjoyed the combat system because it was so fluid and smooth.

Overall this game, as I already know, will have a very hard time pleasing veterans of the original Devil May Cry series however newcomers will find this easy to pick up. It has it's flaws to be sure but if they can be looked past that then you can find an enjoyable and fun hack and slash game.

SCORE: 7/10