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Since I was planning to do a few reviews of a few games but lack the time to do it, I’ll just make one post for it all. In here will include…
- SD Gundam: G Generation Wars (PS2)
- Hatsune Miku – Project Diva (PSP)
- Fate/Unlimited Codes (PS2 vs PSP)
- (C76) Touhou 12.3: Hisoutensoku
- Melty Blood: Actress Again (PS2)

SD Gundam: G Generation Wars
The latest addition to the Gundam SRPG franchise, G Generation Wars offers units from almost all the current series out, making this game one with the largest character and unit selection. Despite this game building a lot from G Generation Spirits, all series are only given 5 missions, which shortens routes a lot. Series that gain 2nd seasons are shafted though the units from them are still there for the most part (I don’t think anything from 00 S2 was added other than the 00-Raiser, but who knows). Wars adds a new system called “Wars Break” triggers, which when a certain event happens (ie: Master unit kills boss), Wars Break happens and units from other series will appear (ie: Thrones appear in Gundam Wing route). Usually activating and finishing the Wars Break stuff will give you either more capital or parts. One thing I’m taken back by is that you can’t put some characters in units or in a ship’s captain position or what not. Such as, I tried to put Feldt into Strike Aile, but couldn’t. Instead she was stuck with positions on the ship. It is possible to put other characters in other units and according to people, there are sometimes special dialog (ie: Lacus may say Fin Funnel when she uses it in Hi-Nu *people confirmed this, but I haven’t yet). The CGI cutscenes are still top and the battle animations feel fluid for the most part. Overall this game is worth checking out for gundam fans and G Generation/SRW fans alike.

PV

Intro

Hatsune Miku – Project Diva
Being a fan of Miku/Vocaloid related things was enough for me to give this game a run. I don’t know if it is just my copy or what, but there is a noticeable amount of delay in the game. Despite all this, I still find it very entertaining. The game is a rhythm game and only requires the four icon buttons to play. I THINK it is possible to make your own stuff to play in the game, but I’m not quite sure. You can unlock costumes and items to put in your virtual room. Of course these are all just for extra service. The core game (assuming the lag was non-existing) is great. Fairly simple to pick up and has many of the popular Miku songs such as World is Mine, “Leek Spin”, and Love is War. Not much really to say about this game other than the fact that its quite fun despite lag and definitely worth checking out when boredom hits.

Trailer

Intro

Fate/Unlimited Codes (PS2)
F/UC for the PS2 is the first official Fate/Stay Night fighter to ever be released, and I must say, they did not fail to disappoint. The game is 3D, but offers some nice mechanics one may see in some 2D fighters. Move canceling/Reflect Guard comes in handy and the usage of the grail for grail specials can determine a match. Gameplay is quite smooth and isn’t TOO advance to pick up. There are challenges and mini-games to keep players busy for awhile (though some of the challenges get pretty ridiculous). The computers are hard, but its nothing that one wouldn’t expect. As a port of the arcade version, it offers a solid ground for sequels or improvements.

Fate/Unlimited Codes (PSP)
F/US for the PSP is fun, but not a solid port. As with the PS2 version, nothing much is changed other than some downsizing on graphics (which are not that bad) and also added some new costumes/outfits to some characters. Other than that nothing much in the mechanics is changed except for one thing. Doing moves became a WHOLE lot easier. Instead of doing a half-circle motion, one would just need to do a Back-Forward motion. The game was simplified, which I can understand, but it disappoints me to see something like this happen to a port. Overall though, it still retains its PS2 enjoyment, but the game is way too easy-mode. Even the CPU is extremely easy. If possible, I’d suggest the PS2 version for a solid arcade port of the game, but the PSP version for on-the-go.

Trailer (PS2)

Intro + Demonstration (PS2)

(C76) Touhou 12.3: Hisoutensoku
With the recent comiket over, it means a load of new doujin-softs. What better way than to start with that latest expansion to Touhou’s fighter side. Hisoutensoku is an expansion for the previous game Scarlet Weather Rhapsody. Bringing many things from the previous game such as the weather system and spellcard upgrades, we also see rise to new mechanics such as the multi-deck system. Now, one is able to build a set of 5? different decks if so chooses instead of exiting and rebuilding. We also get a few new characters and a returning character, who was lost in SWR. Most of the characters from SWR retain their movesets, though there are some changes with input (I think). Nothing really much to say, but the game feels slightly more fluid for me than SWR did though a lot of whiffing happens still. Worth giving a try, but it isn’t your average fighter since it concentrates on bullet usages more than other games with projectiles.

Gameplay Demo

More Gameplay

Melty Blood: Actress Again
The newest installment to the Melty Blood series is finally out for PS2. Bringing back the cast of the previous game and adding a few new characters along with new game mechanics, this game is both good and bad. Lets get started with the new game mechanics. When you first start the game, you will notice that there are three different styles for each character which are: Crescent Moon, Half Moon, Full Moon. Each of these styles will give your character different movesets and also different playing styles. For example, if one was use to the previous Melty Blood games, choosing Crescent Moon would be the closes in playing. If one wants to be able to charge their meter, choosing Full Moon will allow them to do so. Next we’ll move on with the guard gauge. I’m not quite sure what it does other than show when you’re about to guard break and I think it also does something with your Ex-Shield/Shielding. There is also Ex-Guarding or in easier terms, Instant Guarding. Aside from that, the game feels different from its previous game, but at the same time it doesn’t. Moving on to the new characters, we get Riesbyfe, Roa, Seifuku (School Uniform) Akiha, and Ryougi Shiki (of Kara no Kyoukai fame and is a PS2 exclusive). I have yet to unlock everyone, but I suspect that Neco Arc Chaos will be appearing and I managed to unlock Neco & Mecha (which is Neco Arc and Mecha Hisui), and probably some more unlockables later on. The game, despite feeling somewhat awkward at first, is quite solid of a game and we can only pray for a PC port in the next year. I highly suggest anyone interested in Tsukihime or Melty Blood to check it out at least.

Intro

Gameplay (Ryougi Shiki)