Showing posts with label sword fighting. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sword fighting. Show all posts

Sclash: Don't underestimate this 2D Samurai fighting game + the First 30!

 


Slice Into Sclash - The Tense 2D Samurai Fighter Available Now

PC Version Also Gets New Sakura DLC Today in This Unique Hand-Drawn Fighter

Console players can now experience the exhilarating tension of samurai duels, as the critically acclaimed 2D fighting game Sclash slashes its way onto Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S! Developed by Bevel Bakery and published by Maximum Entertainment and Abiding Bridge, Sclash brings the art of sword combat to life with gorgeous hand-drawn characters battling across stunningly painted environments.



In Sclash, a single well-timed strike can mean the difference between victory and defeat. Players must carefully manage their stamina and breathing while sizing up opponents, looking for the perfect opening to unleash a deadly blow. With an intuitive yet supremely skill-testing combat system, Sclash captures the patient lethality and solemn drama of traditional samurai duels.

"We wanted to recreate the intense psychological warfare and surgical precision of real sword fighting in a way that was both accessible and endlessly rewarding to master," said Yuki Morimoto, lead developer at Bevel Bakery. "Sclash's deceptively simple controls belie an incredibly deep combat system that forces you to be hyper aware of everything from your spacing to your breath control."

Fun fact: Our dojo was split between karateka like myself... who were learning Uechi Ryu, and the other half were Kendo & Iaido. So while we were empty handed, they had (wooden) swords outside of certain occassions where non-battle ready blades came out for demonstration. Good times. -  Blu 

While the game may seem minimalist on the surface, players can take their skills online and duke it out against other samurai masters from around the world. There's also an immersive story mode that fleshes out the conflict between the warring Aki and Natsu clans through the lens of Japanese culture and history.

Perhaps Sclash's most stunning feature, though, is the breathtaking hand-drawn visual style that brings the characters and environments to life. Each of the 5 playable samurai characters and their 50+ unlockable skins has been painstakingly animated frame-by-frame, while the 16 battleground stages look like living Japanese ink-brush paintings. It's a real feast for the eyes.

The storymode is badass. Really look at the environment when you're in the heat of battle (especially the boss battles) and remind yourself that it's... hand drawn. I have to share this one with my Renshi, and i'm sure our Kyoshi would've been impressed. HAJIME! -  Blu 

To celebrate the console launch, Maximum Entertainment is also releasing the "Sakura" DLC for the existing PC version of Sclash today. This new add-on content includes two new customization items inspired by the iconic Japanese cherry blossom imagery.

Since first releasing on PC back in August 2023, Sclash has cultivated a passionate following among fighting game enthusiasts who appreciated its unique spin on the genre's fundamentals. With its easy-to-learn but insanely difficult-to-master mechanics and stunning visual style, it quickly established itself as an under-the-radar gem.

Now, with Sclash finally making the leap to consoles, an even wider audience can discover the unparalleled tension and exquisite artistry of this new take on samurai sword-fighting games. Grab your controller of choice, steady your breath, and prepare to put your focus and reflexes to the ultimate test against worthy foes. Just don't blink, or it may be Sclashed!


If it were me, I'd hold game tournaments at dojos, but... that's just me. HAJIME! -  Blu 







Sophima
 + Blu 

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Disney's Peter Pan & Wendy... Reviewed + Neverland Experience in Orlando!

I have fond memories of Peter Pan and the Hook film. When I initially saw this film advertised on Disney+, I was apprehensive about even watching it but... I decided to shower in the old fairy dust and dive in.

Story: This film starts off as some of you would expect... by introducing Michael, John, and Wendy in their home just before bedtime. Michael and John are sword fighting in their iconic pajamas when Wendy came on the scene leaving her parent's room to enter the stairwell. Wendy Darling is the leading actress played by Ever Anderson, who looks like she could literally be the daughter of... Milla Jovovich. 

Fun Fact: After doing some digging, I found out that she is the daughter of Milla Jovovich.

Anyway, the kids make their way to the room... and I thought Wendy was going to put her head in her pillow and cry or something (but she switched gears), but she grabbed a toy sword and joined in on the action. It was all fun and games until something happened that got their father's attention, and he wasn't happy. He sent her on a guilt trip about her behavior and referenced it being her last night at home (she was being sent off to boarding school).

Her mom also jumped in on it, but she had more of a soft-handed approach. Nevertheless, they set the tone regarding Wendy moving forward with expectations of being a mature example for her siblings as she makes her way into womanhood.

These exchanges between Wendy and her parents brought something to mind. I look at so many adults who almost seem to assume that not only do they have to leave their childhood behind, but also joy in general. I know I'm not the only one that's seen such a thing. It's sad, and I'm not saying that we have to be childish, but some people forget what it's like to almost smile or even laugh.

I think that's one of the reasons I get a kick out of showing people funny pranks or hitting them with left-field twists in my jokes just to catch them off guard. It's great to see people smile or erupt in uncontrollable laughter. Doesn't make sense to be miserable just because we've entered adulthood. There's no age limit on Joy! The writer's had similar in mind because the film is based on that in part, outside of showing Peter Pan that he needs... others (i'll leave that there).

I don't know why, but Jude Law really didn't deliver as well as he could have as Captain Hook (in my opinion). (No shade) He just felt like someone casted for the part and acted it out to the best of his ability, but... he really didn't embody Captain Hook (the way Jim Gaffigan did with Smee). He tried, but... I don't know, it felt like he wanted to be serious but... I couldn't take him seriously and I didn't know where to really place him regarding his personality until later in the film.

I could place Dustin Hoffman in... Hook, he was charismatically sinister (and will probably hold the crown for the best portrayal of Captain Hook for quite some time). It's not fair to compare, but... I just couldn't get into Jude's particular rendition as much. He had his moments (skull island, on the ship, and during another serious scene that took place in the middle somewhere) that felt like he made the role of Hook his own, but... he didn't embrace that in full. When you see it, either you will know what i'm talking about... or you'll hopefully enjoy the character twice as much as I did.

Now on to Peter Pan, played by Alexander Molony. I didn't really know what to make of him at times, he gave off a tight-lipped vibe to me. He did a pretty good job in the role, but... when I think of Peter Pan... I think of a joyful character who was. He was... sometimes, but I walked away with him having a tight-lipped vibe. To be fair, I can't just overlook the script because almost as soon as Team Darling entered Neverland, all hell broke loose... so I didn't get to see Peter's joyous side as much as I would've liked. He likes adventure, so where are the smiles and joy in terms of adventure? Y'know? I saw glimpses.

Going back to... Hook, the lost boys were a bit more memorable. In Peter Pan and Wendy, they were kind of just there to a degree. They played their part when the writers remembered to utilize them, but there wasn't much in the way of charm (for me)... even though I believe they tried. You could certainly see pockets of it, but in other instances, they were more like extras.

Fun Fact: I think it was awesome that one of the actors cast in the film as one of the lost boys was an actor with Down syndrome. Not because he has Down syndrome, but because the actor was given the opportunity regardless of his Down syndrome. Slightly, was played by Noah Matthews Matofsky.

Overall, it's a decent film with pockets of enjoyment, and I like the connection between Peter and James... that gets a thumbs up. There were a few things that I wish were done differently for the sake of effect and action, even if it meant extending the film to let the lost boys and pirates shine a bit to showcase their quirks in battle (a bit more... because I liked the comical interactions). That would've been cool, but either way... I don't mind the ending, that was joyous.

I won't give it away, but you can see that Peter Pan chose... joy and I think that if more of us did, the world would be a better place.

Last but not least, Tinker Bell (played by Yara Shahidi), definitely played her part... but like other members of the cast... she wasn't memorable for me. The only lines that she had were at the end. She was there, the parts she played were critical, and they absolutely needed her to pull off a number of things including flight... but she went right back to the background. The leads are the leads so that's why I wasn't trippin' about the supporting cast as much it would almost be fair to call this movie... Wendy.


Visuals: When it comes to visuals, this was a beautiful film... even if CGI looked a little interesting at times (but it was easy to look past). Special effects were amazing when they were showcased, but... scenes and angles were stunning throughout (with or without them).

I'd have to say that my favorite scenes include Michael reaching for his teddy in mid-air in slow motion (that was awesome), skull rock when the croc came out to play, and the battle on Captain Hook's ship that threw everyone for a... loop.

I'll give the best scene to the ship battle, the best special effects scene to the clock tower, and the truest Peter Pan-style scene to Skull Rock (it was badass).


Audio: I used the 1More Aero Bluetooth 3D Earbuds to experience this film, which made the experience even better regarding the audio. The sound effects were utilized well... to the point that I was looking around the studio based on sounds coming from differing angles. One of the lost boys swung in on a swing and you can hear the stretching of the vine incoming from the back right side and coming to the front right side. 

I think it would've been awesome to have the 3D sound effects throughout, but I didn't mind at least having them tucked in here and there. The audio was served up in 5.1 surround sound.



Price: Price-wise, you can enjoy Peter Pan & Wendy for no additional cost beyond your Disney+ membership. So... instead of the price of one film, you get a month of Disney+ & Hulu for $9.99/Month.


Story 2

Visuals 5

Audio 5

Price 5


4.25 out of 5 Cool Points


     Neverland Experience | Orlando     


By the way, if you're in Orlando (Florida) anywhere from May 10, 2023 to August 06, 2023... consider grabbing tickets for the Neverland experience (this is an experience brought to you by our partners at Hidden). 

So consider coming out to enjoy yourselves (adults only).




First 30: Trek To Yomi


TREK TO YOMI
As a vow to his dying Master, the young swordsman Hiroki is sworn to protect his town and the people he loves against all threats. Faced with tragedy and bound to duty, the lone samurai must voyage beyond life and death to confront himself and decide his path forward.


TREK TO YOMI


Trek to yomi




游戏开始!
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