Top 10... let's go!
USA
Germany
Turkey
Hong Kong
Russia
Singapore
Canada
France
Australia
Ukraine
United Kingdom, Indonesia, and... Finland came close!
+
Support us below!
Victor and Valentino: Folk Art Foes... Reviewed!
Before I jump into this review... shout out to WB for supplying a copy of the DVD for this review.
Story: I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to this show... but it's interesting. Victor and Valentino: Folk Art Foes... is about two half-brothers who are usually at odds about something. Victor is definitely the mischievous one of the pair, while Valentino is more so sunny and kind. The folk art comes into play by way of different mythical encounters they have around the city of Monte Macabre.
Storywise... this show doesn't really have a timeline, it just presents one situation after another. I haven't really been able to identify anything on the lines of progression, but episode 6 did reveal that Vic & Val don't live with their grandmother long term. The boys are only staying with their blind Grandmother Chata, for the summer (who is actually based on the creator's grandmother). I'm not sure if that's going to translate into an endless summer... or the dysfunctional duo going home for a change of pace, but either route could work as long as they keep the action rolling out.
The initial episode included a piece of folk art found among many others in Chata's basement. Victor was actually the one who stumbled across the tomb-like room, and one thing led to another where the mythical monster got out... which forced Vic & Val to put their differences aside in order to take down the antagonist of that particular episode.
Although it was interesting, I'm glad that concept wasn't reused to no end. You have a variety of approaches taken to keep things fresh (and kept me locked in). Speaking of episodes, they're short yet sweet at almost 12 minutes each... which I didn't mind. My only drawback was that some episodes feel like they were wrapped up quicker than they could truly be appreciated.
Speaking of appreciated, it was good to see some situational comedy tucked in there too, even if I can't pinpoint anything memorable... I can't frown on the extra topping. It was like sour cream on my tacos, giving my viewing experience a little extra... something. I would say there was a missed opportunity to really lay in on the comedic value but... it's rated TV-Y7, so it has the right amount of comedy for the target age group (it would be a different story if it were an... Adult Swim joint).
Visuals: Victor and Valentino: Folk Art Foes... has some cool Mexican folk art throughout the show (duh of the day) which really stood out to me when it comes to the baddies. Vic & Val has a pop of fashion that reminds me of designs south of the border, but the duo themselves don't really grab my attention. Victor somewhat does, but he looks like he could be the average bully or the bully's sidekick in another show. I'm not saying he can't look the way he looks... just doesn't grab my attention. Valentino looks even more basic, but I think I've seen so many Cartoon Network-related shows that I've begun to notice a pattern with the art styles of some shows. The reason why I shrug this off... is because the show isn't bad and they are who they are (aka it is what it is).
There was a missed opportunity here though, look at the beautiful concept art. This would've caught my eye a heck of a lot more. I saw this and was like... OMG... WHYYYYYY didn't they stick with this art style? Valentino could've had brown hair, and Victor could've kept the gap, but just look at this art. It's awesome stuff.
Audio: In terms of the audio... there was some most appreciated effort there. You can hear it in the build-up of the suspense when the mythical monsters emerge (i.e. The Collector), the mariachi music sounds authentic, and some of the SFX appears to have some effort injected in there also.
Price: Pricewise... Victor and Valentino: Folk Art Foes comes in at $9.99. That's $10 less than what I'd price it. This is definitely priced to sell, and it comes packed with 18 episodes that your kids can appreciate. If you want to give your kids a change of pace by adding some Mexican flare to their media library, this is one to consider.
Story 3
Visuals 3
Audio 5
Price 5
4 out of 5 Cool Points
Mask Up Mondays: Muse Dash - Pancake is Love
Once I get through the easy mode of Muse Dash, I'm cranking up the difficulty setting.
Have a great Monday... and may it extend to the rest of the week. Mask up, keep the drama at a minimum, and game on! If you want more information on how to increase the good vibes in your life, check out the latest episode of the Blu + You Podcast below!
Support us below!
Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life... Reviewed!
Before I get started, shout out to Page Two Books for supplying a review copy of Leveling Up!
The Read: Leveling Up isn't a book you're expected to sit down and just... read. This book is all about using your love of gaming in order to help you apply that passion to your life in the real world.
By the way, Eric Siu is a well-known World of Warcraft + Everquest champion who's doing his thing in business. In this book he opened up on how he started off as a major slacker with no idea of what his future would hold. All he knew is that he had a love for gaming and he put his all into it before realizing that he could use that hunger... elsewhere.
Today, he has a weekly podcast also called Leveling Up, a podcast called Marketing School, marketing... agency, a company called ClickFlow, and he's also an author (duh of the day). He has some other things tucked in there to keep him busy also, but... if it's true that he started off as a slacker (teetering on the line of flunking out of school) before taking this path... Eric leveled up in a big way.
I applaud that because even though I love love love gaming, I can't dump every waking moment in a game... and neither can you or life would fall apart elsewhere. This is why a certain episode of the Blu + You Podcast was done last year (check it out below... after the review).
Leveling Up, replaces chapters with levels to keep you in a gamer's state of mind. There are a total of 15 levels for you to take on, unlocking one after another + a bonus if you pay attention. The book is laid out in an easy-to-read format that starts off with a bang... brought to you by Howard Marks, the founder of... Activision.
Smart way to open things up, but outside of the opening fireworks... I'm going to let you know whether Eric Siu's book is actually practical or not.
The Flow: Each level of the book is structured around a certain topic, like level 1's "Newbie Struggles", where Eric opens up about himself and his struggles as a noob. He talks about challenges in education, food, love, competition, his parents, and so on. What I appreciate about this... is the fact that it takes him from a potential pedestal that the reader may place him on and brings Eric down to the level the reader may be on. This helps with the journey because he's been there and done that at each level.
Outside of Level 1, you have the following levels:
Level 2: Your Mission
Level 3: Mindset
Level 4: Get Reading
Level 5: Routines
Level 6: Apprentice Mentality
Level 7: Grit
Level 8: Alchemy
Level 9: Teamwork
Level 10: Medications
Level 11: Focus
Level 12: Endurance
Level 13: Thievery
Level 14: Repetition
Level 15: Playing the Game of Life
+ Acknowledgments & the... Tomb of Knowledge
This book flows well. Even if a quest doesn't feel like the next step following a previous quest, the flow is smooth and it feels like the levels are building blocks as you prepare for... Level 15.
The Practicality: Like other levels, you wrap level 1 up with a... quest. It helps you begin a healthy habit when it comes to something other than gaming. It doesn't just leave it there, it gives you a quest deadline also. Level 1's quest has a 1 week deadline, which helps to get the ball rolling and dishes out a dose of time management in a sense (because you're made aware of the clock... if you take the book seriously).
This quest can be accomplished with ease, even for the people who don't believe in themselves.
You aren't just feeling around in the dark with the quests either, you're given examples of what to do in order to get the job done via the quest challenges.
Tip: Use a digital and/or paper calendar. I'd even go as far as recommending that you set up a day-by-day reminder in order to make sure that you don't forget the commitment you made to your quest.
Speaking of feeling around in the dark, don't feel overwhelmed when it comes to this book. Eric asks you questions and explains those questions to help you come out of your shell as far as recognizing your purpose... even if it you don't think its possible. You may find that you're trying to pour more into an answer than you need to... because you were made aware of something that you can take the reigns of.
You're going to get that positive talk that a good friend would give in a certain level... in order to put you up on game. You know the friend that knows your potential, but you may not listen to them because... they may be in your position? He takes that and goes into greater detail while challenges you to write down things like strengths and weaknesses to create something you can use as an annual upgrade checklist (to an extent). It's interesting, and... I think it's practical (for real for real) if you aren't stubborn.
There are some levels in there that will present more of a challenge than others, like the Dive Deep quest... but it gives you the breakdown. You just have to be willing to keep chugging along with it and rely on your calendar (in my opinion) because it will be like an assistant reminding you to make it do what it do... in the name of your quest.
I presented as much as I could without giving up the guy's book in greater detail, and it's safe to say that... you will level up if you apply this book and take it seriously. Don't skip levels to avoid doing something (even the arguments and counter-arguments) because it has its benefits.
So if you're questioning where your life is going, this type of book could help you get a clearer perspective. Parents could even get a book like this for teens because if they're knocking on the door of adulthood, it doesn't hurt to prepare.
The Price: Pricewise... Leveling Up: How to Master the Game of Life, comes in at $19.99... which is a solid price for this self-help book. It's practical, and you can get the ball rolling immediately. You aren't just learning the ropes of getting your life together on a small scale, Eric is actually breaking down some highly useful information that those of you with business aspirations can use from the ground floor to that climb to management and... even owner.
The Read 5
The Flow 5
The Practicality 5
The Price 5
5 out of 5 Cool Points
Support us below!
Gaming becomes harmful when...
Top Audiences Last Week | 02.25.2021
Top 10... let's go!
USA
Hong Kong
Germany
Israel
Ukraine
France
United Kingdom
China
Australia
Turkey
Japan, Finland, and... Indonesia came close!
+
Support us below!
First look: Xencelabs Pen Tablet
We had the honor of being invited to a tech reveal... and I had to share the first look at Xencelabs first pen tablet. Shout out to the artists out there.
Xencelabs Technologies Limited is comprised of professionals that have worked in the industry for quite some time, we're talking veterans from Wacom, Autodesk, and other companies.
What I appreciated first and foremost was the fact that they didn't just bring a tablet to market, they wanted to reach out and make sure that they were bringing the right tablet to the market to be competitive. They sought feedback from professional artists in the industry to find out their yays and nays when it comes to pen tablets... and ultimately created the tablet you see here.
The second thing that caught my attention during the presentation... was the battery icon I saw not only for the Xencelabs Quick Keys remote but also for the Xencelabs Pen Tablet. I know it was the duh of the day, but I had to raise my hand and double-check to see if the tablet was wireless... and it is. You can use it while connected to the cord also (second duh), but the ability to move around freely is awesome. YAY!
I could see this being utilized by someone at a meeting to present different concepts, drawing from a distance while using a larger screen, or someone like myself who would move to a different part of the desk or something to get a bit more comfortable (I can even PC hop without unhooking wires. Also, the cords can get in the way at times with hardwired tablets, even if they're in a non-intrusive area of the tablet. If you want to shift those tablets... you can end up with a snag or something, but you can move this tablet around freely and hold it if you desire to do so.
I don't want to put words in their mouth, even if they confirmed questions to a degree but... this is their initial tablet as the company continues to blossom. According to Xencelabs there will be more to come down the road (most likely a screened tablet), but as veterans in the industry... they wanted to come in with a bang (as far as their new company and product is concerned).
That bang comes in the form of the Xencelabs Pen Tablet Medium Bundle:
Yes it comes with a pen and tablet... but it also comes with:
A nice full-sized pen case packed with Nibs (10) + the Nib Extracting Ring
A second pen (one thin pen, and a 3-button pen for 2D + 3D work)
8192 Pressure Levels + 60 degree (both pens)
A dongle to get your wireless drawing on
A Glove Medium (which I'd just use the one I have if that's too small, but... it's free)
A Tablet Sleeve
A Xencelabs Quick Keys device
I'm not giving praise just to give praise... but just like with bundles for games, this is how you make an impression. It's a new company comprised of veterans going into an industry with plenty of options (some of which they were part of), and they decided to take the extra mile to stand out. I think that curve at the bottom of the tablet is going to feel nice, but I can't say whether it is or not... yet. As soon as we get the opportunity to review one, you will know about it.
Check out the available Xencelab options and... game on!
Support us below!
First 30: Tetris Effect Connected
It's crazy, I never thought twice about playing Tetris... but this game is fun.
The biggest hook for me are all the extras they put on it with the sfx + music
that react to your actions in-game. Multiplayer adds to the replay value.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)