Revival! Frisky's Top 5 games of 2011!

*defibrillator*

- Captain Shepard? It's no good! She's in cardiac arrest. We can't resuscitate her. What do you want us to do?

1. Mouth-to-mouth [Paragon].

2. Pretend it's raining.

3. Kick through window from 98th floor and follow up with one-liner [Renegade].

---

I never could max out either Paragon or Renegade. In the carefully orchestrated narrative that is each of my session with any Bioware game, I tend to go for character development over straightforward min-/maxing. Unless that is your director's choice, which is fine. I always find it comes back to haunt my protagonist in the end though, with limited conversation options and the likes.

Anyways, the above refers to the blog. I don't care, I need an outlet for my list-making. The Bioware-reference is not coincidental (though Mass Effect and Captain Shepard is). I'm sharing my Top 5 list of best games of 2011, which was a great year for gaming. Perhaps not as far as originality goes as it suffered from sequelitis (a derogative that seems as overused this year as the titles it intends to berate). Looking at my own list, I can scarce say that there's many original concepts on there (save perhaps, for one). That doesn't make them any less deserving.

I drone, because I've been bereft of a vestibule to shout and holler in for a while now. So without further ado:

5 - Star Wars: The Old Republic

This game could have made number 5 to 1 to be honest. Having spent less than a couple of days with the game, I can only liken the experience to roosting in the backroom of the cantina with Twi'Lek pleasure dancers and an inordinate amount of credits. Take that as you will... It makes number five for injecting such graphic enjoyment to my mind's eye. Make no mistake, the game is a pure-bred cross between Bioware's staple of story-telling RPG's and the MMO standards of World of Warcraft. In other words: it's ******* amazing.

4 - Dragon Age II

Another Bioware entry? Why Messere Hawke, if you love Bioware so much, why don't you marry them? Well, I would if I could... Dragon Age 2 slimmed down the original in almost every aspect, making it more of a controlled narrative with fewer character development options, lower difficulty and limitations of environments. On the plus side, we got an epic political fantasy drama set in the unique characteristic city of Kirkwall, fast-paced action (Dragon Age II made Rogue's viable again and FINALLY let me create my swashbuckling lady in red) and some of the most heart-rending companion moments of any Bioware tale. Dragon Age II definetely sets the stage for number 3. Can't wait.

3 - Portal 2

Because very few games make you laugh. Several try (and granted, they're getting better at it). But Portal 2 made me laugh, the whole time. And it's just difficult enough to have me believe that I are intelligent enough to solve complex multi-dimensional puzzles. Stephen Merchant appears as the new character "Wheatley" who rivals GLaDOS for best video game characer of all time (and I believe he actually won Spike TV's character of the year, though don't quote me on that). This is me speaking about the game without having even touched the acclaimed cooperative mode.

2 - Xenoblade Chronicles

First of all, yes, it's a Wii-game. Second of all, yes, it's a JRPG and those haven't been good in years. And third let's ignore Monolith's cinematically dense and gameplay-dervative Xenosaga series. All is forgiven (they made Xenogears, I could never stay mad at them). Xenoblade is everything that Xenosaga wasn't, it's all about the gameplay. It's not to say there isn't a story there, but that's not the focus. I haven't spent 100+ hours with any game, least of all a JRPG, in years and years. Xenoblade is crack cocaine for RPG'ers. Crack cocaine with strawberry flavor...

*drumroll*

Frisky's Game of the Year!

1 - Batman: Arkham City

There is not a single flaw in the design of this game. I'll beat you up if you say otherwise, I don't care how strong your dad is. Batman Arkham Asylum was the best thing that happened to me in 2009, and that includes me finally being able to grow facial hair. Arkham City expands on everything that was good about Arkham Asylum. More villains, more brilliant voice acting, more combat options, more exploration, more riddles, more Mark Hamill, more challenges. And then free-flow combos you in the face by adding Catwoman character embedded into the story, side-missions, the most detailed open world environment ever seen, custom challenges and whatever else you could want. I honestly can't think of anything else that I would want from this game. Except more, the same sensation that Arkam Asylum left me with following it's completion. It's not the game I spent the most time with, but it's by far the best and most polished experience of the year.

Now that I think about it, isn't there supposed to be new DLC out?

kthxbye!

Let the Gears of War 3 hype commence!

With this brand spanking tailor made Gears of War 3 hype trailer!

Hype with me nananananahnahnah!

I knew it!

PROTECT THE TEMPLE

SHAOLIN

The brilliance of the SC2 Forum.

This kinda made my day.

OH. MY. GOD.

THUNDERCATS 2011!

I like this thread

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1877830/board/nest/183518505

thoughts?

Who´s stupid now?!

I am so watching this tomorow

More Justified Videos

A Long Time Ago, In a Galaxy, Far, Far Away...

http://www.examiner.com/mmo-in-national/star-wars-the-old-repulic-preorders-now-available

Thats basically it, it is confirmed for this year, a collector's edition specifics would never be released if the game is not set to be shipped within months. Sith Empire ftw, who's with me?

I LOVE these guys

Only a week or so after finishing Shadows of the Damned, Suda 51, Mikami and Yamaoka delivers news on their next projcet... Lollipop Chainsaw.

Here is short summary, taken from RelyOnHorror:
"Basically we have a high school magical girl named Juliet, who is a zombie slayer and a cheerleader. She comes from a family line of famous zombie hunters, and takes on her family’s tradition when her high school, San Romero High School, gets invaded by zombies. The game is supposed to bring a new Pop style to the zombie genre, as you dance to kill and pull off stylish moves. Instead of sprays of blood like Suda’s previous games, zombies will explode into rays of pink light and music. She is aided by her sidekick, a flamboyant decapitated head she wears on her belt. The game also will feature a soundtrack composed by Akira Yamaoka, the composer of the Silent Hill series and Shadows of the Damned. No release date is given, but it seems they already have the groundwork of the game down and are just fine-tuning it right now. To be released on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3."

Not that I expect anyone to be as excited as I am, but fucking hell I can't contain myself when it comes to these guys, pushing the fucking envelope and then some.

"I'm Baman, I'm Piderman!"

I am at a loss for words.

Bakusou Yume Uta

In an attempt to break Bloodspears stranglehold of the blog, I present you with the song from the third ending of Soul Eater, Bakusou Yume Uta.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to make a statement:

"No, I do not just listen to anime intros and ending themes."

/End Statement

The Dark Knight Rises Teaser

Made my day

Visa "Trolling Saruman" på YouTube

God Morgon

VAD FAN ÄR DET SOM FÖRSIGGÅR HÄR?

A Quick, High-Res Look At The Dwarves Of The Hobbit

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield

Stephen Hunter as Bombur

James Nesbitt as Bofur

William Kircher as Bifur

Ken Stott as Balin

Graham McTavish as Dwalin

Dean O'Gorman as Fíli

Aidan Turner as Kíli

Jed Brophy as Nori

Adam Brown as Ori

Mark Hadlow as Dori

John Callen as Óin

Peter Hambleton as Glóin

A first, fucking EPIC, look at Thorin

As a young Dwarf prince, Thorin witnessed the destruction and terror wrought when a great fire-breathing Dragon attacked the Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor. After slaughtering many of Thorin’s kin, the great serpent, Smaug, entered The Lonely Mountain and took possession of its vast store of gold and jewels. No-one came to the aid of the surviving Dwarves, and thus, a once proud and noble race was forced into exile. Through long years of hardship, Thorin grew to be a strong and fearless fighter and revered leader. In his heart a fierce desire grew; a desire to reclaim his homeland and destroy the beast that had brought such misery upon his people. So when fate offers him an unusual ally, he seizes the chance for revenge.

Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

And as a bonus treat, here is a compilation of the entire 'fellowship'.

No, this is not a joke...

Poor, poor, POOR Sean

 Yes, there are some spoilers in this... but man, I just had to post this... I laughed and cried. 2:20 is perhaps the best thing I have ever seen in my life.

A walk in the park?

Just got back from a walk, happened to stumble across this forrest pathway. Very scandinavian...

A first look at Balin and Dwalin

Dwarf Lords in their own right, Balin and Dwalin are close relatives of Thorin. Beyond this, these brothers are two of his most loyal and trusted friends. An old warrior, Balin has lived through hard times and fought many battles, yet he harbors doubts about the wisdom of the Quest to retake the Lonely Mountain. Dwalin has no such forebodings – his belief in Thorin’s leadership is unshakeable. A powerful and bruising fighter, with a natural tendency to distrust anyone who is not a Dwarf, particularly anyone who might be an Elf, Dwalin is not someone to cross lightly.

Ken Stott as Balin and Graham McTavish as Dwalin in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

"You make me violate you, no matter where you are!"

It's been out since last year, but all the same it needs mention. The new Black Lagoon OAV - Roberta's Blood Trail. Above is the opening to this new release that has been eagerly awaited by fans of the anime / manga series. As the title hints, we'll get to see more of favourite maid / assassin Roberta. Last time we saw her, she was tearing up the harsh lawless community of Roanapur, base of operations for the mercenary group Black Lagoon. Quite a feat.

I have no excuse for not having seen this yet and promise to get straight on it. Until then, I will hang my head in shame...

My new lifestyle

This is the theme song for my new lifestyle. I kid you not. I wake up to this song, I eat to this song, I play it at work and I fall asleep hearing it.

Fucking Epic

This day...

A first look at Bombur, Bofur & Bifur

While most of the Company of Thorin Oakensheild is related to the royal and noble line of Durin, Bofur, his brother Bombur and their cousin Bifur most definitely are … not. Born and bred in the West, descendants of coal miners and iron workers, they have joined the Quest for the Lonely Mountain partly to seek their fortune and partly because they were told the beer was free.

Stephen Hunter as Bombur, James Nesbitt as Bofur and William Kircher as Bifur in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Not everyone is as excited about the new DMC as I am

Lamb and courgette lasagne

YES!

Please produce your;

Minced lamb
Diced courgette
Chopped onion
Lasagne platters
Sieved tomatos
Garlic, black pepper and oregano
Cheese sauce (ready made)


Thoroughly fry up the mince, courgette and onion in olive oil, season with garlic, black pepper and oregano. Add the sieved tomatos and let it cook for a few minutes. Do a layer-to-layer (like a cake!) in your deep pan, starting with the cheese sauce, then pasta, then your mince, repeat. Top layer should be cheese sauce with a nice touch of oregano. In the oven for say 180 c about 15-20 minutes.

Lasagne is one of those dishes that actually tastes better once reheated (or even cold!)

There shall be no leftovers.

A first look at Fili and Kili

Two of the youngest Dwarves, Fili and Kili have been born into the royal line of Durin and raised under the stern guardianship of their uncle, Thorin Oakensheild. Neither has ever travelled far, nor ever seen the fabled Dwarf City of Erebor. For both, the journey to the Lonely Mountain represents adventure and excitement. Skilled fighters, both brothers set off on their adventure armed with the invincible courage of youth, neither being able to imagine the fate which lies before them.

Dean O'Gorman as Fili and Aidan Turner as Kili in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

TSW Hyping

Really not much that we didn't know before, but some nice touches and bits of interest!

Tags: GameTrailers.com, The Secret World - Game Mechanics Interview HD, PC Games, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360

Summer clean-up

Today I decided to clean out the gaming cabinet as well as my computer desk. The spoils of this gamer soans back all the way to when I got my first Gameboy during a summer vaccation in France in 1991. I had been playing my uncle's NES since around 1988 and some Game & Watch, but this was my first, very own gaming platform. Except for the mandatory Tetris game that was bundeled with the console, I got Ducktales and Teenage Muntant Ninja Turtles: Fall of the Foot clan.

Most anticipated games of 2011 (Ulven)

Nothing new or unexpected here, just clarifying what I believe are the best releases during second half of 2011

• Gears of War 3 (Yes! Finally! The first of the 360`s "trilogy-games" draws to a conclusion. We are looking forward to a testeronified Marcus Fenix, chainguns, gore, and of course Dominic Santiago crying out for Maria some more)

• Diablo 3 (Yes it WILL be out this year. I want to believe.)

• Warhammer 40k: Space Marine (The story will be ok, the gameplay fantastic, and it`s set in arguably the best sci-fi universe ever)

• Elder Scrolls V:Skyrim (No explainations needed..)

So while waiting for these brilliant titles to be released, I will feast on this years bounty of the 2011 Steam summer Sales:

Complete Stalker pack (Shadows of Chernobyl, Clear skies, Call of pripyat)

Complete Company of Heroes pack (Original game, Opposing fronts, Tales of Valor)

Alpha Protocol

Metro 2033

Supreme Commander 2

I´m probably the best video-game consumer, ever.

You've never heard of the Dwarves?

Quick and easy cold tuna pasta

I decided not to leave my room today, for various nerdy reasons, which is why I came up with this brilliant lunch.

Tuna with light mayo and thai green curry paste. As it's too warm in here; - served with cold pasta penne. I am sure this dish would be even sexier with some radish or bamboo shoots but I'll never know. Going out to purchase them would defeat the purpose of the quick and easy dish...

Frisky's Gaming Hype 2011/2012

So not to be outdone by hyping afficionado Bloodspear, I have constructed my own list of games to hype for the coming year, including my most anticipated titles for next year.


2011

As for 2011 games, it's a list that doesn't bloom until late September. But when the list finally dawns, it dawns in fire. How very topical.

Gears of War 3 (XBOX 360)- 20th of September
Batman: Arkham City (PS3)- 18th of October
Uncharted: Drake's Deception (PS3) - 1st of November
The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim (PS3) - 11th of November

TBA 2011:
Diablo III (PC)
Star Wars: The Old Republic (PC)
The Secret World (PC)

2012

2012 has some of the most exciting titles I could ever look forward to, most unfortunatly TBA.

Mass Effect 3 (PS3) - 6th of March

TBA 2012:

Bioshock Infinite (PS3)
The Last Guardian (PS3)
Starcraft II: Heart of the Swarm (PC)

These are my "must-haves". There are alot of other interesting titles out there, but these are the titles that I'm, at this point in time, am dead-set that I want to and will play. Guess the GoW3 hype needs to get going soon. I'll be playing that a FlinQ's place since I don't have a 360 of my own. Best reason to impose on someone.

I'm counting on Ulven to raise the GoW3-hype to a new level this year.

Bloodspear's Game Review

Flower
Platform: PS3 (through PSN)
Developer: Thatgamecompany
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Designers: Jenova Chen & Nicholas Clark
Notable mentions: Music by Vincent Diamante

The philosophy behind the game is to have the player relax

Flower is a one of a kind game, no doubt about it. The gameplay is nothing short of unique and revolutionary, think flying simulator meets Rez or any other kind of rhythm game. Although the focus is not on racing or creating music, but in giving the player a sense of completion by soaring through the seemingly endless fields of grass and flowers touching other flowers and adding them to your ever growing trail of flower pedals. You as the player control the wind and one flower pedal at the start and through the levels you will encounter new types of flowers and challenges in order to unlock new parts of the fields. There isn't much of a real challenge going on here, but that was never the intention of the game. Jenova Chen have described that when he thought about the emotional spectrum of video games, relaxation was very hard to find. Fun was often connected to challenges and action and he wanted to fill the void and find a new was to have fun while relaxing with games. Deeper gameplay elements were even cut out during the development since they worked counter-intuitively with the games goal of creating a relaxing experience.

The colorful world can be further enjoyed while traveling in slow-motion

This game is indeed very touching, the music, the ambient world, completely free of sentient beings, signs of animal life or interaction makes for a sense of harmony while playing. It is hard to explain this game to anyone, I think even the game experience lends itself to be interpreted different by different players and thus making the experience quite unique to each player. Flower touched me and I could see what Thatgamecompany was going for. The music, well lets say I bought the soundtrack after having played the demo.






To sum up this short review, please watch the two trailers above, the music in the first one is not from the game, but you will get a sense of what the gameplay is like. The second video has music from the game and presents more of the general feeling of the game. This game is about as revolutionary and well design as they come; I could go on and on about this game, but the less said the better, it is not one of those games you play, you experience it on a fundamental level. I myself have had my hopes and dreams for our industry renewed by this game.

Bloodspear's Rating: 10

Bloodspear's Game Review

Shadows of the Damned
Platform: PS3 & XB360
Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Executive Director: Goichi Suda (Suda 51) (No More Heroes, Killer 7)
Creative Producer: Shinji Mikami (Resident Evil, Vanquish)
Notable mentions: Music by Akira Yamaoka (Silent Hill)

Shadows of the Damned's gameplay is similar to Resident Evil 4

This is a fucking awesome game. Plain and simple. Take the control-scheme and action from Resident Evil 4, the silliness from No More Heroes and the sound design (and some design cues) from the Silent Hill games and you got one of the industry's most interesting games. The Story is, as with many of the games by Suda 51 and Shinji Mikami, bordering on the absurd and there is really not much to elaborate on; you're Garcia Hotspur, a demon hunter who's girlfriend had been abducted by the Lord of the Demon World and it's up to you as the player to guide Garcia through the demon dimensions to reach your loved one. A demon in the form a skull named Johnson is your weapon and your companion, taking many different shaped and also standing in as a tool for opening doors and lightning fireworks. The dialogue is very self-aware and feels like a Tarantino/Rodriguez script filled with dirty word, obscenities and cheap one-liners. Don't let this fool you though, these guys know what they are doing and with the design, dialogue and feel of the game they have created a grind house story filled with gore, phallic references and a very dark, eerie world.

Garcia's adventure is filled with gore and phallic references

The games Mikami and Suda makes live and die by their game play, since gamers with an appetite for story and exposition will not find their fill at this party. Shadows of the Damned deliverers good action akin to the one experienced in Resident Evil 4 and anyone who has played both of them will immediately feel the similarities. The controll scheme might feel a bit sluggish at times compared to the more extravagant hack ´n slash games out there like Bayonetta or even Vanquish, but the solid game design makes up for any temporary irritations that might arise from control issues. Some enemies feel ridiculously hard to crowd control, but apart from that the flow of the game is smooth and keeps you on edge. While the graphics aren't much more than on par with this generations standard, some textures do take quite a bit of time to load, making the game seem somewhat unpolished and rough around the edges.

Some parts of the game plays out in a Paper Mario-esque 2D platform shooter

The music is worth mentioning more than once. Even if you have missed the musical landscapes of the Silent Hill series, Akria Yamaoka delivers a fine score with ambiance, heavy guitar solos and haunting vocals reminiscent of the music heard in the Silent Hill games. This together with a decent voice acting makes for a memorable experience that is, of course, best heard with a full 5.1 surround sound.

Johnson, Garcia's companion, takes many forms

Shadows of the damned can best be described as a connoisseur game for those who revel in the more far-out Japanese games and who have a taste for solid and challenging action. The defining moments of the game are many and not far between, this game will keep you entertained till the end and although the replay value is not ideal, this game will leave you thirsty for more.

Bloodspear's Rating: 9.5

Catherine and El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

To follow up stright from my list, here is a closer look at the two items set to be released this month (that is State-side and/or Japan, not sure when/if they will be released here in Europe, but anyone with a PS3 does not care about such trivial things as region codes).

Catherine
Platform: PS3 and XB360
Developer: Atlus Persona Team
Publisher: Atlus
Producer: Katsura Hashino (Shin Megami Tensei: Persona)
Release: July 26th

The amazing CE that I will be getting. Shipped in a pizza carton.

This game is quite unique both in design and gameplay. The adult/horror-content-angle does attract me quite a bit, not only because I'm a pervert (as Yahtzee over at Zero Punctuation said; "To the gamer the promise of boobs is like the promise of a bacon-sandwich to a starved wolf"), but because it's an unexplored aspect of gaming that I would like to see more Incorporated in order to make for more interesting story telling. That the game is partly a dating simulator and partly a puzzle/adventure game is intriguing, but in the end hard for me to evaluate until I have tried it out myself. The game does promise for some interesting moments, and if I can get hold of a copy with Japanese voices I will most surly pick it up on the release day (or rather order it over amazon.co.uk).



 

Hype Level: 7.5

 ____________________________________________________________________________

El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron
Platform: PS3 and XB360
Developer: Ignition Entertainment
Publisher: Ignition Entertainment
Producer: Takeyasu Sawaki (Devil May Cry & Okami)
Release: July 26th

Now this game look amazing, promises to deliver amazing combat and an engaging, albeit Japanese, story based on the Book of Enoch (Biblical stuff). The gaming is platforming crossed with third person hack ´n slash combat, the highlight here being that it's closer to the Devil May Cry school of over-the-top combat rather than the bald, underwear goatee rip-off. For me this game represents a step in the right direction story and settings-wise; I do love me some biblical story-telling. If we could recognize the elephant in the room and deal with it, having games based on religious scriptures might even make for good marketing for these churches and teachings. In any case, Jason Issacs is lending his voice to the narrator/mentor of the main character, so a Japanese version of this game is not necessary.

Hype Level: 8.0

Bloodspear's Gaming Hype 2011

It's time to begin the hype the second half of 2011 and the games that promise to bring light to the eternal darkness that are our everyday lives... except for me cause I'm just a student living in an ignorant bliss made up of games, late mornings and sophisticated decadence. So with no further ado, here is my Gaming Hype 2011 list and when we might expect them (I do expect to be flammed/trolled, so please surprise me).

July 26 - Catherine
July 26 - El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron

September 9 - Dead Island
September 9 - Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

October 4 - Dark Souls
October 18 - Batman: Arkham City

November 1 - Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception
November 11 - The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim

The following games do not have a confirmed release date for 2011, but most will still make it.

• Diablo III
• Silent Hill: Downpour
• Star Wars: The Old Republic
• Journey
• Resident Evil: Operation Raccon City (Unlikely)
• The Secret World (Unlikely)

There will be a more in-depth look at these game closer to their release with pictures and why you should be as excited as I am.

Warhammer 40k: Space Marine PS3 CE

• 10" replica Purity Seal

• Glossy hardback art book
• The official Space Marine soundtrack
• Premium pack of 25 character information cards
• Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine

In stores September 9!

A first look at Oin and Gloin

Distant cousins of Thorin Oakenshield, these two doughty Northern Dwarves join the Company out of a sense of loyalty to their kin, and also because they have a substantial sum of money invested in the venture. Along with Bombur, Gloin is the only other married Dwarf in the Company (there being a shortage of female dwarves in general). His wife is an acclaimed beauty with a particularly fine beard. Gloin is the proud father of a young son, Gimli, who will go on to become part of the famous Fellowship of the Ring.

John Callen as Oin and Peter Hambleton as Gloin in The Hobbit

(News from http://www.theonering.net/)

The apperent insanity that is flying

Without fail, every flight I have been on for the last few years have been plagued by delays due to everything from fire to ice. Some (Frisky) might credit that to my choice of airline, but he does subscribe to the more selective school of reasonable contempt. I however like to engage a Guantanamo-Bayish approach to the whole thing; fuck the airline and the shitty horse they rode in on. I'm getting myself a fucking 75-kronor cup of coffee.

This show brought to you by Frisky's new Netbook.

No touching (terms and conditions apply).

"Shinigami-chop!"

Now, there is something I have to tell you about the popular manga/anime "Soul Eater" before you continue reading the post. The main character is a girl. Now hold it, before you start reflecting on typical female manga/anime protagonists (hysterical, crying and irrational damsels they be), "Maka Albarn" the lead in this production does not echo this unfortunate stereotype. If you're still shying away, then screw you, you don't deserve her or the series...

A collage of the character gallery, as seen in the video game "Soul Eater - Battle of Resonance".

In the concept of Soul Eater, you'll find a concept, remarkably similar to other popular shounen manga. I think one will specifically come to mind, but let's not delve on that. In the universe of Soul Eater, there is an academy where the Grim Reaper has settled down in his reaping ways to begin educating a younger generation into what are called Soul Reapers. A Soul Reaper is basically a role that consist of two people; A "Meister" and a "Weapon". Previously mentioned Maka Albarn is a Meister while her partner "Soul Eater" (yes, that is his name) is her weapon, a big-ass scythe. They are accompanied by two other pairings of partners who are both incredibly likable and lovable but I'll leave it to yourselves to explore their personalities when, as I'm sure you will, explore the series yourself. All students of the academy need to reap 99 evil souls and then the sould of a Witch, and when this has been been done, their weapon will evolve into a "Deathscythe" which is apparently something everyone wants. However, this is not the original reason why the academy was created, but rather to watch and guard against the resurrection of the "Demon God Asura". Who's penchant is fear, a concept that is deeply explored in both the manga and anime and in quite interesting ways.

Extended cast as seen in the anime.

Enough exposition. The reason why you should watch this show is threefold:

1. The characters - Maka Albarn is not my only favourite character. The two other main protagonists "Black Star" and "Death the Kid" (actual names) are both quirky, lovable and interesting. Though it needs to be mentioned straight off that they get more character development in the manga. Again, there is a very colorful extended cast as well. My personal favourite here is "Dr Stein", a character I can only describe as a mash-up of Kakashi from Naruto were he crossbred with a latent schizophrenic. I don't feel I need to re-iterate my point about Maka Albarn here.

2. The relationships -  As you might have guessed, with what the concept of the show is (Meisters + Weapons = Two People), alot of the show revolve around the relationships between the characters and working or non-working combinations of Meisters and their Weapons. But the series goes on to explore and make you interested in the other relationships beyond these simple pairings. Be they there for the sake of a simple laugh or to wrench those heart-muscles of yours.

3. The Action - It might not be as technical like Naruto's and it might not contain as much build-up a One Piece or Bleach. But god damn if it's not among some of the best looking action sequences I've seen in an anime. Simply because it's so fluid in the animation and so stylishly designed.

Now, with all this said. It needs to be mentioned that the Manga and Anime branch off in different directions after a while. The Anime does suffer a slight "hiccup" because of this, but I still feel they manage to pull of a perfectly acceptable ending to the series (which continues in the still ongoing manga). What I mean by this is that the ending is by no means bad, but as I mentioned above, some characters have their development stunted near where some aspects start to become more interesting. This is especially sad for one of the later antagonists and the two tertiary protagonists Black Star and Death the Kid. However, you'll still come away feeling like you got a good sense of closure and exposure to the show's character gallery. The manga looks wrong from the beginning, but Atsushi Okubo (creator) picks up more style as it goes on. Where action is concerned, I'd still recommend the anime before the manga, which is by no means a critique against the manga.

This has dragged on long enough. Soul Eater is for those that have felt starved of strong female leads, enjoy stylish action, interesting and quirky characters and a setting that while still evidently shounen, contains more of that "dark" touch. Enjoy.