OTAKU REVIEWS: "Mad Max"

     With any unexpected box office hit comes a not so unexpected video game tie in to milk off the success. In the case of Mad Max however, you might be pleasantly surprised with what you get. The wonderful people at Warner Bros. and AVALANCHE Studios (the same folks behind the Just Cause series) have brought us this open world RPG style wasteland with a new welcomed twist. Lets take a look shall we?

     In the opening cut-scenes of the game we are given a glimpse of Max's life before the blast through live action footage. Max has thoughts on the past as he races through the sand being followed close behind by three pursuers. We look on as he skillfully removes each of his followers with his excellent driving and marksmanship. He is then blindsided by more foes, and their apparent leader Scrotus, a large beast of a man, who proceeds to beat Max with his own gun.
     But our badass hero won't go down so easy. He leaps on Scrotus' truck and strikes him with his own chainsaw directly in the head. This results in Max being stranded with nothing, left to forage on whatever he can find. This is where we get to take control.

     The first thing you'll notice about the game is its controls. I've never played a game with such odd button placements. For instance, the jump action is the left trigger instead of say A or X. Those layouts can easily be fixed just by going to the menu though, which I would strongly recommend doing.
     Secondly you'll notice how gorgeous this game looks. I was shocked at how beautiful the colors and lighting effects were from the beginning. The trailers DO NOT do this game justice with its visuals. I played on PC and messed around with the display settings to really enhance the experience, but they are equally as impressive on XBOX and PS4.
     And the third thing is that the game unfortunately doesn't come with a multiplayer mode. How amazing would it be to wreck havoc across the salt with your friends in your own custom vehicles?! I was disappointed to see that at first, but the single player experience really makes up for it.

     Right off the bat you are introduced to some unique characters that you will see throughout the game. The most important being a hunchback by the name of Chumbucket. Chum is a "blackfinger" who idolizes you as a saint and dedicates his life to you and his Magnum Opus. The MO he's been working on for a long time is supposed to be his greatest achievement and will be shared with you. He will also create new equipment, repair your vehicle on the fly if it's been damaged, and will deliver your car whenever you ask.
     Because of this you have the great opportunity to design and level up the vehicles how you see fit. Starting with the body, engine, exhaust, etc. While designing your ride, you can also design your Max too. You can equip new gear, change his hair style, and upgrade your weapons. This makes each experience have your own unique look and feel.

     Now that you've made everything look the way you want, it's time to take them out on the open road. This is where the game really shines; its combat. The fighting and car demolitions are very fun and exciting. You can smash into nearby raiders, charge head long into a outpost and destroy it from the inside out, or you can tear down towers with your harpoon cable. All of which are entertaining and extremely funny to watch for those with a twisted sense of humor like me.

     Aside from worrying about raiders and the occasional crazy, you'll also have to keep track of your supplies. Food, water, ammo, and even gasoline all have a purpose and need monitoring while you explore the salt. Food and water restore your health and fitness, while gasoline powers your vehicles. Luckily, if your car runs out of fuel it won't come to a screeching stop. It will become sluggish and just drive very slowly.
     The other most import collectible is scrap. Scrap is used to upgrade your vehicle and gear. You'll find yourself literally scavenging like a mad man to find as much as possible to get all of the cool add ons.

     After sinking a little over twelve hours into this game I still haven't made a dent in its vast open world. With a massive map, dozens of objectives, a compelling story, and a lot of action to put the cherry on top. I was very pleased with how this game turned out in the end. I would be lying if I said I didn't think it would be just another movie game flop like its many many predecessors. But after seeing it and playing it for myself, I can honestly say I would recommend this to anybody looking for something new and fun this year to get their hands on. Especially if you're as big a fan of the Mad Max franchise as I am. So head to your nearest store and take this game for a spin!
     Thanks for reading everyone!
-Otaku Anonymous

SCORE: 8.5 Out of 10!!!
PLATFORMS: PC, PS4, and XBOX ONE

SHOWCASE: "Justice League: Gods & Monsters"

     Just when you thought the comic universe was running out of stories, this tale slips through the cracks and really shines on. From the same creators as Batman: Animated Series, Justice League, Superman, and many more, comes an original story featuring some familiar characters.
     Justice League: Gods & Monsters is an alternate universe plot line where many things we know about the DC world are turned completely upside down. Lets touch on each of them one at a time shall we?

     We're introduced to our heroes Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Except each of them have an interesting twist. They are not their normal selves. Superman for instance lands in a desert rather than a crop field. He is rescued by a young Hispanic migrant couple. He goes by the name Hernan Guerra instead of Clark Kent, and he also wears a much darker suit than the symbol of his people. In this universe, General Zod interrupts Jor-El as he's about to send Superman's escape pod and in doing so puts his own DNA into the chamber. That's right. Superman is General Zod's son.

     You think that's crazy? What if I told you that Batman is NOT Bruce Wayne? Here, Dr. Kirk Langstrom, otherwise known as the villain Man-Bat, has a slightly different outcome with his serum. After a human test on himself in order to cure his illness, he inadvertently turns himself into a real life vampire! Or as he might call it, a Batman. Enhanced speed, inhuman strength, and a taste for blood are now apart of our classic hero's belt now.

     Another off the wall change is the fact that Wonder Woman is NOT Diana. She is instead the princess Bekka, granddaughter to the powerful Highfather. She has an incredibly detailed, and amazing new background in the movie that I don't want to spoil at all in this. You just have to watch it to see what this woman is all about. Two gigantic differences between this Wonder Woman and the original are their weapons and worldly outlooks. Instead of a lasso, Bekka wields a very powerful sword that can pierce anything and can teleport her at will. (I need this weapon in my life.) Bekka also differs from Diana in her outlook on men, for she wasn't born on a female only amazonian island. These two differences make her a very unique and fun character to watch develop.

     The biggest, and most controversial, change in this universe are the heroes interactions with enemies. They have zero hesitation in killing and brutally attacking their opponents. Wonder Woman slices them, Superman pierces them with heat vision, and Batman bites their throats and drinks their blood. This is an extreme alteration from what many fans are accustomed to, including myself. But I actually like this change. It's so interesting to see these characters let loose and have zero restrictions when dealing with villains. Their decisions seem to have even more weight when they involve taking lives rather than sparing them.

     The central plot focuses on our Justice League investigating the deaths of a few well known scientists, and some close friends. Bits of evidence gathered at each crime scene seems to implicate our heroes as the supposed murders of each of these people. With the world already torn on their continued existence in the first place, these hits seem to be the work of someone trying to turn everyone against them. Our heroes go on the hunt to find whoever is issuing these hits, and stop them before the world attempts to put them down for good.

     After viewing this movie multiple times I can honestly say it's one of my new favorites. New takes on classic faces, an original plot, and a unique universe to center on really keeps your attention throughout the whole film. There are also numerous breaks in between the intense fight scenes filled with character backstory and development. Plus there's a pretty awesome twist that I honestly didn't see coming. This movie is oozing with style, heartbreak, and was a much needed breathe of fresh air. I recommend this to any DC fan, or any fan of well done animated movies. And if movies aren't really your thing, they released a stand alone comic series as well to read more.
     Please give this one a view! Thanks for reading!

-Otaku Anonymous

OTAKU REVIEWS: "Rocket League"

     With a new month comes another new list of releases for our beloved gaming platforms. And this time we were blessed on our PC's and PS4's with a brand new jet fueled title known as Rocket League. The sequel to the popular Supersonic Acrobatic Rocket-Powered Battle-Cars! I can honestly say I've never fallen in love with a new game so quickly. The best way I can describe it is the most high budget mobile soccer game ever, but just because I say "mobile" doesn't mean it's just a casual phone game. Lets take a quick look shall we?

     The first thing I want to talk about is the customization. It's so simple, yet so awesome. You can create your own personal vehicle from an extensive list of wheels, car bodies, smoke trails, and even hats! Any time I get to make my own version of something in a game always makes me happy.
     You can unlock even more items for customization just by playing the game. You don't have to do crazy tasks like in a lot of other games. You just play and they will unlock eventually.

     Once you're finished making your car, it's onto the game. The objective of this game is to take you rocket powered super car and play the most intense game of soccer imaginable and score goals against the enemy team. You have a couple different play modes when you first start. You can play an Exhibition, which is your standard single match choice. If you want a challenge you can start a Season, which is where you do an offline tournament against AI Bots to be the ultimate League Champion.

     Then of course there's the Online play. Through various efforts I managed to get online for about a dozen matches, and when I wasn't getting disconnected I was having an absolute blast. Matches get very competitive, and it's always a level playing field due to all the vehicles not having ability modifiers. So anyone can hop in at any time and have a ball!

     The game looks very visually appealing. With bright neon colors, and a bunch of incredibly well designed arenas to play on. You can't take your eyes away as you zip your car around the field, chasing the ball with everyone on your team.

     All of the actions in this game are very satisfying as well. Whenever you score a goal, the net explodes and launches all nearby players into the stratosphere! The boost you get from the fuel laying around lets you blast off at top speed, leaving a trail of bright colors or effects behind you. And if you collide with another player during that boost, they explode in a brilliant display of car parts and smoke. You really feel everything you do, and you feel like a rock star when you do it.

     Unfortunately, this game has had a VERY rough start. Due to extreme hype over the game, the small studio behind this excellent game have been overloaded and cannot keep up with the player base. I have been keeping up with their social media updates so I can monitor their progress, but as of this review it appears that they are close to working out all of the pending issues. Online play will not be perfect for at least a week or so, but you can still play all of the other modes for the time being to unlock your cosmetics.

     Despite the recent issues, I have still enjoyed myself immensely. The overall game is very simple. Anyone from small kids, to grown adults can pick this up and enjoy themselves. Plus it's not a game you have to devote your life to in order to get the full experience. There are currently rumors spreading that Rocket League has been confirmed as a new ESports addition, and that it will be played on a competitive level. With Major League Gaming careers on the horizon, all of the content day one, and with new DLC and support promised by its developers, I cannot wait to see where this title goes in the near future. The game is currently FREE on PS+, and $20 on Steam.
   
     I recommend this game to anybody, and I'm pleased to award it my first top score on this site! My top score doesn't mean the game is perfect, but I consider it to be an absolute must own for anyone who plays video games.
     Thank you so much for reading everyone, and I hope you enjoyed the review!
-Otaku Anonymous

Score: 10 out of 10!!! EPICNESS

OTAKU REVIEWS: "Batman: Arkham Knight"

     After Arkham City hit the scene I thought the Arkham series was closed and done. With that unreal twist ending, and the amazing open world batman experience. How on earth could they top that?! But, developers back in 2014 surprised us with this launch title. They claimed that everything has come to this. The third and FINAL installment in the series. So I thought I'd take a look at the much anticipated, Batman: Arkham Knight!

     Just like in the previous Batman titles, the whole villain gang has come out to play. Some of our heroes most iconic villains are running wild in the streets of Gotham after The Scarecrow issues a mass warning to all of its residents. Now that the streets are empty, they are quickly being refilled by toxic gases and ravenous baddies. And the only thing standing between them and the city is YOU.

     The very first thing I noticed was Batman's new makeover. The new bat suit looks fantastic! The armor plates, the mechanical look, the mask. It all looks very cool, and very Batman.

     The suit also comes with many of the gadgets we've come to love from the series. Explosive gel, batarangs, batcaw, and many more. A new addition to that list is the Remote, which has a massive companion. The freaking BATMOBILE.

     This monstrous piece of hardware is by far the highlight of the entire game. There is nothing cooler than speeding through the city at top speed while fighting in chase scenes, firing a 60 MM cannon at tanks, and launching a hook to drive up walls. You heard me. Driving up walls is in the game.
     All of these new toys are amazing, and you'll need every single one of them to stop the latest threat to Batman and his city.

     A new player has hit the scene of Gotham, and he goes by the name "Arkham Knight". He's ruthless, tactical, wealthy, and scariest of all; he hates Batman's guts. Him and Scarecrow have teamed up, along with Knight's huge army of soldiers, to finally bring down the bat.

     When this character was announced there was so much speculation as to his identity. Who is he? Where is he from? Is he even a HE? All of those things crossed my mind as well, but the big thing I thought was just how cool and original he looks. His mask and armor seem to mirror Batman's, but the Knight has definitely cut out the bat look and replaced it with full on mercenary appeal. He means business when he shows up, and his set up tells you just that.

     With all these villains coming out to play, you'll have to bring some friends. Oracle, Robin, Jim, Fox, and a few others will be at your disposal throughout the game. Providing you intelligence, gear, and the occasional funny joke. All of the characters and villains are lively, and their voice acting is wonderfully done.

     Another feature is the new leveling system. You still earn experience by completing objectives and from fighting enemies, but the skill tree has become more customizable and detailed with every installment is the series. Your Batman is YOUR Batman, and you really feel the upgrades the second you equip them. Whether it be more defense against guns, greater speed while fighting, or extra combos to perform.
     All of these upgrades just added more to the already famous Arkham combat system. Which in my opinion has been perfected in this title. Everything is polished, refocused, and faster.

     You may also upgrade the batmobile and its weapons as well. That was very exciting, and added and extra challenge to the game in terms of choice and availability.
   
     Some issues I had with the game were pretty nominal. The occasional frame rate drop, or clipping through an object when I was moving to frantically or fast. But the game as a whole was incredibly solid. Unfortunately for PC gamer, they experienced a lot worse than that. Warner Bros has since then offered refunds and are currently working on resolving the issues with the PC version and have been providing constant updates. Until it's fixed I would advise picking it up on console instead.

     After playing it I can honestly say this game is the definitive Batman experience. If you're a fan of the bat, or just enjoy a fantastically put together game, then I would strongly recommend picking up Batman: Arkham Knight. Thanks for reading!!!

Score: "9 out of 10" - PLEASE GET THIS GAME!!!

-Otaku Anonymous

E3 2015: My Most Anticipated Titles Shown

     This is my very first E3 conference I've had the chance to see, and so far I'm getting incredibly pumped for the rest of the year. 2015 and 2016 are shaping up to be two of the best years in gaming for fans of almost every known series. So many games are on their way, and I have no idea how I will ever have the time to play all of them with the amount of time that they deserve.
     In the midst of all the announcements a few have really stood out to me. These are games that I have been a huge fan of in the past, have anxiously awaited another installment to dive back in, or just wanted new info about. So I picked a couple of my favorites to share with you and geek out about on here. I know there are dozens more, but these are my personal top picks that I just cannot hold my breath long enough for.

1. DOOM

     Most of you know by now that I'm a HUGE horror fan. So this should be no surprise that my most anticipated game is DOOM. I'm so happy that id Software is giving DOOM another installment on the PS4 and XBOX ONE. DOOM 3 was my very first rated R video game, and boy was it a memorable one. The guns, the demonic enemies, long hallways, plus the dark environments make for a terrifying and lasting experience.

     From all of the footage they have included this year it really looks as though they've taken all the elements that have made DOOM great in the past, and jacked them all up to eleven! New enemies, new guns, and a whole new story to take us back to Hell. I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to the all new "Glory Kill" executions.
     DOOM is set to launch Spring 2016.

2. Star Wars: Battlefront

     If it isn't horror and scary things popping out at me, then it's always Star Wars: Battlefront was a doorway into making some of my favorite movies go beyond what I saw at the theater. I could enlist in the Republic Army and rage war on other worlds as a nameless Storm Trooper. How freaking awesome is that?!

     I enjoyed the old Battlefront games immensely, and I can't wait to see what EA does for the series. They always seem to get a bad reputation, but I honestly feel they put out a lot of good games. And with all of the recent game play footage, it looks like we might have something exciting on our hands. Lets hope that this one will remind us of the old, while having that unique EA flare they add to all of their games.
     Star Wars: Battlefront is set to release November 2015.

3. No Man's Sky

     Here's a game I didn't expect to fall in love with so quickly. I held myself back from getting too hyped about this game due to the fact that there wasn't a ton of content or footage being released. But, after seeing No Man's Sky on the big screen at E3, I AM SOLD.

     This looks to be an absolutely massive and entertaining experience that cannot come out soon enough. It's a random generating, open universe, space exploration game. The in game engine generates completely random worlds and creatures as you fly through space. You can land on planets you see, fight in war battles against raging factions, search through unknown lands. I'm getting more excited just typing about it.
     No Man's Sky has no set release date.

4. Horizon: Zero Dawn

     This was a bit of a surprise to me. I didn't expect Guerrilla Games to launch a brand new IP, or for it to look this awesome! Not a ton of info was released at the conference, but they did show a beautiful game play video showing off the combat, story synopsis, and character/animal encounters. All of which look unique and very well designed.

     Something also nice about the game was the female protagonist. We've been given a new strong woman lead who isn't Lara Croft or Bayonetta. Though we didn't learn much about her, I already like her. The way she dresses, how she handles herself in battle, the quick witty comments she made. She's exactly what I want in a hero, and I'm pumped to play this game.
     Horizon: Zero Dawn is scheduled to release sometime in 2016.

5. Rainbow Six: Siege

     Nothing gets my blood pumping like some fast paced team death match. Rainbow Six is going to be single elimination cops vs robbers style gun combat mixed with a ton of game modes for a unique multiplayer experience. I've played a little of the Rainbow Six games in the past, and something you'll notice very quickly about them is that you need strategy. Running and gunning in this kind of game will almost certainly get you killed.

     I think this game will bring a refreshing take of the FPS multiplayer platform. Players will have to adjust and evaluate their matches before engaging, and it'll be interesting to see how we as players view it.
     Rainbow Six: Siege is set to launch October 2015.

     These are just five of the games I'm excited for, but you and I both know there are many many more. Comment with the games you're excited for below and let me know what you think of my opinions on the games. I also included footage of the games below, so click the links and enjoy. Thanks for reading!

-Otaku Anonymous

Trailer/Gameplay Footage:

DOOM - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aq1zkyiUnNI
Star Wars: Battlefront - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlErxrZcuZw
No Man's Sky - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGy8HIYBwV0
Horizon: Zero Dawn - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fkg5UVTsKCE
Rainbow Six: Siege - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp4wmAbIC4w

OTAKU ORIGINAL: "Armstrong" Ep. 1 - Dawn of a New Age

(Artist/Comic panel credits to Common Cents Comics "CCC", and digital art credits to CoolGuyWallpapers)

Narrator: ...The year is 2155, and an incredible discovery has been made; LAND. Just when the world was on the brink of overpopulation and lacked the area necessary to continue our existence, an entirely new continent the size of Australia rose from the depths of the Atlantic Ocean. The cause was due to the continued plate shifting created by our constant damage to the Earth, and as you can imagine it brought destruction with it. This new land caused a major uprising between the governments of the world, for no one could easily decide who would own it. Feeling as if they had no over options, another major war broke out. All parties agreed to avoid a nuclear catastrophe knowing it would only destroy the one thing they all needed most. While every government on the planet slowly crumbled from funding their military pursuits, corporate superpowers swooped in and picked up the pieces. One corporation known as GAMA now owns every previously established government through wealth and fear. With all of the world at their disposal they focused on the new plans for an ideal society built upon the foundation of logic and science. In that time human kind had reached many breakthroughs in modern science, but none came close to their creation of artificial intelligence. Soon all machines were implemented with A.I. traits. Not long after that, our new global government took notice and gave them special citizenship rights to the various nations. This race of living machines was given the name, Wohmaschines. A global police force was then crafted to protect humans and Wohmaschines alike and restore peace to the continents after months of harsh war. This agency was known as PRU , or “Priority Response Unit”. It didn't take long before signs of corruption among its members sprung up, and there was a debate for power over PRU and GAMA. As the world fell into a stream of war, death, technology, and evil...several scientists sought to find a solution. They agreed that since our problems began with technology, they will end with technology. So they tried to create a device that would finally return peace and harmony to their dying world. Their dream was left to a lone scientist, one who was capable of great things on his own. This is where his story ends...and another heroes begins...

  (The scene opens on two men in a laboratory. One is a scruffy young man wearing a standard lab coat, and the other is a playboy styled youth wearing an expensive suit and is gazing into the foggy pod next to him. The pod is glowing and there are several flashing tubes coming out of the back panel. The man in the suit is Anthony Lanhorn, head of GAMA, and the scientist is his lead on their project. Lanhorn moves closer to the pod.)

Lanhorn: ...It's indescribably beautiful...
Scientist: It sure is. And its functions are almost complete. Only a few moments longer and we'll have created the most powerful Wohmaschine the world has ever known.
Lanhorn: How long until it's fully grown and its systems are functional?
Scientists: Approximately...twelve years from today.
(Lanhorn looks deep into the tube and grins to himself.)
Lanhorn: Once it's grown, I'll finally be able to put my plan into motion.
Scientist: You mean our plans of course?
(Lanhorn gives a devilish smile with his back turned to the scientist.)
Lanhorn: Actually...I have plans of my own.
(Lanhorn removes a pistol from his jacket.)
Lanhorn: I'll be taking over this operation.
Scientist: What?!
(Lanhorn turns around and aims his pistol. The scientist tries to draw his weapon, but Lanhorn shoots him in the chest. He falls to the floor with his gun in hand. They aim at one another.)
Lanhorn: It's nothing personal Chris. I just can't leave any loose ends.
Chris: I can't let you take my creation from me Anthony. Too many people have some much invested in this being.
Lanhorn: Don't regard this thing as a human being. It's nothing more than a computer. Another piece of useful technology.
Chris: How can you say that?! After watching its birth...I can't let you take it.
(Chris aims at the pod and fires. The bullet pierces the seal and the dense fog fills the room. Lanhorn is blinded and moves to a corner to escape. He searches the fog for any movement, but sees none. He runs to a nozzle and turns it, and the fog disappears. Chris is gone, but his blood trail leads to an exit door. Lanhorn looks into the pod and what was once inside is gone. He pulls out a cellphone.)
Lanhorn: We've got a problem. Send a team.
(He reloads and follows the trail to the roof. Chris is on the edge of the roof holding what looks to be a large white bag. Lanhorn steps up behind him calmly.)
Lanhorn: Is that what I think it is?!
Chris: Yes. And if you shoot me...what we've worked on for the last ten years will have been for nothing!
(Lanhorn smiles and steps closer.)
Lanhorn: Come on, Chris. You don't have it in you to kill yourself. But I can help you with that.
(Lanhorn raises his pistol.)
Chris: I will decide my fate Anthony. Not you.
(Lanhorn takes another step.)
Chris: Not another step!
Lanhorn: Lets just discuss this rationally.
Chris: ...I'm not in a very negotiable mood right now...
(Lanhorn steps closer.)
Lanhorn: And what of your creation? All that work YOU did to bring us to where we are...where will that go? Be reasonable...there's no way out for you except one.
Chris: Yeah? And what way is that?
Lanhorn: ...Submission...
  (Chris looks over the edge, then back down at what he's carrying. A single tear drops from his eye as he makes his decision.)
Chris: ...No...there's another way...
Lanhorn: And what way is that?
Chris: ...My creation dies with me...
  (Chris drops off the roof.)
Lanhorn: NO!!!
  (Lanhorn runs to the edge. He reaches it as Chris hits the street below. The PRU team he requested is landing behind him, weapons and armor at the ready. The team leader comes up to Lanhorn.)
Team Leader: Sir! We've arrived and are awaiting your orders.
  (Lanhorn looks over to them casually, but this time with an unsatisfied frown.)
Lanhorn: ...Ah yes. Thank you for arriving late!
  (Lanhorn shoots the team leader. He takes a moment to collect himself. Then he points to another agent.)
Lanhorn: You've just been promoted. Get down to the street quickly before someone finds them and causes us more problems.
Agent: Of course. On our way. TEAM! MOVE DOWN!
(The PRU team exits the roof and makes their way to the street to pick up Chris and his package. Lanhorn walks slowly back into the lab. He skims over the journals Chris made over the past few years. Random sentences are visible. The team leader calls him on his radio, Lanhorn answers.)
Lanhorn: Yes, this is Lanhorn. Have you got it?
Agent: Sir, there's no body down here.
(Lanhorn's face turns to shock.)
Lanhorn: ...What was that?!
Agent: There's no trace of a body down where you mentioned. Was there a miscom...
(Lanhorn crushes the headset in his hand. End of scene.)

Twelve Years Later... 

     (The scene opens on Wade Armstrong waking up from the dream he just had. He's sweating heavily, even in nothing but shorts. Wade stands and makes his way to the bathroom. He splashes water in his face and gazes into the mirror.) 

Wade: Maria...What would you do?
     (Wade has an intense flashback of Maria. He grips the sink in pain as he watches her die over and over in his head. He shouts out.)

Wade: Damn it!

(The memory ends. He grabs a towel and exits. As he walks back into his bedroom, a R-SEC flies by his window. (R-SEC: “Reconnaissance Security Transport”) Startled, he pulls out a pistol and aims shakily at the window. Once the R-SEC is out of sight, he relaxes. Wade tosses the gun onto his mattress and slumps down into bed.)

Wade: What the hell am I doing here?

(He grabs the remote and turns on his window TV. It's a late night news network. Words sprawl across the bottom of the screen, “GAMA's president, Anthony Lanhorn, announces the release of  their newest artificial limbs to the general public. These will further the advancement of human survival and rehabilitation across the planet.” Then the news anchor comes on.)

News Anchor: “Across the nation Wohmaschines are being criticized for their new found citizenship rights. The general public feels that they should not be regarded as actual 'living' lifeforms because of their numerous mechanical parts...In recent news, PRU Agents are still looking for former ACS agent WADE ARMSTRONG, who recently escaped from authorities three weeks ago. Armstrong is considered to be armed, and extremely dangerous. If you happen to catch sight of this man, call your local PRU district hot line. Back to you...”

(Wade mutes the TV.)

Wade: Ugh...I hate the news... 

(Another R-SEC flies by on its patrol. Wade looks over more calmly.)

Wade (Narrating): ...R-SECs...They're always on patrol. Makes it impossible for me to travel at night. And PRU agents make it impossible to travel at all...

(Wade walks through the TV screen that's projecting from the window and stops before the glass. He looks out across the city. Cars are flying over head, billboards are lit up across the roof tops, and street lights are shining brightly. He scans the horizon and looks on at another huge land mass just off the shore. Wade's pupils suddenly dilate, and he starts to shiver.)

Wade: That feeling. I've felt that before from...Chris.

(He grabs his head in pain and confusion. Wade looks down and scans the street. Down towards the street he sees a young girl and her friend walking along the sidewalk. He stares intently at her for a moment focusing in on her. He quickly grabs a set of binoculars from his jacket, and looks down on her.)

Wade: ...No...That can't be her...can it?

(Wade quickly gets dressed and exits the apartment. End of scene.)

     (The scene moves down to the girls walking on the sidewalk. One of the girls is wearing casual clothes and a jacket, and the other is wearing very revealing clothing. The one in the coat is Terra Fields. She is going out with her friend, Alex, to a night club. Terra is very quiet while listening to her music and blatantly ignoring her friend.)
Alex: I swear! It's the hottest place in town. And now that you're finally eighteen you can get in!
     (She laughs.)
Terra: I'm just not into the whole “club” thing, Alex. I'd rather just hang out with you.
Alex: But we are hanging out.
Terra: No! I mean at your house watching movies or something.
Alex: Come on, Terra. Nobody controls you anymore. You decide what you do now. You're an adult now you know.
Terra: It's not about that. I just don't like this kind of stuff.
(She looks around nervously.)
Alex: I promise. Nothing is going to happen tonight. Let's just have fun, okay?
Terra: (Smiles.) Okay. Lets go!
(The two round the corner and spot the club entrance, They run up and get inside quickly. Inside there isn't very good lighting, the music is very loud, and the people are hard to make out. Alex goes up to the bar while Terra grabs a table near the back. Three guys spot the two young girls. They make their way over to them.)
Man: Hey cutie!
Terra: Hello.
Man: What's a pretty little thing like you doing here all alone?
Terra: Oh, I'm just waiting for my friend, thanks.
(Guy moves in closer.)
Man: Maybe I could be your friend? (Smiles and wraps his arm around her.)
(Wade is now visible in the back of the club.  Wade is keeping a close eye on Terra and the men. The an attractive woman sits down next to him.)
Woman: Looks like you're having a rough night too.
(Wade looks over towards her.)
Wade: You don't know the half of it.
(He looks her over. She sees this.)
Woman: You know...it's not polite to stare. (Smiles.)
Wade: I thought that's what you wanted?
Woman: What gives you that impression?
Wade: The way you're dressed.
(She laughs and calls over the bartender.)
Woman: Can I buy you a drink...?
Wade: ...Only if I drink it?
(The woman laughs again, and Wade looks back over towards Terra. The woman looks over as well.)
Woman: ...Friends of yours?
Wade: No...just making sure they're alright.
Woman: Ahhh. How sweet of you. Checking on the children. (Smiles.)
Wade (Whispering to himself.): ...She's no ordinary child...
Woman: So how about that drink?
(Wade sees Terra get up.)
Terra: Sorry, but I have to go.
Man: Wait! We just got started.
Terra: And now we're done. Goodbye.
(Wade turns back to the woman and smiles.)
Wade: Sorry...Maybe another time.
(Terra turns to leave and the man grabs her arm.)
Man: But I'm not done!
Terra: Let go of me!
(Alex runs over and knocks the guy off of Terra.)
Alex: Come on! Lets go!
(They run out the door. The guy recovers from his hit and he calls for his buddies.)
Man: Lets go after those bitches!
(They exit the club. After observing the whole ordeal, Wade calmly gets up, leaves money on the bar, and follows them. End of scene.)

(The scene opens on Terra and Alex running down the street towards Alex's house. Then they reach the front door.)
Alex: Alright. Let's go inside.
Terra: No thanks. I'm just going to go home.
Alex: What?!
Terra: I'm tired now. I think I'll just go to bed.
Alex: OK. Let me walk you.
Terra: It's alright. I'll just walk myself.
Alex: Are you sure?
Terra: Yup! (Smiles.)
Alex: See you tomorrow!
(Terra begins walking down the street when the three men from the club corner her outside Alex's house.)
Man: Ha! Finally caught up with you!
Terra: Please! Just leave me alone!
Alex: Hey!
(Alex runs over. One of the men punches her to the ground. She hits hard. Then they turn back to Terra.)
Man: I think you owe me something.
(He lunges out and grabs her. She pulls free, but her shirt is ripped and her bra is showing. Also showing is her partial tattoo of computer strips across her neck. She falls to the ground and screams. From the angle above her a figure is seen on a rooftop just over head. The man becomes more anxious at the sight of her breast.)
Man: Now we're talking.
(The figure leaps down to the street and lands behind one of the men. The man turns to see. The figure grabs the man's head and slams it into the wall behind him.)
Man: What the hell?
(The figure then grabs another man and kicks him in the chest twice, then catapults him over his head into a dumpster. The last man pulls out a gun and aims at the figures head.)
Man: What are you?!
(The figure pauses, then turns.)
Figure: ...Your end...
(The man yells in fear and fires three times. The figure deflects the first two bullets with his hand right, then aims the last shot back at the man. He's hit in the head and slumps to the ground. Terra falls back in horror. The figure sees her and walks over to her. She faints at the sight of him. The figure picks her up and runs off into the night. Alex comes to and sees what's happening.)
Alex: Hey, wait!
(Alex runs inside to call the police. End of scene.)

TO BE CONTINUED...

(Artist/Comic panel credits to Common Cents Comics "CCC", digital art credits to CoolGuyWallpapers/CCC)

ANIME SHOWCASE: "Triage X"

     Sometimes you just need a good old dose of beautiful girls, guns, and crazy action. Am I right?! And no one tends to do that better than Shoji Sato, one of the creators of the infamous Highschool of the Dead series. It had it all! Beautiful teenage girls, big weapons, over the top stunts, and even ZOMBIES!!! That show is one of my all time favorites for a lot of reasons, and thankfully Sato brings the same flare to his latest project "Triage X".

(Characters from Left to Right: Oriha Nashida, Arashi Mikami, and Mikoto Kiba)
   
     The first episode opens with a robust and beautiful young woman lounging on top of a platform. (We're off to a great start!) Next to our beauty is another young woman, but she isn't dawning a bikini. She's dressed in a combat suit with her eye fixed down the sight of a sniper rifle. These woman are two of our heroes, Yuko and Miki. Yuko raises her radio and calls out to our two main protagonists, Arashi and Mikoto, who are awaiting their orders inside of an ambulance down the road. Upon receiving the call, they both race forward on a motorcycle towards a rather large and luxurious plaza. Following them is the insanely entertaining Sayo with her duel wielded machine guns.
     Arashi and Mikoto expertly enter the plaza with the help of Miki, and they arrive at the bedroom of their mark, a local crime boss. This is where it gets interesting.
     As Arashi tosses the criminal a gun he proceeds to tell him that he has been deemed "a malignant tumor in society" and has been given a Black Label. This means that he is beyond redemption and must be excised from society. (If this seems a bit confusing, then let me explain.)
   

(Characters from Left to Right: Yuko Sagiri, Miki Tsurugi, and Sayo Hitsugi)
   
     All of our characters work for an elite assassination organization known as Black Label. They are a specially trained group of surgeons who specialize in riding the body of our world from the disease that is corruption. In simple terms, criminals are an infection and they are the penicillin. They deal justice where the medicine of the law cannot reach, and they are very effective at it. Each has their special talent that they bring to the fight. Whether it's driving, shooting, explosives, or just looking good in a dress.
     The other interesting thing about them is that they each live their own lives outside of the squad. A few of them are still in high school, and one is even a famous pop star! This adds a good balance of realism to their stories, and can make for some funny moments to break the serious tone. Such as when Oriha is so focused on a bomb that she's rigging that she forgets about her concert performance the same night.
 
     One of the things that was blatantly odd was the over the top criminals. All of them are basically devilish bosses and business men/woman who are absolutely out of their minds. Whenever they show up they are always doing something disturbing or vile. Some of which I can't really describe here. This is possibly one of the show's biggest draws and biggest problems. Every enemy is CRAZY to an extreme level thus far in the series. It can make the missions very compelling, but can also take you right out of the scene you're watching. Like when they are introducing a new mark for the team, they show up in a dark room beating a woman senseless in front of her husband. A very brutal scene full of emotion, as well as an awkward choice to introduce some more villains.
     Something that makes up for the villains is the unbelievable stunts and chases. All of the vehicles and weapons flash between detailed illustrations and computer generated designs. But they transition is always so well done that it never takes you out of the fight like some anime have failed at accomplishing. This makes the motorcycle stunts with Arashi and Mikoto more exciting because it verges on animated and designed.

     All things said, this is an excellently put together anime. Each of the characters look unique and stylish, the story keeps your attention, and when it's dark it gets REALLY dark. Those things mixed with a fantastic art style and a kick ass theme song are the perfect combination for a great anime.
     I have to be honest though, if you don't like fan service and gore then this is not your kind of show. If you're familiar with anything Sato has done, then you probably know this already. And Since it looks like HOTD season two is never going to happen, I'm very pleased with this equally cool substitute.
     If you get a chance, and it seems like your style, then give it a view and let me know what you think! The series is currently on its fourth episode, and I left a link below to the first episode if you'd like to jump in. Thanks for reading!

-Otaku Anonymous

Link to first episode: http://www.crunchyroll.com/triage-x/episode-1-prescription-of-hell-678397