Strider Hiryu

Can this year be over with now? It's one gut punch after another. Ron Glass has passed away. Most may not know him unless they've seen his earlier work in Barney Miller, Sanford and Son, etc but I'll always remember him as Shepard Book from Firefly/Serenity and Garth from Fable 2. While I may not be a religious person his portrayal of Shepard Book always resonated with me. So long good Shepard, you will be sorely missed by the legions of Browncoats out there.

"I don't care what you believe. Just believe it." - Shepard Book

Those words have always resonated with me good sir, may you rest in piece.

So because I was bored and I'm getting kinda burned out on FFXIV (yea, week off to play it probably wasn't the best idea) I decided to play some BF1 last night. Have to say I really like a lot of the new changes they put forth since the last time I played (which was shortly after ribbons were introduced). The best feature by far is the new battlepack reward system and I won't go into specifics since I'm sure most of you have seen videos on it. Suffice to say after one match last night I almost had a battlepack (did get one after my second and almost halfway to another one). Nice to see they implemented a system that rewards team play as well as high placement on the scoreboard (about fucking time) for getting battlepacks instead of the RNG based system they had.

Also have to say Frontlines is fucking amazing. IMO it's what Operations should of been instead of the crap they gave us. Being a mix of Conquest and Rush (at the end if you get that far) it's pretty fucking fun and the battles get extremely intense at flag points. If Frontlines would of been introduced from the get go I'd of probably continued playing this (hell I most likely will start playing more now, it was kind refreshing to play an FPS again (even if it's one that pissed me off when if first came out)).

Finally got caught up on my backlog of Marvel movies over the last two weeks (well the backlog of ones I wanted to watch, the only one's I haven't seen are Thor 2, Homecoming (which I will watch eventually), Ant Man (no real interest in seeing it) and I've only seen half of the first Captain America). Will say things make a lot more sense now in the big picture after getting them watched, thoughts below:

Winter Soldier: As much as I hat Cap I really enjoyed this movie and when my friend said shit hit the fan he wasn't kidding. I finally understand why Shield wasn't around in Avengers 2 (I really had no idea what was going on since I never watched the TV show and I really had no interest in watching Winter Soldier until recently) so a lot of my questions about certain things were finally answered. Really like how it played out more like a spy/action flick then a superhero flick, definitely one of my favorites in the the Marvel verse behind GoG 1 & 2 and Civil War.

Civil War: Good god I really enjoyed this movie though I do feel like the whole movie focused more on Cap and Stark's underlying past issues (and personal issues) then it did on the real issues at hand (it really felt more like a Cap obsessing over Bucky and Stark reliving his daddy issues more then a flick about a superhuman civil war). Have to say I'm completely pumped to see the Black Panther flick, after seeing him in Civil War I'm sold on him (great actor choice and the character alone is really interesting). I have a ton of questions and theories now about how Infinity War is going to play out (can anyone say Nomad).

Doctor Strange: I honestly didn't know about this one and based on the reviews I had seen about it I wasn't even sure if I'd like it. Glad to say I'm wrong. Though I really don't like Strange (his attitude rubs me the wrong way) I really enjoyed the movie (fucking trippy as hell). Considering I knew nothing of this character I thought it was a really good origin story for the character (yes I know the actual origin story but for the MCU this is actually a great introduction). I have some issues with the movie (like a lot of people) but I'm interested to see what his role is in the MCU going forward (especially considering the Infinity War movies are going to reset the MCU (or at least kill off quite a few heroes)).

Guardians 2: Watched this last night and I absolutely loved it, tied for favorite Marvel movie with Guardians 1. Brought back all of the charm and humor from the first one and backed it up with a pretty serious story. Was great to see how the interactions between all the characters have evolved from the first one and yes Baby Groot was fucking adorable (the beginning of the movie was freaking cute with him dancing, yes I said cute (get over it)). Overall the movie was a fun ride and the ending, while sad, was a great way to send off such a great character (even if he was an ass).

So yea, gotta say the Marvel movies are really impressing me considering my general distaste for superheroes (I'm sorry my heroes as a kid were the Ninja Turtles, Transformers, and G.I. Joe. Superheroes never realy interested me, men in tight spandex beating up other men in similar costumes just seemed wrong). As I said above I'm really looking forward to the Black Panther movie and after finally watching Civil War I'm really looking forward to seeing how things play out in the Infinity War movies.

Absolutely gutted and devastated to hear of Anthony Bourdain's death, turned an already shitty day into an extremely shitty day. I would of said something earlier but I had to come to terms and sort out my own thoughts on this (and of course get through a 10 hour work day).

The world truly is a bit darker and a lot less interesting today with his loss. His passion, gift for storytelling, humanity, and all around awesome attitude were what drew me in when I first started watching A Cook's Tour (his first show) so many years ago and what cemented my love for this man during the run of No Reservations. Sadly I never did get around to watching Parts Unknown or The Layover but I can only imagine they were as good as the other two. This man truly had a gift for opening his heart and mind to people and their culture as well as getting them to open up as well.

RIP Mr. Bourdain, not only have you opened my eyes to new things, given me countless hours of enjoyment, and been an all around awesome person you've also inspired my love for travel (that one day I will hopefully get to do) and my love for other cultures. You will truly be missed and my heart goes out to your daughter and family in this extremely tragic moment. I can only hope you've finally found the peace that so eluded you in life.

Forgot to post about this earlier in the week but I got around to watching Magical Girls Spec-Ops Asuka (finished it Tuesday night) and I gotta say it wasn't as bad as everyone has been saying it is (a solid 7/10 for me). Don't get me wrong it's far from perfect (that animation quality is terrible, good lord are we back in the 90's here) but it was an enjoyable mess from start to finish. Quite honestly outside of animation issues as I mentioned and the story (don't get me started here, to much to nitpick and honestly I wasn't watching it for the story) everything else was good (the music was good (that OP is a banger), the characters were somewhat bland (though well written for what the show is) and they don't really spend enough time introducing anyone outside of Asuka, Kurumi (that sadistic little nurse, I don't know why but I like her character) and Asuka's friends (a big disappointment, I'd of liked to have gotten to know each of the other 3 magical girls (especially the Taiwanese one, they give us a short 10 min intro and then bam it's done). Plus the fight scenes were gory as hell and quite enjoyable to watch (though the torture was a bit much).

Honestly hope this gets a 2nd season but I highly doubt it based on the ratings it got (I mean they obviously leave it open for a 2nd season and there's plenty of material for them to adapt for another season). Though if it does they need to get a different studio to animate it because it's obvious LIDENFILMS can't (again that animation was terrible and wonky as all hell).

So it might be a tad bit early but I'm thinking that The Promised Neverland is going down as my anime of the year (beating out Boogiepop, Demon Slayer, and Fruits Basket). Man was that a fun trip through some pretty gruesome themes and interesting concepts. Highly suggest watching this when it gets dubbed (unless you want to watch it subbed (I mean come on it's that good)).

I knew going into it that it was a horror/psychological anime but boy do they trick you when you first start watching it as it's all fun and games right until the end of the first episode. Quite honestly I really don't know how to summarize my thoughts on the show because it's hard to really say anything without ruining the shows premise and horror element (which they really drive home in the latter episodes).

I will say the story is pretty damn good from start to finish even if they leave you with more questions then they do answers (I know they'll get into that later (it got greenlit for another season) but they really do a bad job setting up why things are the way they are in the first season but I guess its the same in the manga), the characters for the most part are intriguing and interesting (most of the secondary cast it rather bleh but the main characters really sell the show and does the main antagonist)), animation is top notch and damn well done (some of the best this year only taking second to Demon Slayer for me), and the soundtrack is damn good (that opening though, not Demon Slayer topping but still damn good).

Honestly I'm disappointed I didn't watch it when it was airing but I'm glad I could just marathon through it in three days because waiting each week for one new ep would of been painful. Happy its getting a second season but I'm sad that won't be until next year at the earliest. Solid 9/10 for me (would of gone 10/10 but there were a few things I had issues with toward the end). Now I just need to watch Kaguya-sama and Quintessential Quintuplets and I'll be caught up on last seasons shows that I wanted to watch.

Gotta love Yuki

lol, sometimes the way your mind works disturbs me GG.

Happy Birthday you crazy bastard!

I noticed they had a big write up about it when my roommate got his copy. I'll have to bum it off of him tomorrow and take a look at article (was meaning to the other day but had to work).

Yea Special Forces caught my interest while I read the article, seems like it's going to be fun. You catch the new trailer that just came out (hit Live like 2 days ago). Definitely sold me for the story mode, I'm completely psyched now for this game.

Customized Killstreaks = Awesome!

I'm totally stoked now, one preorder I'm definitely glad I made.

Hell yeah it does! I just know the MP beta is going to be awesome when they get it out.

Freaking finally, god this game needs to come out like now.

X'D, god damn October. If it wasn't for my birthday being in October I'd just say lets annex it just for this year.

If they don't do a public beta I'll be pissed because 4's was such a hit they'd be stupid not to use it as more hype material. That riot shield is really going to mess with Search and Destroy because you know everyone will use it, not that I mind. It'll make things more interesting and I tend to be a corner camper anyways.

Finally, I've been wanting dual attachments for awhile. I'll have to watch the video again as I was really just paying attention to the use of the riot shield.

I guess I should say I'm only a corner camper in S&D (while on defense) as it's the most reliable way to defend the crates (yea running around and killing them first works to but I prefer to wait for my prey to come to me). Otherwise, pending on play mode, I'm a run and gun type of man (especially while playing War in WaW, my K/D ratio is really fucked up).

Gah, if they do this professional thing and allow it on Juggernaut I'm going to be pissed. That is the most overused and cheap perk in the game. It's sad that player skill has been reduced to Juggernaut as of late (in CoD4, not so much in WaW). That being said Stopping Power, Steady Aim, Deep Penetration, and Iron Lungs will be my first pro perks when I'm allowed to get them (my most used ones as I tend to play sniper and spec ops based classes).

(ignore my own visitor message, apparently I'm an idiot)

X'D, never did like using box clips in WaW. I preferred Aperture Sights (or whatever they're called), I tend to SMG snipe a lot (a form I perfected in the CoD4 MP Beta). Plus I'm a freaking maniac with the SVT-40 (best rifle in that game outside of the M1), I just headshot left and right with that thing (makes Juggernaut look useless X'D)

Fear my nu kitty gundam! I just had to save it when I saw it because you just can't go wrong with a kitty gundam

Ready for tomorrow my friend?

(ignore again, god I'm bad at this)

X'D, now thats dedication. meh I ordered my copy online so no matter what I won't get mine till after 2 pm tomorrow.

Considering how easy the first 20 or so levels were in COD4 I don't think you'll have any problem achieving that goal, unless xp requirements are ridiculous in this one.

I've got Tuesday off so I'll be on from when I get it till bed, I just need to unlock my dual attachments perk. Oh that is going to be so much fun.

I'm officially in love with it, the story if freaking awesome and multiplayer is so much better then CoD4.

The Akimbo attachment fucking rules, dual UMP45's is OP (I was dominating for awhile with them, switched back to red dot sight though so I can finish attachments). Gotta work on the ammo though, go through it too fast.

Running and gunning with SMG's just takes a little more practice, I should know thats all I use right now (trying to get all the attachments for it then I'll move onto the next one).

Haven't tried LMG's yet and assaults I'm a little disappointed in (like why is the AK-47 the last one you can unlock at the highest level, thats freaking ridiculous). My M4 just doesn't see as good as it was in CoD4