Genwunner Plays Pokemon Shield
By: Justin Hopkins
We have come to the end of the line. Having started my little trek with Pokemon Ruby. May have taken a little bit longer then I expected it would, but here we are and as happy as I was going in, was sad at the same time. Have been having a lot of fun so far and didn’t want it to end quite yet. I know that there was a lot of dislike for this game, but other games had negativity around them that I really enjoyed so, with an open mind, lets talk about Mui’s final journey… for now that is.
Mui’s Journey
The game kicks off with a cinematic of a battle about to start, with the undefeated champion, Leon. Hyping up Dynamax before we jump to Postwick. Meeting up with Mui, who was rudely interrupted by her friend Hop. Whop was excited for Leon, his brother, was coming with Pokemon. After having to go get him because he would get lost.. walking a straight line, but he did have pokemon and it was very hard. Wasn’t really fond of any of the three, but settled with Stormy the Sobble. After beating Hop and a BBQ. Had to go rescue a Wooloo who busted through the gate and into the dangerous Slumbering Weld. Encountering Zamazenta in the fog. Only he disappeared when Leon came to get us out and the journey began. Meeting with Sonia for the Pokedex, Adding a Nickit named Ripley, and Professor Magnolia, who gave us a Dynamax Band, made from a wishing star that fell during me beating of Hop. Each of us earning sponsorship to the gym challenges by Leon. Getting some camping gear from Mom and after the train couldn’t continue because of more Wooloo, ventured into the Wild Area. A place that I loved. So much fun running around. catching Pokemon that I wouldn’t use and messing with the Dens. Keeping a close eye to make sure I didn’t over level or anything but had fun exploring before finally arriving at Motostrike. Exploring around the town, buying some clothes and made a card. Dedicating my run to the Pokeball Mascot before going to the hotel. Where I encountered this game’s gang. Toxic fans of Challenger Marnie from Spikemuth, called Team Yell that I imagined all talked like NXT’S Pete Dunne. Beating them in battle and a conversation with Marnie, time to call it a day, before registering at the Gym. I picked the number four and they forced ,e into a uniform and head out to basically say hello to the crowd, because that was it. I stopped in to buy a new uniform, Poison, but wasted my money, because I was never able to change from the white one during gym battles, yeah I was bitter about that. Anyways. On my way, another Hop beating and made our way to the beautiful Gala Mine number 1. Where we meet our next Rival, Bede. Sponsored by big CEO Rose for the challenges and to collect wishing stars. The rude jerk we have been missing for so long. After knocking him out, it was off the the next city. Learning a bit of Galar Lore from Sonia but I was sweeting the Gym fight. Milo was grass and Ripley and Nickit were badly matched. Took two shot, second had my team stacked to survive the Dynamax to take him down. From there, I ran into Hop was kind enough to warn me ahead of his next beating and off to Hulbury. Where my ignorance struck again for not building more than a team of 2. I added an Electrike after my first loss to Nessa. Meeting up with Rose at a restaurant as he talked about all the good stuff he has done, really hoping we weren’t going where I thought we were when I left. Venturing back toward the hotel, fighting with off Bede and Marnie back at the hotel, making a mental note of how tough her Morpeko was. before going to gym 3, with Kabu. Our first easy gym and as they saw me and Hop off. Knew I had to come up with a better team for the second half. While Bede was beating Hop, I added Angelica the Timburr, Iggy the Sizzlipede and replaced Electrike with Jamie the Helioptile. Learning some more lore before making my way to the next city, where me and Sonia are interrupted by Bede trying to break apart a memorial to get wishing stars. A very cross Rose revoked his sponsorship for it. When they leave, the memorial falls apart and another lay beneath. Throwing the mystery up in the air. From there I went and stomped on the Ghost Leader. Then it was Opal’s turn, who, even after beating her and answering her questions, wouldn’t’ give me her gym. Getting to mock Bede back in Hammerlocke, but to my dismay Opal takes a liking to him and forces him to come along. The long to Circhester and two more Hop fights later and not just Iggy who shined, but after he dropped, I forgot to heal before the Campion, Ripley came in and started tanking and dodging everything, and able to win the day. Adding my final team member, Jaime the Sneasel as I went to Spikemuth. A town in desperate times. They don’t have a power spot and without the ability to Dynamax, people don’t come. Despite Pier doing his all to show you can have entertaining battles with and generally felt rewarding fighting him. From there we were back off to Hammerlocke, to fight Riahan and I was worried. Was able to get what I needed to evolve Jamie to Weavile but wasn’t sure if she was strong enough to handle it and got even more worried by finding doubles, but she held fast and the 8th badge was ours. Trekking to Wyndon where the Semi Finals began. Having to first fight Marnie and Hop, kind of wish they were reverse, but I did win the cheer squad and Team Yell which was a nice bonus. After Leon was late for dinner we had to fight our way to the Rose Tower. Where we hear them talking, Rose is concerned about Power running out in a thousand years. Leon says he will help, but tomorrow, after the tournament, but Rose is not happy about that, but we are done for today. The next day, we got the next half of the finals, but after Bede comes out, with the position that I was suppose to have, Fairy Gym Leader and challenges Mui to a fight. Accepted and defeated. Followed by Nessa, the Ghost Leader and Raihan. Setting up for Mui vs Leon… but no. Rose kicks off another Darkest Day, and me and Hop have to rush to gather the Sword and Shield from the Slumbering Weld. Heading back, learning he summoned Externatus. To harness for unlimited power. Having to beat him to get access to the roof. Where we need to help Leon. The first fight was simple enough but when he Dynamaxed we used the sword and shield to call Zaican and Zamazenta to help fight. Weakening him down to find a new home in my bag. After a few days, Leon ordered the Championship Match and after a fun finale, Mui handed him his first L and became champion. Post Game had a full on story, with Sordsward and Shielbert made off with the sword, after Hop couldn’t beat him. Running around the gyms. Forcing Pokemon to Dynamax and go wild. Even have their sister infiltrate Sonia’s Lab to get access to Wishing Stars. Building up to a finale where they expose Zaican to too much power and made him made. Zamazenta came to the rescue. Ending with each of us having one, and during the final fight got to tell Hop I wasn’t feeling it. There was still plenty left to do, but after all this, time for Mui to return home and retire a bit.
My Review
There is a lot of positives to talk about. The graphics and colors were all pretty good. The City and routes were all nice and appealing. Felt special and unique. Liked the U.K touches, dialogue especially, The conversations were fun to have and looked forward to the conversations because they were different. I loved the Cinematics. Felt like they got the most out of them. How they hyped up the the Dynamaxes at the beginning of the game. Properly building on the idea of having a rival that could push you. Making Leon feel like a champion and they did a good job showing how powerful Externatus was when he broke a Pokeball that was used to try and catch him. Simple scene that they made feel like a big deal.
Bede felt like a much needed character. Missing the jerk character and the fact that you got the option to be a jerk later was such a nice touch. At the same time, he had a character arc. That his attitude lead him down a bit of a bad path, even with Opal but he was taking the idea that he was a Gym Leader now seriously. Marnie was fun to interact with. That she knows Team Yell can be rough and out of line, but they were her fans and appreciates them. Her hometown friends who just want to be happy for her success. Then there was Hop, who, although was another friendly, got an Arc that separates him from the last bunch, in that his losses matter. They affected him on a deep level. Knowing that the pressure is on, by being Leon’s brother. Not just a smiling goof who shrugs off loses and that makes Hop such a deeper character in my eyes. All three were well done.
I loved the Wild Areas. A lot of time just biking around and exploring. Amused by all the Pokemon that would not just show up, but legit just come at you. Sneasels are terrifying when you see one come out of nowhere like its about to take out an ankle and it was great. We didn’t get the follow option back, but did have fun with Camping. Playing ball with my Pokemon and seeing what concoctions I could cook up at random and that is one of the things I love about these later games is how much interaction you can have with your Pokemon and this was no different.
Then, there was Spikemuth and the whole idea around the idea of this town. A town of nice people who care for one another and even though they have a gym, people didn’t want to come watch the battles because they didn’t have the new shiny thing and that was very clever and well done. Kind of making Spikemuth one of my favorite towns in the series and of course we got to talk about Team Yell. They were great. Loved the fact they were based around Toxic Fandom around sports team. That they aren’t necessarily bad. Are not trying to take over the world or steal Pokemon. They just get caught up in the moment and are doing dumb things. Good change of pace for the gang idea.
Onto the negative, and it is with the finale. Going with Rose was a boring and never rackingly cheap way to go. I thought they maybe had an interesting seeded planted to swerve and have Opal turn evil. Which would have been an Interesting way to go. The closest way we have had to an Evil Gym Leader was Giovani. When she pulled Bede that could have set something up, but no. They went with Rose. Who even when he broke bad, didn’t make any sense for him to do so. He waits five minutes and Leon was offering to help him with his problem. Would have made sense to, now that Nui is the Champion, Leon could dedicate all his time and him and Rose set off to find a solution for the Power problem. Instead, the took an easy way out.
Why, oh why would you sell uniforms if you couldn’t change them for Gym Battles. I get that you can wear them outside of the gyms, but no, they sell them separately from the regular clothes. Why even give us uniforms if we can’t change them. They did a good job at making this feel like a sport but they handled the uniforms horribly.
And, I continue to complaining about lack of Roller Skates, could have been a lot of fun to roller skate around here. Please give me the skates back.
That’s all I got for negatives. I had a lot of fun with Pokemon Shield. There were some issues with story, uniforms, and no roller skates, but the positives far out weigh them The characters were a lot of fun to interact with. Hop, Bede and Marnie were all enjoyable to be around. Liked the fact we got to watch Sonia grow into a Poke Professor. All of the gym challenges and Gym Leaders and they left me excited for what they put out next. Final Grade – B+
As always, I hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading.
Mortal Kombat 2021 review
By Paul Anthony
Here is the film that we have been waiting for a very long time for!!, since 97 fans have been craving for a film that would help ease our pain from 1997 pain that is Mortal Kombat: Annihilation which just killed the franchise but would this revive the series? Well the movie had a budget of 95 million and on the international market so far the film has grossed 20 million though America numbers will surely boost that total and right now it’s hard judge on that fact alone but time will only tell on that one. The film stars a cast that were more picked because they can fight rather than a big name. the two biggest names that comes to mind is Ludi Lin (2017 Power Rangers) and Hiroyuki Sanada, though I am taking nothing away from the rest of the cast!! Like always let’s take a look at the plot.
The film starts in Japan in the year 1617, where we see Hanzo Hasashi and his family which consist a baby daughter, young son and his wife though he branches off to get water for his family, that’s when Bi-Han and his henchmen attack the house and kill his family but the daughter is tucked away so she can live and fight of course breaks out between the two men with Han getting the upper hand and killing Hanzo. Fast forward to present day the Earthrealm has lost 9 Mortal Kombats and if they lose the tenth then the outworld realm can open the gates and fully take over the earthrealm. Their plan is simple and that is to cheat by crossing the line and killing the earth’s strongest champions to basically secure the tournament. Here is where we meet Cole Young, a MMA fighter, then we meet Jax and Sonya Blade who proves Cole with information regarding what he thought was a birth mark, through the rest of the film we meet Kano, Raiden, Lui Kang and Kung Lao. Kang and Lao train the others to waken their arcana which is basically a power hidden within them that they must unlock and of course Cole is the last to do so, only when him and his family are about to die from Goro. At this point Cole learns he is a descendant of Hasashi. the champions come up with a plan to fight Shang Tsung one on one but these warriors are strong and include Bi-Han who now goes by the name of Sub-Zero. The Earth champs manages defeat everyone with the help of Hasashi who was able to be resurrected and now fights as Scorpion and together with Cole who is his 1500th great grandson they kill Sub-Zero but Shang Tsung warns them this only the beginning and departs. Raiden tells his team they must recruit more champions as they get ready for the tournament in which Cole departs for Hollywood to find the one and only Johnny Cage.
Now let’s talk about it, the film did a lot of good the revive this series. One introducing a new character is always risky but the story made it clear unlike the trailers this wasn’t just a new character that was randomly added, no he had a purpose to the story, the action was on par which also required the casting to be on par as well. Now the story might have been a little weak and some plot holes did occur, one for example was Kano, Sonya knew he was bad but turned the blind eye so he could lead her to Raiden temple but must have forgotten the reason why Kano was cuffed in her trailer. In all this movie kept it loyal to the game which should please the fans and the action could draw in new fans which makes this film a success in my eyes. The highlight though has to be the performance of Kano and Kabal, their personalities alone will sell you on this film. In the end I am giving this film an 85 percent for a rating and glad to see that this franchise is back and better than ever!!
Doppelgänger Presents White House Down and Olympus Has Fallen!!
By Paul Anthony
I swear if these two movies were real then 2013 would have been a very bad year for The President of the United States of America because in one film you have you favorite people out of North Korea sneaking the white house then you have your vice president turn on you just so he can become president. Thank god that these cases were nothing more than movies!! Welcome back to the second edition of this blog series and from the title you can see we will be talking about two films that were three months apart. Olympus Has fallen was the first to come out and was released on March 22, 2013 and White House Down came out on June 28th of 2013. Olympus Has Fallen was produced on a budget of 70 million and made about 170.3 million and White House Down was produced on a budget of 150 million and only grossed 205 million. Now White House Down had a big studio behind it with Sony, so the budget being bigger made sense but sometimes the bigger budget doesn’t always mean better. Now Olympus has fallen came from a smaller studio with Millennium Films. Both films mostly got same reviews but why are the numbers in the sense of the box office performance so different well let’s look at the plots first and we will start with Olympus has Fallen.
This film had a pretty good cast, you had Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, Morgan Freeman, Rick Yune and Angela Bassett. The story starts with Banning (Butler) trying to save the president (Eckhart) from a a car accident which he does but the first lady couldn’t be saved. which during his grief the president resigns him to another department, as a way to punish him, ( Jerk move right?) Anyway one random day, when the president is having a meeting with the South Korean Prime Minister. A North Korean terrorist group sneaks into the white house which was aided by the prime minister rogue members. The group launches an air attack before their ground attack starts. This is where Banning gets back in action and finds his way into the white house. During attacks we learn the leader of the group is Kang Yeonsak (Yune) who wants America to remove their troops from South Korea which would almost lock up a victory for North Korea but also wants to turn America into a wasteland, he wants revenge for the death of his mother. I am guessing this is more personal than anything. Banning begins his attack one member at a time though he takes a beating himself in the end he saves the president and the country and even gets his old position back.
Now Let’s look at White House Down, this cast has the same amount of talent on it as the other film, here this film stars Channing Tatum, Jamie Foxx, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jason Clarke, Richard Jenkins, Joey King and James Wood. Basically the plot is the same well 95 percent actually but nevertheless let’s take a look, here we have capital police officer who seems to be too busy to remember what day of the week it is decides to take his daughter on a white house tour, well sadly for them this is the day that a domestic terrorist group plans to kill the president which is played by Jamie Foxx, the plan which starts off well is to blow up the capitol building as a decoy so everyone will be too focus on that however they didn’t plan on a officer being there and kicking their ass one by one until the end. we learn that their are two men running the show to kill the president are none other then his top bodyguard basically and the speaker of the house of representatives, who would assume office because he is third in line just in case the president and vice president were killed. The goal to become the president and change the military plans. ( I guess just making a vote didn’t work) Nevertheless all the bad guys pay the price and the country is saved!!
Now Here is the thing that has been bothering me and that is I don’t know which one is better than the other. Both have the same overall cast. the leads were two average actors but great action stars in Tatum and Butler. The co leads are equal as well. The plots try to be so difficult to figure out adding layers that are suppose to create more suspense only to let us down when the story is fully told. Crazy these films are evenly matched yet one managed to become a franchise, well one fell into the abyss. One had a smaller budget and was in a period of the year where it could gain a little money without anyone noticing where the other was in the summer with a crazy high budget and though it did gross more, the return profit was much lower. In the end the winning movie was the one who had the franchise because the story was simple and not too many layers to complain about. In the end I am giving Olympus Has Fallen a percentage point better than White House Down at 69 percent to 68 percent. The thing that people will mostly remember from these two films was that they both had the white house going down!!
Bayonetta: Bloody Fate Movie Review
By: Justin Hopkins
**SPOILER WARNING**
So about a month or so ago, finally got to sit back and check out the Bayonetta Game, I know my ability to keep up with the times should be admired, and after a grueling game, hack ‘n slash not really my style, but I absolutely loved it. Was a great game, that was way over the top with an excellent heroine in Bayonetta. While, I am not mentally ready to play the sequel. Found the perfect substitute in the form of the animated Movie Bayonetta: Bloody Fate and wasted no time picking it up. Now that I have finally had a chance to sit back and watch it. Let’s break it down and discuss shall we.
Synopsis
Movie kicks off with a narrator telling the story of the Umbra Witches and the Lumen Sages. Witches served the demons and Sages the angels. They respected each other and the balance till a rule was broken. A Lumen and Umbra had a baby. The mother was imprisoned and father thrown out. While the forbidden child was raised by the Umbra and entrusted with the left eye. That if it was ever combined with the Lumen right eye, it would awaken the god Jubileus who will usher in a new world. Something the Lumen want and the Umbra fight against. Which would spark a war that would result the both sides taking each other out, but the forbidden child was sealed away in a deep slumber, but 500 years later she has awoken and we jump to Luca arriving at a church. A journalist investigating mass suicide. Hiding when a Nun enters the room. Saying a prayer and the Church Organ starts and angels attack. The Nun turning out to be Bayonetta. Round one of the fighting ends with her jumping through the window and landing on Luca’s car and a bigger Angel arrives. Which she makes short work of by summoning Gomorrah, a creature of her own. Meeting Rodin, who was playing the Organ who leaves, and she goes and confronts Luca, or Cheshire as she calls him. Who is not her biggest fan. Believing she killed his Dad. Seeing a flashback of her rise from the water and his Dad being torn apart in front of him when he was a kid. When the cops arrive she leaves, and makes her way to Rodin’s bar, The Gates of Hell. Where we see the news covering the religious group, Ragna coming together to celebrate the coming of Jubileus and they say the suicides are tied in with this. Enzo informs her that their leader is supposedly a modern day Sage, and it triggers a small flashback. We see Balder talking to Jeanne. Telling her Bayonetta would come and it is her destiny. While Luca ties Bayonetta to the Ragna and to Balder and Bayonetta gets into a fight with Jeanne when she attacks the train she is on. Resulting in a wonderful fight that results with Bayonetta breaking her guns and Jeanne leaving. Balder drops a little girl off and tells her to wait for Mommy. After Bayonetta drops off the broken guns with Rodin. and she hits the road. Balder teleports her to the same location and the little girl starts calling her Mommy and the angels attack ad Bayonetta has to go on the offensive quickly to keep them away from her. We find out she is Cereza, but Bayonetta claims that she is not her Mother, but takes her along. Luca manages to track their hotel room and attempts to bug it but is caught and falls out of a window when he is too distracted by Bayonetta’s lack of clothes. She tries to talk to him, but he is still angry with her. She makes an off handed joke about him babysitting the kid, but when he wakes up on a bench the next day to a crying Cereza, finds out she wasn’t joking and she is off to confront Balder and this is where I will leave it for now.
Review
They were really faithful to the game and I appreciated that so much. The story was pretty much the same from the game, with a couple shifts here and there to make the story move a bit smoother. From the look and designs of the angels and their weapons to. They gave a good reason for Bayonetta to be using different weapons and made Jeanne look stronger by the fact she broke her guns. The music was excellent and will be stuck in my head for another month. using a lot of the lines from the game including the one of her replacing her arm with a chainsaw. The people behind the scenes wanted to bring the game to life and they did a great job at that.
I really loved the art style they used throughout. The fight scenes we saw were all fun and over the top the way a Bayonetta movie should be. From the fights with Jeanne and Bayonetta and all of the fight scenes where she ran through the angels. Going heavy on the blood. Queen Sheeda and Gomorrah looked fantastic.
The voice actors all knocked it out of the park. Hellen Taylor knocked it out of the park as Bayonetta. Bayonetta being a over the top complex character who walks a fine line, of being this top tier fighter, who is sarcastic and witty sexy and able to go head on with anyone and walk away victorious while at the same time, searching for answers and going through an emotional climax and Hellen Taylor does a great job bringing that out. Yuri Lowenthal did a great job bringing out the emotional pain Luca is going through on his search to find justice for his Father. Dave Fennoy, Grey DeLisle and John Kassir did good jobs and Joy Jillian did well as Cereza.
On a mixed note, kind of expected more fights to be involved. A few different types of angels could have been brought in to mix it up a bit. They kind of gloss over her boss fight at the airport and while you do see her finish him off. Would have been nice to see more of the fighting. I am not going to complain about it because the fight scenes we did get were good and I am going to give them a bit of leeway. Might not have had the budget to make something like that so instead put it toward her magic and the angels and monsters.
And they got that leeway because I did really enjoy the film. Bayonetta is a fantastic character and has a wonderful universe around her and I am kind of surprised that they only made one movie with her, because I would be all up for another, even some 8 years on. I would gladly suggest it to people of the game our anime, or someone who wants to watch something a little different. Final Grade – B
As always, I hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading!
Genwunner Plays Pokemon Let’s Go, Eevee!
By: Justin Hopkins
As we inch closer to the end of the series. We take a short detour off the main road, for Pokemon Let’s Go. Their first on the Switch Platform and I was both excited and a little worried. Call myself Genwunner for a reason and the fact I got to go back and relive Kanto again, but I was a little nervous about what I was walking into. I knew a little about what I was getting into. About Catch Combos and Pokemon wondering about in the overworld and such. Picked Let’s Go, Eevee due to the fact I dislike Pikachu more, but still not a huge fan of Eevee either, but was still excited to get started and now that Mui’s journey is over. Lets break it down and discuss.
(Blogger note, Let me address Ultra Sun and Moon. I haven’t forgotten about them. Paulie held a poll about whether Ultra Moon was different enough from Moon to warrant a playthrough and the vote came back No. If you feel differently, please say so and I will take it under consideration.)
The Journey
The game kicked off with Mui waking up and being greeted by the villainous Paulie. Eager to get out and get our Pokemon. Like a pro that I am, skipped the Lab and went to the trail, where we were the one to catch an Eevee and watched the ball bounce away. Catching up to it at the Lab and despite my best efforts. Picked Eevee and named hum Majin Buu and after delivering Oak’s Package and smacking Paulie around. We were off to the races, but kind of slowed down. Playing with Buu and debating about how I was going to build a team. Had a pretty set team when I was a kid, but choose to try out another to mix it up. So, before we made it to Viridian Forrest. Added female Nidoran named Bulma. Building them up along the way by mostly catching Pokemon that I dumped into the bag. My focus staying on Bulma and Buu. Getting to Pewter where I got way to excited over babysitting a Slowpoke and getting real thankful over the fact I caught a Bellsprout and took my rage out on Brock for that dumb rule and had a true geek out moment at seeing Blue. After the nightmare in Moon and a slew of friendly rivals. Was so glad to see Blue. Whop lost a bit of an edge through him maturing, but still had a bit of sarcastic wit and happy nevertheless. Rejuvenating my spirit and tearing through Mt. Moon’s Rockets and Jessie and James. Saving Misty for later. Running through second Paulie fight mostly off Eevee. Wasn’t even over leveled. Eevee is just a hoss in this one. I went this way because I had a memory off Oddish and Abra being up this way. After spending an embarrassing amount of time. Started to doubt myself until I pulled up a list. They moved Abra a few routes south and to my horror. Oddish is Pikachu exclusive. Caught Vegeta the Psyduck but he wasn’t long for the team. Thanks to Zippy Zap, Eevee dealt with Misty and we moved on. Catching 18 the Abra on the way to the S.S Anne. Training him up during my run through the boat, but I was worried about Surge…Not as a trainer but his stupid trash can puzzle. That thing would hang me up for so long and it still rages on. I beat Surge faster then it took me to open the door, but it allowed me to move on to the next leg and I really needed to start building a team. It was still just Buu, 18 and Bulma and I wasn’t sold on Bulma yet. While I didn’t find any in Rock Tunnel. That changed quickly. Adding Tien the Hitmonlee and 17 the Gastly while we were saving the poor Cubone, in a satisfying ending to the Poketower that I never knew I needed. Once I got the flute though, it was a mad dash to Fuchsia Stopping only to catch Caulifla the Ponyta. Excited to see the Safari Zone. Only there is none. Replaced it with the Go Park. A place to shift Pokemon from Pokemon Go and after a bit of playing around, sent some over. Frieza the Alakazam and Kale the Vileplume. They were not over level. I never committed to Go long enough for that. Highest was Alakazem at 28. So grinding was necessary still, but the team was complete and it was time to start knocking off challenges. Caulifla dealt with Koga and Erika. We took Giovani in Silph-Co before 17 and Frieza tag team to down Sabrina and team effort for Blaine and Giovani again. Getting by Paulie with ease and immediately got lost in Victory Road. Stumbling on Moltres byu accident, but was luckily prepared for it. Managing to find my way to the League. Team of Frieza the Alakazam, 17 the Haunter, Kale the Vileplume, Tien the Hitmonlee, Caulifla the Rapidash and Buu the Eevee, and after one shot, became Champion of Kanto for the first time in decades. Kicked off Post Game by collecting the other two Legendary Birds and a slugfest between me and Mewtwo. Leading to the best encounter in the game, with Green. I laughed way to hard at her throwing pokeballs at me. Rematching the gym leaders and then came the hard part, The Master Trainers. Replaced Kale and Caulifla for Psyduck and Charizard (because I knew where they were) and started Catch Combos. One set included a 116 Gravelers which included no shines. i was high enough to win 6 and finally took down Red for a change. With all of that done, it felt like it was time for Mui to retire home and wrap up this adventure.
Review
I had such a great time playing this game. They really brought Kanto to life in a beautiful way. The colors all popped and the designs of the Pokemon were gorgeous. Places like Mt. Moon and Cerulean Cave were just amazing. The cinematic scene were a lot of fun that added to the place or situation. From little things like Eevee getting excited and running to inspect the fountain in Cerulean or even the dumb celebration of high fiving his tail. I was fine with the changes they did make, like seeing the heartbreaking Cubone Story and loved the fact he got to go with Paulie and grow into a Marowak of his own. To the more intense moments of encountering the Birds or Mewtwo. As corny as it sounds, they brought my childhood to life in the best possible ways.
I found that they really made it fun to catch Pokemon again, in my opinion. Finding myself just walking around. Watching what Pokemon came out. Going on random catch combos just to see which rare pokemon came out. Seeing pokemon like Chancey so early blew my mind, but got so much more fun at the end, when you see Dragonites and Charizards flying overhead. I spent so much time walking around and had a great time.
I loved the focus they put on interacting with your Pokemon. Eevee growing on me, from a pokemon that I didn’t care for going in and ended up loving it by the end. Interreacting and feeding him berries. Watching him moving around during the cinematics to see his reaction when around the Legendries. It carries over to the Pokemon that you pick to follow you. A component that should be in every game. True happiness is riding on the back of Haunter. I love the fact that you have the option to interact and feel like you get to bond with your pokemon and they are more then just go and fight the others.
It was fun seeing Red and Blue, despite how much it really throws the storyline out of the window. It was good to see Blue continue to grow and mature a bit. Being able to fight Red was fine, but Green stole the show. I wish we could have had her for a rival cause it was a blast dealing with her during the short time you do.
Mixed wise, Paulie was fine. Another friendly rivalry, which has run its course, but after the Nightmare known as Hau. He was fine here, and I feel like they could have done more with Jessie and James and having Meowth talk wouldn’t have been a big deal.
Negative… I am really hung up on the roller skates being taken away from me. They were so much fun. Please give me my skates back, but that is it for complaints here. Call me bias if you like, but I had a lot of fun with Pokemon Let’s Go Eevee. Brought the first Generation back in a wonderful way, love the cinematics, and adored the fact I got to interact with the Pokemon and seeing them in the wild was a nice way to go. Final Grade – A
As always, I hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading!
Genwunner plays Pokemon Moon
By: Justin Hopkins
As we inch closer to the end of the series, we arrive at the Seventh Generation, with Pokemon Moon. Going in I knew just a handful of things about Moon. Knew there was islands and that they replaced gyms with trails and added something called Z Moves and that was about it. While X was a fine game, thought they left a lot of places to grow on and was excited to see which way they went in Pokemon Moon. An unexpected change actually happened because of the Islands. Normally I would add a Pokemon or two as I go. Slowly building a team, but in this game, I really went in a different direction and staggered my team. Mixing and matching as I went till I had a team I liked. So, instead of telling who I had at what time. Just tell you how I had when I left each island. So, lets dive into Mui’s next chapter in the Genwunner series shall we.
The Journey
The game kicks us off with a chase scene of a little girl being chased around a facility by guards. When something in her bag teleports them to safety after being surrounded. Before we catch up to Mui and her first day on a beautiful night on Melemele Island. Professor Kuki comes around and takes us to meet the Island Kahuna. Which turns into us having to go find someone we never met before. When we bump into Lillie, the girl from the beginning and we save her Nebby, Cosmog, from a group of Spearow and leads us to being saved by Island Guardian Tapu Koku. Leaving a stone for us when he departs. Leading them back, meeting the nightmare known as Hau, we get to pick our pokemon. Which is a change from before the pokemon has to chose us to, but in the end, Kristen the Popplio is on the team. Getting our Z – Ring and Rolodex, and off to training school. After dealing with that and a regrettable first encounter with Team Skull. Finally slog our way to the first Trial. Were we chase Alolan Rattatas and fight Skulls till we Trigger the Totem Pokemon, an Alolan Raticate. Earning our first Z-Crystal. Which I took back and beat Kahuna Hala, with Kristen, Tree the Pikipie and Nacy the Alolan Grimer. Allowing me to move on to Akala Island. After a bit of confusion and battling the “edgy” Gladieon, who didn’t like Hau either. After a tough fight with his Null. We finally get to move on to some more Trials, Akala being home to three. First being to fight off some Wishiwashies. Getting 10 dive balls that I will never use. Two was a huge let down revolving around dancing Marowak and photos, but loved the third. Where we had to collect ingredients to make some food to tempt the Totem Pokemon out of hiding. Along the way we stop off at the Battle Royale, where we meet the Masked Royal and have an interesting 4 way fight and have to fight Pulmeria of Team Skull. Battling the Island Kahuna Olivia, with a team of Kristen, Tree, Sally the Sylveon, Sydney the Marowak and Alexandra the Phanthump. After we are rushed off to the Aether Institute. A place to protect and house abandoned or Pokemon in need. Lillie refuses to go, leaving me alone with Hau. Meet Lusimine, whose goal is to find an Ultra Beast and one appears, but leaves just as fast. They gave us a lift to the next island. Going to meet Kuki at the park and see not just him, but Guzma, the leader of Team Skull and the fight ensues and the fight with Team Skull continues at the Aether House after we leave the Park. While I was out taking pictures of Ghosts and fighting the Totem. They circle back and steal someone’s Pokemon. Leaving a message that we have to go alone to get it back. Which we did, but learn that Team Skull consists of people who have failed their own Trails along the way. This, of course, was a distraction, and Team Skull kidnap Lillie and Nebby. I want to just go and get them, but we have to fight the Kahuna, Nanu. With our team of Kristen, Tree, Sally, Sydney, Jaime the Panchum, and Minxie the Absol. ( I think. I forgot to note down when Absol made the team, but I believe she was added before this) Despite our best efforts and learn that Gladioen and Lillie are siblings to an awful mother Lusimine. She uses Nebby to open a wormhole and her and Guzma are sucked in and Nebby evolves. Leaving me and Lillie to go collect flutes. Which should help. Not before I fight Hapu, newly elected Kahuna. After playing the flutes, Nebby evolves again into Lunala and we enter the portal. Having to battle Lusaminie after she merges with an Ultra Beast, the Beast Mother, in a boss fight. Which was grueling. After, Lillie asks us to catch Nebby, which we do, and we drop Jaime from the team. Team going into the Elite four, is Kristen, Tree, Sydney, Sally, Minxie, and Nebby. The Elite four was nothing special, but Kuki ended up being a bit of a fight due to his snorlax, but third time is a charm, and the celebration began and we caught Tapu Koko. The post Game kicks off with a sad goodbye to Lillie, who is on her way to Kanto. To find help for her Mother, in Bill. Post Game has plenty but after Catching the Ultra Beasts, I was ready to move on and Mui retried back home.
Review
Pokemon Moon did so much right. I’ll start with the story. Which I didn’t think much off at first. I button mashed my way through a lot of the start, thinking it was just the usual quick stop tutorials, but as we went along. I found myself getting into it. I really liked seeing Lillie grow as a person. Going from someone who was scared and sheltered and watched her grow into her own person and she wasn’t a trainer. Which I liked a lot. When we ran into her she was there to talk and not challenge me and ramble about fighting me again. Team Skull got on my nerves, with the worst form of cringe, the moment they would approach me, but they were made almost deeper when you learn that they were trainers who couldn’t complete their trails and and came together and acting out because of their failures.
Really upped the graphics from X. The movements feel more smooth and loved the addition of the Z moves. Which looked amazing and loved the idea of this one time, all out powerful blow. Loved the designs of the Pokemon they added and the Alolan Pokemon ranked from awesome in Marowak to nice with Alolan Persian. Was amped up to see the Ultra Beasts, cause I avoided looking at them a head of time and the designs all hit the mark for me and the idea that your starter pokemon had to pick you too. Kind of wish that they would build on that idea and of course, the ride pager was spectacular. Loved running around on a Taurus.
The mix up from Gyms to Trails was a welcomed addition. Really fitting the Alolan atmosphere. I wasn’t a fan of the Marowak one. Thinking they could have done more with that, but I loved the idea of not only having to fight Totem Pokemon but find ways to lure them out. Whether it is making food or taking Pictures of ghosts to make Mimikyu want to come out for a picture. At the some time, battling was important and had to earn the right to fight the Kahuna.
One quick mixed feeling was the layout of the Islands. Got lost so many times and Island hoping felt weird and hard to backtrack for something specific. Not counting it as a straight negative because I’m fairly certain that it is on me. Just weird.
On to the negative and his name is Hau. Living Breathing nightmare known as Hau. Never wanted to beat a character more in a pokemon game more than Hau. We have been having this friendly rivalry for a few gens now, but this is the worst. Seriously, wanted Barry back and never missed Blue more. Even give me Silver. There are threats going on and he just keeps going on about the Trails and keeps smiling. At some point his tone needs to change and it doesn’t. Would trade for any rival just to get rid of his stupid smiling face.
They do hold your hand a bit to much. at the start. Button matched my way through some stuff that was probably important and they could have spaced some of this stuff out more. Which could have given you a bit more of freedom to play with. At least feel like it.
On a minor negative, way more personal, I hate the fact they got rid of the Roller Skates. They introduced such a fun way to get around and may never get over them being removed.
And that is all the negatives I got. Really had fun in Moon and loved what they brought to the table. From the designs, the story and Z moves. It did have some negatives, granted, looking at you Hau, but I can look past most of them. Seriously miss the Roller Skates though. Pokemon Moon was a blast to play and would gladly play again. Final Grade – B+
As always, I Hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading
Wrestlemania Predictions
By: Justin Hopkins
It is Wrestlemania week and boy did they not bother with the build in any possible meaning of it. Which is actually quite sad. The wrestlers have been working themselves to the bone and with the most of these matches could have had amazing builds and stories to work with, but instead, seems creative just shrugged their shoulders and said, people will be there and that is enough. Which seems lazy, I mean proper stories going in would hype up the live crowd that much more, wouldn’t it? At least some of these matches are going to be great at least. So, lets try and big brain are way to some predictions.
Night 1
Steel Cage Match Shane McMahon vs Braun Strowman
Lets get the worst out of the way, and I mean that. This is as pointless as it comes. This will either come down to Braun doing something dumb to cost himself or outsmarting Shane and I couldn’t care less. We got Owens to do a big jump or fall, we don’t need Shane on the card and Braun needs something better to do. Going to go with Braun for the win so we can end this feud.
Winner – Braun Strowman
Tag Team Turmoil for the number 1 contender ship to to Women’s Tag Team Championship match – Naomi and Lana vs Mandy Rose and Dana Brooke vs Natalya and Tamina vs The Riott Squad
Wacky theory, Becky Lynch and Charlotte as surprise entrance. Probably going to see Carmella and Billie, although an Iconic reunion would be so much more welcome. It’s not going to be the Riotts is it. Despite them being the most well rounded team on the roster. You can see how they work together as a team. Making double team moves and just deserving so much more than the nothing they have gotten in return. It will probably be Tamina and Nattie, but I will tossing a prediction to go with the team that deserves it.
Winner – Riott Squad ( Send them to NXT they need the teams and Riotts can be used.)
Raw Tag Team Championship match – AJ Styles and Omos vs New Day (Champions)
So while this has come out of nowhere and been a bit more on the comedic side. I am looking forward to seeing what Omos can do. Think his partnership with AJ is just what he needs. With the workhorse in AJ doing the work and Omos being the powerhouse and AJ being a grandslam champion is just a nice thing. So, we are getting new Tag Team Champions.
Winners and new Tag Team Champions – AJ Styles and Omos
Bad Bunny and Damion Priest vs The Miz and John Morrison
Alright, hands up, I don’t know much about Bad Bunny but as far as Celebrities at this years mania go, all for this to happen. He has been putting in a ton of work and I think we might see a surprise here in the form that he is going to be the one in trouble and have to make the tag to Priest for the hot tag, but their is no way Bunny is losing this match.
Winner – Bad Bunny and Damion Priest
Cesaro vs Seth Rollins
So, I keep pulling for Cesaro. Getting my hopes up and getting dashed, but I am still pulling for the Swiss Superman and if these two are given the time. They can really steal the show and the push for Cesaro continues.
Winner – Cesaro
Smackdown Women’s Championship Match – Bianca Belair vs Sasha Banks (Champion)
Hey we are up to one of those matches that needed a proper build and they have done everything they can to take the wind out of their sails. Want to say it is because they just didn’t want to build it higher than what they wanted to be the Main Event, but they didn’t book anything to feel like a Main Event and this could have been a Main Event. It still might be, but they deserved better. They can still go out their and tear the show down and at the end, think they are going to make the change and Sasha is losing the belt.
Winner and new Women’s Champion – Bianca Belair
WWE Championship Match – Drew McIntyre vs Bobby Lashley (Champion)
This has either been the most big brain situations were they split the Hurt Business to allow them to interfere or the most dumb. Breaking up the Hurt Business to get Drew cheered instead of just making Drew more likeable. The Money in the Bank cash in should have happened after Mania. Book Lashley to bee an unstoppable Monster and make the Hurt Business unlikeable and Drew and Battered warrior still holding his ground, with his title. Instead of just fine. Fine is for B-Level PPVs not Mania. I am backing Drew because I want him to keep his pop, although I still say he could have got that defending his belt.
Winner and WWE Champion – Drew McIntyre
Night 2
Sammi Zayn vs Kevin Owens
Oh, I so hope they are just allowed to fight each other. The rivalry is as storied as they come and each get the best out of one another and I have got such a worried feeling it is going to be more about Logan Paul than the two who earned the bright lights of Mania. Should be higher on the card and am going to hope for the best and Owens gets his momentum back.
Winner – Kevin Owens
Intercontinental Championship Nigerian Drum Match – Apollo Crews vs Big E (Champion)
What? That about sums this match up. This should be more blood feud at this point and this feels almost like it can get a little over the top. Apollo has lost to many times and I want to see him succeed, I don’t see this being the end of the Big E run.
Winner and still Champion – Big E
The Fiend vs Randy Orton
This needed to be a Firefly Funhouse. This feud has had so many ups and downs and irritating moment, but Randy has such a vast legacy to dive into and a regular match would simply not cut it. There last was an inferno match afterall. A regular match is a step back.
Winner – The Fiend
Raw Women’s Championship Match – Rhea Ripley vs Asuka (Champion)
During the ” Can they Coexist” rerun we have seen 5 or six times this year, we saw flashes of what fun these two could have had in this feud. With Rhea screwing Asuka by tagging her with a pat on the head or them ignoring the other during tag moments. This Rivalry had one moment of excellence when Rhea threw the table into her face, Asuka was a star when they didn’t know how to handle the empty arena and out of anyone, deserved something special and she didn’t get it and unfortunately for her. Only one way to salvage the mess they made of the women’s division and that means putting the belt on Rhea. Give her at least fifteen minutes to close her reign on a high.
Women’s Tag Team Championship Match The Riott Squad vs Shayna Baszler and Nia Jax (Champion)
This tag team title reign has been an absolute plague on the Women’s Roster for months. It is bad writing all around. That has ruined both the Raw and most definitely Smackdown’s Women’s Feud going into Mania. As well as bury the ridiculously talented Shayna and protected Nia for who knows what reason. I am going with the Riotts cause they are my choice, but whoever wins the turmoil match, needs to win this match. Get those belts off them and get Shayna off this go awful team and get her back to being the Queen of Spades.
Winner’s and new Women’s Tag Team Match – Riott Squad
U.S Championship Match – Sheamus vs Riddle
it will be a fun match and while I want Sheamus to get a reward for his hard work. Want to see a longer title reing start taking priority and with that, going to go with Riddle.
Winner and still U.S Champion – Riddle
Universal Championship Match – Daniel Bryan vs Edge vs Roman Reigns
This is the hardest match to book and sure while it was a bit of a botch and they had to hurry and put Bryan in. This match should be excellent and I am really looking forward to it. While I kind of want top see Bryan walk away the victor. I can’t see Edge not winning the belt here. It is the anniversary of him having to retire and just poetic. See Edge pinning Bryan and dropping the belt to Roman at the next PPV.
Winner and new Universal Champion – Edge
As always, I hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading.
Godzilla VS. Kong
By Paul Anthony
Well folks the wait is finally over and now the entire world gets to watch Godzilla vs. Kong. I have to admit that this series as a whole gave a little of everything to its fanbase and because of that, it become such a fun ride and I love this series. Now When this film was first announced and was going to be released just a year later, I thought that would be the biggest mistake because the hype was real and these two monsters needed the right build up to get us pumped for this film. I am glad this movie was delayed but also sad that this film couldn’t be released in all theaters to see what type of box office draw this film really is. Now with that being said, it still had the highest opening total during this pandemic which it came in at 123 million plus another 9 million in America, now the budget was between 160 and 200 million which sounds like it would be a flop but this is a different times so for now its a hit. The good news is that this film is still killing it in the pandemic box office with a worldwide gross of 285 million, crazy to say this but this film is only 100 million away from the previous film Godzilla: King of the Monsters. Even though the previous film wasn’t a big hit, Fans have been dying for this film and I know I have and of course the question did it live up to expectations of the fan base since you had two fan favorites duking it out.
Now the film takes place five years after the events of Godzilla: King of Monsters and everything seems to be fine, except Godzilla starts to randomly attack cities, though Madison Russel believes there is something going on below the surface. At the same time we learn that Kong who is still on Skull island but it is revealed that he lives in giant dome as Monarch watches over him which is explain to keep himself from Godzilla. Apex Cybernetics CEO Walter Simmons wants to find a new power source which is located in Hollow Earth and he recruits Nathan Lind to lead a team there. Nathan knows that he needs Kong’s help to lead the way because he believes its the titans home and where Kong family or species ruled there, he finally convinces Dr. IIrene Andrews who is basically Kong’s handler that Kong would safe from Godzilla because they would use a path that Godzilla wouldn’t use and then we get round 1 and it was pretty epic basically Godzilla won with a knockout by dragging him deep in the water to drown him and if it wasn’t for the navy Kong would have died but they play dead and Godzilla goes back into the sea so they agree to fly him to the Antarctica where there is a path to hollow earth which they hope Kong can lead them to hollow earth and to this power source which he does but we quickly learn that Apex had other plans with the power source which we learn from Madison and her friends who agree clear Godzilla and learn that Apex has built MechaGodzilla which is telepathically controlled by Ren who is the son of Ishiro who died in the previous film to help Godzilla but in order to control Mecha they way they are doing it, they needed one of King Ghidorah’s head which basically means Mechagodzilla is King Ghidorah second coming. Back In Hollow Earth Kong found his battle axe that his family once used which was a bone and Fin from another Godzilla. Once again the two titans meet up in Hong Kong and for a split second or say round 2 Kong one using the battle axe on Godzilla which absorbed his atomic breath but then Godzilla went into range mode and just had his way with Kong nearly killing him again but didn’t because Kong basically tapped out. However MechaGodzilla kills everyone at Apex and escapes meeting beating both titans until the two work together to defeat him. Afterwards Godzilla approves of Kong and returns to the sea and Kong goes home into Hollow Earth which he now rules and godzilla rules earth as his kingdom making them both kings.
This was a good movie but could have been great, some of the things I really enjoyed was the visual effects and the battle scenes. Seeing Godzilla only felt right but keeping Kong a live was smart move as well. They found the middle ground which was important to do if you wanted to keep both characters alive, though there is no film planned yet. The plot with human side was weak at best with the main characters we had no real back story or good enough details the only two characters we had history is Madison and Mark and Mark was basically reduced to a cameo which was disappointing. in the end I am giving this a hit and a grade of a A or 90 percent and will say its must watch. I loved the rage Godzilla!!
Genwunner Plays Pokemon X
By: Justin Hopkins
So, this has been a project that got set aside for a bit. Having left off with Soul Silver back in December. Knew it was going to take a bit to circle back, but took me a bit longer than even I was expecting, but I am glad to be back to it. Enjoying myself more than I thought I would and looked forward to X in particular. There move to 3ds and a jump from 2d sprites. Curious to see how they would change with it. So, with that said, lets jump in and talk bout Mui’s journey through and my thoughts.
My Journey
Mui’s journey kicks off in Vanivelle Town. Daughter of a former Rhyhorn Racer and Professor Sycamore has called upon the five kids from town. Meeting up with them one town over, Shauna, who wants to make memories with her friends. Trevor, wants to fill Pokedex. Tierno, the dancer and Calem, Mui’s rival who you will grow to despise. Mui’s first act was declaring herself as Lady M… and took Fennekin and named her Asuka. Joined shortly after by Io, the Scatterbug. Working our way toward Santalune City where everything stopped when we got he Roller Skates and spent so much time skating around town. Getting a little to carried away and forgot to heal and lost my first shot at the gym. Got it the next time and went to finally meet the Professor. Meeting us all, and while he wants us to all have our on reason for adventure, really wants to know about Mega Evolution and challenges me to a fight and I get to pick from the original starters. My mind told me to go with Squirtle, but my heart won the day and Bayley the Bulbasaur joined the team. Trying to leave but bumped in Lysandre. The obvious baddie. Retreating a bit, to put off with meeting with Calem, I added a Honedge who I named Abadon, but I eventually went and met Calem. Listening to more of Lysandre’s rant to Diantha and finally got to move on. Becoming a duke and woke a sleeping Snorlax. Finding Maki the Mawile in Glittering Cave and chased off Team Flare. Picking the Jaw Fossil and the second gym badge. Added Hawlucha that I called Lita for a bit, but was short lived. After beating Korrina for her badge and lost the rematch, she won on a one hit crit. I decided to finally run with Lucario after passing twice before and Hirsch was added in place of Lita. Taking care of Flare at the power plant and destroyed Clemont for his stupid quiz. Getting lost trying to find Sycamore and spent a fortune in Cab fair all for a Calem fight and Lysandre rant, I felt cheated. Cleared out the Pokeball factory and stumbled into the Fairy Gym by accident, but wasn’t a problem, my team, may not be over-leveled but still swept her with ease. At the next town everything stopped again. Going to fetch a pokemon for the lonely widow, in the form of a Zigzagoon. Barely escaping another Calem fight after the gym because Lysandre finally went crazy. Threatening to kill everyone not involved with Team Flare. Fighting my way through his knockoff Team Rocket layer. Just to have them activate the Ultimate Weapon anyway. Powered by Legendary Pokemon Xerneas. Which I masterballed, didn’t have the resources or health to widdle him down. Escaping the explosion and went back to the circuit. Where I not only had to deal with Sycamore one time, but fight Shauna, Tiern and Trevor in a fun battle on a rope bridge. Which I had fun with, beacuse these three hadn’t hounded me the whole game for a fight. Asuka dealt with Wulfur with ease and off to the Elite Four. Where Bayley stepped up as MVP. Where she not only sole survived twice, one of which against Malva, to bring home the Championship. Post Game, I caught Mewtwo and Zygarde, which I named Sonya and Shayna. I did a few rounds in the Battle Mansion and traded a Kirlia for Dantha’s Ralts and since Shauna was so nice and didn’t challenge me every other town, traded Xerneas for Chespin, before retiring back home.
Review
We are going to kick off with the pros, and want to start with the obvious and the designs of the pokemon. Which I did really like. Pokemon like Honedge, Skiddo and Hawlucha had some really cool designs and relit my desire to catch as many different pokemon as I could. The introduction to the Fairies not only opened themselves up for some interesting designs but breathed some new life into Pokemon like Mawile who needed some love. Then you got the Mega Evolution. A fun mechanic that while I was fifty fifty on some of the looks, the ones I did like, I loved. Really built up the desire to seek out as many of the stones you could to see them all.
Thought this was a good first step into the world of 3d for them. It could be a bit wonky at times, when you are entering doors or trying to get someone’s attention at times, but felt like it was fine. The scenery looked good and liked the fact they added stuff to design your character and just help try to pull you into the game a bit more. A few of the gym designs, like the one in the city and the Fairy one were knockoffs of ones from Generation 1, but I did like the dollhouse aesthetic. Really loved the spider web and circular dimension in the psychic one and the roller skate rink which brings me to the next one.
I loved the Roller Skates. I was so happy and just skated around for the sake of it. Love roller blading and fact I got to skate around in game was such a blast. It is officially my favorite way to get around and, little hint, I have finished Moon as of this blog, hurts that they got ride of it. Was one of my favorite parts of the game.
To round off the pros, I liked the group dynamic they were trying for. Friends who all had their own desires. Not all trying for the same thing. Liked Shauna just wanting to have fun with her friends and Trevor just wanting fill out the Dex and got a kick out of Tiern just wanting to dance. None of them really wanted to fight but find different objectives, but at the same time they felt incomplete.
This game for all the good they showed, all seemed to leave things incomplete. We could have done more with Tiern and his desire to find dancing pokemon. That could have lead to a fun side mission. Didn’t even try with Trevor. Just reads your pokedex and says you won. That could have been a fun challenge to have in the game. To try and beat him in completing the Pokedex and Calem just got annoying. Friendly rivals don’t work. Pick a lane or don’t try.
Don’t get me wrong. I kind of feel bad for Team Flare. Team Plasma was such a good group, that it would have been difficult for them to have to follow them, but they didn’t even try . They are just there to be in your way and Lysandre feels so hollow. Seeing him die in the end was probably the only interesting thing they do with him because you don’t expect it to happen. But short of that, he falls short and that kind of carries over to Sycamore as well. He is just boring. Wants you to go for Mega Evolutions, but every time just shrugs his shoulders and says or whatever you want. Speak with some conviction, show you care. Only reason he is memorable is because you get a second starter.
Pokemon X almost sits perfectly on the middle. Some good things, some bad things. Had Megas and Roller Skates. Pokemon designs that love to hollow characters and a pest of a friend, but I didn’t hate my time in Kalos. It is an easy playthrough and glad I played and would play again and for those reasons I would give it a grade of B-.
As always, I hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading.
NXT Stand and Deliver Predictions
By: Justin Hopkins
While the Wrestlemania build has been rather lacking across the board. At least we have the warming comfort of NXT to look forward to. I was a little surprised when they announced that it would be over two nights. Certainly stacked both nights with with some gold standards Championship Matches and blood feuds that can rank among best of the year by the end of it all. So, lets jump in and try and big brain our way to some predictions shall we.
Night 1
Kushida vs Pete Dunne
This is going to be fun. A match based around who is the best technical wrestlers. Going to be a different style that will fit perfectly between some of the matches to come and while each of them kind of need the win here. Going to go with Dunne for the win. To try and get some of his momentum back following the loss to Baylor.
Winner-Pete Dunne
NXT Triple Threat Tag Team Championship match – MSK vs Grizzled Young Veterans vs Legado Del Fantasma
Building off their recent vacancy to crown the new Tag Team Champions. We can drop Legado del Fantasma, I think this is coming down to the Vets and MSK and I so want to say MSK. Do to the time of the year and the heels normally losing, but this might be an exception. See the Grizzled Young Veterans pick up the win here and building to the third match down the line. Which I want to see happen.
Winners and new NXT Tag Team Champions – Grizzled Young Veterans
Gauntlet for the number 1 contender for the North American Championship – Isiah “Swerve” Scott vs Leon Ruff vs Bronson Reed vs Cameron Grimes vs L.A Knight vs Dexter Lumis
So, the winner of this will go on to face Johnny Gargano of night two. Now, any one of these guys can go on and tear it up with Gargano, would love to see Cameron, that would be hysterical. There is only one will winner here. Lumis has been tormenting The Way for weeks. Barring a really shock win. Can only really go with Lumis for the win.
Winner – Dexter Lumis
U.K Championship Match – Tommaso Ciampa vs WALTER (Champion)
This match is just going to be brutal. They are just going to beat the snot out of one another in all of the most wonderful of ways. WALTER throwing chops that will echo throughout the surrounding area and Ciampa doing everything he can imagine to take him down. It’s be grueling and devastating and done to perfection but when the fighting is over, I don’t exoect the title to change hands.
Winner and still Champion – WALTER
NXT Women’s Championship – Raquel Gonzales vs Io Shirai (Champion)
This is the match I am looking forward to the most. Io wanting to face the best and with her constant attack on Raquel last week. Raquel looks like an absolute world beater right now. Give them the time they need and believe they can steal the night and maybe even the week. As much as I have loved the matches Io has had with the belt. Time to put the belt of someone new and Raquel has been set up perfect and on Wednesday, Io’s time has come.
Winner and new Champion – Raquel Gonzales
Night 2
Cruiserweight Unification Ladder match – Santos Escobar vs Jordan Devlin
Having Shawn Micheals to set this ladder match up was perfect. A match set up thanks to Jordan not being able to travel thanks to travel restrictions. While I feel bad that Jordan didn’t get his full run with the belt. Kind of want to see Escobar keep the belt here. Keep it going for a bit longer and really feel like someone has to ascend to a whole new level to take the belt from him.
Winner and Cruiserweight Champion – Santos Escobar
NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship Match – The Way vs Shotzi Blackheart vs Ember Moon (Champions)
I can tell you about how excited I am for this match and point out the possibility of The Way winning, but I can’t. I love the tag team of Shotzi and Ember and think they have one of the coolest entrances going. The belts are new and they need to do a better job on them. Which means keeping the belts were they are.
Winners and still NXT Women’s Champions – Shotzi Blackheart and Ember Moon
NXT North American Championship – Dexter Lumis vs Johnny Gargano (Champion)
Since I am going with Lumis figure we will keep it going. It’ll be a good match and at the end of the day, think they are going with Lumis. If he doesn’t win they are going to have to go back to the drawing board cause I don’t think he can take a loss at the moment.
Winner and new North American Champion – Dexter Lumis
Unsanctioned Match – Kyle O’Reily vs Adam Cole
Oh, this is going to be so good and perfect counterpart to the likes of Walter vs Ciampa. While that match is going to be brutal within the ring. Kyle and Cole is going to be the outrageous destruction of former friends turned bitter enemies in all of it’s glories. This match is just going to be great. Storytelling and production at its finest and I don’t know who to pick and pretty sure the aftermath Roderick is going to pick the bones, but I am gfoing to go with Cole for the win.
Winner – Adam Cole
NXT Championship Match – Karrion Kross vs Finn Baylor (Champion)
It is weird, this is the top title of NXT and feels like just another match. Nothing against either guy. match is going to be good. Just what it has to go up against. I am going to go with Kross. To get him back on pace before his injury.
Winner and new NXT Champion – Karrion Kross
As always, I hope you enjoyed and….
Thank You For Reading.
SmashWriting 
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