AuraAce

Q4 2017 probably.

"Do you want to become stronger, Gintoki?""No, I'm fine."

(Written on the 6th of August 2015) Konami. One of the founding fathers of video games. Creating so many amazing games that defined their eras of gaming. Metal Gear Solid, Silent Hill, Castlevania, Contra, Dance Dance Revolution, you name it. You ask yourself, where are half of these games now apart from Metal Gear Solid and most recently disappeared, Silent Hill. They have all been swept under the rug by Konami, never to see the light of day again. Silent Hill was an amazing survival horror franchise till around about Silent Hill 4, then it just became horrible sequel after horrible sequel until they just abandoned the formula that MADE the game as SUCCESSFUL as it is today, or, was. Then came a shining light, a beacon of hope for this fallen franchise, in the form of the very promising and very highly potential new entry to the franchise, Silent Hills. The demo of Silent Hills was breathtaking, an interactive trailer of sorts, it captured the atmosphere of Silent Hill, while adding its own spin onto the formula, I personally got the living shit scared out of me, and on multiple occasions too, this was it. The game that would revitalise the franchise. The game we were all waiting for. With the combined efforts of Hideo Kojima, Norman Reedus and Guillermo del Toro, they had done it, they had made the game to resurrect the Silent Hill franchise.However... They didn't. In late March of this year, 2015, it was rumoured that there were many internal discrepancies between Kojima, Konami and other members of senior staff. This led to the leaving of Hideo Kojima from Konami, prior to the release to be the finale to the Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain. Konami were led to erase all traces of Hideo Kojima after this occurred, including any marketing materials, as well as Kojima Productions. In late April of 2015, del Toro announced at the San Francisco Film Society event that Silent Hills, had unfortunately, to the dismay of millions of fans all across the globe, been cancelled. Norman Reedus followed up and confirmed this on Twitter a day later. The same day that Reedus confirmed it, Konami pulled the P.T (Playable Teaser) from PlaystationStore. On the 27th of April, 2015 Konami issued a statement to popular gaming site Kotaku confirming that Silent Hills "would not be continued", but that they planned to continue the Silent Hill franchise. This sparked major chaos within the gaming community for what Konami had done to their beloved franchise, the franchise that single handedly built the foundations of the survival horror genre.Very recently, in a bid to "renew" Castlevania, Konami only went and dug their hole even deeper by releasing Castlevania: Erotic Violence... Yes. You're reading that right. Konami thought it would be a good idea to make an erotic pachinko machine. And that's not the only pachinko machine to come out, Konami recently revealed a Silent Hill pachinko machine, sort of a "firetruck you" to all those fans still angry at the cancellation of Silent Hills. You will be wondering what is going through the minds of those at Konami. You and the rest of the gaming community. A company who stood as a staple, a juggernaut in the world of gaming, has fallen so low. It was also reported by an anonymous insider working at Konami that working conditions were way below what you would expect from a company like this, almost prison like. Staff who were once a part of the illustrious Kojima productions, are allegedly working on computers that do not house internet and are only allowed to send internal messages to other employees. There are also cameras in every single corner of every office, you would think that these are to protect the company's integrity and the safety of its employees. You would be dead wrong. These cameras are in place to monitor every move of the staff, to spy on them and watch their every move, like a predator stalking its prey. It is also reported that well renowned developers at Konami are being put into lower jobs such as janitorial jobs, or even put to work on the manufacture of the wretched pachinko machines. Most employees don't even get a permanent email, but a temporary one that is changed every other day, this is done to as well known gaming journalist site The Escapist put it "To prevent headhunting from other companies." You think the list of horrid working conditions stops there? Oho, no. It is also alleged that employees have a time card, and if they are out too long for a lunch break, their name is announced throughout the entire company, mocking and shaming them. Finally, if a member of staff is caught liking an employee who has left Konami's status, they will have their job reshuffled as a result of that.Do you see how far Konami have fallen? They also are reported to be moving away from games, abandoning the media that made it the powerhouse it is today. I personally think that Konami should sell all their IPs (Intellectual Properties) to other companies in order to save the legacy of franchises that are now inevitably doomed to become a licensing shell. However, all hope is not lost, at least not for Castlevania, as the massive explosion of spiritual successor of Castlevania, headed by the father of Castlevania, Koji Igarashi, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Knight, is showing huge potential and funding. I want to know YOUR opinion on the matter. Do you think Konami have fallen? Or do you think they will realize their mistakes and turn it around?

Rightyo, time to kick my return to KH13 off with a bang by reviewing EA Sport's next lineup of copy/paste yearly releases, FIFA 16. Now, I am a big football/soccer fan, I've lived growing up with it all my life, so it's a no brainer that I would be interested with the FIFA name alone. No, I'm not talking about the corrupt, blackmailing, money laundering FIFA, I mean the video game. From an outsider perspective, FIFA is no more than the same game every year, you kick a ball around a park until someone kicks it in the net. Seems simple enough, right? Wrong. Every year, they are constantly putting in small clinks to improve the graphics if anything else. Whether it be the only recently implemented vanishing spray of referees or the moving of the corner flag. EA Sports never tend to improve upon the gameplay, they always keep it the same or, in this FIFA's case, degrade the gameplay. Which brings me to the point of this post. The review. As with all of my reviews, there will be given categories on different aspects of the game/anime/movie/etc, in this case game. These categories will be the following. Gameplay Story (Kind of non-existent here but I will improvise) Animation/Graphics Music With that out of the way and set we are off and I hope you enjoy this review of arguably the most demanded sports game of the gaming calender, EA Sport's FIFA 16. GAMEPLAY: Ahh... Here we go. The gameplay of FIFA 16 is... Very flat in accord to other FIFAs. It lacks the edge needed to take over the Sports genre, although still being worlds ahead of its closest competitor, Pro Evolution Soccer. The game lacks what past FIFAs have had in abundance, pace. The game is very slow to go, the movement of players is sluggish and the overall pace of the game has been toned down dramatically, whether that be for better or worse, you decide. We are still at the stage where Per Mertesacker is catching up to Cristiano Ronaldo, which is not good as in FIFA 16 they have a pace difference of 61 ratings, as demonstrated in this picture. The goalkeepers have not improved like EA promised they would. Goalkeeping AI is still awful, there have been many time already where my goalkeeper has let me down on a questionable conceded goal or mistake, making me frustrated enough to want to throw my controller across the room. Referee's decision making is still absurd, calling offsides when the ball and player are clearly onside or vice-versa. I have also noticed, along with many other people in the FIFA community, that not only is the play slow and sluggish, the AI seem to hold up the ball way too much. The AI, if playing them on World Class or Legendary, will pass it around, backwards, sideways, backwards, sideways for around 30 minutes a half, depending on how many minutes a half you are playing on, and then somehow ping a ball from their box to yours with the vision of a god, leaving your defense like lost puppys scrambling back to the box, also leaving many times where it is 2 v 1 or 1 v 1. Luckily though, the goalkeepers, despite having ridiculously dumb AI, are very dependable to the point where they are OP. Which brings me to another point, there is a MAJOR lack of goals scored or even goalscoring opportunities in this game, has anyone else realized that? Most games in FIFA 16, I have found, have ended in boring 1-0 games or even more boring, 0-0 draws, with there being less than 10 shots during the entire match, and leaving the opposition with around about 65%+ possession, further proving the stupidity of the passing moves the AI makes. And don't even get me started on when the AI try to hold up the ball at your corner flag when they're drawing or winning in a bid to waste time as I and many other can agree it is one of the most frustrating things in the world. In previous FIFAs, you could cross it easily and at least have a chance to get a header on target, but this time, 9/10 times the goalkeeper will come off his/her line and either parry it away or catch it. You could also, with a good enough winger, cut inside and have a good chance at goal or even a chance to scrape out a penalty, but in this FIFA, the dribbling is so sluggish that defenders have to put in little to no effort to get it away from your feet and either pass it away or clear it to high heaven. Ultimate Team is still there, I guess, however still holds the controversial Price Ranges on players in an attempt to stop coin selling websites, There are, however good things about this game, very minor and too far and few between, but nonetheless there. Crazy, I know, considering how I have criticized it thus far. The introduction of the woman's game of football is a very nice and welcomed feature to FIFA, the possibility of playing with the likes of Hope Solo and the current Woman's Ballon D'Or holder, Nadine Keßler. The passing has also somewhat improved in the gameplay of this game, with it becoming more easy to string together a number of passes and make an attack at the other side. But, unfortunately for FIFA 16, there are way too many negatives outweighing the positives in this iteration of FIFA, which has inevitably lead to a much more inferior game to FIFA 15. Which leaves me to score the gameplay of FIFA 16 with an embarrassing 5/10. Not a very good start for FIFA 16. STORY CAREER MODE: As you can see, as there is no set story in FIFA, Career Mode is going to be the subject of this category instead as it is, in essence, create your own story, either take an already well renowned team such as Manchester United, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich and continue to dominate the world of football, or take a smaller team from the lower leagues and build them up, taking them through the ranks of many countries and their numbers of divisions such as England's Barclays Premier League, Football League Championship and Football Leagues 1 and 2 or Spain's Liga BBVA and Liga Adelante and build them up to be the best of the best and fighting for the coveted League, Domestic Cup and Champions League treble. Sounds like an amazing feature, right? Too bad that EA Sports squander the chance to make an amazing feature for those who are not interested with Ultimate Team or Head to Head Seasons. First of all, and most obvious. It is basically EXACTLY THE SAME AS FIFA 15's with the exception of the Training mode which allows you to, over multiple sessions over a season, train up to 5 players, or even the 1 player in specific stats, possibly upgrading their Technical, Mental or Physical ratings or even their overall ratings over a season. This is the only major change in career mode, is it great? Yes. Does it justify the lack of development and innovation in this year's Career Mode? No way in hell it does. There is also the addition of Pre-Season Tournaments, where as a smaller team you can join to build up budget upon winning the tournament, or to just get a bit of backup cash as a bigger team. However. After about a week of playing Career Mode, I just found I was either simulating the whole tournament or flatout declining the invitation because at the end of the day, it is still just the boring old friendlies we're used to seeing, and with Crystal Palace and a budget of £29,000,000, I did not need an extra £2-3million. Overall, there isn't exactly much to talk about in this year's Career Mode. In regards to smaller changes, budgets have become a lot more reasonable this year which is a small positive, also, EA Sports said that in this year's Career Mode, Transfers were going to be a lot more realistic, with not many big transfers going around in Summer or even January Transfer windows. That is huge blatant lie as in every Career Mode I have started, which means 5/5 Career Modes, David Alaba has moved to Juventus. This is even WORSE than the last FIFA where at least there was a little deviation between what club a player moved to as Edin Dzeko would move to either Roma or Arsenal or Sergio Aguero would move to Bayern Munich or Real Madrid. Whereas in this FIFA, there is no deviation whatsoever. It's the same every single Career Mode. There isn't much else to talk about in regards to Career Mode as pretty much nothing has been changed with the exceptions of adding Training Mode and Pre-Season Tournaments into the mix. It's very frustrating to have to give Career Mode such a low score as it's my favourite mode on FIFA 16, it just has not been innovated and developed enough. EA Sports should take a leaf out of 2K's NBA 2K16 as it has a much more fleshed out and immersive Career Mode-type experience. So with heavy heart I have to rate Career Mode with an even more embarrassing 4/10. Not the score I wanted to give it, but sadly it's needed. ANIMATION/GRAPHICS: Finally. Something I can talk about in a positive light. One of FIFA's best assets has always been its ever changing and developing graphics. And this year EA Sports have hit the nail on the head with the graphics as they are stunning, realistic and very representative of the world of football. There are many more new player faces added into the game, adding for its immersion, however to have a small gripe, they could have added even more, especially for the likes of the bigger leagues like the Barclays Premier League, Bundesliga, Serie A, Liga BBVA, Ligue 1 and the Eredivisie. The player animations are smooth and sleek, despite the gameplay it is corresponding being sluggish. There are a more plentiful amount of player interactions in the real-time gameplay, like arguing with the referee, or even having both teams be near close to a brawl if a red card has been issued or a career ending tackle has been made. There is also a few more celebratory animations, such as running up to the camera to celebrate, creating a new way to well, celebrate, very reminicisent of Steven Gerrard's old celebrations of kissing the camera at Liverpool too bad he didn't kiss a Premier League trophy. You can also celebrate with subs that are training at the dugout which is a great way to celebrate if you score a last minute effort in a cup final or even a league game that decides promotion, relegation or even winning the league. EA Sports have also added the license of the Bundesliga and now includes graphics from the Bundesliga. They did this in FIFA 16 with the Barclays Premier League. I am very glad that that they're gathering more and more league licenses as it's adding to the immersion more and more. They have also included nine new stadiums into the game, being the inclusions of the three newly promoted teams to the Premier League Vicarage Road (Watford), Vitality Stadium (Bournemouth) and Carrow Road (Norwich City), as well as El Monumental (River Plate), BORUSSIA-PARK (Borussia Mönchengladbach), Fratton Park (Portsmouth, as a tribute to the late Simon Humber, Creative Director of EA Sports, who was a huge Portsmouth supporter who sadly lost his fight with cancer earlier this year), Stade Vélodrome (Olympique de Marseille), CenturyLink Field (Seattle Sounders FC) and King Abdullah Sports City (Al-Ittihad and Al-Ahli). All of these stadiums are welcomed additions, however it would be very nice to see even more stadiums introduced into the game. Overall, the graphics are as solid as they've ever been, ever developing and getting better with age, however this is sadly the only good asset this game is able to acertain, and as we all should know, graphics do not hold up a game if the game itself is terrible. But, these are the graphics and they've been given a solid score of 9/10. MUSIC/SOUND DESIGN: There... Isn't exactly much to talk about in the terms of the music in this game as in game, there is no music, that much is to be expected. However, I can say that the sounds of the crowds is near spot on. The sounds of the crowds corresponds to the moments played in the game as perfectly as you can expect. When a red card is given, the crowd will burst in a roar of boos and shouting, when a goal is scored, the crowd will get excited, you get the picture. There are also special team chants that get played when you are playing at home with certain teams. Back to the original point of this category, the music isn't its strongest point as the music is only played in the menu, obviously, so this is a lost cause for a category as it cannot really be assessed, so I'm going to rate this based solely on the sound design. As there was not much to cover in this category, it is based on sound design, which does hold up pretty well, in accordance to the graphics, they mix quite well and lead me to give a generous 7/10. Great sound design holds it up, just a shame that the music is a sort of void factor in the rating of this game. OVERALL ENJOYMENT: Now then, the overall judgement of FIFA 16. I have had it for around 4 weeks now, and I can safely say it was a very underwhelming experience. It takes around the 4 weeks I have had it to get used to the feel of the game and to get used to the massive downgrade in pace. The game is very boring compared to other FIFAs, it's repetitive with its constant 0-0 and 1-0 games. The lack of goals leads to a very boring and tiring experience that isn't enjoyable at all. I struggled through 1 season of Career Mode, simulating a lot of games where on another FIFA I would have played every single match. I did however get some kicks out of it when I scored a good longshot or the goalkeeper made a great string of saves, but other than that it is a very laclouster and mediocre experience. Compared to one of its closest competititors in the Sports video game market, NBA 2K16, it is starting to lag behind with NBA constantly developing and ever growing gameplay and innovation, something FIFA is really lacking in. Which leads me to rate my overall enjoyment of FIFA 16 with a mediocre rating of... 5/10 With a recommendation to avoid this FIFA rather than to buy it. There are many other games that can this money can be spent on. Ace's personal alternatives: As I said, NBA 2K16 is very good, I am not a fan of basketball however NBA 2K16 is much more innovative than that of FIFA 16, and I highly recommend getting that instead. You can currently get this for around the price of £42 or US$59.99. Another good game I recommend getting instead is Sword Art Online Re: Hollow Fragment, it's very good as an RPG, I've been playing it for some time now and I have enjoyed myself with every second of it. You can currently get this on the Playstation Store for around the price of £15.99 or US$19.99. I hope you guys enjoyed this review of FIFA 16, if you have any thoughts or opinions, please do reply, I'd love to see them, thank you~~!

;D

You're welcome Jackson~! Thanks Yuya~

That's the whole point of the spoilers, to stop the clutter

Nice to meet you too ^~^

I approve of your profile picture, Juvia is great

I updated my profile after 2-3 months of being away, I guess I'm back. ^^

Fairy Tail is the best anime I've ever watched. Considering I've seen Dragonball Z, that is a massive statement from me.

"future"

Time to finish all of Fairy Tail from episode 1-175 and Fairy Tail (2014) from 1-currently airing

I'm just passing by to post a little.

Here's a picture of me with Valencia Club de Futbol U14's/U15's coach Toni "Donny" Navarro after I trained with Valencia Club de Futbol for a week~ ^-^ I got given a certificate for attending the training as well as a medal for Man of The Match for my performances in goal VS Athletico Lliria, making so many saves, however conceding 1 making it 6-1 to Athletic Lliria due to the goalkeeper beforehand conceding 5 =w="

Why have I only now just discovered K-Pop? ;-;

Someone, you don't know them.

Why that face?

There's nothing harder than watching the one you love, love someone else...

So recently I went to MCM Comic Con Scotland, it was my first ever con and it's helped me so so much with my depression and anxiety problems, I had such a great time with my friends, It's one of the best day's I've ever had, I wanted to share some of the pictures I took with cosplayers with you guys! I wasn't cosplaying this year sadly because I was indecisive on who I wanted to cosplay but next year I shall be cosplaying Yato from Noragami~~ Dalek decided to stop exterminating and call a truce to visit us at the convention centre. The Chief and his lady friend took some time away from fighting the Covenant to take in the convention. Yato and Hiyori Ikki decided to come to the Near Shore to take in the sights. Goku showed an Umbreon (Meeee~~~) how to go Super Saiyan 3. Kirito broke the fourth wall and got out of Aincrad to get to the convention. Blake and Ruby stopped fighting the Grimm for a day to visit us at the con. Kairi shared a paopu fruit with me~ (A.K.A A hug ) Sora took a break from fighting Heartless to trying to catch a Heartless looking creature. Yu Narukami danced all night at the con. Xemnas took some time off duty and Namine took some time away from her drawings to visit the convention. This Stormtrooper seriously wanted to take in the Scottish culture. Sun and Yang also took time off fighting the Grimm to come to the convention. (And my two best amazing buddies in the world~~) Shiro and Sora won their way through to the convention centre. I also got a bountiful amount of goodies at the con~ Those are all the pictures I got of the con, I hope you enjoyed them~~

My profile has been updated. If anyone would like to check it out, feel free. Because it's the last update I will ever make. And this is the last Status Update I will ever make. Goodbye everyone

To all those who come across this topic I do not expect to be remembered I was once ScottishSkarmory and now AuraAce However I am officially leaving/have left KH13 I enjoyed my time on KH13, it was fun, and I had so many laughs on the site with everyone And I thank all of the wonderful people I have met on here I've met friends who I can call my family Friends who I can count on and who I cherish so dearly I've met friends who will always stick by my heart Whenever I'm in need of someone to pick my me back up They're always there Waiting To mend the broken pieces that are me I also thank everyone else who ever interacted with me I have fond memories of KH13 They'll stay with me But one thing took me over the edge And it's enough to make me depart So I am sorry to all those who would not wish to see me go I appreciate everything everyone has done for me on the site I stand alone now, however, my family members from this site Are with me, and they always will be. I want to thank the following Yuya Sakaki TehhEpikFoxTurtle Killua0707 Amber Cole Aqua7KH The Cloaked Schemer I want to thank you all for being such a wonderful family for me... Take care, everyone, I love you all. Your friendly neighbourhood Skarmory... Has now been released into the wild...

Thanks man!

Me (on the right) and my dad (on the left) on vacation in Bulgaria last week~

I can sing Passion now. Yay me?