Square Enix manga award revoked due to plagiarism

This is quite becoming the item of the day as Square Enix revoked the award to its 18th edition of the Square Enix Manga Prize awards after readers pointed that the winning story, 'Compliance -Zettai Hō Rei Toshi', by upcoming author Daiki Matsuura, plagiarized author Tow Ukubata light novel Mardock Scramble 104, licensed by Viz Media in the US.

Daiki Matsuura apologized by posting a notice, explaining that he was in a hurry to make his debut as a manga creator.

The apology notice from Monthly Shonen Gangan's editorial department said that after it received the information from readers about the possible plagiarism, it conducted an investigation and found "several points of similarity" between Matsuura's work and Ubukata's.

The editorial department wrote that in the future it would give new creators training and guidance, and the editorial department would do as much as it could to prevent something like this from happening again.

This just proves that desperation is never the right inspiration. O_O

Source: ANN

Square Enix announces new Halo action figures

New adventure for Master Chief and a visit to the past are not the only things new for Halo

Square Enix has announced it’s going to get Halo fans even more jazzed for action figures. Their wording is a bit different but their announcement that they are expanding their Halo action figure line should be taken with joyful thoughts as Square Enix knows how to do action figures. These figures are on display at E3 2011. Take a look at the new images as well as some oldies but goodies. Below is the official description from Square Enix of these two new figures.

“HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED PLAY ARTS -KAI- MASTER CHIEF (Envisioned by Square Enix Products) is an original take on Master Chief based on the iconic character from Halo: Combat Evolved. The beloved character is re-imagined with sleek lines common to the sci-fi style, iconic of other Square Enix products. While the characteristics of Master Chief remain true to the original video game, the added details and minor alterations result in delicately crafted parts with unmatched realism. The robust build adds a sense of fictional reality and massiveness present in Japanese sci-fi entertainment.

In addition to HALO: COMBAT EVOLVED PLAY ARTS -KAI- MASTER CHIEF, Square Enix Products is scheduled to also release a limited edition SPARTAN MARK V (Black). Both figures are slated for a late 2011 release.”

Dissidia 012 duodecim Final Fantasy on PSP Impression

The all-character encompassing Dissidia gets a radical round 2 roster and gameplay upgrade

Dissidia 012 duodecim Final Fantasy on PSP is a treat, plain and simple, for Final Fantasy fans. It takes and improves, tweaks, the original while upping the roster and giving a level of depth and detail, in a fighting game mind you, that only an RPG fan can truly enjoy. Pick up and play is possible but to truly appreciate all that Duodecim offers gamers really need to get into the customization. What about the rest of the game, the overall package, let’s take a look.

Gameplay – The battle between Harmony and Discord continues with even more Final Fantasy characters thrown into the fast paced battle fray. Battles pit the gamer vs. computer (or user) controlled opponents where battles are won with bravery breaks and not just straight on attacks. Gamers must ‘break’ opponents; build up bravery to then unleash special and finishing attacks. Story mode tells the tale of Harmony and Discord while varieties of battle and online modes get the friends involved. Controls remain intact from the first Dissidia, both good and bad while gamers are now able to traverse a world map which presents story driven portal and side-quest portals to battle boards, grids with obstacles and rewards on a grid. Complete the grid requirements complete the portal. Story driven battles against memorable foes are the icing on a cake full of cookie cutter foes that get tiresome to battle.

Graphics – The cut scenes are as beautiful as ever with some outstanding opening sequences and the in-game character models look good but once the action gets going it’s a bit blurry and hectic.

Sound – A true treat with many of the original voice cast reprising their roles and decades of musical scores to pick from make this one of the best sounding PSP titles ever … nuff said.

Design – A few tweaks to the original formula don’t change what was already a great PSP experience that is full of fandom for Final Fantasy addicts. There is much to learn and do with the roster and its great fun, well designed the first time and just more of the same here. Including the original game as an unlockable makes this doubly nice for fans that missed out the first time around.

Miscellaneous – Expanded roster satisfies even more Final Fantasy Otaku tastes. Adding in Lightning (FF XIII), Vaan (FF XII), Laguan Loire (FF VIII), Yuna (FF X), Kain Highwind (FF IV) and Tifa Lockhart (FF VII) really ups the roster of excellent characters. While the gameplay only feels tweaked and updated from the first Dissidia this expanded roster is what a sequel of this type should feel like.

Overall Duodecim is an outstanding package of a game for fans of Final Fantasy. Fighting game fans should not expect the next Tekken or Street Fighter but they should also expect a level of depth and playability missing in those titles. Square Enix has created a franchise, a type of game that utilizes all the best of a celebrated series and is much more than just a fighting game skinned with popular characters. A battle the twill never end, never see resolution between Harmony and Discord … does anyone else see more titles in this line, possibly on PSN or PS3 (hint, hint, wish list Square Enix).

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together Impression

An update to a classic that’s one of the finest PSP titles available

Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together on PSP is everything a series update, revival should be. It’s all the warm fuzzies remembered from the original in a new package where each aspect of the game from flow to story and graphics was examined and built almost from the ground up. The PSP is ripe with strategy role-playing games the likes of Disgaea, Jeanne D’Arc and Final Fantasy Tactics so why should gamers, fans of the genre get excited about Tactics Ogre? Simple put its dang near S-RPG perfection.

Gameplay – An epic tale of a land divided, war, alliances and betrayal that is normal watered down s-rpg fare but rather a more mature adventure with tough choices and it all unfolds on grid based maps where units take turns battling. Gamers assume the role of young (18) Denam, his sister Catiua (19) and childhood friend Vyce (18) as the three get wrapped up in a war bigger than any black and white ideals. Choices must be made, and sometimes revisited, which challenge loyalties and friendships. The core gameplay requires gamers to spend mucho time equipping and setting their parties before taking to the grid based levels. Battles unfold in a variety of manners and allies can be killed but that’s a core mechanic in the addictive and deep gameplay. Be prepared to spend hours meticulously setting up battle parties then taking turns towards victory as an epic story unfolds and there are tough choices to make.

Graphics – Sprite based and very sharp in-game. Spell and attack effects are well executed without the flare of the other titles mentioned. The grid based levels are very detailed and easy to read while the menus and navigation along with the character models are all very muted in earth tone-ish colors that carry a more realistic feel.

Sound – The score is on par with Final Fantasy in its mood setting goodness and epic feel. While have fully voiced characters would have been great it does take gamers back to a time when reading was a given with any RPG of any genre. A beautiful score to be sure.

Design – Delicious for gamers looking to spend hours customizing. The amount of abilities, weapons and classes to spend time testing, assigning and tweaking is awe inspiring and truly for the hardcore s-rpg’er. This is not just an update to a classic title but a full makeover in the best sense. It’s a game that flows and forces the gamer to make tough choices of loyalty and friendship, not all decisions are black and white, Tactics Ogre is full of gray. The leveling up of not characters but rather classes makes losing using easier to swallow and changes a bit of thinking

Miscellaneous – The World Tarot; this feature, evolved later in gameplay from the Wheel of Fortune (ability to view details of past battles) allows gamers to go back and replay key events in the games timeline. Huge and excellent addition that other RPG’s with major story changes should follow. In the past a gamer would need to have multiple save files to attempt this but now it’s decided where history can be changed and gamers benefit with hours and days of saved gameplay time.

Overall Let Us Cling Together takes a classic game and reinvents it without losing any of the original appeal. The game is enhanced in every manner and is a must have for any fan of the genre. Not must more direct way to state it than this.