xoliana
Member Since: July 31, 2016Reviews
Guess Who Board Game
This board game is somewhat newer, when you consider games like Monopoly and Clue have been around for several decades. Still, I hold Guess Who in high regard, and wouldn't hesitate to put it among the classics (like the aforementioned Monopoly and... +
This board game is somewhat newer, when you consider games like Monopoly and Clue have been around for several decades. Still, I hold Guess Who in high regard, and wouldn't hesitate to put it among the classics (like the aforementioned Monopoly and Clue).
My parents first bought this game for my brother and I when we were in Florida for Christmas in the nineties. We fell in love with it right away, and we played it non-stop! It's a very easy game for kids to learn, and it's a short game too. Sometimes you don't want to get into a lengthy board game session, and this is a great alternative because you can fit in several rounds in one evening.
The idea behind the game is that you each have one game board that has these flippable pieces. Each flippable piece has the picture of a person, who has a name. Each player will pick a card, and it's up to the other person to GUESS WHO is on the other player's card. You do this by asking questions such as, "is your person male or female?" "does your person wear a hat?" And so on and so forth, until you know the answer.
I'm not sure if they've updated the game boards at all since the nineties, but it used to be incredibly one-sided if one person had a female. There were only five females in total, which made it very easy to guess. I hope they've added more female characters since then, to even the playing field!
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Moon (2009)
Moon is a 2009 sci-fi film written and directed by Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie. It stars Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey. It's hard to describe the film without giving too much away, but essentially it's about a man named Sam Bell (Sam... +
Moon is a 2009 sci-fi film written and directed by Duncan Jones, son of David Bowie. It stars Sam Rockwell and Kevin Spacey.
It's hard to describe the film without giving too much away, but essentially it's about a man named Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell). Sam lives on an excavation site on the moon, where he's been working for the last three years to develop new ways to conserve energy for the population on Earth. Living in isolation so long has finally taken its toll on Sam, who begins to have a mental breakdown. Kevin Spacey plays his robotic assistant, GERTY.
This film is nothing short of a masterpiece. For such a low-budget feature, it looks truly amazing. This came out around the same time as Avatar, and sadly this flew under the radar, but needless to say the quality of the film far surpasses that of Avatar, the latter of which gained far more popularity and time in the spotlight.
Sam Rockwell has been one of my favourite actors for years, and his performance in this is absolutely stellar. The fact that he wasn't nominated for an Oscar is a shame, because it's one of the finest performances I've ever seen on film (that's saying a lot!). He carries the entire film on his shoulders and does so magnificently. Very few people can capture your attention for a whole film like he does.
I whole-heartedly recommend Moon to any film lover. It's a must-see piece of cinema. The film is rated R and has a running time of 97 minutes.
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Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a spin-off of both the Professor Layton and Ace Attorney game series. It was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2014. Chronologically speaking, this takes place between the events of Professor... +
Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is a spin-off of both the Professor Layton and Ace Attorney game series. It was released for the Nintendo 3DS in 2014. Chronologically speaking, this takes place between the events of Professor Layton and The Diaboloical Box and Professor Layton and The Unwound Future; in the Phoenix Wright series, it takes place between Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations and Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney.
The story follows Professor Hershel Layton, his apprentice Luke Triton, as well as Phoenix Wright and his friend Maya Fey, as they all investigate the mystery of Labyrinthia. Labyrinthia turns out to be a strange old book which transports its readers to a medieval village, where witches and magic are all real.
This blends the gameplay styles of both games. If you're unfamiliar, the Professor Layton series are mystery games in which you solve a bunch of interactive puzzles. In Phoenix Wright, you typically investigate a crime scene to collect evidence, which you then present in a courtroom. You cross-examine the witness and point out and contradictions with the evidence you've collected. Each chapter in this game has you going back and forth between the two lead characters, so sometimes you'll be solving puzzles, and at other times you'll be in a medieval court setting.
The puzzles in this game are neither too easy nor too hard. I found them, on the whole, to be easier than some of the games in the main series. Likewise, the courtroom gameplay was also moderately difficult, presenting no alarming challenge. The courtroom gameplay is different from that of the main series because you will be cross-examining more than one person at a time, so each person will say something, and then it will go to the next person. Someone else may then chime in and disagree with what someone else has just said.
The animations are very nice and colourful, and I think all of the characters worked together quite well. It didn't feel odd to have the two different gameplay styles together in one game. I do think it was a bit short in comparison to some of the other games in each series, which detracts a little from the value, but overall it's a nice gaming experience, and certainly a joy for fans of either series, particularly as it was lucky it even made it overseas from Japan. Now if only they would release the Sherlock Holmes spin-off here...
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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is the sixth game in the Ace Attorney series. It was released on the 3DS in 2016. The story once again follows lead attorneys Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes. Also returning are... +
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Spirit of Justice is the sixth game in the Ace Attorney series. It was released on the 3DS in 2016.
The story once again follows lead attorneys Phoenix Wright, Apollo Justice, and Athena Cykes. Also returning are fan favourite characters Maya Fey, Ema Skye, Trucey Wright, and Miles Edgeworth. Each case is split between Phoenix, who has travelled to the Kingdom of Khura'in to visit Maya, and Apollo, who is holding down the fort with Athena back in America. The two stories then become intertwined along the way
There are five cases to play, as well as one additional downloadable case. They are as follows:
1) The Foreign Turnabout -- Khura'inese law is much different than what Phoenix is used to -- defense lawyers essentially do not exist, as the court instead relies upon seances (as performed by Princess Rayfa) which reveal the victim's final moments. Most people are put to death immediately after each seance. Phoenix steps in to defend a small child, much to the dismay of the people in Khura'in who are looking for swift justice. If he doesn't prove his client's innocence, they will BOTH be put to death!
2) The Magical Turnabout -- Back in America, Apollo has to defend Phoenix's adopted daughter Trucey after a stage show goes wrong, and she's accused of murder.
3) The Rite of Turnabout -- In Khura'in, Phoenix has been reunited with Maya the day before she's supposed to take part in an ancient ritual. Afterwards, it's revealed that the other participant has been murdered, and she is the only suspect. Many twists are ahead in this one, and it sets up the idea of revolution in Khura'in, which continues on in case five.
4) Turnabout Storyteller -- Athena and her friend, Prosecutor SImon Blackquill, help defend a young man who has been accused of murdering his mentor in cold blood. One of the shorter cases in the game, with no investigation as it takes place entirely in the courtroom.
5) Turnabout Revolution -- In America, Apollo reunites with the man who raised him. They first work to solve the murder of a man in a nearby village, who had promised to entrust Apollo's father with a precious artifact. Later, they travel to the Kingdom of Khura'in where Maya has been taken hostage. A lengthy, but truly excellent case.
6) (downloadable) Turnabout Time Traveller -- Taking place in America, you play as Phoenix, who meets up with his old pal Larry Butz. Larry is accompanied by a young bride who is accused of killing someone at the ceremony. Twist: she also claims to be a time traveller.
This has some of the best character design out of the entire series. The Khura'inese characters have a great mix of Indian and Japanese qualities to them, and they're not only really beautifully drawn, but very interesting and full-fleshed out. The introduction of the seances in court is a nice addition. They were a bit difficult to figure out at times, and admittedly, I had to look for help online, but I never got really frustrated.
My biggest complaint with this title is the fact that some of the storylines were a bit convoluted. They tried to pack too many twists into each case, which eventually got tiresome. It's still one of the better games in the series, though, and one which I would recommend on the whole.
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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is the fifth game in the Ace Attorney series. It was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2013, as well as IOS in 2014. The story follows both lead attorneys from the series, Phoenix Wright and Apollo... +
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies is the fifth game in the Ace Attorney series. It was released on the Nintendo 3DS in 2013, as well as IOS in 2014.
The story follows both lead attorneys from the series, Phoenix Wright and Apollo Justice. After the events of the previous game, Phoenix's attorney's license was reinstated, and he and Apollo begin working together at the Wright Anything Agency, along with Athena Cykes. Their agency not only works as a law office, but it also doubles as a talent agency for Phoenix's adopted daughter, Trucey, who is a fledgling magician.
There are five cases, as well as one additional downloadable case. They are as follows:
1) Turnabout Countdown -- Court is interrupted by the ticking of a bomb. The court is left in ruins, and there's one casualty as well as several injuries. Athena Cykes, rookie lawyer and specialist in the field of analytical psychology, is sent to defend her childhood friend, who has been accused of setting the bomb off.
2) The Monstrous Turnabout -- This case takes place in a traditional Japanese village, where people dress up as Japanese Youkai (spirits, demons, monsters) and battle each other as a form of entertainment for those who visit. A heinous accident has taken place, and Apollo must investigate the truth behind the incident.
3) Turnabout Academy -- As one would expect, this takes place at a school. Phoenix is giving a seminar on law when one of the professors is found dead. It's up to Athena to once again defend her friend, but there are three other students who seem a lot more suspicious.
4) The Cosmic Turnabout -- Apollo's best friend is an astronaut, who is murdered right after his spaceship explodes. This takes place concurrently with case one, with the courtroom bombing. Because Apollo was injured in the bombing, Phoenix and Athena must take the case instead.
5) Turnabout for Tomorrow -- This case also ties together with cases one and four. Some new evidence links Athena to the murder of Apollo's friend, and it's up to Phoenix to bring to light the truth of the matter.
6) (downloadable case) Turnabout Reclaimed -- This takes place before the other cases in the game. It's the first case after Phoenix has been reinstated as an attorney, and he is sent to defend -- of all things -- an Orca, who has been accused of murdering its trainer at an aquarium.
This game integrates the new technology of the 3DS very nicely. I really enjoyed the way the new characters looked, and how the environments were more interactive. I liked the new gameplay with Athena's Mood Matrix, which allows you to find contradictions in a person's emotions during pivotal moments. I preferred cases three, four and five the most, with cases one and two being a bit less favourable.
Overall, I would rank this third, behind games one and three.
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Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is the fourth game in the Ace Attorney series. It was releases for the Nintendo DS in 2008, and a mobile release is planned for the end of the year. This is not only the first game in the series to be entirely... +
Apollo Justice: Ace Attorney is the fourth game in the Ace Attorney series. It was releases for the Nintendo DS in 2008, and a mobile release is planned for the end of the year.
This is not only the first game in the series to be entirely developed for the DS, it's also the first game in the series to focus on a new protagonist. Set seven years after the third game, Apollo Justice is a new attorney on the scene. He finds out that famed attorney Phoenix Wright has become disgraced and disbarred, and begins to investigate what happened.
There are a total of four cases in the game, which are as follows:
1) Turnabout Trump -- Apollo's first case as an attorney, he soon finds out that his mentor, Kristoph Gavin, is notwho he seems. At the end of the story, Phoenix invites Apollo to start working out of his old law offices.
2) Turnabout Corner -- After accepting Phoenix's offer, Apollo is sent to investigate three crime scenes which may or may not be connected. This case introduces Ema Skye, a forensic specialist who helps you test things for things like fingerprints and blood.
3) Turnabout Serenade -- Prosecutor Klavier Gavin -- brother of Kristoph Gavin, Apollo's former mentor -- invites everyone to his concert, where things quickly turn south. A female musician is accused of murdering her manager, and Apollo takes the case.
4) Turnabout Succession -- This is the case where we finally learn about the supposedly falsified evidence that got Phoenix thrown out of court years ago. It also involves a family member of Apollo's.
I would probably put this a step up from the second game in the series. There are a few new gameplay elements here, including the ability to spot when someone is lying, which I think is quite neat. Very often in life, whenever we lie, we have a subconscious "tell" which reveals that we aren't telling the truth. This played on that quite well.
Still, I felt the cases could have been stronger. They're still lacking in comparison to some of the other games in the series. Part of this could have been the absence of such beloved characters, but part of it is definitely just the writing.
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Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations
Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations is the third game in the Ace Attorney series. Although it had been previously released in Japan for the Gameboy Advance, it wasn't released in other countries until 2007, where it was released on the Nintendo... +
Phoenix Wright: Trials and Tribulations is the third game in the Ace Attorney series. Although it had been previously released in Japan for the Gameboy Advance, it wasn't released in other countries until 2007, where it was released on the Nintendo DS. It has since also been released for mobile devices, the Nintendo Wii, and the 3DS.
The story follows main character Phoenix Wright, ace attorney, as he is once again joined by his friends and helpers, Maya and Pearl Fey. There is also a new prosecutor named Godot, who is featured in both present and past as Phoenix rifles through old case files. As he reminisces, you'll get the chance to play as his former mentor, Mia Fey.
There are five cases in this game, which are as follows:
1) Turnabout Memories -- This is one case where you play as Mia, shepherded by her mentor Diego. It's her first day in court, which is sort of a throwback to Phoenix's first day in court back in case one of game one. Here, she's defending a young Phoenix, who has been accused of murder. This sets up the entire game.
2) The Stolen Turnabout -- Flash forward to present day, you're once again in Phoenix's shoes, going up against Prosecutor Godot for the first time. It turns out Godot has never acted as Prosecutor before, which is odd, but even more odd is the case itself. It's a fun one.
3) Recipe for Turnabout -- A few months later, we find that Phoenix has failed to protect a client in court -- or hashe? It's possible someone has been going around impersonating him, and doing a pretty poor job of defending his clients in court.
4) Turnabout Beginnings -- This is another case in which the gamer plays as Mia. She's defending a death row inmate, accused of having murdered a policewoman during an escape. This directly sets up case five.
5) Bridge to the Turnabout -- Playing as Phoenix again, we fond ourselves trapped on the other side of a collapsed bridge during an investigation. The events that unfold are truly astonishing.
This is easily as good as the first game, possibly even a bit better. Godot is one of my favourite characters od the series, and the development of his character is truly spectacular. Case five is nothing short of a masterpiece. If, like me, you were disappointed by the second game and reluctant to continue the series, please let me assure you that you won't be let down. Everything about this game is leaps and bounds ahead of its predecessor.
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Phoenix Wright: Justice For All
Phoenix Wright: Justice For All is the second game in the Ace Attorney series. Though it was initially released in Japan for the Gameboy Advance, it wasn't released internationally until 2007, by which point it was available on the Nintendo DS. It... +
Phoenix Wright: Justice For All is the second game in the Ace Attorney series. Though it was initially released in Japan for the Gameboy Advance, it wasn't released internationally until 2007, by which point it was available on the Nintendo DS. It has since become available on other platforms, including the Wii, the 3DS, and mobile devices.
The story once again follows Phoenix Wright, an attorney who has become known for earning a Not Guilty verdict for his clients. Also returning to this entry in the series are Maya Fey, Phoenix's friend who assists him on cases, and Miles Edgeworth, a famous prosecutor and Phoenix's childhood friend.
There are only four cases in this game, rather than the previous five. They are as follows:
1) The Lost Turnabout -- Very reminiscent of the first case in the first game, Phoenix has been hit on the head and has amnesia. This is basically an excuse to teach the player the ropes all over again as Phoenix figures out what to do in court. Even the murder weapon is the same as the first case in game one.
2) Reunion, and Turnabout -- This case introduces a few new members of the Fey family. It's all about spirit channeling, which members of the Fey family are known for. Maya finds herself accused of murder as a channelling goes awry.
3) Turnabout Big Top -- As the name would suggest, this case revolves around a circus. Phoenix is sent to investigate when the circus' main magician is accused of murdering his manager.
4) Farewell, My Turnabout -- Maya is kidnapped by a strange individual, who keeps her held hostage in an unknown location. He demands that Phoenix take on his case, lest something happen to Maya.
The only new gameplay element in this game is the addition of the Psyche-lock, which is a sort of mental block that an individual puts in place to prevent Phoenix from prying any further. With the help of something called aagatama, you can break these locks provided you have proper evidence to support your claims. If you make a mistake, you'll suffer a penalty to your health bar -- just like you would if you present the wrong evidence in court.
Overall, this game is absolutely nowhere near as good as the first. The fourth case is easily the best, but the majority of the writing is forgettable, as are the characters. I also found that there wasn't a real through-line to the plot like there was with the other titles in the series. I believe this is why it fails from a storytelling point of view.
Worth playing if you're looking to play the others, because some characters are introduced that you will need to know later. Otherwise, I wouldn't recommend it.
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Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the first game in the Ace Attorney series. Although it was originally released in Japan on the Gameboy Advance system, it didn't get an international release until 2005, and at that time it was available to play on... +
Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney is the first game in the Ace Attorney series. Although it was originally released in Japan on the Gameboy Advance system, it didn't get an international release until 2005, and at that time it was available to play on the Nintendo DS. It has since been made available on the Wii, 3DS as well as IOS and Android devices.
The story follows Phoenix Wright, a rookie attorney who serves under his mentor, Mia Fey. You play as Phoenix both in and out of the courtroom, investigating crime scenes to collect evidence, interrogating key witnesses and suspects, as well as presenting your case in court. Your job is to point out flaws in testimony by pressing thw witness or presenting contradictions via evidence in the court record. By doing this, you will come to the conclusion of who committed the crime in question.
There are a total of five cases in the first game, which are as follows:
1) The First Turnabout -- This is basically just a tutorial, as the case is quite short and is only used as a means to introduce the player to the gameplay. You'll quickly learn how to spot a contradiction in court as you cross-examine the suspect Larry Butz, Phoenix's childhood friend and an absolute idiot.
2) Turnabout Sisters -- This case starts with a bang as someone close to Phoenix is murdered, and he must investigate. This will be the first time collecting actual evidence since the first case takes place in court only.
3) Turnabout Samurai -- This case is about a television actor who is accused of murdering his co-star. This is where the game begins to get a little more complex.
4) Turnabout Goodbyes -- This case puts Prosecutor Miles Edgeworth in the spotlight, as he's accused of murder. This is one of the best cases of the entire series.
5) Rise From the Ashes -- This is a bonus case which was added specifically for the DS release. It takes advantage of the touch screen as you use the stylus to examine evidence for fingerprints and other forms of DNA.
This remains one of the best games in the series. The cases are strong, with great writing and memorable characters. If you're not really a hardcore gamer but you enjoy games that put your mind to use, this is a good place to start.
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Sunripe Flax Tracks Flax-filled Corn Chips
The Flax Tracks Flax-filled Corn Chips are a snack food from the Sunripe store. They're gluten-free, but if you have difficulty with corn or flax, I would take a pass on these. These taste pretty much the same as any other corn chip on the market... +
The Flax Tracks Flax-filled Corn Chips are a snack food from the Sunripe store. They're gluten-free, but if you have difficulty with corn or flax, I would take a pass on these.
These taste pretty much the same as any other corn chip on the market. I really enjoy the crunch of them, which is only enhanced by the flax seeds. I found that the flax seeds were small enough that they weren't difficult to chew or digest, nor did they get stuck in my teeth. Some crackers or chips with flax are especially hard on the teeth, but these were absolutely fine. I also found these to be less greasy than other chips available.
These are very small in size, so it can be easy to get carried away with portions unless you just take some in a small bowl. I feel like you probably get about the same amount of product as a bag of chips, but because these are in a little container, it may appear smaller. The label says you're getting a total of .054kg for $6.68. That's obviously more expensive than other chips, but they're a healthier specialty product, so that price is not unheard of.
I would recommend these as a small snack if you're looking for an alternative to other chips.
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