Death Note

Death Note. No doubt you have all heard about it, if not shame on you. It is one of the more intelligent mangas to have ever left Japan that spawned two DS video games, two life action films and anime series. After reading it through my notebook for like the sixth time, we think it would be better of to just order the official mangas as we really do think that the auteur deserve their due. Also Jennifer hates reading comics on LCDs. So maybe this will get her hook too.

I've already read the fan translated version of it and found it so good, that six months later we decided that it is best to order the official translated books (book 4-12, we already have the first official three overpriced books from a comic store) published by VIZ media, from Amazon UK. It is far far cheaper than the prices that the high street stores wanted (double the VIZ listed American price) anyway. Early birthday present. ^^

Damn posties.

Ugly Betty "How Betty Got Her Grieve Back"

Just caught the opener to Ugly Betty season two on C4. What a downer. The episode was just too busy, way more than even the messy Heroes's S2 opener 'Four Months Later' and rivalling that of Bionic Woman.

The plot between Amanda and her finding out her real parents was something that probably should have been taken more seriously by the producers. Both me and Jenni agreed that the cheap gags felt out of place. We know that Ugly Betty (Channel 4, Friday 9pm) in essence is a black comedy, but to resort to slapstick comedy early on and in the frequency in which it was done, indicates writers block - which isn't something reassuring as this is only the season opener!

Plenty of plots were cramped into the episode which some could have been deferred to later episodes. For example the whole 'dream' thing with Hilda went a bit too far and Betty's love problem with Henry could have been dealt later. Three major plots were set up in this episode. Amanda's search for the real father. Alexis waking up from her coma and forgetting that she had a sex change. And Claire Meade's attempt to stop Wilhelmina from wrestling her husband away from her.

Then there are the minor plots like Betty's relationship with Henry, Justin running away from school, Ignacio still stuck in Mexico and Hilda not being able to move on... Like I say the episode just drag on and on. It was a messy affair. They could have taken it slowly but judging by current trends, they just love to make a big bang during the first episode of any series. And let us not forget the other minor plot left hanging from season one where me thinks somebody is out to get Ignacio. Season two will get pretty complex.

The one thing that pisses us off with the opener was seeing Santos walk out the bathroom apparently alive. It could have been a dream sequence, but the producers decided to play around a little while. Dream sequence in TV programmes usually last just one scene, but not this. It just drags on and on, with scenes after scenes, until bam - they reveal it was a dream.

I am sure it will get better. Already the producers of Heroes redeemed themselves with "Lizards" so who knows, maybe Ugly Betty will get right back on track.

£299 PS3 a move in the right direction

Sony today announced the release of the 40GB PS3 at £299. While it does lose the backward compatibility with PlayStation 2 software as well as minor stuff like two USB ports (out of four) and memory card reader, it should prove no concern to the many existing PS2 owners who just want to get the PS3. £299 is still a tad too expensive, but at least it is a pretty significant drop from the original price of £425 when the PS3 launched here just six months ago.

The 60GB PS3 with software backward compatibility, memory card reader and an extra two USB ports will receive a price cut to £350 (and then phased out - most likely to make way for a more expensive variant), which may prove valuable to people who does not own a PS2 or has since sold theirs. BluRay, HDMI, WiFi and the removable none-proprietary harddrive will of course remain in both models.

With the next Team ICO game confirmed to be in development, Metal Gear Solid 4 debuting early next year plus other great triple-A games (Little Big Planet, Ratchet & Clank: Tools of Destruction etc.) I think the time to finally jump on the PS3 bandwagon is getting nearer.

Anyone wants to buy a Wii?

Crossrail finally gets the go-ahead...

...but will only begin construction in 2010, at the earliest.

You may remember this project from the early 1990s when the west-east underground railway line was first rejected by the Tories and has since been given numerous green lights only to be dodged by 'funding issues' and political and local opposition. So after almost twenty years in limbo, Crossrail will finally be built with cost ballooning from the initial £10bn estimate in 2003 to the current £16bn (BBC News). O_o


Crossrail, when built, will be similar to the current north-south commuter service by Thameslink and will be run with similar frequency comparable to the RER line in Paris. Crossrail line 1 will connect a new network that will connect Shenfield, Essex to Maidenhead down in West of London. It will require a new central east-west tunnels between Paddington and Whitechapel and the creation of new underground stations at Bond Street, TCR, Paddington, Farringdon, Whitechapel, Liverpool St. and Isle of Dogs; which will provide interchange with existing Tube, overground and DLR lines.

If all goes to plan the first Crossrail train will begin service in 2015. At its peak it will provide up to 24 trains an hour between Maidenhead and Essex so fingers-crossed that the scheme won't fall victim to yet more red-tape and lord forbid, the PFI.

Sony Ericsson K800i mini-review

My aunt recently upgraded from her mobile phone, the classic Ericsson T28m which was previously mine when I was with Vodafone some eight years ago. After some much deliberation in the Carphone Warehouse in Brent Cross we decided on the Sony Ericsson K800i.

It was between this or the sexy Nokia 6300, but because the K800i was £10 cheaper than the 6300 and had more features despite being fatter, she decided that the K800i was technologically the better purchase. She uses a fresh pay as you go sim card but we bought the 'O2 version' as it was the cheapest. It costed £80 in total which I consider a bargain because it wasn't branded with the operator logo and it was unlocked. In fact this was what I found out with the excursion, apparently all Carphone Warehouse PAYG phones are unlocked. You will still need to get a PAYS sim-free for them to subsidise the phone for you, but that is like a ten quid top up. In a shifting industry where a so-called fruit sue-happy company is attempting to wrestle control from consumers and retailers, it is a breath of fresh air to find a retailer who gives customers a choice.

I haven't had much chance to play around with the phone. It is a pretty old model, but the camera works very well with auto focus and macro mode. The feature phone OS works fine and is speedy. The keypad needs getting used to due to its rubbery feel. The UI is the same as from my old K700i which is a mixture of grid, tabbed and list based. The 320x240 resolution screen is a joy to look at. Colours are vibrant but the screen isn't too bright even at the highest setting. The phone is pretty light too, but made it felt 'cheap' due to the thickness. The Nokia 6300 with a thinner body felt more 'expensive'. For only £80 (this already includes the £10 mandatory top-up), this is a fine purchase that I recommend, considering it is factory unlocked.

Here are some pictures with my XDA Orbit and the classic super slim Ericsson T28m:

Final Fantasy IV DS trailer!

Final Fantasy IV is one of my favourite old school RPGs game so it shouldn't surprised anyone that I am looking forward to the DS remake by Matrix Software (who also did Final Fantasy III DS). Check out the recent TGS trailer above. The in-game engine used for cut scenes is simply stunning and can be considered a massive improvement over Final Fantasy III. Cecil and Kain just look amazing. While the trailer does not feature any gameplay footages the visuals should be similar to III DS gameplay, but with added Active Time Battle combat system.

I hope they keep the Japanese voices cast for western releases.


In a related news check out this Final Fantasy IV trading art figures. Cute eh? There are other Final Fantasy related trading arts too like the recently released Tactics as well as a compilation of Final Fantasy main protagonists.

Related post: Final Fantasy IV Advance review

For the non-gamers

US$18 million is the estimate that Nintendo would be spending getting this ugly environmentally unfriendly junk to non-gamer's hands. Just imagine if they actually took 10% of that to fund an official translation to MOTHER 3? Nintendo, there are people out there who are willing to pay good money for a good vi-de-o game.

Sigh... Remember the time when it is your fault if you break your own things?

Hellgate London: Tube Tours

Hellgate: London is one of my most anticipated video games ever since I found out how accurate London would be represented in the game, particularly the London Underground. The developers, Flagship Studios (of Diablo fame) has recently released a bunch of videos titled the "Hellgate London: Tube Tours".



First up is Covent Garden station, which is the first 'hub' you will come across in the game. Hubs are like towns in normal RPGs where you can rest, shop and receive quests. As a person who frequently shops at Covent Garden I can attest to the accuracy of polygon'ed Covent Garden tube station and its surrounding areas (e.g. Covent Garden Market, British Museum) is bloody accurate (minus the wondering demons). Other places to visit includes Bloomsbury and hopefully Soho.



The next video introduces us to Charing Cross. Charing Cross is officially known as the centre part of London since the early 19th century. The station here would be the third stop in the game, and like Covent Garden, it acts as a hub that allows the gamer to replenish his or her supplies. However while Covent Garden is well protected, Charing Cross apparently is well within the edge of the danger zone where places like Piccadilly Circus and probably Soho has since fallen to demon control.


A pretty accurate 1992 Central Line stock

So there you go. Other locations confirmed to appear includes the Tower of London and the swaying Millennium Bridge. Graphics aren't that impressive but I could easily overlook it as the visual style is fantastic. At least it gives my two year graphic card a chance. Combined with the talented developers who made Diablo and our favourite London Underground, this should be a game to get next month.