Comedy Fest 2012 Review: The Boy with Tape on his Face in More Tape

Posted by faithashw in Review, Comedy and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

 

I first saw The Boy with Tape on his Face as part of a ten-act show at The Classic seven years ago and ever since then he has been a favorite of mine.  I even got picked by The Boy to help out on stage which was slightly terrifying at first but then turned out to be a really cool experience and something I will always look fondly back on!

I must mention that I only recently found out that that was actually his first stage show which meant I was his first ever volunteer – how special am I?! :D   But I digress…

These days The Boy is more than capable of holding his own and is perfectly happy having the stage all to himself along with his trusty satchel of tricks, box of props and of course, the all important tape.  I was privileged enough to be invited by The Boy to attend his opening night of the Auckland season and WOW, what an incredible show!  So much fun, so many laughs and an epic soundtrack to go with it all!

His new show, More Tape, is full of toys, props and is a mad and whimsical mix of vaudeville, mime and even puppetry.  What I especially enjoyed was the incorporation of the music to the set and how it provided an additional element of comedy to the performance.  Another integral part of the show is The Boy enlisting help from various handpicked members of the audience – you are even forewarned from the get go that participation is compulsory…unless you want to look like a cock ;)

Sam Wills, the man behind The Boy is truly a world class act with numerous awards under his belt (more likely in his satchel ;) ).  He is also the first New Zealand comedian to be a part of the Royal Variety Performance in the UK.  He will soon be preparing to perform a month-long season at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the biggest arts festival in the world.  Accolades and achievements aside, he also happens to be a very lovely person :)

I think the thing that makes The Boy so special is that he has truly defied the conventions of stand up comedy.  He is a stand up comedian that doesn’t speak and yet his antics will have you laughing from start to finish.  His entire performance is well thought out with a good story arc of mostly standalone little tricks and bits but that all flow together seamlessly.  The show is perfectly paced and well-timed which is impressive considering a lot of it is improvised and dependent in part on the volunteer’s cooperation (or lack of!).  He has outstanding showmanship and great comedic intuition that will have you enthralled and amazed.

I don’t want to give too much away as the magic of his show is in the anticipation of the unknown and watching it all slowly unravel.  All I will say is his show is brilliant, hysterical, incredibly entertaining and the best silent comedy you will ever see.  This is a show like no other and one you do not want to miss!

The Boy is performing at the beautiful Rangatira at Q all of this week with an extra show before his final one on Saturday night – tickets are selling fast so get your tickets NOW (HERE) or regret forever!

The Boy and I in 2005

The Boy and I seven years later :)

Sam, thanks so much for the hook up and it was so awesome meeting you after the show too!  It’s crazy that it has been seven years!  See you again on closing night :D

To find out more about The Boy, visit his website :)

Comedy Fest 2012 Review: Marcel Lucont in Gallic Symbol

Posted by faithashw in Comedy, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

From the moment he so skillfully, without missing a beat and cool as a cucumber, put a heckler in his place at last year’s Comedy Gala, I was converted a Marcel Lucont fan.

Brought to life by the brilliant British comedian Alexis Dubus, Marcel Lucont is a self-proclaimed flâneur, raconteur and bon-viveur who brings a rare stand up comedy masterpiece that is low-energy but full of sharp wit and dry humor centered around his cynical observations as a proud French misanthropist and expert international lover.  He is an excellent wordsmith and is flawless when it comes to telling a story – impeccably timed and perfectly paced, his egotistical and deadpan but yet alluring delivery will have you hanging on his every word and laughing in all the right (and sometimes wrong!) places.

In his new show, Gallic Symbol, you can expect more exquisite sex poetry (this time of a “breasty” nature), his usual haughty grievances about most things (especially anything British) and so much more.  His opening piece, “50 actual ways to leave your lover” sets the tone of the show perfectly.  Why wouldn’t you choose to catapult yourself in to a sea of naked women as a way to leave your significant other?  Perfectly normal and not over the top at all.  Apart from reading from his “manual of a sex addict”, he also shares hilarious excerpts from the diary of his teenage self.  If there’s anything funnier than Marcel Lucont, it is quite possibly a teenage Marcel Lucont.

My personal favorite bit was his hilarious parody of British humor; his impersonation of a stuffy British man is scarily, stereotypically accurate!  I also really enjoyed the amusing “sex positions 101″-esque class he delivers near the end, complete with corresponding visuals on cue cards.  And of course, the grand finale!  Marcel’s debut rap performance.  Yes, rap.  Prepare to be impressed.  All I can say is – merde oui! ;)

I had the pleasure of meeting Monsieur Lucont after the show and he is an absolute delight!  I also got to see him in action again on the weekend co-hosting Le Comique, a cabaret-style event showcasing alternative comedy.  Suffice it to say, he was in top form then too and this time with a whole bottle of wine in tow!  Unfortunately his solo shows have finished its run in both Auckland and Wellington but you still have a chance to catch him as part of the Comedy Convoy, touring nationwide between 14-26 May (details HERE).

He really is one of those acts that words really cannot do him justice – you really need to be there to experience it yourself.  The show is highly sexual (but never vulgar, though sometimes teetering very near it!) and full of the sardonic musings of a self-righteous, narcissistic Frenchman, but if you can get past that, you will not be disappointed!  His performance is just effortless and will have you captivated from beginning to end.  He is not overtly funny to the point you find yourself laughing yourself to tears (or maybe you might!) but his instinctive use of combining dry humor, sharp wit and a lot of clever wordplay, all delivered at the opportune time, will no doubt have you laughing and thoroughly entertained.

 

See you next year, Marcel – merci beaucoup for the outstanding show and for the lovely message in your book :) (and you’re right – it is superb! ;) )

If you would like to get to know more about Monsieur Lucont, check out his website: www.marcellucont.com :)

Comedy Fest 2012 Review: Chris Cox in Fatal Distraction

Posted by faithashw in Comedy, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

As I made my way to my front row seat in the beautiful Rangatira at Q (my second home this past week!), I was feeling both nervous and excited.  Nervous because sitting in the front row at a comedy show is never a good thing and excited because I genuinely could not wait to experience what all the great reviews have been going on and on about.  I had missed out on Chris Cox’s first visit to our shores back in 2010 and so did not really know what to expect.

First week of the Comedy Festival was a busy one for me; I was attending shows pretty much every night of the week!  All I can say is I am so relieved and chuffed that I managed to catch Chris Cox on his last show here in Auckland because, even though I still have a few more shows to see, I am already quite certain he is (going to be) my favorite of the festival this year :)   Don’t get me wrong, everyone else I’ve seen so far have all been really excellent but I really enjoyed Chris’ show simply because it was just something completely different and not at all what you’d expect during a comedy festival.  He is not your typical stand up comedian but his show is just as entertaining (if not more) and will leave you not only bloody impressed but gagging for more.

So who is Chris Cox then and what is his show all about?  I guess you can call him a magician although he’s not the kind who pulls rabbits out of hats.  That being said there are rabbits on stage ;)   He insists he is a mind reader who cannot read minds, that everything is about coincidence, using psychology and observing body language.  My opinion?  He has to be a wizard (I vote former Hogwarts student!) because there was some pretty skillful mind reading going on on that stage!  The first and most obvious conclusion many will come up with to explain how he managed to do what he did is to say the show is rigged, but the ferret-in-the-sweater blows that theory well out of the water.  It’s been a few days now and my mind is STILL whirring.  It’s…like…magic!

Miraculously replicating drawings and magical laser lipsticks aside, I think the magic is really Chris himself.  His natural charm, “devilish good looks” and ability to just tell a good story will have you hanging on to his every word and move from the word go.  His show involves a lot of audience participation but the way he interacts with the crowd makes you feel just so comfortable – I can honestly say this was the first time I felt totally at ease being sat in the front row of a comedy gig!

It’s really one of those shows that you have to “see to believe” so all I will say is this: if Chris Cox is in your town, do yourself a favor and get a ticket – you will not regret it!  Wellington – he has 3 more shows at the Whitireia Performance Centre, so make sure you don’t miss out – get your tickets now (HERE) and prepare to have your mind fully blown…and read ;)   Your jaw WILL drop and by the end of the show you will leave absolutely flabbergasted.

Chris, thank you for the incredible experience – what an AMAZING and entertaining show, one I will not soon forget!  My only complaint is it should have been two hours long ;)   It was such an absolute pleasure meeting you after too :)   I hope you return next year, and this time I’ll happily sit in the front row wearing my I <3 Cox badge with pride :D   You’d better remember me as I will come say hi to you again after ;)   Hope you had a fantastic time back in New Zealand, even though you were ill!

 

To get more Cox ( :P ) check out his website www.magiccox.com

P.S. – Shout out and big thank you to the teams at the Comedy Festival and Q Theatre – you all rock!

Review: thatgamecompany’s Journey

Posted by faithashw in Games, Review and tagged with , , , , , ,

Let me first just get it out of the way – Journey is one of the most beautiful and intriguing games I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing.

I am quite picky with the games I choose to play.  Even though I’d like to, realistically I just don’t have the time to play anything and everything.  I usually go for games that have a great story to tell with engaging characters in an immersive world, and one which I can have an emotional connection with.  I am also a big supporter of game developers who love to challenge themselves and the medium; ones who are not afraid to push the envelope and break some boundaries in order to create something new and exciting, not just another “cookie cutter” game.

Journey is definitely more of an experience than it is a game.  It does not have the conventional gaming features you would typically associate with games; there is no melee or gunplay and there are no scores or lives either.  The premise is simple: you play a faceless traveler who is on a journey.  You don’t know where you are, how you got there or why you are on this journey but once it starts you instinctively know you need to be heading towards that beacon of light on a mountain in the distance.  It is never made clear who you are, where you have come from or even WHAT you are.  Normally withholding that kind of information would be frowned upon as a player needs some level of back story to be emotionally invested and able to make sense of the world but in the case of Journey, it somehow just works.

That’s the magic of this game, in my opinion – everything is stripped back to the bare minimum but yet still manages to be beautifully complex and surprisingly engaging.  Gameplay is minimalistic and narrative is virtually non-existent so all you’re left with is this immense endless landscape before you to enjoy and explore.  Walking, “speaking” and leaping are the three actions that you employ throughout the duration of your journey; all mesh and work together in harmony as you tread the land towards your destination.  You are basically left to your own devices – there is very little in the way of guidance or help prompts but with a little exploring, keen observation and experimentation, the solution is usually never too far away.

The isolation for me was strangely comforting.  Even though the character you play is faceless and devoid of personality, as you traverse the land, you oddly start to forge a connection with this mysterious cloaked figure.  The moments that I particularly enjoyed which I found to be so freeing were the times you “surf” across the glittering ocean of sand and glide seamlessly across bridges made of shimmering cloth.

What I thought was a really interesting addition to the experience was the unique and clever incorporation of  “multiplayer” into the gameplay.  I say that with inverted commas because it really isn’t what you would expect.  Along the way you get randomly connected with another traveler who is not an NPC but actually another player who is playing the game too – you can then choose to travel the rest of the way together or you can completely ignore them and do your own thing; there is no right or wrong way.  It really adds a different dynamic to the journey, particularly because there is no way to actually communicate with this other player.  In fact you don’t even get to find out who you played alongside with until the end.

The most amazing thing about this game above all else is the stunning visuals.  Coming in at a very close second is the incredible score that just perfectly complements what’s on screen.  Many reviews have said this and I am about to echo them – Journey is hands down one of the most gorgeous games out there today.  The world is absolutely breathtaking with its glittering sands, glorious rays of sunlight and spectacular landscapes that stretch out as far as the eye can see.  Everything you see, every frame, just looks like a moving painting.

You also get to witness the dark side of the land.  There are portions of the journey where you will experience firsthand how harsh and treacherous the landscape can also be.  Consequently the music seamlessly switches to more jarring and threatening tones to match the change in atmosphere.  I thought this contrast was a good way to not only showcase two different color palettes and visual styles but also to help keep things well-paced and interesting.

I did come across a bug near the end of the game (I got stuck outside the map TWICE) which unfortunately did put a bit of a damper on the experience but apart from that my only other negatives are that there weren’t enough save points and that it could have possibly been a wee bit longer.

All in all, Journey was just a moving and exhilarating experience set in an utterly beautiful and magnificent world.  Don’t let the “artsy fartsy”-ness of the game scare you away or fool you; Journey is very much “no frills gaming” – it is simply all about well, the journey.  It’s about being curious and exploring the world around you and just embracing whatever that comes your way.  I have intentionally not been too specific about the game mechanics and how they play out in your travels because I believe part of the magic is figuring it out for yourself.  And trust me, when you finally do make it to that shining summit, the pay-off and what you had to do to get there is well worth it.

If you have a PS3 and have not yet had the pleasure of experiencing Journey, get onto the PSN right this minute and get downloading – this is a definite must play for all gamers who enjoy something a little different :)

Whimsical Banana rates Journey:

4 Bananas :) (would have gotten 5 if it weren’t for that bug…)

Well done and big kudos to the team at thatgamecompany for this impressive work of art!  Muchos respect!

Whimsical Banana Recommends: Community

Posted by faithashw in Review, TV and tagged with , , , , , , , , ,

It’s been a couple of weeks only but I’m incredibly stoked to announce here that the Whimsical Banana is now the resident reviewer at FOUR :D

I’ve been reviewing Community and prior to having this gig I actually had never watched nor heard anything about it but boy am I glad I have now because Community is bloody fantastic!  For a TV addict I’m actually pretty appalled at myself for not having stumbled upon it sooner :P

For the uninitiated, Community is a sitcom that is set in a community college and which centers around a group of “misfit” students that form an unlikely bond when they become a part of a study group created accidentally by Jeff Winger (played by Joel McHale, host of The Soup), an ex-lawyer who is forced to go back to college when his firm discovered he had lied about his education.

Every episode will have you gasping for breath – it is funny as hell; lots of pop culture references and heavy use of meta-humor.  The writing is absolutely spot on, with every jibe and joke timed perfectly and delivered effortlessly by the stellar cast.  It is just such a refreshing TV show; there’s really nothing like it out there today, I reckon.

So if you have never watched Community, I highly recommend that you do!  And please support yours truly by checking out what I have to say about each episode each week :)   I have created a page (to your right) which will take you directly to the reviews.  I will, of course, be updating this weekly as my reviews go live.

Click on the image to learn more about the show – if you live in New Zealand you will be able to watch the episodes online ;)

P.S. – If you were scratching your head wondering where you knew the chick in the middle from, she is none other than Alison Brie who also plays Trudy Campbell on Mad Men!  Talk about playing a completely different character…and era!

Welcome Back, Jason :)

Posted by faithashw in Music and tagged with , , , ,

After a few years hiatus – not counting his recent tour – Mr. A-Z is back and better than ever!! :D   He had a lot to live up to after the incredible success of his last studio album We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things and I’m so stoked to say he doesn’t disappoint with his newest single I Won’t Give Up which released just yesterday to the excitement of all us MRAZians :D

I first heard this song when he performed it in Auckland and fell in love with it within like 5 seconds!  The tempo is quite “sleepy” and the melody is very simple but as an overall track it works and is just so beautiful.  The lyrics are (mostly) short and succinct – which is an oddity when it comes to his songs! – but so meaningful and heartfelt.

I’ve always enjoyed Jason’s music videos because they are so different from what is out there.  His videos are carefully thought out and just so unique.

I won’t say any more but as always, will let Jason work his magic ;)

*Cue plug for Jason Mraz (not like he needs it!!)

If you have fallen in love with this song, please purchase it on iTunes so you can listen to it over and over again!! ^_^

Cannot wait for his new album but this song should tide me over ;)   On We Sing, We Dance, We Steal Things the song I could listen to over and over again was A Beautiful Mess (still is ^_^); I Won’t Give Up is definitely this year’s Beautiful Mess – I can already tell!

Jason Mraz: You Are Loved, November 15th 2011

Posted by faithashw in Music and tagged with , , , , , ,

He sings with so much heart and soul, he scats effortlessly, he plays the guitar like a boss (especially considering he is self-taught!!), he writes his own songs, he raps like a pro and even sings opera – is there anything Jason Mraz can’t do?

About 3 weeks ago, I attended his concert – or more appropriately called, his “acoustic evening” – at the Civic and that was easily the BEST thing I did all year.

I have been a fan for a long time (from the beginning), and I had been hoping and waiting for YEARS for him to come this way for a gig.  I was beyond ecstatic when I found out he was coming; I purchased my tickets TWO MONTHS prior on day one of the fan pre-sale – which resulted in (I thought) the best seats in the house :)   Not only was I mere feet away from the stage but I was clever and lucky enough to have picked seats that were right smack bang in front of the mic :D

I have watched some of his performances online but nothing could honestly prepare me for what I was about to experience on the night.  He is already aMRAZing as a recording artist but he is absolutely phenomenal live.  Completely different energy and his voice almost takes on a whole different persona.  One of his trademarks is that he is very improvisational with his performance; he has said many a time in interviews that he rarely performs the same song the same way more than once.  And this is so true.  Even though many of the songs were tracks I had heard a million times, it was like I was listening to them for the first time.

From start to finish, I was completely mesmerized.  What made the experience that much better was how he engaged with the crowd.  He is very charming in real life :)    He had some really funny stories to tell but also heartfelt words of inspiration to share.  I also loved all the audience participation bits – quite an integral part to the overall evening.  He has said in an interview that when he performs live it’s not about people coming to stare at him for 2 hours but it’s about everyone coming together to enjoy the music and participating in the experience.  To me, that speaks a lot about him as an artist and really just makes me love and respect him even more!! :)   I think it is this perspective that he has that explains why he also incorporates other singer’s songs in his performance which I think is so refreshing.

I definitely, totally fell in love with him even more after watching him live :)   The only thing I wished was that he wasn’t sporting the long hair and was wearing his trademark fedora, hehe ;)   He’s still incredibly cute though, and just such a down-to-earth and genuine person :)

I have been listening to his music non-stop since then and watching countless videos of his other live performances all over the world and I just cannot get enough of him!!  He truly has a remarkable gift – he has such a beautiful character and tone to his voice and I think what’s even more appealing than that is just the way his songs tell a story.  He is such a fantastic lyricist; the way he expresses himself through song is a breath of fresh air – he is so clever and sometimes whimsical with his words.  His songs are all full of meaning, heart and soul and even though he is singing to a crowd of hundreds or thousands he has this uncanny, amazing ability to perform as if he was singing to only you.  And I have to say he has some crazy breathing skills; how he gets out so many words in one breath (and so succintly too!!) is beyond me!!

I must also mention the extremely talented Toca Rivera, Jason’s percussionist/right-hand-man who is a star in his own right, in my opinion!!  His vocals perfectly complement Jason’s and don’t get me started on how he works his magic with all the percussion instruments he has at his disposal!!  During the few times I wasn’t so busy staring at Jason, I was completely sucked in to Toca in action ;)

I didn’t record any videos myself because I just wanted to fully enjoy the evening without getting distracted, but thanks to Youtube there are quite a number out there and I’m going to share some of them here – because I don’t think my words can really justify how amazing he is!!  There were, of course, SO MANY to choose from – I knew I couldn’t put them all here so I’ve picked the better quality ones and (hopefully) a good mix of tunes :)   If these whet your Mraz appetite then go check out the other performances on Youtube, they’re not difficult to find ;)

In this one he talks about why he says “water” the way he does, hehe – he’s so adorable :)

*Thanks to sienetta for the video

When this happened, I pretty much died of jealousy right there and then!!  No doubt every girl in the crowd was completely jealous of Esther!!  Even now after the fact, every time I watch this video I get so sick to my stomach with jealousy :P   I hope I am fortunate enough to get to sing a duet with him one day ;)

*Thanks to j9broom for the video

This song leaves me so gobsmacked each time.  His range is mind-blowing – not only can he go really low but to be able to go operatic as he does here is just incredible. I also love the words behind the song too – one of my faves, in terms of the lyrics.

(Whoever keeps laughing in the background is really irritating though, GRRR)

*Thanks to sienetta for the video

Some of you may have heard this song on the radio – apart from his “hit singles” this would be another familiar song to the non-Mraz-fan ear because he won a Grammy for this song a couple of years back :)   I think it has a very interesting beat to it, always makes me feel happy when I listen to it :)

*Thanks to TheFletcherStewart for the video

This is one of my fave up-tempo tracks from him – I can’t get over how dirty the song is though, LOL.  I love the scatting he does in this performance, and the guitar lick at the beginning is freaking wicked!!

*Thanks to GriefHammer for the video

A new track which I hope will make it onto his next album!!  I love the guitar riff in this track and the harmonies between him and Toca are beautiful ^_^  The lyrics are really interesting too if you listen closely ;)

*Thanks to sienetta for the video

And finally, I will leave you with the song he is best known for, with a little bit extra at the end ;)

*Thanks to kangta164 for the video

Thank you, Jason Mraz, for coming to New Zealand.  You changed my life that night – something you said near the end really spoke to me and changed my entire perspective on life.  So thank you!!  I can only hope I will be fortunate enough to watch you perform live again.

YOU ARE LOVED, JASON :)

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving…

Posted by faithashw in Uncategorized and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

A few things I am thankful for…

(in no particular order)

1.  L.A. Noire :D

Come on, who here is surprised? ;) I am thankful for L.A. Noire because it significantly peaked my interest in games and also helped improve my gaming skillz (yes skills with a ‘z’ :P ); specifically it helped me get over my at-the-time phobia of shooting games.  Turns out I’m not too shabby with a gun :)   My driving on the other hand leaves a lot to be desired *shame*

L.A. Noire also led me to be a part of a whole community of like-minded fans via Twitter and Tumblr (shout out to Kelly and Allyson – so thankful to have e-met you guys! :) ), and also introduced me to Sean McGowan, the amazing, super talented actor behind Stefan Bekowsky, who also happens to be one of the nicest, sweetest, most down-to-earth people in the business today.  Sean, you are AWESOME, thank you for, well, being you! :)

So big thank you to Rockstar Games and Team Bondi!

2. Naughty Dog and Nolan North

The Uncharted series is the perfect game in every way, in my eyes :)   It has given me hours and hours of much needed escapism, which I have really craved this year, so thank you to the Dogs!!

Nolan – you brought life to Nathan Drake, possibly one of the most liked video game characters of this generation.  Thank you for giving me a virtual crush, HAHA!

I think I will leave it at that since I think I nattered on long enough about Uncharted in my previous blog post…

3. Jason Mraz

I have been a fan of his from the start (before the world took notice!), but I have grown sooo in love with this man ever since I saw him live last week.  I have been listening to his songs non-stop ever since – his songs are truly a work of art; he is an amazing lyricist with such a beautiful and unique style to his sound and his performance.  His improvisational method of performing means he sings a different rendition of the same song each time which is great!  He is even more fantastic live – heartfelt and effortless performance from start to finish…truly magical.  And man, can he rock that guitar!!  It is an experience I will NEVER forget and I can only hope that I get the opportunity to watch him perform again in the future.

To top it off he is just such a wonderful human being – I swear he is the nicest and most genuine person in the music industry (very similar to Sean ;) ).  His humility, generosity and selflessness is truly inspirational.  I just love that even though he is this successful singer/songwriter (two time Grammy winner, no less!! :D ), he doesn’t let the fame define him; he just wants to make music and share it to the world, he wants to enjoy life and make his mark in this world in his own special way.  I like that he sees his fans as his friends and that he sees the world as one big family.

The fact that he is also incredibly cute and charming is just the cherry on a very yummy cake ;)   He is quite a comedian too which I discovered at his concert.  WOW, he’s like the perfect package *swoon*

But yeah, I’ve been a bit down this week and listening to Jason’s songs have really cheered me up and lifted my spirits.  He also said something during his concert that really moved me and has motivated me to see things from a different perspective.  So muchos gracias, Jason – YOU ARE LOVED :D

4. Patricia :)

I have known Patricia for quite a number of years now.  We’ve had our ups and downs as all good friendships do but we have certainly come a long way and I feel our friendship right now is at it’s best :D   Patricia, you have been a source of strength and comfort to me this year when I needed it most and I cannot thank you enough for your words of advice, encouragement and support.  I will probably never be able to repay you but I can only hope that I can return the favor one day ;)   I love you, babe – I’m glad to have you (back) in my life xo

On the subject of friendships, I want to take the opportunity to extend some quick shout outs to the following awesome people:

Michelle – I’m thankful for the friendship we developed this year…until you abandoned me, that is! (how rude)  Have an absolute blast in NYC, can’t wait to catch up with you when you’re back :)

Jimbo – It’s been really great geeking out *ahem* chatting with you on Facebook these past few months; shame we didn’t get to do this more when you were actually here but oh well…better late than never, as they say!!  Thanks again for being an excellent Uncharted co-op buddy hehe :D

Louise – We have been on quite a journey together, haven’t we?!  I am so thankful that our lives crossed paths all those years ago, I guess we have Harry to thank for that aye ;)   I’m so chuffed that we have still managed to keep in touch after all this time and that although we have moved on from the VTM days, we have new geeky things to talk about!!  I’m grateful to have you as a friend, in many ways you are like the big sister I never had :)

Lavy – The long lost friend from the good ol’ high school days!!  I’m so stoked and thankful that we are in contact again after quite a hiatus – I hope to see you again in the near future as it’s been far too long!!  Love you, babe ;)

Shane – My Irish cutiepie ;)   Like Louise, we have come quite a ways too.  Even though we both at some point have disappeared on the other, I am glad we have found each other again :)   I always enjoy our conversations and I’ve always felt we have a special connection – I’m thankful to Harry for bringing us together and to Facebook for helping us always come back ;)

**UPDATE!! November 26th @ 933AM:

2 more quick shout outs to a couple more people I forgot to mention, whoops!!

Chelsea – I’m glad and grateful we’ve had the opportunity to grow closer this year :)   Who knew we had such similar dramas and perspectives on things? ;)

Lewis – My fellow Survivor freak – I never thought I would find one and I’m thankful I have!!  I’ve really enjoyed our e-conversations and I think an actual hang out is in order at some point!! :)

PHEW that’s a lot of thank you’s aye!!  I actually have a lot of things I am NOT thankful for too but probably better to leave that for another post, or maybe it’s just best to keep to myself :P   I will say this though: I am NOT thankful to be in New Zealand on Thanksgiving because I don’t get to have turkey :(   No gobble, gobble for the Whimsical Banana, sigh…

Uncharted: The Hollywood Blockbuster of Games

Posted by faithashw in Games, Review and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Uncharted 3 was easily the one game that I had been (impatiently) waiting for all of this year.  I’ve been a huge fan of the series from when the first game first released even though I actually only started playing the games this year – you know, being late to the (gaming) party and all…

On the day the game arrived (and Explorer Edition, no less!!) *thanks for the hook up, Mighty Ape!!* it was honestly like Christmas came early.  I blazed through it in about 3 days which was really quick by my standards (sorry for not savoring it, Louise *wink*) but I’m now on my 2nd playthrough in my quest for more trophies :)

I have really gotten into games this year and many of you know that I am totally obsessed with L.A. Noire.  However the Uncharted series is pretty much on par with it; I adore both games for many similar but also altogether different reasons.

So the first thing that really drew me to the Uncharted games was that it promised an “active cinematic experience”.  This peaked my interest and intrigued me greatly.  Movies have taken a bit of a backseat in my life in recent years but it will always be my “first love” and this has bled into and influences my taste in games.  I am slowly but surely venturing out and diversifying but currently the games I am attracted to and play are those with strong narratives and are very “movie-like”.

The Uncharted series have certainly come a LONG way; the games have just gotten progressively better through the years.  Game developers Naughty Dog really are a well-oiled machine IMHO.  They somehow manage to top themselves each time which is mighty impressive since each game is already so bloody amazing that you think, surely it couldn’t get any better?!  Oh yes it most definitely can.  Naughty Dog have managed to hit this perfect stride where they know what works and what they do well so they subsequently maintain the tried-and-true elements (with perhaps some tweaks) that make Uncharted the games fans know and love, but at the same time they also have this like “bag of tricks” that they know to pull out at the opportune time to keep things fresh.  They are always looking at ways to improve the experience and surprise gamers which is I think a big reason why the games are so successful.

One of the (many) great things about the Uncharted games is how fantastic it looks.  The graphics are absolutely top notch, even in the early days of Drake’s Fortune.  There was a marked improvement in Among Thieves apart from the rather odd “glassy eyes” the main characters got during the cutscenes (particularly Chloe) – which freaked me out a bit!  Then Drake’s Deception rolls along and WOW.  The Dogs have really outdone themselves this time!  The world and everything in it is about as realistic as something computer generated can be.  The levels are all absolutely stunning – breathtaking views, incredible attention to detail and virtually everything you see Drake can interact with and vice versa.  Background “props” are not just there to fill and decorate the space but have a more defined appearance and presence.  When you are wandering around the cobbled streets of Cartagena, you feel like you are right there – everything looks tangible enough to touch and you can almost smell the air of this little Colombian village.  I liken this a lot to how I felt as I was driving around the streets of L.A. in L.A. Noire.

One of the most realistic environments I thought was the Rub Al’ Khali desert.  You would think creating an endless landscape of sand and sun wouldn’t be too tricky but even before watching any of the Naughty Dog interviews about the making of this level, I could see how much effort had gone into the finished product – because it looks so damn real!  That sand is ridiculous.  It moves with the wind, it changes in form as Drake trudges through it.  Superb effort, Dogs!

In terms of gameplay, like I said before, they’ve kept to their strengths and what the games are inherently about which is a good mix of platforming, gunplay, puzzle-solving and most importantly a thumping good story rooted in real-life legend told through a cinematic lens.  I did feel with this 3rd installment they’d really pulled out all the stops and just gone bigger and better.  I would say there was the least amount of change in terms of the “mechanics” related to the platforming and gunplay sequences however the new locations Drake finds himself in is what kept these two aspects of gameplay fresh and exciting.  For example, one of my favorite moments in the game was the capsizing ship chapter – having to figure out which direction to head in, where to jump to next when everything has rotated 90 degrees was something I did find fairly challenging and confusing at times but it was also very enjoyable all the same.  The most impressive thing about this chapter was that the ship was created on like some kind of special “engine”, I believe?  Sorry, I’m not too well-versed with the actual jargon but essentially in layman terms a program or something similar was made especially for this sequence which enabled the ship and the surrounding ocean to behave exactly like how a real ship out at sea would in real life.  What’s more it will feel different each time too which I think is great in terms of replayability.  The end result is pretty freaky, like you actually do feel like you are on a real ship – suffice it to say this really adds on to the game playing experience.  I recall actually feeling quite seasick throughout that whole chapter – I kid you not!

I thought the puzzles in the game were really interesting and challenging enough without being too tedious.  As for the melee I thought that probably had the biggest improvement; Drake’s movements were more fluid and you could do extra things like throw someone up against a benchtop (or out a window!) and use nearby items as weapons to help you knock out an enemy – there’s even a trophy if you use fish to hit a baddie when brawling in a market, which I think is pretty funny :)

The one thing that really sets the Uncharted games apart from a lot of other similar games is just how real the characters are, in particular Drake.  He doesn’t feel like a 2D computer-generated figure which you merely move around on-screen; the way you’re able to control him, how he interacts with everything and everyone around him – he actually does feel like a real person.  I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true – people who have played the games will probably get what I mean ;)   Thanks to the amazing technology that Naughty Dog have at their disposal, Drake is actually created with weight and mass which is why he feels real when you play him.   And of course let’s not forget the extremely talented Nolan North who is responsible for breathing life into our hero!  For the uninitiated, Nolan North is the games equivalent of an A-list Hollywood star – he has lent his voice to MANY games although he is best known as Nathan Drake.  He really embodies Drake so perfectly – and it really is like he literally has given Drake a beating heart because I feel like I know him, that he’s not “just a character in a video game”.  You totally rock, Nolan!! :D

Gameplay aside, I have to say I was completely captivated by and engaged with the story.  I loved that we were (finally) told the story behind Drake’s and Sully’s relationship.  I loved that you got to explore Drake more intimately, really delve into his past and learn why he is the way he is.  I felt the narrative arc was just spot on; it was paced extremely well and each character’s individual story had a point and purpose and fit perfectly with the overall plot.  Major kudos to Amy Hennig, you are such an inspiration to me and I can only hope I can learn to write like you one day! :)

I think some of the best bits in the game were the action sequences, hands-down.  Naughty Dog really took the “active cinematic experience” to the next level, I thought.  And they definitely had a mammoth of a task in front of them because Among Thieves had some really awesome action sequences.  I won’t give any specific examples as I want to keep this post as spoiler-free as possible but what I will say is many of the action sequences got me screaming/swearing and my heart racing!  As terrifying as it is at the time, they are also an absolute blast – and of course rewarding as hell when you come out of it on the other side :)

There are many people that are quite purist when it comes to games like Uncharted that blur the lines between game and cinema.  I personally do not have a problem with this and anyone who has had a conversation with me about games will know my thoughts on this.  I think what makes Uncharted so appealing to me is that it really is escapism in it’s purest form, isn’t it?  In a movie, you passively watch the action unfold before your eyes.  But in a game, specifically a game like Uncharted, not only do you see what happens unravel, you get to be a part of the action, and (sometimes) influence the course of the story.  As much as a game can look and feel like a movie, it’s the interactive aspect of games which is not possible in film that is what I find most unique and intriguing about this entertainment medium.

Overall, Uncharted 3 was SO worth the wait.  Not a dull moment; thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish.  I have the utmost respect for everyone at Naughty Dog because what they have achieved with this franchise is nothing short of phenomenal.  IMHO they have made the “perfect” game in the sense that Uncharted has all the right elements that make for a fantastic gaming experience – stellar graphics, brilliant cast, great soundtrack, exciting action-packed sequences, engaging and immersive gameplay and an amazing well-written story.

Whimsical Banana rates Uncharted 3:

A well-deserved 6/5 Bananas!!  Well done, an extra banana! :-D

Thanks for the thrilling ride, Naughty Dog!!  I look forward to reading about the many awards and accolades you will no doubt be receiving for this epic masterpiece ;)

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

Posted by faithashw in Uncategorized and tagged with , , , , , , , ,

“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.”

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

***

Thank you, Mr Jobs, for these words of inspiration.  You never met me, you know nothing about me and our paths probably would have never crossed, but today, in your death, your words have given me strength and the motivation to keep fighting.  I always believe that things happen for a reason and I know I was meant to read those words from you.

It’s amazing how someone that essentially means nothing to me and that I do not know nor he of I but yet can say something that pierces right through to my soul.

People that know me well enough know that I am one of the very rare weird-out-of-touch-not-really-moving-with-the-times people that is not completely Apple-obsessed.  Sure, I have an iPhone and an iPod but both I didn’t buy for myself personally; one was sort of “inherited” and the other was a gift.  I do think the Mac Air is SEXY AS HELL but I’ll probably never be able to afford it, and I want an iPad just to say that I have one!!  I do think Apple products look sleek and are pretty awesome but don’t see them as superior as many do so I can happily live without them.

Having said that though, you cannot deny that Apple products have been revolutionary in that it has changed many lives through changing the face of technology, specifically how we communicate with one another and engage with different forms of mass and social media.  Reading about his journey, you can’t help but be completely in awe of Steve Jobs’ life story.

When I found out today that Steve Jobs had passed away I was hit with an immense sadness.  It was a very strange almost surreal reaction, I thought.  I wasn’t expecting it at all.  In recent years I have become very sensitive to issues surrounding death.  I have lost a dear friend and some family in the last few years which has been hard to swallow.  And even people who I don’t know – the “Hollywood stars” – surprisingly affect me somewhat.  I may not shed a tear for them because I don’t know them personally but it is still sad nonetheless and more importantly, a wake up call that life really is too damn short.

The world lost a great man today.  Death is always a sad thing but even moreso when it came far too soon and to someone that has contributed so much and had so much more to give.

Rest in peace, Steve Jobs.  Your legacy will live forever.