Mobile Suit Gundam IGLOO Review (Anime) June 20, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Anime, Gundam, Reviews.Tags: MS Gundam IGLOO
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IGLOO is a pair of Gundam movies set in the Universal Century. Each movie consists of three episodes at the normal half hour each. The story revolves around the Jotunheim, the mobile “base” of Oliver May and the 603rd Technical Evaluation unit: a unit that test out various weapons and mobile suits still in the experimental stage. What sets this apart from the other Gundam animes is that it is completely CG.
Beginning Enthusiasm (4/5): I was really hyped to watch a Gundam Anime in CG. I could just imagine the huge battles, all my favorite suits, and just plain Gundam action. However, I very quickly realized that most of the 30 minutes would focus not on the action, but on the characters and the preparation for the short but very sweet battles. The farther I got in, the more I was disappointed with the story lines. Each episode focuses on a new experimental weapon, it’s use in the field (along with Oliver May’s disapproval), and the death of the pilot. Literally, it’s the same for all six episodes. But, the awesome CG fights make up for this.
Characters (3/5): Like I said above, most of the characters are rehashed. The main characters are all pretty cool. Oliver being the best (especially with him piloting the suit at the end). But the pilots of the experimental units are all hashed! Each one has a strong feeling for the weapon, and some background with it. It’s not a big deal, but it did bug me. There are no cameos, except for one scene with Char’s Zaku II (no Char, just the MS).
Ending Emotion (5/5): Despite it’s shortcomings, the series is actually pretty good. It’s main focus is the 603rd unit, but it also outlines the whole history of the One Year War. We see the biggest battles, including Operation British, the battle at Loam, Jaburo, Odessa, and A Baoa Qu. The ending, although very similar to First Gundam’s ending is simple awesome. You’re expecting Oliver to die, but when you see him come back in the hand of the other MS, it’s simply overwhelming. Great ending for a pretty good series.
*Note: MS Gundam IGLOO 2: Gravity of the Battlefront will be out in October! It looks great!
Python is Sloppy… June 19, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in C++, PC, Python.2 comments
After really giving up on C++, I’ve moved onto Python. Why did I give up on the mother of all languages (you know what I mean)? I guess I felt - and still feel - that after spending so much time on C++, I was really getting no where. I’ve read around 5 tutorials and 2 full books, and I still feel that there’s something missing. Something I’m missing. C++ has a lot of extra junk that’s not covered in most tutorials, and there’s no real “basin” or other location where I can find a link to these tutorials.
So what I really wanted was something… young (I know that sounds gay). Not in terms of age, but something that’s a little more appropriate for me. It’s not that I’m not willing to spend a lot of time on my programming. In fact, I spend almost 3-4 hours a day messing around with it. It’s just that I needed a real change of pace. Especially after feeling so confident in JavaScript.
That’s where Python comes in. Sure, at a very superficial level it’s sloppy. There are hardly any brackets (used only - as far as I have seen - in lists, tuples and dictionaries: essentially fancy arrays), statements don’t end with a semicolon, and functions, classes, loops, etc are contained with only indentation! That’s right, indentation now has a function other than keeping your code neat. But underneath the surface, this lack of mostly aesthetic punctuation really cuts down on time, and makes spotting your errors easier.
To make myself proficient in Python, I’ve taken it upon myself to go through each and every resource at this awesome site. There’s over 300, but I’m willing to take the trip. Wish me luck, and if you’re taking the same road, let me in on some of your thoughts on Python.
Robots and Aliens June 17, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Random Info.3 comments
I have been thinking about an Alien invasion lately (I guess my mind in stuck in the Revelations we’ve been studying at Church). And I have a few questions about this. First off, we don’t like aliens, right? Then why are we sending probes to planets to find them? We might have a chance against them, but if they find our probes, then couldn’t they easily find our planet? Second, why do aliens always crash their UFO’s? They have technology years beyond ours, and they just crash? And don’t they have some ejection system of some kind?
Now, about robots. It’s the same thing. We’re afraid of a robot uprising, am I right? Then why in the name of all that’s good are we making more and more robots? Now, insanely smart AIs are fine. Because they normally side with humanity (one even built Iron Man). But robots always kill us!
To finish off this random post, think about this: what if the inevitable alien invasion coincided with the unstoppable robot uprising? Would they team up, or would their lust for our sweet planet make them fight each other, leaving humanity to crawl into some corner and not worry about the battle? And who would win? Aliens have awesome (but seemingly flawed) technology, but the robots are smart. The humans, on the other hand, don’t really have any advantage whatsoever, so we’d basically die.
Robots and Aliens, or as War of the Worlds portrays them, robot aliens, are our natural enemies. So… yeah.
My New Widget June 16, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Random Info, Update.add a comment
It’s not much, but I’ve just added my new text widget. It’ll outline the games I’m playing, the anime or tv I’ve been watching, and the movies I’ve recently seen. Along with a small comment about each. I’ll be updating this every Sunday and Wednesday night. It might be only text, but it’s something I’ve been wanting for a long time. Enjoy it! 
Gundam Battle Universe and Whatnot… June 14, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Gundam, PSP, Random Info.add a comment
Well, so much for my being in a writing mood Anyways, here I am again, this time with a little update for what looks to be an awesome game. It’s the sequel to the PSP game Gundam Battle Chronicles. Like its predecessors, the game aims toward covering the UC, and having as many playable characters as possible.
This time, we get over 200 suits, 90 pilots, and scenarios/characters from First Gundam, 08th MS Team, War in the Pocket, Stardust Memories, Zeta and ZZ Gundam, Char’s Counterattack, Hathaway’s Flash, Gundam F91, and V Gundam. That’s a huge leap over the past 79, 83, and 87 separations, with no thought towards the latter end of the UC.
The gameplay seems to be basically the same as Chronicles, but I’m really, really hyped. I haven’t been this hyped for a game in a long time. Chronicles was good, but I really missed out on a lot. This time, however, I’m gonna be ready. To get myself prepared for the game, I’m going to speed watch the rest of the UC anime. That means finishing up ZZ Gundam (which is a lot sillier than I like, but according to one user, “se pone wena”, or gets a lot better around ep. 28, I’m currently at 20). Then watching F91, Char’s CC, and V Gundam. At this point I’m watching 4 episodes a day to finish the anime before the game comes out.
Also, I’m going to be playing through SD Gundam G Generation Portable, also for the PSP, and Killzone Liberation (totally unrelated, I’m at chapter 4/5) to prepare myself mentally. Watch out for a new widget, a buttload of reviews, some preliminary posts on Universe, and the general return of me to my site.
First (0079) Gundam Review (Anime) May 17, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Anime, Gundam, Reviews.add a comment
It seems I’m in a writing mood lately, so expect to see my review backlog to be reduced a little in the following days, and maybe even an update on my secret FAQ. Without further ado, my first anime review (spoilers galore).
Beginning Enthusiasm (5/5): I normally stray from older anime and cartoons, but when I started this one, I really enjoyed it. The first few episodes start out great with mecha action from the start and some great Char-stealth. Almost every main character is introduced within the first two episodes, and the emotional story line doesn’t take it easy just because we’re only starting. The animation, although old, is really great, and for the most part (aside from some music) the 1979 anime beats the test of time.
Characters (4/5): The characters are all (for the most part) necessary to the story, and they mostly fulfill their parts very well. The interaction between them is somewhat weird at times (Amuro and Lala, anyone?), and at times you wish Amuro would just fall for Fraw, and not every other random woman, but character reltionships (especially on White base) are strong and very necessary to the plot.
The only reason characters get a 4 and not a five is that some characters get better than others really quick. Now, I know Amuro is a New-Type and all, but why couldn’t Hyato get some skills (maybe around the Jaburo arc?)? Instead, he sucks throughout the show, even to the point of killing one of his own teammates! But somehow he gets really great in the last episode. But besides that, I really enjoyed the characters, the somewhat odd relationships, and the strong interaction between them.
Ending Emotion (5/5): The ending is great, it really ties up the ends (sounds painful), but leaves some open enough to have another series (which we all know happens). I really enjoyed the last scene, and although I don’t find it easy to admit I cried throughout the whole thing. The destruction of the base with the broken Gundam, the treason of Char, and the return of Amuro to the crew, it’s all great, and it’s a really exciting ending to the series.
Summary: Now, I know I’m not that good at writing reviews, but know this: First Gundam (or Gundam 0079) is a very great start to an awesome franchise, and an almost perfect series. If you’ve not seen it yet, see it now, it’s one of the elite.
A Request to the General Populace of the Earth May 9, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Random Info.add a comment
I understand that I look weird. I’m inside 95% of the day (the other 5% being short trips, and the five second walk to the kitchen), so I might be a little whiter than you. And I also understand that there’s nothing I can do to stop you from staring at me. I do, however, have a few requests.
First, use a little discretion. I should take a moment to say that I, too, have done my fair share of staring. But I strive to use the corner-of-the-eye stare. Please stop doing the full-face stare and the somewhat less common full-body-stare. Be a little more discreet and let me save a little of my self-esteem. Second, if I happen to catch you staring, look the other way. Maybe acknowledge my presence, and then turn. I would appreciate it if you would not continue to stare and stare even after I’ve “caught” you. And finally, in third place, it is common courtesy to use the 10-feet-stare. If you walk by me, and you’re one foot away from my face, try to wait off at least 10 feet before you start your “zoo mode”.
Perhaps I’m just overreacting, and I’m just so insanely beautiful (so beautiful, in fact, that even males find me attractive). But I don’t think that’s it (what I mean is it’s true, but it’s not what’s causing the stares). So please follow my guidelines and I’ll go a little easier on you next time I see you staring.
Yours Truly, Very White Guy in South America
Random, Rants and Reviews #2 April 16, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Awesome, PSP, Random Info, Video Games.add a comment
I’ve come up empty…: That’s right, no real random info for you this time. Sorry.
Auto-Play: Or what ever you want to call it, it’s the default action Windows takes when a certain media type in inserted into your PC. It’s a great concept, but it really frustrates me. I frequently use two types of removable media: DVDs and my Flash Drive. I want my DVD (all video DVDs) to automatically open in PowerDVD (the only DVD playing program I have). But instead, a dialog box opens up which says Open with PowerDVD, Open in Windows Explorer or Take no Action. Hmmm… That’s a hard one. I tried editing the default action in the drive’s properties dialog, and it seems to work for a while, but after I turn the PC off, I get the dialog again, but this time with a checkbox (that’s checked) saying “Make this the Default action”. Now for my Flash drive. I want it to open in a folder when I stick it in. So, I edit the default action in the drive’s properties, but I have to select one for Music Files, Movie Files, Pictures and mixed Content. Since I don’t have any music or videos, I shouldn’t have to do it, but I still do. Anyways, I select Open in Window Explorer for all options, Apply, remove the flash drive, and pop it back in. It opens up a windows explorer window! Woo-hoo! Do it again, however, and I get the stupid, stupid dialog box. Maybe Linux (Ubuntu) is right in making an icon on the desktop whenever you put a flash drive in. I really despise this system.
Aedis Eclipse: Generation of Chaos (PSP): I just hit 100% completion of Gundam Battle Chronicle, so I’ve moved on to Aedis Eclipse. AE is a unique strategy game with a mix of a few genres. First off, there’s the field map. This one plays like a board game (similar to most strategy games, but along straight paths). On the map there are element blocks, city blocks, etc. Also present are a Player base and an Enemy base. If either is captured, the other side automatically wins. On the field map, should you land on the same square as an enemy soldier, you will enter combat with him. Combat is done in real-time, and the only thing you directly control is the basic strategy/movement of your soldiers, and the use of skills and items. Movement might sound like a big thing, but it’s a lot more limited than in most RTSs. The game is great, but there’s too much great implementations to write about here, I’ll be doing a more in-depth post later.
Gundam Battle Chronicle (PSP) Review April 14, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Reviews, Video Games.add a comment
Gundam Battle Chronicle is the third in the Gundam “Battle” series of games for the PSP system (the other two being Tactics and Royale). Chronicles is a throw back to the older PS2 games like Federation vs. Zeon, and to a certain extent the extra mode in Journey to Jaburo. It’s a fast paced action game with a BOAT-LOAD of characters and many, many unlockables. Read on to find out more of this awesome game.
Graphically, the game is one of the best I’ve seen on the PSP. The character models are excellent, and the larger enemies simply look great. One of the best things about the game is the environments. Although there are only a few places to battle in, they all look great. There are a few city levels, some mountainous levels, space levels (including the space around Solomon), and even some ground-based space battles. The HUD is also very nice. It really looks like what you would imagine a mobile suit having. Most of the in-battle dialog is dubbed (although completely in Japanese), and it sounds great. The music is okay, but most of the time, you’re going to go “there’s music?”.
The game lasts a long time, actually. I can’t give an exact number, but I know I’ve spent at least 35 hours on this game. Probably more, and I’ll most likely spend a lot more time with it. The amount of unlockables in this game is ridiculous. There must be some where around 150 playable characters, maybe 20 pilots, somewhere in the vicinity of 30 unlockable BGMs and an outrageous 150+ loading screen pics. There is so much to do here, it’s almost unbelievable. You’ll be back for more each time you put it away.
Gundam Battle Chronicle is definitely the best Gundam game I have ever played, and its also one of the best PSP games currently on the market. The language barrier isn’t really something to worry about, there’s not a lot of reading to be done anyway. Get this game if you’re a Gundam fan, you’ll thank me later.
Javascript: A Primer for C++ April 10, 2008
Posted by mitchfrizzell in C++, Web Programming.add a comment
Javascript really is the place to start if you’re looking to get into programming. You get a little taste of what you’ll get with C++, but in a lot easier package. In JS, you can choose how far you want to go. Want to get some HTML DOM in? Or would you like to skip over AJAX? Javascript can be as basic or as complicated as you wish. But there’s the problem. You won’t make a big splash in the PC world if you only know basic JS. Everyone knows basic JS. It’s when you start mixing it with other languages and functions that you really break out of the beginner’s mold. Using JS and HTML together (which is still rather basic), JS and XML (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML), JS with XUL, and many more - is where it really counts.
Javascript and C++ syntax are basically the same. Functions, classes, variables, calling variables or functions from an object: it’s all basically the same. The only big difference is JS being a little lax in ;s at the end of statements. In terms of basic functionality, you’ll also grab it in JS. Loops, conditions, switches, arrays, variables: it’s all there in JS, and just as important in C++.
But, that’s as far as JS will really take you. It’s here where JS moves onto other technologies to fulfill its purpose, but C++ moves on to its own, more complicated set of functionality. First off we’ve got pointers. Pointers can really throw you for a loop when you read about them the first time. Especially trying to read the reference operators and dereference operators. It can get pretty hard. But once you get the hang of it, you’re ready to move onto structures, unions and classes. I’m not sure what’s beyond that, as that’s as far as I’ve gotten
All in all, JS has served as a great primer for the somwhat harder C++. If you’re looking for a test run in the programming world, you should check out Javascript.
