Cooledtured Blog

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

An Overwhelming Presence

We’ve all dreamed about it at least once. Being able to just go around and take out enemies with just a snap of our fingers. It’s why games that have you level up and grow more powerful are so popular. Players are able to pretend for a second that they are this character and that there’s nothing that can stop them. This state of power is something that only villains are able to experience so to be able to experience it firsthand is exhilarating. And to see how you, someone who at one point was struggling to just fight a slime now able to one shot a group of them gives you a sense of accomplishment. It’s part of the reason seeing characters in anime become overpowered is so fun to watch.

When you see a character start off as incredibly weak, you can’t help but sympathize with them. You want to see them grow up to be strong, kind of like a parent with their child. As they continue to gain more powers and abilities and take down enemies, you’re right there like a proud parent watching them go. Throughout the journey to get this way you’ve gained an attachment to the character and now can’t help but jump for joy when you see them dominating everyone. In this way they’re able to change the hero’s journey's end goal from defeating the big bad to instead becoming overpowered. It’s a way to almost trick you into wanting an overpowered character without you even realizing it.

But what about those characters who are overpowered from the start? There was no journey with them so why do we care about them? Well it depends on how the character is portrayed. Many people find the usual “character gets sent to another world and becomes overpowered” story to be quite boring. This is because in these stories the character doesn’t have a lot going for them and is essentially a blank slate. For many people this is fine as it allows them to put themselves in the role of the protagonist and pretend that they’re them, however it ultimately makes it so that many of these shows feel the same. In certain cases however, shows have leaned into the premise of the character being overpowered and structured the show around it.

Overlord is a great example of this. The main character finds himself in a world similar to the game he was playing with the overpowered character he created. The thing that makes this show truly unique is the fact that while most shows would have him be a hero, instead he acts very much like a villain. We essentially watch his journey to conquer the world in order to create his own ideal world. For us it's fun seeing how this world responds to the menace that is our protagonist as well as what he does to accomplish his goals. But what truly makes it interesting is seeing a protagonist act like a villain when we’re so used to them being a hero.

Overpowered characters will always be a subject that has people divided. While it can be fun seeing how the world reacts to them, if not done properly it can lead to a boring story. But when they are done right, it can lead to fulfilling a long desired power fantasy.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

A Rematch Against Life

A decade ago portals began opening up leading to dungeons which harbored monsters that were immune to normal weapons. At the same time humans with special powers also began appearing. These people (who would go on to become known as hunters) go into these dungeons to clear out these dungeons in order to prevent monsters from escaping and wreaking havoc on the world. Every hunter is born with a predetermined amount of power with no way to raise it, with each one being ranked between E to S.

Solo Leveling tells the story of Sung Jin-Woo, the world’s weakest hunter. He is considered especially weak even for a E rank hunter with his mere presence in raids being an indicator that the dungeon they were going to was a breeze. During a raid through a dungeon, he and his group find a tunnel that leads to another dungeon. Lured in by the promise of treasure, what they instead find is a horrifying trial that has them fighting for survival. With many people dying Sung Jin-Woo finds himself on the brink of death. However he somehow manages to survive and even with a newfound power. The question is though, just what is the true cost of this power?

The original webtoon was very popular with many people hyping up the anime. And for good reason too. This anime delivers with an interesting premise and dynamic animation. Solo Leveling knows that people are coming to this anime for its battles and makes sure to deliver on each one. While some might complain about its slow pacing, Solo Leveling takes the time to establish the world and Sung Jin-Woo’s own power in order to have it pay off later. With a second season coming out later this year, now is the perfect time to watch this hit.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

Highschool Dungeon Crawlers

JRPGs are a very popular genre nowadays. Whether it be because of people's love of anime or just because hits like Persona 5 made people crave more, their popularity can't be understated. Over the years we have managed to get a variety of amazing games that each offer their own unique experience. And Tokyo Xanadu is no exception to this.

Tokyo Xanadu tells the story of highschooler Tokisoka Kou who lives in the city of Tokyo that's still recovering from a devastating earthquake that happened a decade ago. One on the way back from work he sees classmate Hiiragi Asuka being cornered by some shady men. While trying to help he ends up sucked into a world known as Eclipse and saved by Asuka. Asuka explains to Kou that it is her job to go into Eclipse to take out the monsters there and prevent them from eating people sucked into this world. While initially wanting to keep Kou out of this, once the people close to him are targeted Kou resolves to fight alongside Asuka in order to protect them. Together with Asuka they gather together other people who awaken to their powers in order to prevent any more victims. 

Tokyo Xanadu's gameplay combines dungeon crawling with hack and slash combat. Combat revolves around performing combos on multiple enemies in combination with abilities. As players level up more attacks are unlocked allowing for even possible combos to be unleashed on enemies. Players are also able to switch between a multitude of different characters, each offering their own unique way to play. Whether you want to get in close with the enemy or stay back with long range attacks, you'll be sure to devastate the enemy.

However the thing that truly makes the game unique is its customization capabilities. Each character’s weapon has a core that grants unique effects and sub cores that give other, less powerful effects with level ups granting access to more slots. By swapping out various cores and sub cores it's possible to make wildly different versions of the same character. With this unique customization ability, the possibilities for what you're capable of are endless.

Tokyo Xanadu offers an experience that promises hours of entertainment. With fun combat, an engaging story and even a variety of side content, you won't be able to put the game down once you start. If you are going to pick the game up though, make sure to get the remastered version as that one offers even more content.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

Altered Perspectives

With time many things can happen. The most common thing to happen though is people gaining a new perspective on something. Whether that means being able to understand what makes something special or realizing that what you thought was great is actually underwhelming, just taking the time to give another look can change a lot. This is especially true with the Sonic franchise. 

Sonic is known for not always giving the best games. One of the most notorious examples is Sonic ‘06, a game that many feel came close to killing it. At the time it was seen as one of the worst games to ever exist. However nowadays while people still don't love, people no longer feel that it's an atrocity and instead is appreciated for the buggy mess that it is. Something similar occurred with Sonic Unleashed, a game that when it first came out was looked down and even made fun of for its premise. Now it's seen as a game that made great use of the console it was on and many wish that SEGA would do something unique like it again. 

On the opposite side of the spectrum we have Sonic Colors, a game that at the time was seen as the thing that would bring Sonic back to the limelight. Now it's seen as a game with potential that it couldn't live up to. While not a bad game, it is in no way the game changer that many believed. With repetitive gameplay and a lacking story, this is a game that is saved by nostalgia.

The reason for this change in perspective likely stems from people losing their preconceived notions of the game. Since Sonic ‘06 fans have been more critical of every game that comes out. As such once they have an opinion on a game, they will hold onto strongly in hopes of preventing a future 06. So when they find something they like or hate initially, they'll make sure it's known. It's only after there are no longer stakes that fans are able to give their actual opinion on the games.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

A Bloody Prisonscape

With anime becoming more mainstream, an issue that has happened is lesser known anime have essentially gone to the wayside. Back before big names like My Hero Academia people would talk about shows like Suzumiya Haruhi or Blassreiter. That’s why I feel like it’s best to help bring these lesser known anime back into the limelight.

Deadman Wonderland centers around Igarashi Ganta, an ordinary highschooler who was getting ready for his class field trip. That is until his entire class was murdered in front of him by a man in red. As a result of being framed for the massacre he’s sentenced to death and sent to the prison that he was ironically going to go to for their field trip: Deadman Wonderland, an amusement park that has their prisoners playing dangerous games for onlookers entertainment. However there’s more than meets the eye to this dangerous game; underneath this prison lies an even more monstrous game that has Ganta as its newest participant. Will Ganta be able to survive and possibly escape this prison? Or will he just become another victim of this seemingly unwinnable game?

This anime combines incredible action with a bit of horror and mystery. As you learn more and more about its world as well as its power system, you can’t help but want to ask more questions. Why do these powers exist? Why was Ganta the only one left alive? And who is this mysterious girl Shiro? As you continue to gain answers, you’ll find yourself with even more questions. The anime also manages to come up with a variety of interesting powers centered around blood. From blood blades to actual bombs, there’s no telling what will show up next.

One issue that this anime has is that there are times where it might feel rushed. This is due to the fact that it only has 12 episodes without a second season. As such if you want to see everything you will need to read the manga. That said, the anime still gives plenty to get you invested and understand most of what’s going on. So once you’re done watching the anime and find yourself wanting more, then you’ll have an entire manga series to look forward to.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

The Hidden Cost Of Ubisoft

It’s been a long time since the last Assassin’s Creed game, but we have finally gotten word of a new one in the works. In this newest installment you’re able to switch between fighting as a samurai who charges into battle or take a more stealthy approach as a deadly ninja. The biggest discourse this game has had is the fact that the samurai in question is being portrayed by a black man. Many people seem to think that this is Ubisoft shoehorning in a black character in order to seem more progressive. The issue that people should be focusing on is the fact that Ubisoft is basically preventing players from playing the game properly.

One thing that you might not be aware of is the fact that Ubisoft is granting players who pre order the game a gift. While other games will usually give out cosmetic options or special weapons, Ubisoft decided that it would be a good idea to instead give them a special quest that only they can play. This means that if you don’t preorder the game, you will be unable to play the full game. This basically forces players who wanted to wait for more information on the game to pre order now if they want to get everything.

However what is truly egregious is the actual price of the game and its content. The base game starts at $70. But if you want to get all of the content available then you must pay the hefty price of $130. While it is true that games have offered pre order dlc, the maximum amount of money you’d usually have to spend is around $80. Most people would never spend $130 for a game that they know almost nothing about, especially when the studio producing said game has had a less than stellar track record lately. This might explain why Ubisoft is offering a subscription plan where you only need to pay $18 a month to play the game. The problem with this however is that should you ever stop paying for the subscription, you will lose access to the game and thus all of your progress. You’d essentially be renting the game from Ubisoft.

Ubisoft has lost a lot of credibility lately with their biggest recent blunder being their “quadruple a game” Skull and Bones being an utter failure. That’s why many weren’t surprised by them trying to squeeze money out of players with this game. While I’m sure they’ll keep trying to find new ways to scam players, I can only hope that this article helps stop at least a few players from being scammed.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

A New Age Of Superman

Over the years many different superheroes have been created. However there are few that are quite as iconic as Superman. While there are plenty of different interpretations of the character, it’s the ones that treat him as a boy scout that can truly get him. The problem though is the fact that due to how much he’s grown it's harder to portray that thus resulting in someone who’s not quite Superman. So that’s why this show decided to start from the beginning.

My Adventures With Superman tells the story of a young Clark Kent who is still coming into his own as both a person and a hero. Unlike most portrayals this version hasn’t even become Superman yet and is still trying to understand his powers. It’s not until his first day interning at the Daily Planet where he meets his future love interest Lois Lane alongside his best friend Jimmy Olsen that he starts to consider using his powers to protect people as a hero. Throughout the course of the show we see Superman grow and become accustomed to all of his powers while also discovering more about who he actually is. And unlike his other portrayals, this one seems to have a lot more going on than even he knows.

It’s not uncommon for shows to deage an iconic hero. This allows writers to do more with their own take of the character while also staying more true to the core of the character. Back in the early 2000s we saw a younger Batman who was still learning about being him in the show The Batman. We actually see how torn he is between living his life as Bruce Wayne and being the caped crusader that everyone knows and loves. Fans know that Bruce Wayne is the type of person who will put his life on the back burner if it means protecting the innocent. However by deaging him it allows writers to portray this dynamic as he still hasn’t reached this conclusion and in turn allow people to see something that hasn’t been shown in a while.

This newest rendition of Superman does a similar thing. One thing that everyone knows is that Superman is unbelievably overpowered. As such it’s hard to believe that anyone can take him down. With a younger Superman though, it’s a bit more believable. You can believe that someone who’s just starting out and learning how to use his powers could lose to his enemies and even struggle. However over the course of the show as he grows you start to see changes in how he fights and become more of a hero. It actually feels like you’re watching the birth of this iconic hero for the first time.

This show offers a new world for fans to get lost in. With its new takes on characters and the Superman mythos even diehard fans of the character won’t get bored. So come on and hop aboard this new adventure with our favorite boy scout.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

The Unbreakable Chain

With so many games out there it’s only natural that occasionally some will be either looked over or forgotten. While understandable, it’s always sad to see when a great game falls into this. The main problem is that as a result a game that can be expanded on even more ends up losing out on the potential it had. That’s why today I’d like to shine a light on the game Astral Chain.

Astral Chain is an action adventure game which has you play as an officer whose job it is to combat the extra-dimensional creatures known as Chimeras who are invading your world. These dangerous beasts have managed to push humanity to the brink of extinction with their only safe haven being the artificial megacity “The Ark”. After numerous experiments by Neuron, the police force you join, they’ve finally managed to create a weapon to help combat the Chimeras known as a Legion. Now it’s up to you to use this new power to take down the violent Chimera and hopefully pave the way for humanity to reach a new dawn.

The game offers a lot to do inside of it. As the player takes on the role of a police officer, they’re able to do a variety of things tied into it such as doing investigations and completing tasks they are assigned. This can range from simple fetch quests, to solving puzzles to even solving actual mysteries in the game. While the game is focused on combat, it does a great job of balancing itself out by offering more to do then just simply fight enemies. By doing so gameplay doesn’t feel repetitive and this brief break from combat can even feel refreshing.

With all of that being said, the combat is definitely the selling point of this game. Battles take place in real-time meaning that if you don’t pay attention you might find yourself on the losing end. Gameplay allows you to switch between getting into the mix with melee or staying away with ranged attacks. However ,what truly makes combat unique is the powerful Legion that you control. You control the Legion at the same time as the player, essentially making it so you play with two characters at once. By utilizing the titular astral chain connecting the two of you, it’s possible to do a variety of actions. This includes chaining up enemies to restrict their movement, countering their attacks to catch them off balance and even helping you create more combos for your attacks. With the Legion on your side the possibilities are endless when it comes to combat.

Astral Chain is a game that I believe deserves a lot more attention. While not perfect, it is still a solid experience that offers a ton of replayability. With an amazing soundtrack and stellar gameplay, it’s a game that you won’t be able to put down once you start it. So when you can pick up a copy so that we can help get this game the sequel it deserves.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

The Phantom Thieves Encore

Persona 5 is easily one of the most famous games out there. Even those who haven’t played it know just how popular it is. But for those who have played the game there is always one problem: it ended. Yes, this is a game so good that people will often stare at the tv afterwards, realizing that the game is over. So for those fans who need to scratch their Persona 5 itch, Persona 5 Scramble is the perfect game for you.

The Persona series usually focuses on turn-based combat with players controlling a party of four that they switch out to adjust to the enemies they face. Scramble shakes up this formula greatly with its combat being reworked basically from the ground-up. Scramble’s combat is more akin to hack-and-slash games like Dynasty Warriors and Hyrule Warriors with players fighting enemies in real-time. Players are still limited to four party members at a time, however, now they are able to freely change between who they can control and can even change out for other party members outside of combat. Having more manual control makes it easier to prevent characters from being overworked and thus able to stay longer in battles.

Even with these changes though, Scramble still shares a lot of things with its predecessor. For one thing the weakness system is still present in the game with attacks that enemies are weak to allowing other characters to follow-up. To add on to this hold-ups are swapped out for a showtime gauge which once filled up allows a character to perform an all-out attack. While this isn’t an instant kill like the original, it still does a significant amount of damage to all enemies on screen making it a great way to turn the tide of battle.

And to tie it all together, Scramble’s story does a great job of following up the original story. Set a few months after the ending of the first game, Scramble develops a lot from the original game and does a great job of showing how much the Phantom Thieves have grown both as people and friends. They’re even able to integrate new characters into the cast very well and flesh them out greatly. So if you're a fan of Persona 5 who’s not ready to let go of the game just yet, then I can’t recommend Scramble enough.

POP-COOLEDTURED SPECIALIST

Dystopia Vs Buddy Comedy

As things are adapted from one form to another, there will likely be some differences as a result. This is usually seen in movie/tv show adaptations of books and video games as well as when something is being translated from another language. However, the biggest show of this is in Power Rangers adaptations of Japan’s Super Sentai series. In order to appeal to their own audiences, they will usually make changes to show while still keeping some things in common. For example, Operation Overdrive still shared the same premise of treasure hunting despite having different reasons for it. But the biggest change and tonal shift in any of their adaptations is without a doubt Power Rangers RPM, the adaptation of Engine Sentai Go-Onger.

Power Rangers RPM is regarded as one of the best Power Rangers seasons, and for good reason to. Set in a dystopian world which has been taken over by a dangerous AI, the humans struggle to survive while also trying to find a way to reclaim their world. This show had a beloved cast of characters, a compelling world that you couldn’t help but want to learn more about and thrilling action that didn’t rely that much on its source material. What really sets apart though is its dark tone. RPM wasn’t afraid to go into themes such as death and sacrifice which allowed it to tell stories that you won’t see nowadays in kids shows. As a result, it became a show that people of all ages could enjoy.

Go-Onger though is basically the exact opposite of RPM. While RPM was a show about taking back what’s yours, Go-Onger was more like a buddy-comedy show. The main focus was on the engines (the zords) and the rangers’ bonds as they worked together to fight against the Gaiark Empire whose goal is to pollute the world. This simple premise allowed them to do typical monster of the week episodes without much depth. Though when Go-Onger did decide to get serious, it could at times rival RPM. At the end of the day though what mattered was showing how the humans and machines worked together as well as the bond they shared. While much more light-hearted, it is still a great show in its own right. So that begs the question: why the big change?

It simply boils down to differences in culture. While giant talking cars are par for the course with Japan, America might see it as too silly for live action. For a lot of Americans they’d probably see that as something for little kids and thus something to be put into a cartoon. It’s likely why when adapting Go-Onger they decided to go the dystopian route so as to be taken more seriously and instead of looked down upon. After all if Go-Onger was adapted one-to-one, there would likely have been a lot of people that made fun of it for its goofiness.

As a result of culture differences we ended up getting one of the best Power Rangers series to date. It’s just unfortunate that after RPM we got a significant nose-dive in quality. In the end, I guess that is truly the biggest difference between the two series as a whole: the respect that the studios show. While Go-Onger and Super Sentai in general is still beloved by studios and fans alike, Power Rangers has lost a lot of fans due to their studios not giving the proper care to keep its quality consistent. Finally, Go-Onger will always be remembered as another edition to a great legacy, while RPM will be remembered as the end of an era.