New KOF trailer shows Geese, Ryo

The newest trailer for upcoming fighter The King of Fighters XIV has been released, showcasing Kyokugen-ryu protége, Ryo Sakazaki and everyone's favourite bad-ass boss of Southtown and aikido master, Geese Howard.

The first part of the trailer showcases the effectiveness of Geese's multiple counters and how he gets away with that name (hint: being tough as nails normally helps). Ryo also gets his moment to shine and no doubt the inclusion of these two in the roster will please long-term KOF fans for sure.

What do you think of the most recent additions to the roster? Feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Street Fighter V update goes live this afternoon, adds Challenges, returning character Alex and in-game shop

The latest entry in the long-running going game franchise, Street Fighter V, Is getting a significant update this afternoon. The update to version 1.2 that will see players gain access to trials for each character in the roster as well as demonstrations showing how many of the game's systems function.

More substantially for fans of the franchise we will see series favourite Alex added to the roster. Although he would normally cost 100,000 in Fight Money (the game's currency) he will be available for free for a limited time due to the Zeny system (currency that can be bought in-game) not going live just yet.

The game's shop will also be available allowing players to purchase a variety on content including alternate costumes, banners and more.

To whet your appetite, check out the launch trailer for Alex below and feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comments section underneath.

Thoughts about Bloodborne coming, new KOF XIV trailer is live

I know I haven't upped my thoughts about From Software's gothic England set action RPG, Bloodborne but they will be available to read very soon.

In the meantime as its Good Friday, feel good by watching the latest trailer for the upcoming release in SNK's long-running franchise, The King of Fighters XIV.

Have a great Easter weekend everyone and feel free to leave your thoughts in the Comments section below.

Recent film round-up

Although I haven't written one of these for a while I thought it would be nice to do a medium-size entry on films I've caught over the last 2-3 weeks (courtesy of a couple of home on demand services).

I managed to catch the film Tommorowland starting the ever charming George Clooney as wunderkind inventor Frank and the relatively unknown Britt Robertson as a modern-day smart kid with a habit for fixing space rocket launch pads, Casey. A somewhat delightful but also mature take on the idea of "what if some of the most brilliant mins in science, engineering and humanity came together to create almost anything to make the lives of humans better?

The Brad Bird-directed film has some really interesting ideas and can be quite heavy on the CGI. The overriding messages of how we the human race need to take action to make the planet better for the future could also be too persistent for those who would rather just be entertained for two hours. It does at least show that with this and Mission Impossible:Ghost Protocol under his belt, Bird is most capable of directing animated and live-action affair equally well.

I also managed to catch The Anomaly starring actor/director/writer Noel Clarke. The premise of ex-soldier Ryan being awake for only 9 minutes and 47 seconds before reawakening in another body/timeline is both interesting and allows lead Clarke to play various roles in the same film. His attempts to find the cause of the phenomenon and how to stop it are the driving force of the movie with Ian Sömmerhalder's Harkin assuring he prevents that from ever coming to fruition. Alexis Knapp also plays gang-owned escort and potential ally to Ryan, Dana. Although a pretty face (and body) she proves to be more than just eye candy as the film progresses.

An ambitious premise let down perhaps by its budget or the seemingly rushed nature of certain parts of the film makes The Anomaly a great idea on paper that maybe needs a little more work in its execution. A reasonable effort though by Clarke who has shown with the likes of Kidulthood/ Adulthood he can write great scripts/material.

Updates coming this weekend

In efforts to adhere to my earlier claim to update the blog more frequently, look forward to some upcoming updates to the blog.

The first will be my thoughts about my recent playthrough of the PS4 exclusive and darkly-themed RPG title by developer From Software, Bloodborne.

I also aim to do a film review round-up of movies I have watched over the last 1-2 weeks. This should be available to read via the blog from Sunday 20/03.

Finally, despite the criticism of detractors for its lack of current-gen graphical polish, the latest trailer for The King of Fighters XIV shows the game t its best yet. With 50 characters available to choose from upon release this could turn out to be SNK's best 3D effort yet (the KOF: Maximum Impact being the company's last forays into 3D KOF titles).

Feel free to watch the latest trailer below and let me know what you think in the Comments section below.


 

The Best 10 Films of 2015

Firstly I know its nearly been a year but life has been busy and I've been occupied with other pursuits. Not so much a New Year's resolution and more to recommence an outlet I haven't been involved with actively for the last 12 months, I will make a concerted effort to update the blog more frequently going forwards.

Now with that out of the way, get ready to read my Best 10 films of 2015.

Cinema has had an interesting year with some huge films as well as independent pictures that not only took me by surprise but were a firm reminder why the medium is a fantastic way to entertain and deeply connect with audiences.

Let's run down the list for 2015...

10. It Follows

The first in the list is a film that not only channels the off-kilter mood and feel of the likes of John Carpenter straight of the 1980s but is as ambiguous as it is horrifying.

It Follows tells the story of late-teenage female protagonist Jay (played by the promising and upcoming actress Maika Monroe) who makes love with her boyfriend for the first time. Unbeknowst to her, rather than as a mere act of love, the boyfriend has more selfish intentions at heart with his main purpose being to remove a curse that causes its bearer to be constantly pursued (albeit always at a steady walking pace) by the 'creature' in the film.

Taken as a straight up B-movie horror tale or a compelling message about the risks of unsafe sex (how the creature is perceived or what it actually is trying to do is down to the viewer), It Follows is a smart take on the genre's conventions. The supporting cast are mostly young and do a reasonable job and the film's score is a great throwback to the slightly off yet highly effective mood-setting music common of the likes of John Carpenter's best filmography (the film is shot quite interestingly to boot).

Definitely one to watch if you want to become heightened to the prospect that the stranger you pass in the street could be something more.

9. Jurassic World

This film needs no introduction. A continuation of the beloved franchise first helmed by renowned director Stephen Spielberg, Jurassic World sees its predecessor (Jurassic Park III) outright ignored in attempts to carry on the original idea Richard Attenborough's John Hammond from the original Jurassic Park had in that film; a high-scale resort and dinosaur park for people around that world to enjoy.

Jurassic World does in many ways feel like a worthy successor to one of the most revered franchises in all of cinema history and mostly meets fans' expectations. The setting for the film is well realised, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are well cast as gamekeeper Owen who has a knack for communicating with raptors under his care and the park's chief of staff, Claire.

The dinosaurs are no slouch either with the familiar raptors returning (and an interesting appearance of an old favourite) as well as new dinosaurs both timid and fierce. It wouldn't be a Jurassic Park film without a king of the lizards though and JW is no exception. The aptly titled Indominus Rex is both fierce and intelligent in equal measure, an excellent hunter and addition to the fierce Tyranosaurs Rex and other fearsome reptilian menaces that cane before it in this popular franchise.

Director Colin Trevorrow managed to capture many pleasing elements that make Jurassic World highly watchable and despite a couple of negatives (the story of the two children in the film (Claire's nephews) and some of the supporting cast) shows that the film is great not because it made impressive bank at the box office but because it was able to have the audience on the edge of our seats once more as we see dinosaurs terrorise the human race once again.

20 Years of Playstation article is now live

The Playstation family in all its glory in aid of the brand's 20th Anniversary

Hello there readers. Hope you are well and feeling festive at this giving time of year. Christmas is nearly upon us and what better to read then a piece covering the last twenty years of the Playstation brand?

My recently written article in aid of the 20th Anniversary of SONY's Playstation brand is now live on the website Realm of Gaming. Below is a sample of what to expect:

This month marks the 20 Anniversary of Sony's PlayStation brand. Although it might seem like the success of the PlayStation took place overnight, the road to success for the Japanese company over the last twenty years as Sony became a major player within the console space was interesting and progressive.

Perhaps the electronic brand's early signs of success can be attributed to a major business upset. In the period leading up to the original PlayStation's launch (from herein the PSX) history could have told a very different story. Sony was due to enter a collaboration with fellow Japanese developer and publisher Nintendo in creating a CD-based home gaming system for the consumer market. However Nintendo partnered with Phillips in its future endeavours, infuriating Sony and causing the company to create a gaming console that would take on the likes of the already popular SEGA and Nintendo.

Feel free to read a nostalgic trip through the last 20 years of one of the most popular gaming brands ever. Please also leave any comments or feedback in Comments section below.

Street Fighter V gameplay trailer gets the FGC excited all over again

So a little news dropped on Friday regarding the latest numbered installment in the long-loved fighting game franchise, Street Fighter. Avid fans got to take a sneak peak at what to expect from the new entry in the series as well as potential system and appearance changes.

You can check out the trailer below which gives a brief look at Ryu vs Chun-Li in what looks like a fight somewhere in Hong Kong or nearby

So what do you think about the trailer for the newest and upcoming installment of the Street Fighter franchise? Feel free to leave your opinions and comments in the Comments section below.

A little post about a great review

Hello there. In traditional and timely fashion I've got back to updating the blog after spending so long suggesting that I would be back on top of it. Well now its happening so you readers will have something fantastic to read again each week from here on out.

The newest entry in Arc System Works' fighting game franchise

To start with there is a highly detailed and thorough review of the latest installment of the one-on-one fighting game franchise from developer Arc System Works, Blazblue: Chronophantasma. You can find it over at the website Realm of Gaming which the owner Jason Leyanna has been kind enough to host for me.

   

Not only does the game give you
23 characters to pick from off the bat...

...but the artwork is no slouch either

I've had a large amount of fun playing this game to date and I hope you get the same impression after reading the review.

Additionally I may update with inane but still interesting content or links to videos from time to time. For a late Sunday evening you can have a watch of the latest reveal trailer for the newest character to be unveiled the Iron Galaxy's recent take on Killer Instinct, Kan-ra (as well as a short reveal for the long desired fan-favourite, Riptor):

The character and the stage are looking pretty interesting to say the least. In any case please continue to check Honeyman-On for new and interesting updates and reviews. Also feel free to leave any opinions in the Comments section down below.

Izayoi's victory post after her Astral Heat.
Its pretty awesome

One reason why BBCP is kick-ass

Thanks for having me back

Any of you that read Honeyman-On may have wondered where its original author and creator, Patrick Honeyman, has been since the start of this year. Busy with additional projects and recording The Padcast with may good friend Sebski (which you can listen to over at this link) have been taking up the bulk of my time, together with a mixture of cinema visits and a more recent hobby of mine, reading a variety of novels (you're welcome Jo Nesbo).

But where would the joy be if I didn't get back to updating the blog regularly, especially as this year has provided some very interesting experiences regarding entertainment and some unexpected encounters too.

So, look forward to Honeyman-On giving some fantastic updates in the near future. Please check back regularly and you can always catch up and/or message me with comments or queries either in the section below or at my FB page over HERE.

Finally, given the time of year and my recent foray back into the world of the popular Japanese game franchise Ryu Ga Gotoku I leave you with the menu music from one of the more recent entries in the franchise, Ryu Ga Gotoku 5(listen to it in 720p for the best quality audio experience).

Enjoy.