Tokyo's Studio Ghibli is the creator of beloved animated feature films like "Princess Mononoke," ''Spirited Away" and "Ponyo." It hasn't made many forays into video games, although its influence is all over popular Japanese series like "Final Fantasy" and "Dragon Quest."
So "Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch" (Namco Bandai, for PlayStation 3, $59.99), a collaboration between Ghibli and Fukuoka, Japan-based developer Level-5, is something special. Every frame of it feels suffused with Ghibli magic, to the point where it overcomes any resistance you might have to its old-fashioned gameplay.
Level-5 makes for an ideal partner. It's known for "Dark Cloud," ''Dragon Quest VIII" and the Professor Layton series, games whose animation and character designs have always displayed the Ghibli spirit. "Ni no Kuni" takes some familiar Ghibli themes ? parallel worlds, missing parents, humans turned bestial ? and turns them into a sweeping role-playing adventure.
The tale begins in dark territory: A boy named Oliver is heartbroken when his mother dies of a heart attack. When Oliver's tears soak his favorite toy, Mr. Drippy, it springs to life. Turns out he's a fairy from the alternate world, where Oliver's mom is a powerful sage. ("Ni no kuni" translates to "second country.") If Oliver can stop a dark conspiracy that threatens Drippy's world, he might be able to save Mom as well.
Oliver's journey takes him through a succession of lushly drawn towns, including the bucolic Ding Dong Dell, the sandy Al Mamoon and the industrial Hamelin. There's a lively populace of human and animal characters: the Arab-flavored Al Mamoon, for example, is ruled by "Her Moojesty Cowlipha," while the people of Hamelin dress in pig disguises. Even when exploring the gloomy Tombstone Trail, you'll encounter a few droll corpses.
The areas outside the towns are stuffed with comically named monsters, like the "crashing boar" and the "sillymander." Oliver is initially equipped with little more than a wooden stick, but he can rally "familiars" to do his fighting for him. During any battle, he can switch among three different familiars; the other people who eventually join his crusade can do the same.
This means you can take control of 12 different characters during combat, and it is chaotic at first. Stick with it, though, and you'll quickly get the hang of switching among the humans and familiars who are best at attack, defense, spell-casting and healing. Many of the monsters you encounter can be recruited to your cause, adding a "Pokemon"-like collect-'em-all challenge to the adventure.
Younger players are likely to be attracted to the colorful graphics and cute monsters, but beware: On the normal difficulty setting, some of these battles are quite challenging, and kids may find them frustrating. Within its dungeons and castles, save locations are sparse, so you run the risk of losing an hour or so of progress if you bump into the wrong creature. Even adult players may feel the need to switch to the easy setting every now and again.
Beyond the main story are dozens of side quests. Some are typical fare, like slaying a monster or retrieving a treasure, but others are weirder. Throughout the game you'll meet "heartbroken" characters who've become immobilized by fear, anger, doubt or other negative emotions. To save them, you have to find people who are so positive that they're overflowing with feelings like courage, kindness or belief. With your magic locket, you can grab chunks of positive feelings and use them to repair the heartbroken.
There's also a deep alchemy system (hosted by a genie named Al-Khemi) that lets you craft your own potions, armor and weapons. And you can even gamble with ghouls, playing slots, blackjack and an original game called Platoon in the Tombstone Trail casino.
Namco's localization team has done a spectacular job translating the comedy from Japanese into English. And the music by Joe Hisaishi, who has composed the scores for most of Ghibli co-founder Hayao Miyazaki's films, is lovely and at times stirring. Overall, "Ni no Kuni" is one of the most satisfying games to come out of Japan in years, deftly combining the charm of Studio Ghibli's movies with the rewards of a meaty role-playing epic. Four stars out of four.
___
Online:
http://ninokunigame.com/
___
Follow Lou Kesten on Twitter at http://twitter.com/lkesten
Nothing says, "Nintendo news" quite like watching Nintendo president Satoru Iwata gesticulate in a featureless white room for nearly an hour. This morning's Nintendo Direct presentation didn't disappoint in that respect, with Iwata moving his hands this way and that, all the while detailing upcoming system updates to the Wii U, new features and mobile access for the Miiverse social network, and Virtual Console finally heading to Nintendo's latest console. That's to say nothing of a new yarn-based game starring Yoshi and the HD remake of Wind Waker. But you're not here for that, are you? You just wanna watch Iwata make silly arm movements? Done and done -- head past the break for your fix.
Academic publisher Versita launches Open Access Book Series with inaugural title by Oleg TarnopolskyPublic release date: 23-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Maria Hrynkiewicz maria@versita.com 48-660-476-421 Versita
Understanding that books continue to play a vital role as educational materials for students and practitioners, Versita is committed to bringing back the academic monograph alongside more equitable distribution of knowledge
Academic publisher Versita launches its Open Access Book Series with inaugural title by Oleg Tarnopolsky: "Constructivist Blended Learning Approach to Teaching English for Specific Purposes". This recently published monograph analyzes an innovative approach to teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in tertiary education. Dubbed as "constructivist blended learning approach" the method is based on students "constructing" for themselves their own knowledge and professional communication skills in English by making extensive use of Internet sites in English, combining traditional in-class learning with in- and out-of-class learning through the Internet (blended learning). Dr. Tarnopolsky offers a thorough analysis of the principal forms of learning activities in English for this approach.
Oleg Tarnopolsky (Doctor of Pedagogy, Fulbright Awards, 1994 and 2005) is Full Professor at Alfred Nobel University, Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine) where he heads the Department of Applied Linguistics and Methods in Foreign Language Teaching. His research and publications focus on different aspects of language teaching. He is the author of more than 250 works (books, articles, textbooks) on teaching English as a foreign language published in his home country and across Europe, in Canada and in China.
The new title has already been acclaimed by fellow researchers, Prof. Jamie Schissel from the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, at Temple University, PA, among them, who recommends the book as " an excellent guide between theory and practice for ESP pedagogies". Schiessel points out at the well-organized structure of the book as well as "thorough reviews of literature and examples of classroom activities" that make the content "accessible for instructors of ESP, students preparing to teach ESP, curriculum designers, and university policymakers interested in integrating ESP into their programs". Schissel further observes that "the organization of each of the chapters allows readers to first be exposed to theories framing the chapter's theme before delving into systematically organized examples. Alternative, a reader could use the text as a reference by first selecting a sample lesson and then return to a previous part of the chapter to discover how that activity is situated in relation to learning theories or teaching methods".
The above mentioned approach is also enthusiastically received by Bridget Goodman from Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, who notes in her review of the book, that: "Tarnopolsky synthesizes theories developed over decades in the TESOL and psychology field, and shows how they apply both to the constructivist blended learning approach and to the teaching of English for Specific Purposes at the university level". Goodman, herself an avid advocate of ESP, writes: "I am familiar with ESP literature which recommends that foreign language teachers consult with specialists in their department to develop teaching materials, but Tarnopolsky is the only author I've seen who has developed full surveys of individuals in the field. He is also the first to suggest simultaneously developing students' language skills and their professional identity through a "big picture" approach to ESP curriculum development." Concluding on her review Goodman praises the author's "inimitable and readable" writing style that makes this book a truly enjoyable read.
Commenting on the Open Access Books initiative, Dr. Agata Morka, Product Manager, Books at Versita, says: "I believe that this form of publishing might change the status quo of the academic monograph, revive it and make it flourish again. Ultimately, books are written to be read and open access publishing gives authors an opportunity to reach an audience wider than the usual hermetic group of researchers. Rather than gathering dust on library shelves, Dr. Tarnopolsky's book has a chance to gather a diverse group of readers from all over the world, no matter what their economic or geographical circumstances might be."
###
The book is available to download and read on: www.versita.com/cblaeng
[ | E-mail | Share ]
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Academic publisher Versita launches Open Access Book Series with inaugural title by Oleg TarnopolskyPublic release date: 23-Jan-2013 [ | E-mail | Share ]
Contact: Maria Hrynkiewicz maria@versita.com 48-660-476-421 Versita
Understanding that books continue to play a vital role as educational materials for students and practitioners, Versita is committed to bringing back the academic monograph alongside more equitable distribution of knowledge
Academic publisher Versita launches its Open Access Book Series with inaugural title by Oleg Tarnopolsky: "Constructivist Blended Learning Approach to Teaching English for Specific Purposes". This recently published monograph analyzes an innovative approach to teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) in tertiary education. Dubbed as "constructivist blended learning approach" the method is based on students "constructing" for themselves their own knowledge and professional communication skills in English by making extensive use of Internet sites in English, combining traditional in-class learning with in- and out-of-class learning through the Internet (blended learning). Dr. Tarnopolsky offers a thorough analysis of the principal forms of learning activities in English for this approach.
Oleg Tarnopolsky (Doctor of Pedagogy, Fulbright Awards, 1994 and 2005) is Full Professor at Alfred Nobel University, Dnepropetrovsk (Ukraine) where he heads the Department of Applied Linguistics and Methods in Foreign Language Teaching. His research and publications focus on different aspects of language teaching. He is the author of more than 250 works (books, articles, textbooks) on teaching English as a foreign language published in his home country and across Europe, in Canada and in China.
The new title has already been acclaimed by fellow researchers, Prof. Jamie Schissel from the Department of Communicative Sciences and Disorders, at Temple University, PA, among them, who recommends the book as " an excellent guide between theory and practice for ESP pedagogies". Schiessel points out at the well-organized structure of the book as well as "thorough reviews of literature and examples of classroom activities" that make the content "accessible for instructors of ESP, students preparing to teach ESP, curriculum designers, and university policymakers interested in integrating ESP into their programs". Schissel further observes that "the organization of each of the chapters allows readers to first be exposed to theories framing the chapter's theme before delving into systematically organized examples. Alternative, a reader could use the text as a reference by first selecting a sample lesson and then return to a previous part of the chapter to discover how that activity is situated in relation to learning theories or teaching methods".
The above mentioned approach is also enthusiastically received by Bridget Goodman from Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, who notes in her review of the book, that: "Tarnopolsky synthesizes theories developed over decades in the TESOL and psychology field, and shows how they apply both to the constructivist blended learning approach and to the teaching of English for Specific Purposes at the university level". Goodman, herself an avid advocate of ESP, writes: "I am familiar with ESP literature which recommends that foreign language teachers consult with specialists in their department to develop teaching materials, but Tarnopolsky is the only author I've seen who has developed full surveys of individuals in the field. He is also the first to suggest simultaneously developing students' language skills and their professional identity through a "big picture" approach to ESP curriculum development." Concluding on her review Goodman praises the author's "inimitable and readable" writing style that makes this book a truly enjoyable read.
Commenting on the Open Access Books initiative, Dr. Agata Morka, Product Manager, Books at Versita, says: "I believe that this form of publishing might change the status quo of the academic monograph, revive it and make it flourish again. Ultimately, books are written to be read and open access publishing gives authors an opportunity to reach an audience wider than the usual hermetic group of researchers. Rather than gathering dust on library shelves, Dr. Tarnopolsky's book has a chance to gather a diverse group of readers from all over the world, no matter what their economic or geographical circumstances might be."
###
The book is available to download and read on: www.versita.com/cblaeng
[ | E-mail | Share ]
?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Leonardo DiCaprio is planning a break from acting and says he wants to concentrate on his environmental activism during that time. DiCaprio plans his break after appearing in 'Django Unchained,' which was released this December, and with two other films coming out this year.
By Molly Driscoll,?Staff Writer / January 23, 2013
Leonardo DiCaprio plans a break from acting after being nominated for a Golden Globe for his appearance in 'Django Unchained.'
Mario Anzuoni/Reuters
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Academy Award-nominated thespian Leonardo DiCaprio, who most recently appeared in the Quentin Tarantino film ?Django Unchained,? told a German newspaper that he?s planning on taking ?a long, long break? from acting.
Skip to next paragraph Molly Driscoll
Staff writer
Molly Driscoll is a Books and the Culture staff writer.
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?I am a bit drained," DiCaprio told German newspaper Bild. "I'm now going to take a long, long break. I've done three films in two years and I'm just worn out.??
The actor said he wanted to concentrate on his activism in environmental causes.?
?I would like to improve the world a bit,? he said. ?I will fly around the world doing good for the environment.?
DiCaprio was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture for ?Django,? in which he played venomous plantation owner Calvin Candie. He is slated to appear as the title character in the Baz Luhrmann adaptation of ?The Great Gatsby,? which is scheduled for a May 10 release this year, and ?The Wolf of Wall Street,? directed by his frequent collaborator Martin Scorsese, which is rumored to be scheduled for release near the end of 2013.
DiCaprio has been nominated for an Academy Award three times, for the films "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," "The Aviator," and "Blood Diamond," respectively.
The late Alvar Artek is a very awesome Finish designer whose portfolio includes housewares, textiles, buildings, and furniture. One of his most famous designs is the three-legged Stool 60. Created in 1933, it's turning 80 this year, and to celebrate, Artek is reissuing the a remixed version of classic Finish piece, featuring bright accent colors from a famous Artek building. More »
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Public release date: 23-Jan-2013
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