Geek of Oz

THE SHORT VERSION I'm not sure if it'd be fair to call Godzilla a movie tie-in game, but it certainly feels like one. It's the kind of exercise in brand management designed to give the illusion of wish-fulfillment - "Wow, I get to play as Godzilla after watching him smash buildings for two hours? Awesome!" - and instead delivers an experience that admirably disappoints (I'll explain that odd dichotomy later). Godzilla is not the game I expected, nor was it the game I was hoping for. Other reviewers have already savaged it to kingdom come, but I don't feel as strongly as they do. It was definitely flawed, but in an endearing way, like a paperback novel scribed by a crayon-wielding Kindergartener. There have been worse attempts at monster-destruction simulators, and there have been better. Whether you'll want to play it or not depends heavily on that dichotomy I mentioned, which I'll endeavour to explain below. STORY You are Godzilla....

Having previously glowingly reviewed Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys , Pluto , and the anime adaptation of Monster , it should come as no surprise that the manga series that preceded those previously mentioned series is another absolute masterpiece. Honestly, I had to head to the superlative store just in case I ran out during this review. In short, don't bother reading this review unless you're in the mood for some unbridled gushing, just go buy this title instead. On of the worlds greatest surgeons, Dr Kenzo Tenma, is faced with tough decisions every day, decisions that can literally mean the difference between life and death. The pinnacle of  morality, Dr Tenma finds himself seemingly responsible for countless deaths after unknowingly creating a monster the likes of which he has never experienced. Suspense is the name of the game and Naoki Urasawa is a star player. This MVP manages to make the titular "monster" seem to be something greater than si...

Naoki Urasawa's Monster is widely regarded as being a manga masterpiece so it should come as no surprise that the anime incarnation is just as fantastic. Ten years after it's initial release, the series is finally being released in Australia by the good people at Siren.  "What would you do if a child you saved grew up to be a monster? An ice-cold killer is on the loose, and Dr. Kenzo Tenma is the only one who can stop him! Tenma, a brilliant neurosurgeon with a promising future, risks his career to save the life of a critically wounded young boy named Johan. When the boy reappears nine years later in the midst of a string of unusual serial murders, Tenma must go on the run from the police who suspect him to be the killer. Conspiracies, serial murders, and secret government experiments set against the grim backdrop of the formerly communist Eastern Europe are masterfully woven together in the compelling work of suspense that is Naoki Urasawa's MONSTER...

Siren Visual have announced via their Facebook page that they will be releasing Naoki Urasawa's (20th Century Boys) MONSTER in 5 volumes starting from November.  Set in Düsseldorf, Germany; MONSTER is the story of a Japanese brain surgeon who chooses to save the life of a young boy over the life of the city mayor. Bizarre serial murder follows. Siren have confirmed that the release will feature both Japanese and English dubs as well as English subtitles.  This fan favourite psychological thriller will see all 72 episodes released on DVD but not Blu Ray. Siren have explained that this is purely due to the fact that no HD masters exist as yet.  Stay tuned as we confirm further details as they come to hand. For further detail on the series, head on over to  http://www.animenewsnetwork.com.au/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=3750