January 2017 New PC Games To Watch For

The first month of the year does have only a few note worthy PC games. Two new games in a already well established series and two re-releases.

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard
Resident Evil 7: Biohazard is a survival horror video game developed and published by Capcom.  It is the eleventh entry in the Resident Evil series, and the first main series installment to be played from a first-person perspective.The story follows Ethan Winters in the search for his wife Mia, which leads him to a derelict plantation, home to the Baker family. Ethan makes use of various weapons and tools in the fight against the Baker family and creatures known as the "Molded". Healing herbs are used in the event of injury and puzzles may be solved to further the story. Instead of being action-oriented, the survival horror element present in previous installments took priority.The game was released worldwide for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One in January 24, 2017.

Tales of Berseria
Tales of Berseria is a role-playing video game developed and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment for PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and Microsoft Windows. It is the sixteenth main entry in the Tales series. Tales of Berseria is a role-playing video game, where players navigate the game's world through the game's characters from a third-person perspective. As with previous Tales games, characters can interact through Skits, animated clips that play outside cutscenes and battle. It was released in Japan in August 2016, and was released worldwide in January 27, 2017.

Disgaea 2
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a tactical role-playing game developed and published by Nippon Ichi Software for the PlayStation 2 video game console. Disgaea 2 is the sequel to 2003's Disgaea: Hour of Darkness and was released for the PlayStation 2. A port of the game for PCs titled Disgaea 2 PC has been released on January 30, 2017, and includes all content from the PS2 and PSP versions, along with an updated interface and support for mouse and keyboard.

Double Dragon IV
Double Dragon IV is a beat 'em up video game in the Double Dragon series. The story picks up after the elimination of the Black Warriors in Double Dragon II. There are lots of extra modes, too. Cool new features fans have been waiting for including playable enemy characters, VS Mode, Tower Mode, and even more. The game is planned for release on January 31 for Microsoft Windows.

BONUS ENTRY
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Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King
Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is a role-playing video game developed by Level-5 and published by Square Enix for the PlayStation 2. It is the eighth installment of the popular Dragon Quest series and it is the first English version of a Dragon Quest game to drop the Dragon Warrior title. Dragon Quest VIII uses cel-shading textures for the characters and scenery and is the first game in the series to have fully 3D environments and character models. The game retains most of the series' role-playing game elements, such as turn-based combat and the experience level system. Dragon Quest VIII follows the silent Hero, the main character, and his party of allies as they journey towards the goal of defeating the wicked Dhoulmagus. The kingdom of Trodain has been cursed by Dhoulmagus, with the King, Trode, and his daughter, Medea, transformed into a troll and a horse respectively, and it is up to the Hero to return them to their original form and save the kingdom. Dragon Quest VIII enjoyed much success since its release, both in Japan and in North America, and has seen various ports. It is a Square Enix Ultimate Hits and a Sony Greatest Hits title. The 3DS version was released on January 20, 2017 in North America.

[ Double Dragon IV should be a nostalgically impressive title, the new Resident Evil seems to be welcome return to the basic. And I am very very interested in playing the 3DS port of Dragon Quest VIII. ]

Short Story Review - Clover

Short Story - Clover
Writer - Charlie Jane Anders
Published By - Tor Books
 
I didn't expect much when I started reading this short. But despite not reading "All the Birds in the Sky", I enjoyed this story. This is the tell of a gay couple who gets a cat suddenly from mysterious sources, their struggles in their relationship as well as the cat's own struggle to reclaim its identity.

Promising Sci-fi, horror & Fantasy - January 2017

While January may not be a month to be over-excited about in terms of books, it does have some works by well known and capable authors as well as a surprise sequel I wasn't really expecting among the releases.

"Passing Strange" by Ellen Klages from Tor.com

San Francisco in 1940 is a haven for the unconventional. Tourists flock to the cities within the city: the Magic City of the World’s Fair on an island created of artifice and illusion; the forbidden city of Chinatown, a separate, alien world of exotic food and nightclubs that offer “authentic” experiences, straight from the pages of the pulps; and the twilight world of forbidden love, where outcasts from conventional society can meet.
Six women find their lives as tangled with each other’s as they are with the city they call home. They discover love and danger on the borders where mystery, science, and art intersect.
Inspired by the pulps, film noir, and screwball comedy, Passing Strange is a story as unusual and complex as San Francisco itself from World Fantasy Award winning author Ellen Klages.





[ An unorthodox release by Tor.com which intrigues me just enough to check it out. Who knows, it just might turn out way better than I am expecting. ]

"Home (Binti #2) by Nnedi Okorafor from Tor.com

The thrilling sequel to the Nebula-nominated Binti.
It’s been a year since Binti and Okwu enrolled at Oomza University. A year since Binti was declared a hero for uniting two warring planets. A year since she left her family to pursue her dream.
And now she must return home to her people, with her friend Okwu by her side, to face her family and face her elders.
But Okwu will be the first of his race to set foot on Earth in over a hundred years, and the first ever to come in peace.
After generations of conflict can human and Meduse ever learn to truly live in harmony?  

[ Another Tor.com novellas and a sequel I was not expecting. While I wasn't really blown away by the plot of 'Binti', the prose was excellent and exploring the world could be a lot of fun. ] 
  

"Dusk or Dark or Dawn or Day' by Seanan McGuire from Tor.com

When her sister Patty died, Jenna blamed herself. When Jenna died, she blamed herself for that, too. Unfortunately Jenna died too soon. Living or dead, every soul is promised a certain amount of time, and when Jenna passed she found a heavy debt of time in her record. Unwilling to simply steal that time from the living, Jenna earns every day she leeches with volunteer work at a suicide prevention hotline.
But something has come for the ghosts of New York, something beyond reason, beyond death, beyond hope; something that can bind ghosts to mirrors and make them do its bidding. Only Jenna stands in its way. 

[ Three promising releases from Tor.com in one month? Wow! But, who can pass up a standalone from Seanan McGuire, which is sure to be a delight. ]




"The Last Sacrifice (The Tides of War #1) by James A. Moore from Angry Robot

Since time began, the Grakhul – immortal servants of the gods – have taken human sacrifices to keep the world in balance and the gods appeased. When they choose the family of warrior Brogan McTyre, everything changes.

Brogan begins the toughest battle of his life to free his family from their terrible fate. But when you challenge the gods, you challenge the very fabric of society. Declared an outcast, Brogan and his kin are hunted like criminals – but nothing will stand in his way.

[ New series from James A. Moore, who is a writer I admire a lot due to his ability of magnificent world-building and face paced story telling. I know he won't disappoint me this time as well. ]

"Magnus the Red: Master of Prospero (Primarchs #3) by Graham McNeill from Black Library

Fighting in the Great Crusade beside his staunchly anti-mystical brother Perturabo, the psychic primarch Magnus and his Legion of knowledge-seekers must walk a fine line between their mission and their own desire to learn forbidden secrets.
Lord of the mystical and uncanny, Magnus the Red has long studied the ancient crafts of sorcery. A psyker without peer, save only for the Emperor himself, he commands his loyal followers of the Thousand Sons Legion in the Great Crusade, though also vigilant for any lost knowledge they might recover from the remains of dead human civilisations. Now, fighting alongside his brother Perturabo of the Iron Warriors, Magnus begins to foresee an approaching nexus of fate - will he remain true to their mutual aims, or divert his own efforts towards furthering his own mastery of the warp?
Graham McNeill returns to a character he defined in the Horus Heresy series to tell a definitive tale of the one-eyed primarch. 

(PS: This is only a limited edition, the general wide-scale publication will be on April, but I try to always stick to the first published date rule, so...)

[ The third in the Primarchs series, and one focusing on a character I am meaning to learn more about for a while now, should be a treat into the rich lore of Black Library. ] 

Mini-Comic Review - Monsters Unleashed #1 (of 5)

Name - Monsters Unleashed #1 (of 5)
Published by - Marvel Comics
Written by - Cullen Bunn
Art by - Steve McNiven
Ink by - Jay Leisten  
Coloring by - David Curiel
Letters by - VC's Travis Lanham
Release Date: January 18, 2017
 
Oh no, start of another Marvel Event! But don't worry this time it's not heroes vs. heroes, but rather heroes vs. monstrous villains. And the event is literally on a worldwide scale, as different group of heroes fight different monsters all over the globe.

Mini-Comic-Review - The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #1 (of 6)

Name - The Fall and Rise of Captain Atom #1 (of 6)
Published by - DC Comics
Written by - Cary Bates, Greg Weisman
Art by - Will Conrad
Coloring by - Ivan Nunes
Letters by - Saida Temofonte
Release Date: January 4, 2017
 
So, it's still Rebirth ongoing, and DC has decided to bring back one of their lesser known superheroes Captain Atom. This title explores what really happened to Captain Atom and why we haven't heard from him in a while. Veteran Atom writer Cary Bates joins forces with Greg Weisman to tell the story of hero so powerful that he makes the humanity look fragile and what happens when such a hero gets ill leading him to face his imminent demise.

Best New English Light Novels of 2016

So, I start the 'best of the year' list with a relatively easy one. There were only about 10-15 new light novels that got released in English this year and I am going to just list the ones that I think are the best among these. Some might be familiar due to their recent or popular anime adaptations, others are just hidden gems that I think everyone should know about.

So, without more preamble, here is my list.

(PS: In no particular order of preference is this list created and only new series' that started being published in English for the first time were the main selection criteria.)

"Legend of Galactic Heroes"

Written by Yoshiki Tanaka

Translated by Daniel Hudleston

Published by Haikasoru (Viz Media)

“The Golden Brat” Reinhard von Lohengramm, a military prodigy and admiral of the Galactic Empire, has ambitions beyond protecting the borders or even defeating the Empire’s enemies. He seeks to overthrow the old order and become a truly absolute—yet benevolent—dictator. His rival, the humble Yang Wen-li of the Free Planets Alliance, wishes to preserve democracy even if he must sacrifice his political ideals to defeat the Empire. Their political and military battles play out over a galactic chessboard in an epic saga fifteen centuries in the making!

[ One of the hidden gems of Japanese sci-fi literature in my opinion, this finally got released in English after about 34 years of its original publication. Often compared to many well-known space operas and occasionally sited as influence this novel series hopefully will finally get the recognition it deserves on the western countries with these releases. I already got the first volume and ordered the second and third one as they got published from amazon.com through Shopr. A must read without a doubt for any lovers of science fiction. ]

"Baccano!"

Writen by Ryohgo Narita

Visual Art by Katsumi Enami

Translated by Taylor Engel

Published by Yen On

Aboard the Advenna Avis in 1711, a group of alchemists summon a demon in the hopes of gaining eternal life. The demon gives them an elixir of immortality and the method of ending their existence by "devouring" one another. Soon after, one among them begins to devour his companions. Realizing the danger posed by staying together, they scatter across the globe.
Centuries later in 1930's America, a certain federal investigator tries his best to combat the rise of organized crime during Prohibition, send a particularly infuriating terrorist to Alcatraz, and catch an outrageous thief duo. Meanwhile, the transcontinental train, the Flying Pussyfoot, begins its trail of blood across the country.
In 2002, a small group of the original Advenna Avis alchemists are on a journey to find the rest of their fellow immortals. However, there is one companion they did not expect to meet again.
Seemingly unrelated events, from a sleepy Italian city in the early 1700's to a modern luxury cruise ship traveling across the Pacific, reveal themselves to be far more connected than anyone could imagine...   

[ Baccano! has a hugely successful anime adaptation and I myself liked it immensely. I still remember the confusion on watching the first 3 or 4 episodes, then the start of the adrenaline rush and the exciting journey up to the end. Immediately after completing the anime I found out that it was based on a light novel. Imagine my disappointment finding out there was no official translation yet. And now, finally imagine my pure and unadulterated joy finding out that Yen Press is starting to publish the series on English on 2016. Already 3 volumes are out in English and I cannot but recommend fellow lovers of fiction to start the journey sooner rather than later. ]

"Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-" 

Written by Tappei Nagatsuki

Illustrated by Shinichirou Otsuka

Translated by ZephyrRz 

Published by Yen On

Subaru Natsuki was just trying to get to the convenience store but wound up summoned to another world. He encounters the usual things--life-threatening situations, silver haired beauties, cat fairies--you know, normal stuff. All that would be bad enough, but he's also gained the most inconvenient magical ability of all--time travel, but he's got to die to use it. How do you repay someone who saved your life when all you can do is die?

[ On the surface Re: Zero might seem like just another 'walking up in a fantasy world' light novel. But, while the setting might be quite unoriginal the content certainly isn't. And that is why it is one of the the most watched anime of 2016. The strength of the story is the beautifully crafted realistic characters which are really hard to find these days on anime. And the twists due to Subaru's unique ability keeps the reader guessing what to expect next. Specially recommended for the fans of this specific genre, as well as people interested in fantasy based thrillers or interesting characters. ]

"My Youth Romantic Comedy is Wrong as I Expected"

Written by Watari Wataru

Illustrated by Ponkan 8

Translated by Jennifer Ward

Published by Yen On

Hachiman Hikigaya is a cynic. "Youth" is a crock, he believes--a sucker's game, an illusion woven from failure and hypocrisy. But when he turns in an essay for a school assignment espousing this view, he's sentenced to work in the Service Club, an organization dedicated to helping students with problems in their lives! How will Hachiman the Cynic cope with a job that requires--gasp!--optimism?

[ I'll be honest, I am totally biased about this series and been meaning to get my hands on the English Language release from even before its date of publication was ever announced. Hachiman in my opinion is a gem of a character and deserves as much recognition as possible. The other characters as well as the humor is top notch as well. I already have the first volume which I got from amazon.com and will probably buy the rest as soon as it gets published. I would recommend this to any fans of slice-of-life, but to those who are new to these one I would recommend checking out the anime first to get introduced to the cast. ]

   

Promising Sci-fi, horror & Fantasy - December 2016

There are only two books on the list for the last month of 2016. Yes, you heard me right, only 2 books. It is such a month.
But, fortunately or unfortunately I missed a bunch of books from November on that month's list (seriously what the hell was I doing), and I have mentioned them here.

"The Knife Slipped" by Erlc Stanley Gardner
THE LOST DETECTIVE NOVEL
BY THE CREATOR OF PERRY MASON!
At the time of his death, Erle Stanley Gardner was the best-selling American author of the 20th century, and world famous as the creator of crusading attorney Perry Mason. Gardner also created the hardboiled detective team of Cool and Lam, stars of 29 novels published between 1939 and 1970—and one that’s never been published until now.
Lost for more than 75 years, THE KNIFE SLIPPED was meant to be the second book in the series but got shelved when Gardner’s publisher objected to (among other things) Bertha Cool’s tendency to "talk tough, swear, smoke cigarettes, and try to gyp people." But this tale of adultery and corruption, of double-crosses and triple identities —however shocking for 1939—shines today as a glorious present from the past, a return to the heyday of private eyes and shady dames, of powerful criminals, crooked cops, blazing dialogue, and delicious plot twists.
Donald Lam has never been cooler—not even when played by Frank Sinatra on the U.S. Steel Hour of Mystery in 1946. Bertha Cool has never been tougher. And Erle Stanley Gardner has never been better.

[ New book from Hard Case Crime, and a never before published pulp from a great author, seems like a must read to me. ]

"Fabius Bile: Primogenitor" by Joshua Reynolds
Exiled into the depths of the Eye of Terror for his dark deeds, former Emperor's Children Apothecary Fabius is drawn back to the Imperium in search of a secret that could be the key to saving his misbegotten life…
He is known by many names - Clonelord, Manflayer, Primogenitor. He is the epitome of deceit and perversion, and feared by man and monster alike. Once the Chief Apothecary of the Emperor's Children, the madman known as Fabius Bile possesses a knowledge of genetic manipulation second to none. Now a renegade among renegades, he is loathed by those he once called brother, and even the most degraded of Chaos Space Marines fear his name. Exiled for his dark experiments, Bile has retreated deep into the Eye of Terror, leaving a trail of twisted abominations in his wake. But when a former student brings word of the ultimate prize for the taking, Bile is unable to resist being drawn once more into the cauldron of war. For in seizing this prize, Fabius Bile might yet discover the one secret his has been unable to unlock... the secret which will prevent his inevitable doom.
It's the start of a brand new series of twisted tales from the mind of an author for whom depraved antiheroes are his bread and butter. And Fabius' vile experiments and complete lack of morality make for a deeply entertaining – albeit monstrously disturbing – tale.

[ Joshua Reynolds tells the tale of the chaos space marine Fabius Bile, count me in, I say. ] 
 

HERE ARE THE BOOKS I MISSED FROM NOVEMBER (SILLY ME!)
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"Wrath" by John Gwynne
Events are coming to a climax in the Banished Lands, as the war reaches new heights. King Nathair has taken control of the fortress at Drassil and three of the Seven Treasures are in his possession. And together with Calidus and his ally Queen Rhin, Nathair will do anything to obtain the remaining Treasures. With all seven under his command, he can open a portal to the Otherworld. Then Asroth and his demon-horde will finally break into the Banished Lands and become flesh.
Meanwhile Corban has been taken prisoner by the Jotun, warrior giants who ride their enormous bears into battle. His warband scattered, Corban must make new allies if he hopes to survive. But can he bond with competing factions of warlike giants? Somehow he must, if he's to counter the threat Nathair represents.
His life hangs in the balance - and with it, the fate of the Banished Lands. 

"Warden of  The Blade" by David Annandale
Castellan Crowe of the Grey Knights bears a heavy burden – to carry the cursed Blade of Antwyr, a weapon imbued with dark power. For the first time, discover the origins of this dread task and why only Crowe can be the one to carry it out.
Castellan Crowe, Brotherhood Champion of the Purifier order of the Grey Knights, bears a heavy burden – to be the warden of the dread Blade of Antwyr. Its malevolent voice is forever in his head, trying to crack his resolve, urging him to unleash a power he must never use. The toll is terrible, and how long before the incorruptible Crowe is at last defeated? His harrowing task first began at Sandava II… Under the command of Castellan Gavallan, Crowe and his brother Purifiers bring purging flame to a daemonic incursion that threatens to consume the world. What awaits them is more insidious and more powerful than they imagine, and they must reckon too with the machinations of the Blade, as it seeks to destroy its guardian and drown the galaxy in blood.
It's a fascinating look at a compelling character, showcasing the duality of the purest of souls as he contends with the corrupting power of an artefact that could damn him and all he holds dear to utter ruination.

"The Beheading" by Guy Haley
The war is over and mankind is saved. But when war ends, politics takes over, and one man realises that the High Lords who nearly doomed the entire Imperium must be culled. It is time for the Beheading to begin…
Across the length and breadth of the galaxy, humankind celebrates its salvation, and relishes the prospect of a return to peace. But the war against the orks has riven the political bedrock of the Imperium, exposing its rotten core. One man, one powerful man, decides he has the solution, and launches a campaign of destruction so terrible that thousands of years later his actions will still be viewed with horror.
Throughout the series, the political machinations have been as fascinating and compelling as the all-out action – and now it's time for that to take centre stage as assassination and plotting takes over from brutal combat. 

"The Master of Mankind" by Aaron Dembski-Bowden
As war splits the galaxy, the Emperor toils in the vaults beneath His Palace. But his great work is in peril, with the forces of Chaos closing in…
While Horus’ rebellion burns across the galaxy, a very different kind of war rages beneath the Imperial Palace. The ‘Ten Thousand’ Custodian Guard, along with the Sisters of Silence and the Mechanicum forces of Fabricator General Kane, fight to control the nexus points of the ancient eldar webway that lie closest to Terra, infested by daemonic entities after Magnus the Red’s intrusion. But with traitor legionaries and corrupted Battle Titans now counted among the forces of Chaos, the noose around the Throneworld is tightening, and none but the Emperor Himself can hope to prevail.
At last, the secrets of the Emperor's project beneath the Palace will be revealed, and you'll get a closer look at the Emperor Himself than ever before 


[ So I missed four books last month. Three from black library promising great stuff from old series' and old favorite authors of mine. The other one is the last book of the critically acclaimed 'The Faithful and The Fallen' series by John Gwynne. All should be very fun reads indeed. ]