Graham

I saw this game is now out here in Hong Kong, so I presume it's been released in Japan as well. Saw it in the Oriental 188 center in Wanchai for HK$458. Anybody bought and played it yet? I want to hear some reviews before deciding if I should buy. I'm specifically interested in how easy or hard it is to play for someone who can't read Japanese? If there are too many long and complicated menus in Japanese then I'm not interested. Something like MUF I can handle, but any more complicated, forget it. I hate having to always refer to FAQs just to play a game. Also, I'm very interested in how well (or not) the VFs handle in all three modes? If the fighter mode is crappy, flys/turns like a brick, then forget it. Graham

The VF-25F Alto Tornado did have tighter joints and a tighter crotch lock, a darker gunpod and a coloured SMS stand, so yes, it was a small improvement on the original Alto VF-25F. IIRC, some of the grey parts (hands& lasers(?)) were a bit darker as well. I expect the VF-25G Michael Tornado to have the same changes. Graham

Apart from the engine nozzles, I think the J-20 looks much nicer than the F-22. Graham

It all depends on how popular Macross The Ride turns out to be. I'd also love to see Yamato do the VF-19EF caliburn. Graham

Read a post somewhere about the head lasers handling differently to in MUF (although I can't find the post now). Is there a difference with the handling/performance/usage of the head lasers in Trial Frontier? Graham

Again, as stated earlier those magazine pics are just of the painted or photoshopped resin prototype, they are not representative of the final product. Graham

Yes, the VF-9 was already featured as a playable mecha in the second game of the series, Macross Ultimate Frontier or MUF. You could play in Max or Milia colors scheme, as originally featured in the Dreamcast Macross M3 game. Graham

Yes, so do I. Although for its special attack the VF-17D/S should you a large beam attack, to simulate the single shot beam-adaptor. Graham

Its from one of the OVA Encore episodes, I forget which one. Graham

(Also posted in the YF-29 model kit thread) I just noticed that early pics of the unpainted model sculpt show the YF-29 with outward-canted ventral leg fins (see attached pic). However the newer CAD pics of the DX toy (and also the recent painted model kit pics), do not show these ventral leg fins. So I wonder if these leg fins were a mistake by the kit sculptors and were later removed? Or perhaps the YF-29 only uses them in an atmosphere and during space combat they are kept retracted into the leg? Another thing just occured to me. Perhaps the micro-missile launchers on the lower-leg are removeable FAST Packs and the leg fins only extend out when the packs are not fitted. Graham

I just noticed that early pics of the unpainted model sculpt show the YF-29 with outward-canted ventral leg fins (see attached pic). However the newer pics of the painted kit (and also the DX toy CAD pics), do not show these ventral leg fins. So I wonder if these leg fins were a mistake by the sculptors and were later removed? Or perhaps the YF-29 only uses them in an atmosphere and during space combat they are kept retracted into the leg? Graham

The new information and pics that Renato refers to are also up on the Famitsu Website. This pic warms my heart. I just hope the VF-19S/F with Super Packs can fly in an atmosphere in fighter mode, like in the anime (Macross 7, episode 44). And of course I really hope that the VF-17D/S finally gets it's FAST packs this game as well. Some of the other relevant pics. Graham

Ok, I'm now officially excited again. Graham

Finally got around to watching the subbed Blu-ray rip on my PC all the way through. Previously I had only watched bits and pices of my R2 DVD. Actually enjoyed it much more thean I expected. The final battle scene was graphically pretty awesome in hi-def, with some great fight-scene choreography as well. Loads of mecha eye-candy. Actually quite psyched for the 2nd movie now. Graham

Notice on the CAD drawings that it looks like the tip of the underside of the shield has a hinged hatch (shown in blue). I wonder could we finally be getting internal knife storage in the shield? Graham

I'm a little worried about those large gaps around the knees in the CAD fighter mode side view. Graham

Yeah, I'm also surprised that Ozma didn't get any votes yet. After Gamlin, he's my second favorite pilot. Graham

I think you are right about that. I didn't notice that bar before. Graham

Larger scan of the 3D CAD art of the YF-29 DX from this month's Dengeki Hobby. Graham

Not sure yet. One is planned AFAIK, but may come with the sound booster instead of the VF. I think it's still being decided. Graham

Nah, the wings are almost certainly going to fold ala the VF-25. On the Dengeki Hobby 3D CAD scan of the DX toy, where the parts are in different colours, you can clearly see what look like hinges (cream backplate). Also, it's looking 99% certain that the wings (blue part) will retract into the wing gloves (grey part) in battroid mode. Graham

Please bear in mind that those colour pics from Hyper Hobby magazine, posted on the previous page are just of the painted resin prototype. They are NOT of an actual ABS test shot yet, so are not representative of the final product in terms of finish or colour. The tooling is still being cut, so no ABS test shots exist yet. Graham

I'm slowly warming to the YF-29 design and will likely buy the DX. However, I still think it would look much better if it lost the mid-wing boosters. Still not loving it, but at least I'm not hating it so much now. Really want to see the battroid mode though, especially the head as that will be make or break for me. Graham

Easy pass, as I also refuse to watch anything with Sean Penn in. Graham

I will ask Yamato when they are back from their holidays. To be honest, I have no idea whether it has been cancelled or not and have not asked Yamato previously about a release date. A soft vinyl Britai is not something that is of interest to me personally. Graham