magicsp00n

I've played quite a bit with some buddies from work. The gameplay requires more strategy than 1942; the terrain is much hillier and dense, so there's a lot of hiding and sneaking. I've had enemy players literally walk over me and not see me. The vehicles seem to have more powerful weapons but weaker armor, so it's more possible for an infantry unit to have a chance. I don't know if I prefer it to 1942, but it's a nice change of pace.

Isn't this made from the same molds as the Galoob Voltron toys in the late 80's? It looks like it, and sounds like it from your description: no metal, opening cockpits, etc.

Can somebody tell me what the Takara box is like? Once you remove the toy from the package, is it possible to put it back in without much fuss (like the Yamatos) or is is covered in twist-ties like the Hasbro version? I'm a big believer in taking toys out of the box, but it's really nice when they can go back in.

I was actually just thinking of doing a re-cast myself, but if somebody else is on it, count me in for a set.

I don't have a 1/48 1-J yet, so I'll probably pick up one or the other. Probably not both.

Yeah, I'd rather they fudge the scale a bit and have a tiny little pilot than do something like have two separate noses that I have to swap out. Like, you know, that 1/100 toy that I'm probably going to buy.

On another plus, it looks like this one's hands can actually hold the gun properly, as opposed to many recent VF toys. (1/48 included)

Wow, that's tight-looking. I put one of those together last year (though mine didn't turn out nearly so well), so I've got some appreciation for just how long that kit takes. Good work.

There's been a clarification posted on Robotech.com that, yes the canopy will be clear. http://www.robotech.com/store/viewproductp...eord.php?id=197 So everyone can stop crying about that one point, at least.

Well, if we wanted to get picky (and geeky)... I only saw the first episode of Macross Zero once, and it was several months ago, but I belive there is a bit in there where the scientist talks about how they were unable to manufacture the VF as planned. They had wanted to include the nuclear power plant, etc. So I suppose that, knowing the aircraft in question was an intermediate step to their desired design, they would give it the VF-0 designation, with the intent that VF-1 would represent the final (or "1.0") product.

I agree that the Sentinels is a wretched pile of yuck, and makes me embarrassed to be an American, but again, hating on it and then saying you want a copy is like saying "This food sucks, and there's not enough of it!"

Is that a joke? How can you slam on HG in one breath and say you want the Sentinels in the next? Does not make sense...

Ah, Counterstrike... that stuff is pure video crack. I haven't played in over a year, but I still think Counterstrike best incorporates several elements that make people want to play games. Game developers would do well to incorporate these into all their designs. Cooperative play: It's always better when you can work on a team and have people backing you up, then simply "shoot everyone deathmatch". It creates a (yes, false) sense of belonging and camaraderie. Sociality: People tend to pick one server and play on it consistently, so you see and get familiar with a particular group of players. In the couple of minutes between when you're unlucky enough to get killed and when the next round starts, there's a lot of chatting going on. Short rounds, rapid rewards: Rounds in CS are short, no longer than five minutes, and usually much shorter. If you are winning, you win quickly. If you lose, you don't have to suffer much. You feel that don't have a whole lot of time invested in the game either way, so winning or losing one round isn't a big deal. No matter what happens in this round, there's always another round coming right up. But of course you don't realize that you are actually blowing a huge amount of time on the game, because you keep telling yourself, "okay, I'll play just ONE MORE ROUND..." Multiple rewards: You can play the game several ways, depending on your style. Want to plant a bomb? Do it and get some money. Want to defuse the bomb? Do it. Want to win by wiping out the other team? That's your thing, man, wipe away. Even if your team loses the round, you can still personally score big points by getting some kills. It makes players feel that they are contributing in their own way. Think about some of the games, especially online games, that you spend lots of time on. Chances are, they'll include the above elements in one form or another. Battlefield 1942 has done a really good job of incorporating these elements as well, which is why it's now so popular, but Counterstrike so far has done it best.

The previews for the new show make me sad...

It seems like a fine idea to keep the boxes around in case you want to re-sell your valks. (though don't expect to make a bundle off them) But with the Bandai and Yamato toys, opening the box doesn't destroy it in any way. It's not like you can't just stick it back in the box. These aren't blister cards where you have to rip it apart to get the toy out. Open it, display it, enjoy it. Stick it back in the box when you want to have that "Christmas morning" feeling all over again.

So far, the extra piece that comes with the FPs hasn't been necessary for me. The backpack is plenty sturdy without it, so I just leave it off. Does that extra piece really help that much for anyone else out there?

TV Max 1A. I'm all over that one.

Missiles. Lots and lots of missiles.