Radd

Actually, isn't the VF-2SS the third or fourth generation Valkyrie? I was under the impression that MII somewhat follows some of the lesser known Macross videogames which featured Valkyries that looked to be somewhere inbetween the original designs, and the Macross II designs.

You mean, people aren't willing to buy the same movies and shows they already own on DVD in a more expensive, yet lower resolution format just so they can play it on their PSP? WHO KNEW?!!

I've seen the first episode or two of GoLion, definitely a much different tone than what you get in Voltron. I'll definitely be picking this up.

If you can't see a reseblance between the Lightning and the Lightning III, we're on two very different wavelengths. I was even planning to use the P-38 Lightning as the basis for a retro version of the VF-4. One does not need to make their designs identical to a single, specific, real world aircraft to maintain the basics of modern aviation design and aesthetics. This statement right here goes a long way towards explaining why it can be so difficult to explain the difference between aesthetic design, and physical shape and mechanics to people. When I was in art school, the teachers tried their best to explain why it was important to have a solid basis in realism, even if all you wanted to draw was cartoons. However many of the students just didn't grasp this concept. They wanted to draw cartoons, so why bother learning realistic anatomy and proportions? They would rather teach themselves to draw based on cartoons drawn by others. However, when you draw from other's drawings, you're at least one step removed from realistic anatomy and proportions right there, and every mistake you make, every stylistic quirk, is compounded with those of your inspiration. When you draw from reality, you can stylize things more believably, and more self-consistantly, than when you stylize from another's already stylized drawings. Now, I'm not suggesting that the designers of the VF-2SS were bad at drawing, not at all, however where Kawamori based his inspiration from real worl avation, and specifically the F-14 Tomcat, it's obvious that the designers of the VF-2SS based their inspiration on Kawamori's VF-1, and went from there. While there might be some lingering semblance to the F-14, the VF-2SS is still a step or three removed that original inspiration and moving in a decidedly more stylized direction.

Yes, I've agreed that several Valkyries do share many aspects with the VF-1, but they also remain grounded in Kawamori's love of aviation and real world aircraft. And you have to admit, the VF-4 fighter mode still looks like something you might find on a real world airstrip. In fact... I've freely admitted that I prefere Kawamori's designs, but the way you worded it sounds very much like agreeing with me. After all, for me to prefere a certain design aesthetic, it must first exist, and that has been my entire argument. I also do not believe it is somehow wrong for others to prefere the MII mecha. That's perfectly cool. Eugimon nailed my view of that pretty accurately.

Can't wait to pick it up!

I am not arguing for or against the VF-2SS. I am not arguing which evolution is better, the MII lineage or the canon lineage. I am merely pointing out that in one single artist's work, there is a common aesthetic thread that is deviated from in the designs presented by a different artist. My personal preference or "purist bias" has nothing to do with this particular argument. This is a sub topic that has appeared in this thread, not to be confused with the original topic. As for the idea as describing one sci-fi design as looking "more sci-fi-ish" over another is silly, that is only if you have an either/or outlook on the matter. It's either sci-fi or it's not. I contend that in design it is a matter of degree, you can have a sci-fi design that is based on real world designs, or you can have a sci-fi design that is absolute fantasy, with no basis in reality whatsoever. I still believe my artist analogy put it best. The VF-1 was based on the F-14, and all subsequent Kawamori Valkyrie designs are based on real world aircraft and avionics. The VF-2SS and VF-2JA on the other hand are based on the VF-1. While I personally think you're stretching it with this comparison, what dulls the point even more is that Gundam Seed came out years after Macross Plus. On top of that, the cockpit is not located where you state it is in the YF-19. It is more towards the back and lower. The front fuselage of the plain bends at about a 90 degree angle, the so-called "super boob" would be the very front of that, but the hinge is just before the cockpit. The cockpit is still in the torso of the mech, but if you're going to be that picky, you should realize that most, if not all Macross Valkyries, including the VF-1, have the cockpit in the torso. This is, in fact, common to most mecha designs. I'd also say the hips on the 19 bare a stronger resemblance to the VF-1 than any Gundam. I do see the similarities in the upper torso, the lower legs, and the shoulders, but let's face it, if you took a line-up of Gundams and a YF-19, the 19 immeadiately stands out as very different looking from the crowd.

No, I am speaking of the stylistic design aesthetic Kawamori has. A basis in real world aviation that isn't as big a part of the MII designs, which seem more stylized and sci-fi-ish. I see what you're saying, the VF-2SS does share the same basic shape as the VF-1, and a nearly identical transformation sequence. I don't disagree with that. I also agree that the VF-5000, the VF-0, and one or two other Valkyries also share this same basic physical design.

Personally, I don't care what they call it, so long as the games are there.

No, I'm saying in no uncertain terms that there is a vast difference between basic physical shape, and design asthetic. The two seem to be confused frequently in this thread.

Here's an analogy. Line up an M1 Abrams, an F-16, a military humvee, and an H2, then ask which does not belong. Sure, the basic physical design of the Hummer and the H2 are similar, but the visual asthetic of the H2 is radically different from that shared between the military humvee and the other two vehicles.

I tend to agree. The Revolution mainly has me interested because of it's controller and price point, but that's still too early to say. The 360 isn't too shabby, but pretty much every game out for it that I have any interest in, is also out for the PC, and better on the PC. I don't doubt that the PS3 will have the best graphics of this coming generation. I'll be dissapointed if it doesn't. I just can't get excited about Sony tech demos anymore, and I suspect the difference in the quality of graphics won't be quite as apparent as the hype suggests. Something that also affects my view of the coming generation is also how little I game at home these days. That makes cost even more important, as I'm less likely to spend more for a system I'm not likely to play that much. We'll see, though.

If Big West chose a fight then even if the courts found in HG's favour in the end, this would only come after a legal dispute. It's only prudent for HG to avoid even the possibility of such a dispute. It's simply not profitable to invite legal expenses when they could easily be avoided altogether.

My statements have been that there is a consistent aesthetic to every canon Macross Valkyrie design, from the VF-1, to the VF-4, to the YF-19 and the VF-22, that is lacking in the Macross II mecha designs. It seemed to me that you were suggesting it could be argued that because the VF-4 has such a different physical design from the VF-1, that it would be further seperated in lineage and therefore it is only personal preference that suggests the VF-4 is more consistant to the Macross universe than the VF-2SS.

Well said.

Woah, I'm no nuclear scientist, but even I know they that nuclear engines require some fuel source. Please reread all of my previous posts, from the beginning. I'd be repeating myself to reply to this.

I voted the Revolution, however if that last option had been DS rather than GBA, I would have put my vote there.

I don't completely dislike the overall design of the toy. There's a few things that bug me, sure, but if this were another character, I think I'd be much more excited But as Prime, it just doesn't work, especially since the 20th Anniversary Prime already works so well with the line.

Well, there's no accounting for taste.

I disagree only b/c i cant agree with you 384516[/snapback] On the other hand, I'm quite happy to agree with Macross73.

Er, both the Hybrid and the Masterpiece are Prime/Convoy. There is another Masterpiece coming out, that will be Starscream. As for finding it, well I [picked mine up when you could get the 20th Anniversary version in your local Walmart or Toys 'R Us. It's probably difficult to find now, but you may want to search the usual suspects. HLJ, eBay, etcetera. Google is your friend.

The Masterpiece Convoy came out a couple of years ago now. It's a pretty big toy, at least 12 inches tall. It was released in the U.S. by Hasbro as the 20th Anniversary Prime. It doesn't come with a trailer, but now there are a couple unnofficial MPC trailers you can buy. The Hybrid Convoy is designed by Shoji Kawamori. It's very tiny, not even as tall as the original Prime toy (and the original was only, what? 5-6 inches?). Verty detailed for such a tiny toy, very articulated, moreso than the Masterpiece toy it would seem. It comes complete with a trailer and roller (the little, 6-wheeled cart that came with the original).

I want to be there, opening night. With a huge bag of popcorn, some soft pretzels and cheese, and a big F'en bucket of soda. I want to bring a dozen or more friends, so we can all see this movie.

OH! I see! Why didn't the people at gamespot get it? You can add notes to your map! When you find a clue somewhere, you can write or draw on your map where the clue will be useful! That's something I'd never even considered, but it seems like something that should be so obvious!

Oh wow. I've been saying that I wanted a 2D Zelda for the DS, but I have to admit that looks fantastic.