Infinity Blade

So I got an iPad, and being a gamer I had to try Infinity Blade, I have never before getting the device even looked into gaming on an iPad, but still had heard good things about this game, and for once it wasn't just nice visuals that created the buzz about it. I was a bit sceptical heading into the game, it would be the first Ipad title I've tried since getting the tablet, I don't even like touch screen only phones let alone touch screen only gaming devices (I know the pad is not a gaming device, but bear with me for the purpose of the review... thanks). I find it difficult to build muscle memory when using touch screens for anything, but getting used to the controls here was no a problem after I had found the option to adjust the size of the buttons.

Its clear that the game isn't trying to be too complex, I'd say it's just a little above simple but the stunning visuals, which rival some console titles, make up for this. The aim is to beat several middle earth/fantasy styled enemies in one on one duals using your handheld weapons. Use left, right or central buttons to dodge or block in the prospective directions, and the rest is just poking and slashing at the screen in a fruit ninja fashion to swing your sword about or cast spells. Time and direct your slashes correctly to parry enemy attacks sometimes leaving them open for multiple attacks and stabs. Plenty of weapons, armour and magic upgrades to keep you going, but not so much that it turns into a violent dress up game. I managed to complete main the objective of the game (will explain why I didn't just say finish in just a mo) without even viewing the stats of around 70% of the items, let alone try them all, there are multiple courses through the game also. Plot wise... NOTHING! Your just some guy out to seek revenge for his fathers defeat.... even if your father won.

Now hacking up the last boss isn't the end of the game with Infinity Blade, once you've done this you'll just be back at the start playing as your previous characters son but you keep all your upgrades and stats from the previous game, this also happens if you lose to him, which could be why there is no major sense of completion. The final boss is level 50 and I managed to beat him for the first time on level 15 and it took me about 3 hours including breaks, to   do this.

Its a pretty easy game, once you've seen all of the enemies attacks a couple of times you'll know exactly when and where to dodge, block or parry, strangely though it doesn't get boring. There's a menacing satisfaction in attacking wildly, pulling off the harder hitting attacks, or dodging a full string of attacks perfectly. The climax of the game leaves you wanting more, not because you must know what happens next, but because you just want to keep slashing away, but by now you should want a bit more of a challenge. Luckily Infinity Blade II does not disappoint!

BlackBox M16 review

The first thing you notice is they look very similar to the Goldring NS1000s. I do remember reading somewhere that Blackbox and Goldring headphones are built the same in the same factories, its just the audio technology that differs. This is clear from the very similar designs. As it was the extended headband snapping that lead me to getting these M16s its a bit of a worry to hear they have similar if not exactly the same build quality, but to be honest I have a large head and dreadlocks so I apply a bit more strain to the thin strips of metal and rubber than most would.

I have to wear the M16s fully extended and even then I would prefer just a little bit more extension, but its not enough to take away from the listening experience and is still very comfortable. More, but a lower quality of, padding than the NS's. The switch requires far less accuracy to find but requires a touch more force that I would like. They protrude from your head whilst wearing them a touch more than the NS's and are clearly larger (as pointed out by several people on my first outing with them!), but overheads have never been the smallest types of headphones. Overall they are probably not as comfortable as the NS's but only due to the slightly shorter extension, but they look good and feel quality.

Apart from the basics (freq response and noise reduction) I'm not too sure what the specs for headphones actually mean, I prefer to go on the actual sounds! The NS's cover more frequencies according to the official specs but in my opinion it doesn't matter as the sound quality is greater in the M16's all round, if only by a touch, and the extra range of the GR's isn't really that much of a bonus as the M16's cover 20 to 20k, the average a human can pick up, and the range most music producers tend to work within. All sounds are richer and fuller with the M16s and good job too as all other aspects of the headphones don't warrant the higher price tag. The sound quality increase is not as big as it was when I went from the Sony MDR NC7's to the Goldring NS1000's, but still a clear and confident increase. Each sound is clearer more pronounced and tones come through with more definition. The most important thing for me is always how well phones deal with bass, and these do not disappoint, probably the best headphones in terms of bass I've owned. Its not overwhelming but clearly dominant when it needs to be.

The BlackBox M16s probably are not the best in terms of value at the RRP of £165.00, but considering I picked mine up for under £80 at play.com these headphones are epic!

The Black Panther cartoon series

I'm very much into super hero, action, violent etc... manga, anime, comics and cartoons. Whilst browsing through Netflix I came across 'Black Panther' and decided to give it a watch as it had been recommended to me a few times in the past, I had just not bothered to seek it out.

As soon as it starts you worry about the style of animation, very rigid and minimal animation, almost looks like cut outs flying across backdrops at times. It made me think of the many times I've read a manga and then gone on to watch the anime, something lacks. After the first episode you tend not to notice so much as your imagination picks up the slack, just as when you read comics, so perhaps this was the desired affect?

Theme music has an ethnic cross hip-hop vibe works very well and I actually watched through the full opening each episode which is odd for me, I can only imagine this is due to the chanting African vocals and the almost bouncy kick drums working so well together. Voice overs sound authentic but the African accents have clearly been watered perhaps a little too much down a touch, it could have been a little more authentic and even the most ignorant amongst us would have understood.

The majority is set in Africa, snippets in America, but we are shown characters of various races and origins and I believe they have been depicted very well in the context of the programme. Flashbacks in episodes give us a setting across many years, we even see an inexperienced Captain America get owned in an episode and the most of the series is set I would say not too far in the future based on the technology displayed.

If the tones of the voice actors isn't a give away, then many of the programmes themes make it blatantly obvious Marvel are going with a far more mature vibe on this one. Corrupt governments, racism, fights over natural resources, technology and medicine, what is a pleasant surprise is that you don't realise how strong these themes are until you sit back and think about what you've just watched. The themes are clearly there and hold relevance, unlike most other 'ethically themed' cartoons they are not what the creators want us to concentrate most on. They have achieved the desired effect very well. 

Lots of sleek action, appearances from the mainstream Marvel heroes such as the X men, Storm features as a pivotal character later on, Captain America, Juggamaught who get to realise an apparently long held dream of tackling a rhino!... The Hulk and the Fantastic 4 are mentioned as well. 

The story it self is feasible, allot of action, a bit of family drama and a sprinkling of the lovey dovey gives this all round feel. 

Its a title that will definitely appeal to those who have at least have an interest in Black cultures but also a good casual watch for the super hero and action fan.

Truth in manga!!

Dreadlocks and the crochet hook

Yet again, as with anything I write in regards to dreadlocks (unlike other topics I may write about) everything here is based upon my experience growing and helping other grow dreadlocks (for want of better wording) through all stages of the process.

NOTE THIS IS NOT A GUIDE ON HOW TO USE THE CROCHET HOOK... THERE ARE PLENTY OF HOW TO'S ON IT OUT THERE ALREADY!!!

The crochet hook is probably one of the biggest controversies within the Caucasian dread lock community. Some say it tears hairs from the locks, other swear by it and hail it as the MUST HAVE tool for maintaining neat locks. I myself have been on both sides of the debate but think I have finally found out what about crocheting is causing the 2 different opinions!

There is ALLOT on line regarding maintaining dreadlocks with a crochet hook and a majority of it depicts the hook as doing more good than bad to your dreads. The basics of it from my experiences is its a fantastic tool to use to pull loose hairs into the dread lock, making them look neater and in theory lock faster. I can imagine most, if not all people, that decide to grow locks purely for fashion purposes would spend at least some time researching how to keep their locks looking neat, particularly in the early stages, I know I did. Most of the techniques you come across for this do no harm to your dreads such as, tip rubbing, root rubbing, palm/finger rolling etc... and you are encouraged to get into the habit of doing these things as much as possible. Then you come across the crochet hook and its many wonders, neatening up the body, some of the root, and also the tip of each dread. What is not so clear is that while for the moment you are using and for a short time after, the crochet hook will make your dreads more than likely feel and most definitely look neater but, and especially in the earlier stages, the hook is doing long term damage to your dreads.

I first used the crochet hook in my towards the end of my baby dread stage, would have probably been sooner if I was able to get my hands on one sooner. Feeling the hairs being pulled in as I was using the hook was almost elating, thinking I had found the answer to all my dread worries, but now almost a year later I have a few dreads that are limp, have weak spots , feel and look completely different to the rest of them, all thanks to my misuse of the crochet hook. At first I thought this was due to the fact I had tried a few different techniques to set my dreads and have dreads of various thickness's. But now as I have put down the hook mid session, I realised where I went wrong. I used the bloody thing too early in my dreads life. Back then there wasn't enough mature dread to hold the hair I was pulling in in place, so after a bit of movement and the wind getting to them, the hairs I had worked on had come out again, so I would use the hook again, but each time YOU ARE tearing hairs, if only a few, and losing hairs in the early stages is one of the worse things for dreads. Another problem is ITS ADDICTIVE, if you can feel first hand the hairs pulling into the dread, you know its making them look healthier, and so can be hard to stop. A few sources will tell you to only use the hook after you dreads hit the 'teen' stage if not later, I would say to not use a hook until a year has passed at least, just to be safe. Tearing hairs once your dreads have matured a bit is still something you don't want, but is something the dreads will be able to cope with allot better as some to most of the broken hairs will remain within the dread (if you didn't know you clearly haven't researched enough, but broken hairs WILL occur in dreads, they are part of what makes a dread a dread).

Always remember to gently palm/finger roll as you crochet your dreadlocks to prevent too much hair gathering in one area creating those lumpy looking dreads, unless of course that's what your going for!

Another point, watch out for the moron posting videos to YouTube showing you how to devastate your dreads with a crochet hook but telling you its the correct method, I wont mention this guys username. He is almost using the right technique, but instructing you to pull the crochet in and out of the dread rapidly but this in reality is causing more harm than good, regardless of the age of your dreads. Also don't be ripped of by people/companies selling 'special dread lock maintenance/neatening/tightening tools' most of these are just crochet hooks with fancy names at far higher prices. I pay £1.20 for a standard crochet hook from a local shop that specialises in sewing and knitting supplies, and it does the job perfectly well.

As I haven't clearly stated yet, DON'T use a crochet until your dreads have at least a little more than a little maturity to them.

Utsusemi no jutsu my left nut

...Dont beg it!

....REALLY??

First time ive read anything like this in a manga!!!!