The Lost Of Legend Sword Review

The Lost Of Legend Sword Review

Judul : The Lost Of Legend Sword [Masih belum tau ini Demo atau gak...karena ceritanya gak terlalu panjang (kayaknya) saya memainkan game ini sampai tamat sendirian sekitar 2 hari, kalo main terus paling cuma hitungan jam]
Genre : Adventure
Engine : VX Ace
Bahasa : Indonesia, English (Menu Scene)

Cerita : 
Mencertakan seorang anak remaja yang di kirim dari dunia lain untuk membantu mengembalikan keseimbangan sebuah pulau yang bernama "Sea Palce Isalnd", Karena sebuah pedang lagendaris yang mempertahankan keseimbangan dunia telah di curi oleh orang/monster lain yang ingin menguasai dunia...

  Thanks For Script :

• Theolized RGSS3
• Atelier RGSS
• Yanfly Engine
• Galvs

Music :

Mengambil dari beberapa game yaitu :

• Atlantica Online
• Digimon World 3
• Persona 4

  Map Utama Game :

Battle System :

Masih menggunakan system default di tambah dengan desain "Atelier RGSS" (Gak Pake AT)

Menu Scene :

Menggunakan Menu Theme dari script Galvs

Screenshoot :

"Bonus Stage"

"Trap/Jebakan"

[Tapi Selalu Ada Hikmah Dibalik Cobaan,Yang Berarti Kalau Bisa Mengatasi Jebakannya Mendapatkan Grand Prize]

*Maaf Kalau Ada BUG/Kesalahan Pada Game.

Link Untuk Mendownload Klik Disini

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The Man In The High Castle Season 1 Episodes 2 to 5 Review

The Man In The High Castle Season 1 Episodes 2 to 5 Review

The Man In The High Castle

Episodes 2 to 5

Rating: 8 out of 10 (Great)

In A Nutshell

Having watched the pilot episode several months ago, I was quietly awaiting the start of the series to be streamed on Amazon. I wasnt OTT with salivating eagerless, but the pilot was undoubtedly very good and well put together. Seeing where this show would go, and if it could possibly keep up the standard, was going to be worth my time I hoped.

So, has it maintained standards?

Almost.

Episode 2 was right up there with the opening one, as Frank Frink (try saying that ten times quickly) was tortured by the Japanese and his sisters family gassed, in order to get information out of him about his girlfriend Julianas disappearance. This was a tense and horrific episode on emotional levels, what with Franks sister knowing exactly what was "going down" and reassuring the kids anyway. Franks emotions in the jail were about as award winning as things get, not least the aborted firing squad that was stopped at the last moment. With a new show, you dont know who is important and have no concept of who could and couldnt possibly be killed off, so this episode, along with Julianas struggles in the neutral zone town, were naturally tense and dramatic. For me, episode 2 trumped the pilot episode. Julianas meeting with her "contact" who turned out to be a Nazi Spy at the very last moment, was a shock reversal for me, although her rescue much less unpredictable. The attack on our senior Nazi official character, John Smith (not very umm, german name?) was also dramatic and quite breathtaking.

Sadly, Episode 3 didnt quite continue on in the same vain. Sure, it cant be action and intense drama every week but there were some flat sections this episode for me, not least that the Japanese segments came across as dull, emotionless and somewhat feeling like it was keeping us from all the interesting parts of the show. The tension and concern that they felt regarding the Nazis was clearly evident. Gathering peoples true intentions is not easy in this show, and almost feels impossible with the Japanese who maintain great poker like expressions in every scene. However, as things progress over next couple episodes, we do get further emotional and expressionate sentiments from them, not least when the Crown Prince is taken out at the end of episode 4. The drama and fallout from immediately after that shooting is outstanding filming, along with the tension of the Trade Minister and maintaining his secret operatives disguise, actually genuinely making me feel slightly nervous for both their lives. The only slight disappointment perhaps from their whole segments is that the prince isnt at this point in time anything more than severally injured. Youd think two clear shots would have been enough for any assassin to finish someone off!

The emotion at times in this show is unbearable, and at others times always very good. Franks interactions with his brother-in-law initially tense as hell, although somewhat strangely "friendly" at the latter funeral. Its poor Frank who really gets the most serious of emotional rollercoasters during the opening episodes. Juliannas, notwithstanding her altercations, seems less affected by what shes been through, continuing in episode 5 to search for the answers to behind the tapes, by strolling into her sisters boyfriends house nochartely. The conversation she has with the lady there, who one assumes is resistance, was rather straightforward, given the whole cloak and dagger stuff weve had her go through previously. Her return home in episode 4 has presented her with probably the most plot convenient transition, with that house visit at Randells home, and job at Japanese HQ being creamed with her bumping into the Trade Minister in that building. All rather too convenient for me, and certainly very out of place with the twist, turns and rather non-processional like storylines the show has consistently turned out.

What I liked

Theres no sweeping things under the carpet in this show. Episodes starting immediately where they ended in previous episode, which makes for probably the most dramatic beginnings of episodes since I saw episode one of LOST. Episode 3 began with gunshots from the bounty hunter chasing Julianna, and Episode 5 with the ghastly fallout from the crown princes shooting. Your attention is wrenched from your eyes, and youre truly immersed in whats happened from the word go.

The costumes, backdrops and CGI is outstanding thus far. The world this show creates is absolutely intoxicatingly intriguing and appealing.

Top marks for a long atmospheric opening credits, even though Ive never liked the song.

Mystery is everywhere in this show, not least with trying to work out the society and world these people live in, and exactly what history and motivations any of the characters have. The dynamics and connections between everyone is really compelling.

Some absolutely top quality segments throughout the first five episodes, not least with the interrogation of Frank, the Crown Prince shooting, Juliannas Dam squabble and the nasty bounty hunter pursuit. After that, theres numerous great stuff, and really only sprinklings of predictability and dullness. On the whole, the show gets it right.

The bounty hunter is rather full of classic headhunter quirks and character, but theres no doubting he kicks ass, and is as menacing as they come.

What I Didnt Like

Im no fan of Edelweiss, and never have been. Even after hearing it numerous times watching this show, its not growing on me. Not sure its quite the best tune for the show but it has the right atmosphere and the titles are very decent and welcomed.

Japanese character stories are not the easiest and quickest to identify with and understand. I found them quite dry and uninteresting for first few episodes, although things did rise up a few notches with the Trade Ministers storyline in episodes 4 and 5 that made me actually care and attach to him for once.

Although full of quality, there have been several cheese and "bleh" moments, what with the drugged interrogation by the Nazis feeling as pointless to sit through as the Nazi Commander felt, and the implicated Nazi Official by the captive carrying little weight as we hardly knew him or the captive. The passing of information to the Science Officer by the Trade Ministers operative also felt a little odd that there was only one opportunity apparently. I know things are tight and tense, but it did seem that the emphasis of why that exchange could only happen that way was not really clear. Lastly, the bounty hunters "setup" by Joe and Juliana was well planed but far too cheese youd think to really fool him.

?And Finally

As close to perfection as any show has managed for me in recent times, but sadly let down by an increase in convenient storytelling for Julianas character and the longer time its taken to identify with the Japanese characters. Nevertheless, there have been some award winning drama and tension in this first half of series one. The backdrops and atmosphere of this alternative timeline, is absolutely gorgeous and so hard not to enjoy visually. One fears that with a rather limited number of main characters, that it might become slightly more predictable with regards to outcomes, but Im hoping it continues to shake things up, and pack that powerful emotional blow that its used to awesome effect thus far.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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The NextBox Review Links 3DSing and Sanctum 2

The NextBox Review Links 3DSing and Sanctum 2

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News: Tomorrow is Microsofts big �NextBox� reveal, and I will be in attendance, covering it for Wired online. What will it actually be called? Will it always be online? Will they still care about Kinect?

Expect to see all of these questions answered and more, quite soon... As for me, I just want to see some really killer games. Fingers crossed!

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Links: Its been a while since I updated, so there are a fair number of recent features I should take the time to mention.

> The latest podcast went up. The topic was the recent Tomb Raider reboot, and we were honored to have @OverlordRor and @Mahkia as guests. (Also, weve already recorded the next episode, so that one should be up quite soon - the topic is on the most overrated/underrated games of the past generation, and discussion got fairly heated...)

> Interview commando @CFloydTweets spoke to Ted Price of Insomniac about their upcoming game, Fuse.

> I recently reviewed DarkStalkers Resurrection on PSN, and its pretty awesome.

> New-to-GC writer @TayoDK took on the brutally tough indie La-Mulana.

> @ApricotSushi was unhappy with the latest Hakuoki.

> Snappy dressin parkour dude @CoreyMotley takes a 2nd on Crysis 3.

> @xMattieBrice played the latest Corpse Party and wasnt very impressed.

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Games: I havent had a ton of time to play games lately, but I have squeezed in a few things�

First up, I just completed The Starship Damrey on 3DS. Its basically a point-in-click spooky atmosphere game set in space. It avoids most of the rubbish puzzles that this genre seems to thrive on, and its fairly short - expect a playtime of around three hours or so, depending on if and when you get stuck. 

The Starship Damrey

The entire game hinges on its story so I wont spoil it here, but I thought it ended well and I was satisfied overall. Look for that review coming soon.

Also on the 3DS, I finally got around to Aero Porter by Yoot Saito. Much like his other works, its thoroughly insane, yet it never stops being engaging and interesting in spite of the rough edges. This title puts you in the role of a person who�s in charge of making sure that passenger bags get on the correct plane at an airport. 

Aero Porter

Its a hell of a lot harder than it sounds because the bags spin around circular carousels, and shunting something to its correct destination will inevitably send something else to the wrong one. I have a few issues with some of the game elements being hard to read visually, but its been tough to put it down.

Finally, I�m still working my way through Sanctum 2 on XBLA. The easiest way to describe it is that its a First-Person Shooter that takes place in a series of Tower Defense maps. Although neither of these genres are ones that I enjoy in general, putting the two of them together produces something thats definitely greater than the sum of its parts. 

Sanctum 2

I like the strategy of placing towers and blocks to guide the path of incoming monsters, and I love the ability to personally start kicking ass if my towers arent getting the job done. Ive always hated the feelings of passivity and helplessness when plans go wrong in standard TD games, so this one is definitely what the doctor ordered. Production values are a little rough and its definitely easier to get through with friends (up to four can play together) than it is solo, but still really enjoying it either way.

And finally-finally, a quick Monster Hunter update. I completed the campaign a while ago and have been making my way through G-Rank. I solo�d long enough to make a couple of suits of armor, and once that was done, I decided to start limiting my play two nights and weekends with other people. 

Dark Miralis

After two hundred hours (most of that in the 1P campaign) it was definitely time to start focusing on some review games for a while. Ive still got my eye on Mark of a Hero, Alatreon and Dark Miralis, but Ill have to patiently work towards them, rather than trying to plow ahead at full speed.

********************PR/NEWS/INFO********************

Capcom, a leading worldwide developer and publisher of video games, today confirmed that 

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies will be available to purchase digitally on Nintendo 3DS� across Europe and North America in Fall 2013.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies, previously announced for the West as Ace Attorney� 5, sees the return of courtroom hero Phoenix Wright. Set eight years since his last appearance in the courts, the first case inPhoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Dual Destinies sees the action start in a destroyed court room. It�s down to Phoenix Wright and his team at the Wright Anything Agency to discover the cause of the destruction. Players will have to battle it out in court against Gaspen Payne, the younger brother of Winston Payne from previous Ace Attorney� titles, as they defend the accused.

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Seattle Retro Gaming Expo just keeps getting bigger! Not only is SRGE at the

Seattle Center this year, but we will also be featuring panels from collectors, journalists, and industry

experts in the gaming world. Panels will be scheduled for both Saturday and Sunday during the show.

SRGE is excited to announce our 2013 panels:

? ChipTunes with Arcade Armageddon

? Our show partners talk about chiptune music and how it�s produced. http://w w w .arcadearmageddon.com/

? Playstation Collecting 101 with Gabe Hayward

? Gabe is an avid playstation collector and has even gone so far as to collect different serial number PS1s to

have every variant hardw are revision. Come see w hat hidden gems exists for the Playstation 1 and 2!

? Video Game Collecting on a Budget with John Hancock

? John Hancock is a long-time video game collector, enthusiast, and historian - by w hich w e mean he has

entirely too many games that he never stops talking about. He has been a visible face for the retro gaming

crow d for some years, mainly because he is usually hovering, vulture-like, over the rarest thing on a given

vendors booth. Were reasonably sure he has some kind of psychic game radar.

? Survival Horror with Ryan Payton

? Ryan Payton is founder of Seattle-based Camouflaj, the studio behind the first major kickstarter success

story for videogames, R�PUBLIQUE. He began his career in Tokyo as a producer on Konamis METAL GEAR

SOLID 4, and w as then recruited by Microsoft to return home to Seattle and direct HALO 4. After three years

at Microsoft, Ryan surprised the industry by announcing his departure to establish his ow n independent

game studio, Camouflaj.

? Breaking into the Game Industry

? Dan Callan, Ray Almaden and Paul Ehreth discuss their experience in the game industry. They w ill share tips

on how best to start a career in this grow ing industry and take questions from attendees.

? Retronauts Live!

? Bob Mackey, Jeremy Parish and Ray Barnolt host a live podcast at SRGE! This w ill be their first stop after

raising over $55,000 on Kickstarter to fund the much loved Retronauts Podcast.

? Retrogame Roadshow with Chris Kohler

? Chris Kohler is a video game journalist and editor w ho has w ritten for several publications in the past decade,

including Wired, Animerica, Official Nintendo Magazine and 1UP.com. He is also a published author of tw o

books. His first book, Pow er-Up: How Japanese Video Games Gave the World an Extra Life, w as published

by Brady Games in 2004. His second book, Retro Gaming Hacks, w as published by OReilly Media in 2005.

Kohler is currently a resident of San Francisco, California, w here he w orks for Wired, running the gaming

blog Game|Life and the podcast Good Job, Brain!

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CCP Games, the leading independent developer of massively multiplayer games, today launched 

DUST 514, the worlds first free-to-play, multiplayer first-person shooter on a console. The battle for dominance of the EVE Universe escalates to new heights today as DUST mercenaries forge their paths to fame and fortune in a PlayStation �3 exclusive. 

Launch is only the beginning of the journey for DUST 514 players. As with CCP�s first game, EVE Online�,DUST 514 is an ever-evolving game as a service, built on the technical foundation and experience CCP has gathered over the past decade. New features, content, and upgrades are planned for years to come, beginning with an update in June and additional major releases throughout 2013. All updates to DUST 514 come at no cost, truly keeping the game free-to-play for all players.

DUST 514 is a new breed of first-person shooter, which in addition to tight gunplay features a path to unlimited dropsuit fittings and customization options, taking the player to new dimensions of character progression. The end result is a unique tactical advantage that will allow mercenaries to push DUST 514 beyond the bounds set by the game�s creators, and arm them with the ability to impact their war on a galactic scale.

DUST 514 is also fully integrated with the notorious sci-fi setting of EVE Online, a massive game universe that recently surpassed a half-million subscribers worldwide and which has been growing and expanding for a decade.Together, DUST 514 and EVE Online offer a combined sandbox of unprecedented intergalactic scale, with the outcome of ground battles impacting the persistent universe of EVE and shifting the tide of war for legions of participants. Mercenaries can gain advantage by coordinating with starship pilots in EVE Online, calling in devastating orbital strikes against opposing squads.

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Tired of dithering between action and strategic thinking? Deep Silver now combines both aspects in one game: Ride to Hell: Route 666 lets players experience the whole lifestyle of biker gangs, but those who want to dominate the infamous Route 66 need to act smart. In this new trailer, different classes of gang members and enemies are explained as well as how to arrange formations and how to finish off opposing bikers in close combat. Set up your team, choose your weapons and hit the road! Ride to Hell: Route 666 is scheduled for release on the PlayStation� Store and on Xbox Live� as an arcade game for the Xbox 360� video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this summer.

Ride to Hell: Route 666 is set within the Ride to Hell universe, a world of bare-knuckle violence, and rip-roaring motorcycles. Later this year the setting will be extended by two further titles featuring the unique and incomparable biker lifestyle; Ride to Hell: Retribution and Ride to Hell: Beatdown.

Ride to Hell: Retribution tells the story of a lone rider, Jake Conway, a man with either a gun in his hand or a girl on his lap (and on more than one occasion both!). He�s on a merciless path of revenge against a brutal biker gang called The Devil�s Hand, armed to the teeth with an arsenal of deadly weapons to enact his vengeance on foot and on bike. The only law Jake answers to is his own.  Hit hard, ride fast and leave em in the dust starting June 2013 for Xbox 360, Windows� PC, and PlayStation�3.

The Ride to Hell universe will be rounded out with Ride to Hell: Beatdown, a rock�n�roll brawler set to light up the mobile space, on the go! More details on this title will follow soon.

Ride to Hell: Retribution is developed by Eutechnyx, Ride to Hell: Route 666 by Black Forest Games.

For more information about the Ride to Hell universe, please visit www.ridetohell.com.

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Dark skills trailer 2

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Van Helsing Hunter�s Lair

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Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc. announced 

METAL GEAR SOLID: THE LEGACY COLLECTION will be available in North America and South America on July 9, 2013.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the METAL GEAR SOLID franchise, this PlayStation�3 exclusive package will include METAL GEAR SOLID, METAL GEAR SOLID 2: HD Edition, METAL GEAR SOLID 3: HD Edition (which includes the original MSX versions of METAL GEAR and METAL GEAR 2), METAL GEAR SOLID: Peace Walker HD Edition, METAL GEAR SOLID: VR MISSIONS, METAL GEAR SOLID 4: Trophy Edition and two Ashley Wood digital graphic novels which will be released for the first time in North America.  In addition, the collection will include an all-new 100 page art book highlighting marketing art from across the globe, spanning the profound 25 year history of the esteemed franchise.

METAL GEAR SOLID: THE LEGACY COLLECTION will be available on July 9 for $49.99 for the PlayStation�3 computer entertainment system.

For more information, please visit: http://www.metalgearsolid.com

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The Traitors by Tom Becker A Book Review

The Traitors by Tom Becker A Book Review

~*~*Note: This is my first time doing a book review. Book report, sure. Done plenty of those. But book review? Lets wing it. So could you please please give me feedback on how to improve this? Thanks a bunch :)*~*~ 

Recently I picked up this book called "The Traitors" by Tom Becker. Lets get into the review before I start ranting and spoil everything :P

Adam Wilson has been caught kissing his best friends girlfriend. The next day, he is sentenced to two hundred and seventy four years in the Dial, a special prison located in a dimension called "no-time", where a blink of an eye on Earth isnt even close to a couple of centuries in the Dial. Besides this factor, the Dial was specially made for people like Adam: traitors. Everyone in the Dial has betrayed someone. Life in the Dial can get pretty rough, and everyday its a fight for survival, and escape...

Overall, this book was pretty good. The plot was hands-down fan-freaking-tastic. From the whole idea of the prison to all the characters, it had me on a roller-coaster ride till the end. And all the backstories and...dont even get me started, Ill be ranting for ages. Doughnut (one of the inmates) was my favourite character. Look out for him, hes a good lad ;)

Right. Now for the part I thought was absolutely terrible. Click the button below.

Click to Show/Hide Spoilers:

WHAT THE EVEN HECK ADAM WHY THE HECK DID YOU STAY WITH JESSICA ARE YOU CRAZY?! //takes deep breath// Okay, sorry bout that. But, Adam. ARE YOU STUPID. First of all, even if youre in love with her, SHE BETRAYED YOUR BUDDY. Ever heard of "pals before gals"? Secondly, youre stuck there forever. Sure, youre stuck with the girl you love, and youll never age and blah blah blah. One small problem. Remember earlier when it was mentioned that The Quisling had broken down? Well. WHERE ARE YOU GONNA GET FOOD FROM, HUH? HUH? Whatchu gonna do when you eat all the food in the pantry?

(Please comment whether you enjoyed this review!)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Thanks everyone for 3111 pageviews! I never thought Id get this far, haha. Heres a clue for yall: square numbers. Thats all Im going to say ;)

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Here are some fantabulous blogs you should visit :)

The Terrarian - A blog by my good friend Jason. He only started it yesterday, so its fairly new.
Playerletsplaygames - A blog by my very good friend lon0011. (Itll be private when you go to it, but Ill persuade him to let it go public.) Chuck him a follow :)

Fly on,
Fang
(Maximum Ride fans will get this :P)

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The First Promo Video of Samsung Galaxy S5 Review all the Advantages

The First Promo Video of Samsung Galaxy S5 Review all the Advantages

Samsung posted on its channel on YouTube the first official promotional videos for its new smartphone "Galaxy S5".

The video reviews the specifications of the smartphone with a marked focus on the features found in the device, such as:

• Auto focus speed.
• HDR in camera. 
• Connection speed to the Internet using Wi-Fi and fourth generation networks.
• Applications of the fitness and health using Gear Fit bracelet.
• Sensor heartbeat.
• The new power saving mode. 
• Fingerprint technique to open the screen. 

It is expected to start selling the smartphone in more than 100 countries around the world on April 11.

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The Man In The High Castle Season 1 Review

The Man In The High Castle Season 1 Review

The Man In The High Castle

Season One

Rating: 8 out of 10 (Great)

WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW

In A Nutshell

Having watched the pilot episode several months ago, I was quietly awaiting the start of the series to be streamed on Amazon. I wasnt OTT with salivating eagerless, but the pilot was undoubtedly very good and well put together. Seeing where this show would go, and if it could possibly keep up the standard, was going to be worth my time I hoped.

So, has it maintained standards?

Almost.

Episode 2 was right up there with the opening one, as Frank Frink (try saying that ten times quickly) was tortured by the Japanese and his sisters family gassed, in order to get information out of him about his girlfriend Julianas disappearance. This was a tense and horrific episode on emotional levels, what with Franks sister knowing exactly what was "going down" and reassuring the kids anyway. Franks emotions in the jail were about as award winning as things get, not least the aborted firing squad that was stopped at the last moment. With a new show, you dont know who is important and have no concept of who could and couldnt possibly be killed off, so this episode, along with Julianas struggles in the neutral zone town, were naturally tense and dramatic. For me, episode 2 trumped the pilot episode. Julianas meeting with her "contact" who turned out to be a Nazi Spy at the very last moment, was a shock reversal for me, although her rescue much less unpredictable. The attack on our senior Nazi official character, John Smith (not very umm, german name?) was also dramatic and quite breathtaking.

Episode 3, sadly, didnt quite continue on in the same vain. Sure, it cant be action and intense drama every week but there were some flat sections this episode for me, not least that the Japanese segments came across as dull, emotionless and somewhat feeling like it was keeping us from all the interesting parts of the show. The tension and concern that they felt regarding the Nazis was clearly evident. Gathering peoples true intentions is not easy in this show, and almost feels impossible with the Japanese who maintain great poker like expressions in every scene. However, as things progress over next couple episodes, we do get further emotional and expressionate sentiments from them, not least when the Crown Prince is taken out at the end of episode 4. The drama and fallout from immediately after that shooting is outstanding filming, along with the tension of the Trade Minister and maintaining his secret operatives disguise, actually genuinely making me feel slightly nervous for both their lives. The only slight disappointment perhaps from their whole segments is that the prince isnt at this point in time anything more than severally injured. Youd think two clear shots would have been enough for any assassin to finish someone off!

The emotion at times in this show is unbearable, and at others times always very good. Franks interactions with his brother-in-law initially tense as hell, although somewhat strangely "friendly" at the latter funeral. Its poor Frank who really gets the most serious of emotional rollercoasters during the opening episodes. Juliannas, notwithstanding her altercations, seems less affected by what shes been through, continuing in episode 5 to search for the answers to behind the tapes, by strolling into her sisters boyfriends house nochartely. The conversation she has with the lady there, who one assumes is resistance, was rather straightforward, given the whole cloak and dagger stuff weve had her go through previously. Her return home in episode 4 has presented her with probably the most plot convenient transition, with that house visit at Randells home, and job at Japanese HQ being creamed with her bumping into the Trade Minister in that building. All rather too convenient for me, and certainly very out of place with the twist, turns and rather non-processional like storylines the show has consistently turned out.

Episode 6 and Juliana and Frank squabble like the dysfunctional couple they are, although in some ways at least their relationship makes more sense than Juliana/Joe which I really cant fathom out at all. Theyve both got their own relationships going on, but seem to be drawn to each other. This isnt going down the Star Wars Luke/Leia thing is it? I really hope not, but at least thatll make more sense than the stupidity Julianna has in repeatedly risking everything for him. Sure, he saved her life ... once ... but then she keeps doing all these things for him, and doesnt really ever give a reasonable explanation. Even on her first day working at Japanese HQ, shes being instantly stupid, by snooping for info and so clearly eavesdropping in the meetings, that she may as well sit at the table with everyone. The most interesting revelation from this rapid 1st day in the job though, is that she finds the room that the resistance wanted her to locate, sees that keyword "grasshopper", nicks some document with the writing on, and then sees her dad! It was a surprise to see him there. Seems hes working for the Japanese? Although not one of us would believe hes doing it for love. Meanwhile, Frank turns on another burst of emotion after his earlier torturing scenes in episode 2 when he stormed off from arguement with Juliana and meets up with a relation to find out the guy is a practising Jew. Its a tender moment with him, the family relation and children praying.

By far the biggest chunk of scenes in episode 6 are at Nazi Smiths house on "VA Day", which is a big celebration for Nazis.  Joe and somewhat unexpectedly, the "Swiss operative" (come Nazi and seemingly Smiths old pal) Rudolf Wegener are both invited to the family dinner which turns out to be a very clever ploy by Smith to essentially interrogate them both whilst stuffing them with food and drink. Smith knew Wegener was lying about every cover story he came up with about why he was on a so-called business trip, which wasnt totally obvious until he told Joe and asked for his advice. That was of course another clever trick to suss out Joe a little more. Wegener ends up being escorted away by Nazis and at the very end, Joe performs the classic stupidity of sneaking into Smiths office to look at files on Grasshopper, which turn out to be completely blank. Thats when Smith turns up, somewhat disappointed in Joe. Youd think all was totally hitting the fan for both Joe and Wegener but the former gets a final chance from Smith to prove himself, by using Juliana to locate the latest film doing the rounds. The subtle way Smith plays Joes girlfriend and son against him is a typical "bad guy" tactic but its more than enough to work its magic as a serious threat.

Quite unexpectedly, during episode 7, Julianas dad collars her and tells her all about his role at the Japanese HQ, which plays out just as we thought. Theres a whole what does he know or not about Trudy (his daughter) and her role in everything, including these films. Its all a little unclear and seeming a tad inconsistent if you ask me. Im not sure if hes really painting a good impression of himself, or if were just supposed to believe it. The whole "Is Trudy dead or not?" thing seems to grind on this episode, but looks to have been put to bed when Julianas new best buddy, the Trade Minister, reveals information he knows, including where Trudys body is, which is a ditch in some field in the middle of nowhere. Juliannas almost vomits at the sight of the bodies, and even I felt a little uneasy, as she locates Trudys body. Im still completely unconvinced though that she is dead despite all this. The lengths they went to in this show to make us wonder if she was dead, and then show us her body ... well, it makes me believe were being set up to see her again ... in some form ... giving the revelations that follow in later episodes.

Humour isnt totally absent in this programme, and the clear top joker in town is the jewellery shop owner, Robert Childan. Hes brilliant in his role, dinning with the high-class japanese couple he wanted to attract to his shop and lapping it up, only to discover they really were just arrogant and obnoxious. Eager for revenge, he has Frank create some fake art for the couple, which just about manages to convince them, thanks to the ladys belief in "Wu"; some mystical energy that she thinks the item contains. This may be due to Frank having made it and later revelations in the show perhaps. However, Childan just steals every scene hes in. Speaking of "Wu", I imagine thats what the Trade Minister sees in the necklace he found a few episodes ago (that Frank dropped) and given how things progress, there clearly is something fundamental to the whole story concerning "Wu".

In Episode 8, Heydrich turns up as a very senior Nazi who, as it turns out, is probably not only against Hitler and Japan, but our Nazi chief, Smith. They share a rather diplomatic "spat" over the final few episodes, which is very much cat and mouse, as to one wants to show their cards. Smith works out what Heydrich is most likely up to, and is made into a much more human character after the VA dinner and the revelation that his son is terminally ill. The way the Nazi doctor suggests Smith humanely kills his own son, to save him embarrassment, is something you would think Smith would just do, as hes a duty man, but even he is putting off such an action, and shows even more genuine love for his son, whom is clueless to whats going on. Its a real show of emotion and adds that other side to Smith that we havent seen. It also makes you wonder if deep down, hes going to perform a heroic act for the greater good at some point in the shows future.

Back to the stupidity side of things, and all that lies with Juliana, Joe and the Resistances interactions. It seems that everyone is chopping and changing their minds every 5 minutes between this lot. What is even more baffling is how the resistance would trust her and especially anything Joe says so reasonably easily. The whole Joe factor and resistance is the hardest bit to understand when they were so cloak and dagger for so long, and now so open in believing and following Joes lead on some matters! This is summed up when in the final episode they actually do some checking and find out that Joe is a Nazi. How stupid are they? Either the two resistance characters arent really the sort of resistance wed imagine they are, or they really are simply stupid and as rather hapless as they appear on numerous occasions. The Resistances actions in the second half of the first season are just unbelievably daft after the rather carefully hidden tracks and conversations they perform during the opening episodes. Why are they counting on Joe so much and not using their own resources? Dont get it.

Its not really a surprise then when things go wrong trying to retrieve the latest film from a gang who stole it and want money for it. The Kempeitai turn up, the resistance leg it, and Joe and Julianna are bundled into a car which turns up to belong to the gang leader. Episode 9 then is all about money and exchanges for the film, which seems to go on forever in their quest to be rid of the gang, so its a bit of a surprise when once again, after Julianna gets her bail paid by the resistance, that Frank is the one who goes in to pay for Joes release. That looks to be going to plan until Joe goes all gun-ho, stealing a gun and shooting everyone, before taking the film. A dramatic ending to what seemed like a rather drawn out plot segment we all could have done without. The plan to all met up at a local school after all this drama is strange, so much in that they seem to be walking around a school like they own it. No mention of having to break in, and theres obviously zero security around the school. But this is where things really start to ramp up for the finale ...

Weve got the Trade Minister regretting all his under dealings to help his countrymen when it now seems to have convinced the recovering Crown Prince to launch an assault against the Nazis. Wegener is being booted and suited by Heydrich to kill Hitler (as they are best pals it seems) in return for ignoring his traitorous deceit. And to really raise tensions, Frank and Juliana view the film in the school and see a scene of Nazis executing people, of which one of the Nazis is Joe, and Frank is one being shot! Sadly, this penultimate episode cliffhanger goes down like a lead brick with me. I was thoroughly disappointed that the film had anyone we know in it. Even more so that it turns out that Frank and Julianna are so ready to believe anything about what they see. Although they do suggest they dont believe the film, they take it as evidence that Joe is a Nazi and that its showing events thatll happen one day. Where on earth do they have any evidence that anything in the films is anything remotely true? Seeing themselves in any film would be enough for me to disregard anything the films show, rather than believe them anymore. I suppose these people are so desperate for change, that theyll believe anything, but its not really conveyed well that whats on the films is really good enough to be believed.

And so to the finale, which for me, was superb on the whole and only let down by the last few minutes and the ongoing stupidity between Juliana and Joe. However, outside of those moments, this was tense, dramatic and beautifully told. The ever helpful Ed gets caught trying to get rid of Franks gun in a rather classic "Uh Oh" moment, which Frank only finds out about later in the episode, and then is trying to hand himself in. Thats not going to work though, as the Japanese Police Chief has just managed to stop war by taking out the actual sniper of the Crown Prince in private and avoiding having to commit official suicide by now having someone to blame the shooting on. Poor Ed.

The show stealing moments though in the finale are all concerning Wegener as he returns home to Berlin and shares some awkward moments with his wife, and affectionate time with his children. The fact that its all in german with english subtitles really adds to it in a way it just wouldnt feel so real and emotional if in spoken english. His journey to see Hitler is given extended screen time and beautifully shot in amazing picturesque backdrops both outside the high castle (yup, this gives away that part of the story) and inside. As he hears the sound of a film playing whilst approaching Hitlers office, you immediately know that a revelation is coming, and sure enough it turns out that Hitler knows about Wegeners intentions and that he is collecting the films and studying them. Theyve taught him the power of peace with Japan although we dont find out where they are coming from or how. One might have thought things might have a happy ending for Wegener at this moment, but seems Hitler hasnt suddenly become soft, and instead allows Wegener to commit suicide in return for sparing his family. This storyline directly links into Smiths predicament of being summoned on a animal hunt expedition by Heidrich, who you know has alternate motives. Things progress with the usual cat and mouse chatter before Heidrich shows his cards, taking Smith captive but offering him to join him in his new vision of the world (pending Hitlers death) or dying. The end result is extremely quickly and dramatically turned on its head when the phone call to Heidrich comes through from Hitler himself. One feels Smith might be in for a promotion.

Whilst those big storylines are being played out, we have the usual Julianna/Joe stuff, where shes supposed to be luring him to his death by the resistance now that theyve actually done some homework and know hes a nazi. Up until the final moment, shes all with the plan rather resolutely, but then reveals whats going on to Joe, who gives a little sob story, and the next minute shes sneaked him to safety, much to the dismay of the resistance. For me, this is not very convincing storytelling. Just seem too wishy washy, and leaves me feeling there has to be further revelations about Juliana and Joe to come, as well as something that restores my faith in what is a rather clueless seeming resistance.

The last two minutes see the Trade Minister leaving his desk and heading out with the necklace for some downtime. He believes hes likely to be in all sorts of trouble very soon over his secretive work and for employing Julianna, whom he now knows (although youd think he already did surely?) that shes the girlfriend of traitor Frank. Of course, that problem goes away, much unknown to him at the time. His moment of meditation and reflection outside with the necklace causes him to have a rather real enveloping vision of the alternative reality of our world, that of the America in the 1960s. Its beautiful to look at from a historical point of view, but for me I did not like this ending. There was too much going on, and too hard to really believe hed literally walk about in his vision. Something shorter and brief would have worked much better I feel. However, this further adds evidence to the fact that "Wu" means something in this programme, as the necklace, the Trade ministers belief in it, and the link to Frank and Julianna etc is all connected by it.

What I liked

Theres no sweeping things under the carpet in this show. Episodes starting immediately where they ended in previous episode, which makes for probably the most dramatic beginnings of episodes since I saw episode one of LOST. Episode 3 began with gunshots from the bounty hunter chasing Julianna, and Episode 5 with the ghastly fallout from the crown princes shooting. Your attention is wrenched from your eyes, and youre truly immersed in whats happened from the word go.

The costumes, backdrops and CGI is outstanding thus far. The world this show creates is absolutely intoxicatingly intriguing and appealing.

Top marks for a long atmospheric opening credits, even though Ive never liked the song.

Mystery is everywhere in this show, not least with trying to work out the society and world these people live in, and exactly what history and motivations any of the characters have. The dynamics and connections between everyone is really compelling.

Some absolutely top quality segments throughout the first season, not least with the interrogation of Frank, the Crown Prince shooting, Juliannas Dam squabble and the nasty bounty hunter pursuit. Factor in the VA Dinner with Smiths clever interrogations, Wegeners emotional family exchange and theres so many top class moments. After that, theres numerous great stuff, and really only sprinklings of predictability, daftness and dullness. On the whole, the show gets it right on multiple occasions.

The bounty hunter is rather full of classic headhunter quirks and character, but theres no doubting he  is kick ass, and is as menacing as they come.

What I Didnt Like

Im no fan of Edelweiss, and never have been. Even after hearing it numerous times watching this show, its not growing on me. Not sure its quite the best tune for the show but it has the right atmosphere and the titles are very decent and welcomed.

Japanese character stories are not the easiest and quickest to identify with and understand. I found them quite dry and uninteresting for first few episodes, although things did rise up a few notches with the Trade Ministers storyline in episodes 4 and 5 that made me actually care and attach to him for once.

Although full of quality, there have been several cheese and "bleh" moments, what with the drugged interrogation by the Nazis feeling as pointless to sit through as the Nazi Commander felt, and the implicated Nazi Official by the captive carrying little weight as we hardly knew him or the captive. The passing of information to the Science Officer by the Trade Ministers operative also felt a little odd that there was only one opportunity apparently. I know things are tight and tense, but it did seem that the emphasis of why that exchange could only happen that way was not really clear. Lastly, the bounty hunters "setup" by Joe and Juliana was well planed but far too cheese youd think to really fool him.

The revelation of whats on the latest tape did not go down very well with me. Its was always going to be hard to convey any sci-fi in whats mostly been a pure fictional drama/thriller up until now. If theyd not had two of the characters shown in the film, it would have worked much better for me, but to see Joe and Frank conveyed in the video as "alternative world versions of themselves" was an overdose of cheese for me, rather than any jaw-dropping revelation.

Quite how Frank and Julianna decided Joe was a Nazi, based solely on a film they watched ... which showed Frank in a situation that clearly wasnt him ... well, I dont know. Just daft really.

The Resistance are really quite rubbish. They seem to have no clue whats going on. Dont really think they can be "pure" hardcore resistance because one moment they just take Joes word and his cash, and the next they are performing "checks" on everything. Inconsistent stuff by them, between being all cloak/dagger and then just doing pure daft behaviour.

The ending ... didnt like it. Reminded me a little of the ending of BSG (the remake one) and a little of Heroes. If the Trade Minister had merely heard sounds of an alternative world, or caught a very brief look ... that would have worked better for me. But to march about and be immersed in it ... well, its harder to believe that one could do that, and that others havent already.

Huh?

Aside from my disappointment of the content on the latest film, the relationship and interaction between Joe/Juliana is my next greatest annoyance and frustration on this show. It just seems so random and odd at times to be taken seriously.

The season ending scene was at least a minute too long to really capture the emotion and wow factor for me. A brief glimpse and background sounds would have worked much better.

Beautiful scenery and confirmation of who the man in the high castle is, comes in finale.

?And Finally

As close to perfection as any show has managed for me in recent times, but sadly let down slightly by an increase in convenient storytelling for Julianas character, the longer time its taken to identify with the Japanese characters and the incredulous daftness between Frank/Julianna/Joe/Resistance, especially Frank and Juliana in relation to the revelation of the films contents. Plus, that ending ...

Nevertheless, there have been many award-winning chunks of amazing drama and tension in this first half of series one. The backdrops and atmosphere of this alternative timeline is absolutely gorgeous and so hard not to enjoy visually. Theres real tenderness and emotion of the highest quality with Franks torture, Wegeners family moments and his subsequent Hitler meeting, plus Smiths VA Family meal with hidden intentions. The mystery and the way plot points are stretched out to raise tensions and drama to their ultimate tether is simply so bountiful in this season and skillfully achieved.

The rather limited number of main characters made things slightly more predictable as time went on, but there were enough surprises and revelations along the way to keep shaking things up, and packing that powerful emotional blow that is used to such awesome effect in this show.

Rating: 8 out of 10

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