Kyle Bennett

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One-to-One remakes are not a bad thing. Sometimes, all an already good game needs is just a bit of polish. However, this is one case where they had a great opportunity to make more than just a one-to-one remake, but outside of revamping the underground they didn't. It's a shame, because now this new game is having to compete against itself by having an already superior redo exist in the form of Platinum. Sure, this game has a 3D look, but that really doesn't matter because it wasn't utilized very well. The art style is hit-and-miss. It's cute, but all the characters look soulless and empty. It's a style that has certainly been used to success in the past with other games from other franchises(like Legend of Zelda: Link Between Worlds), but this was really neither the time nor the place for this particular style. They really had a chance to do something much more stylized and interesting given the setting, but chose not to. I'll acknowledge that plenty of people out there will like it, and good for them. I just fail to see it as anything more than a downgrade. As far as the story, it was always one of my favorites. I love how out there the original got, but again they had an opportunity to expand upon what was already there and make it better, but didn't. Again, this remake will now have to compete with other remakes that were done better by taking what was already there and adding to it to make it better. There really wasn't anything like that added to this one. The changes and additions that were make were minor and inconsequential that really didn't affect the overall game or make it worth replaying for an additional 60 dollars when I can just pick up my copy of the original game for free at this point. Sure, it's nice to get to revisit Sinnoh again, but I can still just do that now with Platinum and have a more fun experience overall. Newcomers to this game who don't own the original will like it, though. I think the way that this game's story gets out there with the concept of time and space, will appeal to new people to this region. Still, these games only ever touch on that, and again Platinum did it better. The revamped underground is a nice touch. It does feel like some thought was put into it. I think that that is where they chose to put their time. Not a bad priority to put into play, just not enough to make the game feel like a whole new experience. It would have been great if they had reworked the game world and map a bit to make it feel better integrated into an 8 directional d-pad world instead of a 4 directional d-pad world clunkily combined with 8 directional capabilities. The greatest issue is still going to be the new forced EXP. Share. They didn't balance the game to make the EXP. Share work within the game, and continuing to force it on is always going to be a problem that could be easily fixed with a quick patch. Not getting to completely chose how you play the game does take away from the experience overall. Ultimately, I don't think this game got the love it deserved. It feels underwhelming, and I fully believe that this game is going to be quickly forgotten about after Christmas. I would give it only a month, maybe two because of the holidays before this game just gets put down and set aside to not be played again for a considerable amount of time. The game middles at best, and will continue to do just that without some considerable support to make it more memorable.

The album is kind of strange because it really feels like two completely different albums. The first half of the album is bubbly and cheery, very traditional Natasha, but it also kind of lacks something. Her music has always been about Female empowerment, but these first few songs don't really have that same power. It's not bad, but it lacks the drive and passion that she usually has. Then, out of nowhere, the album does this complete 180 in a good direction. Suddenly, around song 7 or 8, that's when she really comes to life with some real emotion. It's like a whole new album separate from the first half of this whole album. This is really the point at where her music is truly at it's finest. That said, Kind of the World is by far the worst song on the album. It really just a bubbly reggae pity party song of sorts. Something that just doesn't feel like her style. Not the reggae part. That's 100% her. But, the pity party part really feels out of place. There isn't much substance to the song. It fits the theme and her aesthetic, but that's it. Maybe it's not a bad thing since it shows a different side of her, but it just didn't work for me. On the flip side, Sweet Nothing is the diamond gem of the album by far. Without contest, this is the strongest song lyrically and emotionally. She went places that she hadn't gone before with Sweet Nothing, and it worked. She grew brave in a way that she never had with her music before, and it really worked in her favor. It helps, too, that it has a very James Bond movie feel to it. It could fit into most any situation, but would be right at home in a Bond movie. Real Love is also really strong. It's so upbeat and fun. I think it's another song that is quintessential Natasha at her strongest and best. All in all, I wouldn't call this the strongest comeback, but it's still a good one. I think it wouldn't hurt her to take more chances like she did with Sweet Nothing, but this was a good relaxing return for Natasha. Plenty of fun, and worth the time spent in listening to it.

This was such a fantastic series. It's a shame that it's almost impossible to find anywhere. I wish one of the legal websites would pick it up. It's really great. The other shame is that it was never finished in the dub. So, if that's what you're looking for, you're going to have to take what you can get in the dub for the first couple seasons and then watch the rest of the series subbed. Still, it had a great concept, great characters, a fun story line, and was a great way to spend part of Saturday mornings in the early 2000's.