Updated covers

I have now updated the front and back covers. What I have done is make the text stand out more with a simpler, yet eye catchy white with curving effects. Also the back cover now features just one character. Here are the final versions.

Overview of what I have managed to do so far

So far I have managed to:

Design the front and back cover: I have done some Photoshopping for the front cover using various Nintendo characters. By doing this I have managed to draw attention to what is inside the magazine by looking at the cover. The only thing is that the font is boring and needs work, plus the back cover is a bit everywhere, so I will be going back over them. I do think the covers work though.

Introduction and contents: These sections are very basic, the introduction is only for introducing and talking a bit about what the magazine is about. I do want to edit the contents a bit to make shortcuts to the designated page.

Previews and Reviews: I have gone over several released games and reviewed them after completing them. Also I have done several previews of upcoming games, I only need to do more previews but I am going to wait due to E3 which is between 5th-7th June. I would have liked to video some games but I do not have the required equipment.

Hints and tips: I have done a section for hints and tips, this will help players who are stuck on current games, given on the amount of time left and needing to tidy up and do a layout on the magazine, I would have done some more games and bigger amounts of hints and tips but unfortunately I am one man doing a whole magazine.

Art gallery: I have got several of my art and placed it within the magazine. I am thinking of doing a slide screen of each image on two separate pages. This will increase the amount of different methods I have done to create the magazine.

Leaderboards and online section: This is where the fans will be getting involved. This will allow me and the fans to interact, have fun and also set up clans, making new friends is a good option too. The leaderboards are there for competitive players.

I have also done several screenshots of the games that are getting reviewed, previewed and the hints and tips section. I am also tempted to do multiple screenshots and turn the images into a scroll through which can show several screenshots in one space.

So far the magazine is coming along nicely, but quite a few edits is needed and alot needs to have been gone through so I better get started.

Experiment with Indesign movements

I am now experimenting with moving images across screens. First of all I have set the animations on a different layer. Then I made my object within the layer. I then tested out with making a motion path with my pen tool after selecting them both together. After creating a motion path I then set the circle to on click and turned off on page load.  Here is a screen shot of what I did with this.

Next I have decided to include a sound within my circle so I then placed in a sound, moved it off the page and tested out that the sound was working. When this is all fine I then proceed to the next step. 

Finally I then clicked back on my circle and made a button out of it, so when I click on the circle, it will begin moving and make the sound effects. This is just a simple way to make an animation.

Paper Mario 3DS Preview

The brand new Paper Mario game is getting released on the Nintendo 3DS, no release dates have been confirmed unfortunately.  Great news though that Paper Mario has gone back to the way it originally was, an RPG! The first two Paper Mario games were amazing, Super Paper Mario was kind of a let down as it does’nt follow the elements of the orginal two. Anyway that is enough about that, I am sure you want to know about the new release title.

First of all, the system is back to turn based fights, which is what Paper Mario is all about. By the looks of some of the special moves Mario can use, such as cutting out the enemy or using a fan to blow away the enemies, Mario has a huge range of special moves to perform and help out during battles. Mario is also seen walking around with a Toad with green spots. Maybe a possible ally? No others have been spotted following Mario, neither has any allies been seen during a fight, so maybe they return, maybe they don’t only time will tell.

First strike is back again which gives you a chance to attack your enemy first before the      actual battle starts, giving you a good advantage within the fight. Also there appears to be a lucky slot during battle, if you match all three then you get a bonus, as seen getting three coins spews out loads of coins for Mario to collect.

Overall Paper Mario seems to be an amazing title, even among the top ten of all 3DS games, will it live to these standards though? Only time will tell. Paper Mario games that are RPG have always been amazing and this games looks like it is no exception. So be prepared for any information that will be given out.

Luigi's Mansion 3DS Preview

A sequel to Luigi’s Mansion has been wanted by fans for several years now. Fans can now rejoice as Luigi’s Mansion 2 has deffinately been confirmed to be released on the Nintendo 3DS, sadly no release date has been given as of yet. Professor E. Gadd asks Luigi to begin searching mansions (thats right, not just one this time) to capture ghosts and obtain more treasure. By the looks of it, Luigi has an updated version of his Poltergust. By the looks of it, the mansions are even bigger aswell, they include many different aspects in rooms. The room that caught my eye the most is the Egyptian room. Seeing a mummy rise from the sarcophagus has really made me want this game more.

Capturing ghosts seems to be different too. Instead of doing the flash with your torch, you seem to need to charge your torch and release for a huge flash of light, which will ofcourse, stun the ghost. Their health will be displayed and this will be your chance to vacuum up the ghost. When this happens you hold down the vacuum and move the control stick in the  opposite direction the ghost is trying to run away. When the ghosts health reaches zero, you have pretty much caught the ghost.

Overall Luigi’s Mansion 2 looks like it is shaping up extreamely well, brilliant graphics,  brilliant sound, plenty of rooms and mansions to explore. Deffinately looks a lot better than the original. I for one cannot wait for the release of this game. So get watching videos, read up about the game and get excited too!

Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon Review

Fire Emblem Shadow Dragon

Console: Nintendo DS
Genre: Strategy
Multiplayer: 1-2
Wi-Fi: Yes

Shadow Dragon is a remake from the very first Fire Emblem which was exclusively released for Japan. Shadow Dragon gives us a chance to play an up to date version of the original with added extras. The main character within this game is Marth, prince of Altea. Your kingdom is under attack as you try to fight your way out for survival, losing a comrade or two just to help you survive. After you escape, you manage to flee to Talys, which Marth manages to stay for a few years. A group of pirates attack which leaves Marth and his small army to defend the small country at all costs. After the pirates have been defeated, the king of Talys tells Marth that it is time to retake his lost country and gives him some soldiers to aid Marth in his quest.

Throughout all of my playthroughs I have always used atleast one Berserker. I find these the best class of the game. There are so many other classes such as Swordmasters, Ballistas, and even Manaketes (stone wielders that turn into dragons). Each class have their own unique play styles, tactics and special abilities. Thieves play the role of, well breaking into doors and chests. Generals usually block most attacks with their huge defence, Berserkers swarm the field with their high power plus high critical hits and speed. Healers usually stay at the back and either use distant staves to heal far off comrades or may have to go close. Mages deal magical damage which are very powerful but usually lack defence.

Each stage usually requires thinking and strategic planning to conquer the map. With some maps, depending on your Berserkers stats, you could just send out the Berserker and he will clear the whole field. I have managed this on several times and it feels good taking out an army with one character. Experiment with each class, predict your enemies, even heal regularly to keep your characters safe. Keep an eyes on your weapon usage too, each weapon only has a certain amount of uses before it breaks so it is advised to bring plenty of each weapon of choice to keep your characters fuelled for battle.

Another amazing feature is forging. Once per map, you have the option to forge one of your weapons, making them more powerful, more accurate and more deadly with criticals. Another example with the Berserker is that I forged a Hand Axe to maximum strength and increased the critical rate to 30. Berserkers also manage to have a plus 20 bonus critical due to their skill so you will be landing a critical hit once every two attacks. You can also do arena training to increase your levels even further. There are so many new features included in Shadow Dragon.

You can make a team of five from your profile and connect to your friends and challenge them to a battle, you must seize the castle and keep the castle until the turns run out. Or you could defeat all your opponents characters. This feature is also used online with random battles too.  There is nothing better than seeing your friends face when you used a forged Hand Axe and do ridiculous damage with the Berserker.

Overall one of the best games on the DS that has been released. The graphics are great, the sound tracks are brilliant and the gameplay is addicting. The only thing about Shadow Dragon is that it is a rare game so if you find it cheap, buy it! You will not regret it.

Overall score: 94%

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Tips

The Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time Tips

Now time for an old classic, Ocarina of Time has lived to be one of the best games ever! So I thought, what could be better than an Ocarina of Time tips guide.

First of all I am going to cover the best sword in the game, the Biggoron Sword. This weapon does twice the amount of damage but you are unable to block. A bit of a disadvantage but if you can dodge really well over using your shield then this weapon is just… amazing! You can get this weapon before you enter the first dungeon as an adult. To obtain this weapon, obtain the Sun’s Song from the graveyard as a kid. Then when you become an adult obtain Epona from Lon Lon Ranch. Finally get the Hookshot from Kakariko Graveyard. Now we can begin the trading sequence. Just a note that when you have a timed item, you cannot warp or it will spoil.

Head to Kakariko Village and talk to the girl that loses her chickens when you were a kid, she will then give you a Pocket Egg, upon receiving, equip the egg and play the Sun’s Song until the egg hatches. Then head to the house with the crates outside of it. Enter the house and use the Pocket Cucco to wake up Talon. After that head back to the girl and she will give you her brother’s Cucco, Kojrio. Hop onto Epona and head to Kokiri Forest, then go through to the Lost Woods, make the first left and there will be someone sitting by the stump, talk to him and he will give you the Old Mushroom, you will have to deliver this within three minutes. You must deliver this item to the potions lady in Kakariko Village, she will then give you the Odd Potion.

The old lady asks you to take the Odd Potion back to the guy by the stump. As you arrive back, a little girl is there in his place, saying he went missing and wants the potion due to the mushroom being part of the forest, which you then obtain the Poacher’s Saw. Make your way to Gerudo Valley and give the boss the Poacher’s Saw, he will exchange it for the Broken Goron’s Sword. Run all the way up Death Mountain and talk to the Biggoron. He will say he cannot currently fix the sword due to the volcano erupting and ashes going in his eyes. So he then give you a Prescription, head to Zora’s Domain, you will find that the whole area has been frozen in ice and the King Zora is encased in red ice.

Head to the area behind King Zora, jump across the frozen platforms and enter the cave, make sure you have an empty bottle, grab a blue flame and leave. Drop it on the King Zora and he will give you an Eyeball Frog. You only have three minutes to deliver these so back to Epona. Race to Lake Hylia and enter the only house. Talk to the scientist and he will give you the World’s Finest Eye Drops. You only have four minutes so again be quick, race up Death mountain and hand over the eye drops. Then play Sun’s Song so three days pass. Finally talk the Biggoron and you will obtain the Biggoron Sword.

Finally the Skulltula awards, I will list out what you can get with how many.
~ 10 Skulltula Tokens – Adult Wallet (carry 200 rupees)
~ 20 Skulltula Tokens – Stone of Agony (when near a secret area, will cause the remote to vibrate)
~ 30 Skulltula Tokens – Giant’s Wallet (carry 500 rupees)
~ 40 Skulltula Tokens -  Heart Piece (collect four for a Heart Container)
~ 100 Skulltula Tokens – 200 rupees

Back Cover

I have now finished the back cover for my magazine, here is what I have managed to accomplish.