This September another video game trilogy comes to a conclusion. The Gears of War saga has a dear place in my heart as one of the games that helped me get through the long-distance leg of my relationship with my husband. These were games we played together for the cooperative experience, something to do as a couple. And for that reason alone, they served a purpose.
But video games of this magnitude cannot rely on game play alone. There needs to be a strong and compelling story to bring a player back time and time again. Sure you can slap multiplayer into any game nowadays, but for someone like myself – someone who appreciates solid storytelling – that is not what is going to keep your game in my console for long. This, unfortunately, is where the first two installments in Gears of War fell short for me. More so Gears 2 than the original. (more…)
These hard, round candies were introduced in Japan prior to World War II, but thanks to the Studio Ghibli masterpiece Grave of the Fireflies, Food Drops (Sakuma Drops) have become extremely popular, with classic and local Japanese flavours just waiting for newcomers to discover. My first experience with food drops has proven to me why these candies have been around for so long, as well as the reason Japanophiles are importing these unique treats. 
People who know me well know just how much of a CLAMP fanatic I am. I adore these women and the universe they have created. xxxHOLiC, both as the original manga and anime adaptation, ranks highly on my list of favourite manga and anime franchises. Everything they have written, I have loved. So I was curious to see how I would feel about another hand writing tales of Watanuki’s adventures as Yuuko’s after school slave.