Sunday, June 29, 2008

Tennis games

Similar to most other popular sports in the world (soccer, baseball, basketball), tennis has always enjoyed a presence on the gaming industry, with every generation of home consoles, PCs and even handhelds having a gem or two. (After all, one of the very first games ever made, Pong, is basically a simplified version of tennis, is it not?)

Just like the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series is the de facto standard for golf gaming, the Virtua Tennis series has always been the stalwart for those looking to whack a tennis ball virtually. With decent graphics, a bevy of real-life tennis celebrities available as in-game choices (setting up the stage for some fantastical moments like my virtual controlled Roger Federer finally thrashing Nadal in the French Open finals), cute and super fun (not to mention quirky) mini-games that often steal the limelight from the main tennis events themselves and, of course, action-packed and addictive gameplay, every installment in the series has gone from strength to strength, with the latest, Virtua Tennis 3, widely applauded by critics and fans alike as the ultimate tennis fantasy.

Of course, just like how there’s the Hot Shots Golf series for those golf-enthusiasts who are sick of seeing Tiger’s face plastered everywhere, there’re also alternatives to Virtua Tennis. So, with Wimbledon now in full swing and tennis fans itching to have their own go at the hallowed Centre Court, here’re some of my favourite tennis game recommendations.

1. Smash Court Tennis 3 (PSP)

I haven’t had the chance to play the first two games in the series before (what with not having a PS2 and all) but this game alone has made me a convert to a SCT fanatic. While Virtua Tennis’ fast-paced tennis gameplay, short matches and mini-games make for short bursts of tennis fun, SCT is the exact opposite: with a much deeper control system (that is consequentially much harder to master), a very in-depth pro tour feature (with a much more defined and customizable player, both in terms of style and skills) and ultra realistic gameplay (no lunging for and actually returning impossible shots like in VT; linesmen and umpires actually make errors like in real life; a call challenge feature, which is very handy).

While VT’s arcade-like nature is fun and addictive, the realistic sim that SCT provides, along with the fact that, after a slow first few hours of play, the game gets insanely good, makes for a much more satisfying, more hardcore-feeling and much more fulfilling tennis experience. While Virtua Tennis was what showed me that tennis could be done in games, Smash Court Tennis 3 is, to me, the epitome of a great tennis game and, dare I say it, the best tennis game I’ve seen across any console yet.

2. Top Spin series (PC, all major consoles, Nintendo handhelds)

If Virtua Tennis is the fun-loving, hyperactive youngest kid in the family and Smash Court Tennis is the jaded, realistic, more in-depth father, then the Top Spin series is the oldest child, a sort of mix between the two. Having been around for ages and garnering rave reviews from the start (or, at least the first game did), the Top Spin series has always remained inexplicably in the shadow of Virtua Tennis, providing a very solid, if not as mainstream appealing, alternative to the latter.

While the latest entry in the series, Top Spin 3, has met with lukewarm reception (while I haven’t had the chance to play the PS3 and Xbox360 versions, which I understand are slightly better, the Wii version, with its very limited career mode and counterintuitive controls, actually feels a step backwards for the series) and Top Spin 2 for the DS should be banished to gaming limbo forever, the original game was a breath of fresh air and exemplified everything that a tennis game should be.

Having been developed a few years after the launch of Virtua Tennis on the Dreamcast, Top Spin (for the Xbox and PC) showed perfectly the evolution of tennis gaming. With a (for its time) in-depth career mode and great gameplay (which had more features and much more varied shot options than the original VT), the original Top Spin is a must have for any tennis gaming fanatic and even holds its own, graphically and gameplay-wise, against the tennis giants now. Plus, for those short on cash but looking for a solid tennis fix, Top Spin is now a bargain. I’ve seen a copy of the PC game go on sale for less than $30, which is less than half of what you’d have to pay for a more current game.

3. Prince Of Tennis: Crystal Drive 2005 (NDS)

With VT, SCT and Top Spin securing practically all bases for tennis gaming, there’s only one majorly popular platform that hasn’t been covered yet. While Nintendo’s giant of a mini console, the Nintendo DS, isn’t particularly known for sports gaming (in that aspect, the PSP wins it hands down, thanks to superior processing power, better graphical abilities and the option for more in-depth and realistic play) and previous attempts for the system have ranged from mediocre (Rafa Nadal tennis, solid but unspectacular) to downright horrendous (the above-mentioned Top Spin 2), there is one gem amidst all the hubris.

Admittedly, Prince of Tennis: Crystal Drive, will not be winning fans over with its cutesy chibi graphics and the game can only be fully enjoyed by fans of the popular manga and anime series, PoT is nonetheless a fantastic game that is easily accessible and provides a surprisingly addictive time if one can look past the comical look.

Eschewing any form of realism or semblance of real life tennis simulation, PoT takes the fantastical approach that the manga/anime takes. While players can duel with the usual shots like in other tennis games (the top spin, the lob, the slice etc.), the real meat of the gameplay lies in unleashing special moves, which have to be charged up using a power bar first. Some of these afore-mentioned shots range from faster-than-sound returns (like Sanada’s Wind) to drop shots that don’t bounce and just roll backwards (a la Tezuka’s zero-degree drop shot).

The game offers an astounding number of characters taken from the series (starting from the beginning all the way up to the Nationals semi-finals story arc), much more than any other tennis game, with every single player having a number of special moves himself. Most of these players, especially the powerful ones, have to be unlocked by playing different tournaments under different conditions (even the tournaments themselves are unique, like a tournament only for left-handed players, or southpaws etc.),thus providing a huge incentive to continue playing, especially for fans of the series who know, and love, all these characters.

So, while it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, there’s no denying that there’s a great game amongst the tennis draught on the DS.

4. Wii Tennis (Nintendo Wii)

Ok so this doesn’t really count as a full tennis game. Released as part of the five sports in Wii Sports, which, in itself, was released with the Wii as more a demonstration of the Wiimote’s ability than anything else, Wii Tennis has unexpectedly hit a chord with many players and is at least partially responsive for the Wii’s early success.

While the game might not offer any form of career mode, any recognizable players or even any form of more intermediate tennis gameplay (basically you just swing the Wiimote and hit the ball, the right timing of which would result in a power shot), the gameplay is so addictive and the game so well-done on the most basic and simplistic level that even jaded, hardcore, sports gamers have been known to splurge hours whacking it out with friends.

Plus, of course, if you have a Wii, you’d probably have this game already, in which case you wouldn’t even have to spend any money.

So, what are you waiting for? Choose the console and game of your choice, grab your controller, and whack away!

Sunday, June 22, 2008

Kung Fu Panda

The 90s were known as the Golden Age of animation and rightly so. With offerings from Disney like The Lion King and Aladdin ruling both the box office and critics’ lists, it seem like animated movies could do wrong. Skip forward a decade or so and the situation has changed somewhat, with animations a decidedly hit-or-miss affair.

True, there are still great animations but, for every Finding Nemo or The Incredibles, you get a dozen Cars and Shark Tale-s. Keeping that in mind, would Dreamworks Animation, famed for their critically lauded Shrek series but also for the equally lackluster recent effort Bee Movie, be able to conjure up a gem in their latest movie, Kung Fu Panda? Or would it go the way of Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron, sinking into animated oblivion (I bet you don’t even remember it right?)?

Thankfully, Kung Fu Panda is definitely more of a hit than a dud.

Featuring Jack Black as the voice of the main character, Kung Fu Panda (or KFP, as I’ll call it from now on) tells the story of Po, the titular character who’s a douche-ish, fat (although is there any other kind?), unhygienic and terribly unfit panda. Dreaming of one day becoming the Dragon Warrior, greatest warrior in the land, and being on par and pals with the renowned Furious Five (comprising five animals from whom actual Chinese martial arts are based upon), Po attends the ceremony to find the next Dragon Warrior and, by a twist of events, ends up actually getting chosen by Master Oogway, the wizened turtle sage.

Much to the consternation of Master Shifu, teacher to the Furious Five and whoever the Dragon Warrior is supposed to be and also surprising just about everyone by getting chosen (including himself), Po then has to learn to fight in a remarkably short time, as powerful villain Tai Lung, a former protégé of Master Shifu’s, has broken out of captivity and has come to collect the legendary Dragon Scroll, a supposedly all-empowering scroll under Master Shifu’s and Oogway’s care.

While the plot is simple, it is executed perfectly and with impeccable polish. Poking fun at orthodox martial arts and Chinese kung fu movies in general, Kung Fu Panda doesn’t take itself too seriously, the result being a lighthearted and hilarious, not to mention really entertaining, hour and a half of animated pleasure.

The script is well-done, with perfect pacing (in fact, the movie feels really short, even shorter than its actual run time of 92 minutes) and self-parodying wit (the rib-tickling first line of the movie goes: “Legend tells of a legendary warrior whose kung fu skills were the stuff of legend.”). The action and laughs never seem to let up (with a scene of Po talking to an antique urn particularly memorable) and the main characters Po, Shifu and Oogway are suitably endearing. I only wish that the writers had fleshed out the supporting characters more. The Furious Five, in particular, seemed potentially engaging but ended up being one-dimensional caricatures of movie stereotypes (and not even particularly outstanding ones).

Aesthetically, the movie is a treat. The visuals are lush, with well-animated action (facial expressions especially, are a perfect fit) and drawn from a variety of artstyles, including both beautiful water painted effects (a la the PS2/Wii game Okami) and the more quirky kung fu style adopted by Nick cartoons such as Samurai Jack. The music, too, is apt, with oriental gongs and festive music playing throughout the movie. The cinematography, too, is perfect, with Matrix-like action sequences and smooth, action-packed fight scenes.

The voice-acting, though, is a bit of a let-down. While Jack Black does a perfect Po (doesn’t he totally remind you of a real-life human Po anyway?), the rest of the cast is unmemorable, probably at least partially due to the fact that they don’t get much airtime. I mean, if you just watch the movie without prior knowledge of the voice cast, would you recognise Hollywood heavyweights such as Dustin Hoffman (who plays Master Shifu), Angelina Jolie (Tigress) or Jackie Chan (Monkey), among others?

Still, minor faults aside, Kung Fu Panda is a hit through and through, fast-paced and witty. Definitely a must watch for any animation fan and even for those who aren’t.

Rating: 4.5 stars out of 5

Sunday, June 08, 2008

Prince Caspian

Even with the advent of huge screen televisions and HD quality films, there are just some movies you have to watch in the cinema to get the full effect. The Star Wars franchise, the Matrix and, to some extent, the Harry Potter series pop to mind. Now, add to that list Prince Caspian, the second in the series of films based on the classic fantasy series The Chronicles of Narnia (of which the first movie, The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe, could also be placed on the list).

Based on the book of the same name, Prince Caspian takes place in Narnia approximately 1300 years after the events that transpired in the previous movie (which does not necessarily have to be watched to enjoy this film but would make understanding the story much easier). After conquering the White Witch and reigning as kings and queens of Narnia, the four Pevensie children (Peter, Edmund, Susan and Lucy) returned to the normal world to lead normal human lives.

A year has passed on Earth when the four children are suddenly pulled back into Narnia, where they find that over a thousand years have passed since they left and that realm is now a very different, much darker place. General Miraz, a villainous usurper to the throne, has deposed of the true heir, Prince Caspian, to claim kingship over the land of Narnia.

With the help of the four children as well as a cute supporting cast that includes a talking mouse and a tough-exterior-soft-interior dwarf and, of course, the ever-present talking lion Aslan, Caspian attempts to gain back what’s his, along the way going through the usual character developments and conflicts that pepper such shows.

The plotline and its source material, while pretty groundbreaking for its time, feels a tad formulaic and simple, with predictable twists and changes that can be seen a mile away. Still, the story is perfunctory and stays true to its Christian roots (series author C.S. Lewis was a celebrated Christian writer and the series of Narnia is actually a fantastical analogy for the religion’s fundamental beliefs).

The scripting, while it does have its shining moments and the occasional, unexpected laugh (the exchange between Edmund and King Miraz is particularly funny), the pacing is not terribly well done. The show starts out really slowly and moves at a plodding pace for a full hour before the action starts to build up. While it does climax pretty well and gets pretty engaging later on, the first hour really puts a downer on the entire movie experience.

In terms of audio and visual production value, the movie shines. Just like in the previous movies, the costumes and locations feel authentic (although one doesn’t really have any benchmark to gauge the authenticity other than other fantasy films), the score suitably majestic (or at least fitting to the scene) and the special effects realistic yet bombastic. The final battle, in particular, by Aslan is especially spectacular.

The acting is adequate on an ensemble level (although Anna Popplewell, who plays Susan, occasional sports a conflicted not-really-emoting-anything face), the only outstanding performances being Skandar Keynes (who playes Edmund) and Peter Dinklage, whose portrayal of Trumpkin, the afore-mentioned dwarf, is deadpan hilarious.

Overall, while Prince Caspian probably won’t be winning any major awards or top the LOTR series as the fantasy fanboy’s ultimate wet dream movie, it does provide a decent two and a half hours of mindless entertainment.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Monday, June 02, 2008

Adidas Sundown Marathon

I have to be honest: I’ve never been a really physical person. I’ve never had the aptitude nor liking for most sports (even those I like, like tennis, I’m terrible at), I’ve never really liked physical activities (rock-climbing and such) and, despite the fact that I’m a combat-fit soldier in the army, I’ve never been what most people would consider remotely fit.

If you had told me a year earlier that I would be taking part in a full 42km marathon without much prior training or some sort of reason behind it (probably someone forcing me at gun point to join), I would have never believed you. Marathons have never even entered my consciousness before as something I would someday join.

However, when a friend approached about two months back about joining a marathon with her, for some reason, I decided to just take a leap of faith and go for it, just to see whether I could do it. At that time, the marathon I was signing up for, the Adidas Sundown Marathon, didn’t seem that big a deal. I didn’t know it would get so much media attention or that it was to be Singapore’s first night time marathon. All that mattered to me at that time were the cool freebies (an Adidas sports tee to run in, with an additional tee and a medal upon successful completion) and the fact that, since it was to start at night, I would at least not die of harsh sunlight and dehydration during the race.

The lead up to the marathon wasn’t a smooth journey. Thanks to in-camp work and lots of SOC training (which, while still physical, I wouldn’t consider anything similar to marathon training), I didn’t have much time nor energy left to go for frequent long distance runs. Dietary conditioning, too, was out of the question, since I didn’t have much say in my food choices. Heck, in the very week leading up to the race, I was having on-off bouts of flu and fever brought on by lack of sleep and, on the morning of the marathon itself, I had to go for chemical defense training, which started before dawn.

All of these factors, plus the fact that since I only had about two months to train for the marathon properly, when it would usually take at least half a year, made it such that, when I first arrived at the event at around 11pm Saturday night, I was actually feeling pretty winded already.

Still, I quickly got changed, deposited my bag and proceeded to do some warm ups, all the while attempting to psyche myself up, together with my friends who had signed up for the marathon with me. Some of said friends were trying to figure out their ideal timings for the race while I, who was to pop my marathon cherry, only concentrated on the fact that I wanted to actually finish the darn thing. No record breaking timing for me (after all, whatever timing I run, it would break my personal record), just the completion medal would be fine.

The turnout for the event was pretty fantastic. Looking around the huge, huge crowd, I saw bibs that numbered all the way up to 9000+, though the news stated that the final count was slightly more than 6000, which is still a pretty fantastical number. For a first-time event (albeit sponsored by a hugely popular brand) that didn’t get much advertising in the months before, there were definitely a lot of participants that night sharing the starting line with me, so much so that, when the whistle (or whatever, I didn’t actually get to hear anything except a huge wave of cheers) went off to start the race, it took me quite a while of sluggish walking before I finally crossed the actual starting line.

The route for the run looked pretty straightforward. Starting from Changi Village, the route would encompass most of the eastern side of Singapore, going down the entire airport route, through to East Coast Park and then crossing all the different park connectors and parks before finally completing the loop back to Changi Village, where glory (and pain) awaited.

The run started off well enough. As I started to jog and get warmed up, the fatigue and weariness I felt from the pretty tough week I’ve had started to wear off and, music blasting in my ears, I proceeded to get fired up for the race. While I started off the race leisurely pacing some of my friends and attempting to run as a group, after a while, it became apparent the disparity between our optimum running speeds and we soon separated. While I occasionally ran the race with different friends, I ended up completing most of it, including the last 10km or so, by myself.

The first 15 to 20km were decent. I was jogging at a pretty consistent speed and, while my legs were starting to ache a little, I didn’t as out of breathe as I thought I would be. Perhaps the weather, which started off a little humid (probably due to the humongous human traffic at the starting point) gradually changed to a refreshing gentle breeze, helped as well. Soon, though, as I made the u-turn at East Coast Park which represented the halfway mark, I began to feel the effects of running non-stop for more than two hours straight. My left knee and ankle began to have nagging aches, while my left foot felt like it was on the verge of a major cramp (oddly, though, my right leg seemed pretty fine).

As I scaled what was to be the first of several overhead bridges, I slowed my pace down to a walk and, from then on, I pretty much gave up on the “running” part of the marathon. As the distance grew longer, I became more and more unable to run. Every attempt at even a slow jog resulted in stopping after less than 200m became I just couldn’t handle the strain on my left leg. Nonetheless, I decided to soldier on, walking slowly. At that point, several others had also started to walk and, along the way, I actually met some old friends who I didn’t know had also signed up for the marathon.

After crossing the 30km mark (at this point, the distance between each 2km checkpoint seemed impossibly far and it took an inexplicably long time to reach each aid station, which offered water and, at some points, 100 Plus top ups as well), even the walking felt belaboured and, finally, my right knee and ankle started to feel the strain as well. Despite that, of course, I refused to give up. After all, practically everyone I knew knew that I was taking part in the marathon (with some expressing disbelief) and returning with anything less than a completion medal would be disappointing, especially to myself as well.

To make things worse, the gentle breeze started to turn into a light drizzle and, at the 36km mark, turned into a full-on downpour. For some reason, while several people sprinted to the nearest bus-stops to take cover, I decided to throw caution (not to mention my health, considering the slight fevers I’ve been having the whole week) to the wind (almost literally) and just keep walking, telling myself that the sooner I get to the finishing line, the sooner I would get to dry up.

Of course, at my speed, by the time I finally got anywhere near the finishing line, the rain had cleared up and, to my dismay, the sun had began to come out (which means that I had taken at least seven hours already). As I turned the bend into the last 400m (which, by the way, never seemed to end), I attempted to pick up speed. Finally, with the huge “FINISH” sign in sight, I started to gain speed and lightly sprinted into the finish, where I was treated to the sight of a finisher medal and t-shirt.

Despite the odds (most of which I had placed on myself), I had finished the race!

Ok, so in the end it took me slightly more than seven hours to do it (which is really not that great a timing), but I’m just happy to have completed my very first attempt at a marathon! Some of my friends completed the race much faster (one taking just slightly over five hours) while some came in after me but overall, everyone I knew who had tried out for the race finished it in time.

Now, recovering at home and limping around the house, I take comfort everytime I see the medal, which showed me that, despite what I thought, I could actually finish a full marathon. While others might not view much of this “achievement”, I’m quite proud of myself: unfit, unsporty me actually finished a marathon!