TOP 10: Best Mumford & Sons Songs

Mumford & Sons is my favorite band and favorite artist out there. I'd like to pay tribute to them by doing a countdown of my Top 10 Favorite songs by them. I will not provide reasons as listening to the songs should be reasons themselves.
 
10) Thistle & Weeds - Sigh No More

9) Home - No Album

8) Babel - Babel

7) Little Lion Man - Sigh No More

6) Below My Feet - Babel

5) The Cave - Sigh No More

4) Broken Crown - Babel

3) Dust Bowl Dance - Sign No More

2) White Blank Page - Sigh No More

1) Holland Road - Babel

Article By:
Giuliano V.
 

Super Smash Bros. 4 Predictions: Newcomers (Third-Party)

This is the final segment of our Smash Bros. 4 Predictions. This article differs from the rest in that it is purely hypothetical. Every single one of these predictions is a "what if" scenario as in "what if said developer included a character." Most of these characters we don't actually think will be on the roster and that is reflected in our probability.

Newcomer: Knuckles
Series: Sonic the Hedgehog
Developer: Sega
Probability: 6%

Reason: If Sega were to include another representative into Super Smash Bros., we believe they would stick with someone from Sonic the Hedgehog. We believe Knuckles has the best chance as Tails is not as popular as he and Shadow would most likely be included as a palette swap or alternate costume of Sonic. 


Newcomer: The Boss
Series: Metal Gear
Developer: Kojima
Probability: 4.4%

Reason: We believe if Kojima brought another character into the mix, it would be The Boss. We believe this because Naked Snake would likely be included as an alternate costume or palette swap of Solid Snake, and since Raiden has never appeared on a Nintendo console his chances seem unlikely. The Boss recently appeared in Snake Eaters 3D on the 3DS which is why we believe she would be Kojima's choice.


Newcomer: Mega Man
Series: Mega Man
Developer: Capcom
Probability: 32%

Reason: Unlike most of the others on this list, we actually believe Mega Man has an extremely high chance of being included into Super Smash Bros. 4. We know that Mega Man is a highly requested character for Smash Bros, just like Sonic was, which ultimately led to his inclusion. The same could happen for Mega Man.


Newcomer: Rayman
Series: Rayman
Developer: Ubisoft
Probability: 11%

Reason: If Ubisoft were to include a character into Super Smash Bros, we believe the obvious choice would be Rayman. Rayman is basically Ubisoft's mascot, and while an Assassin's Creed character could be nice, it wouldn't exactly fit with the overall tone of the game. 


Newcomer: Professor Layton
Series: Professor Layton
Developer: Level-5
Probability: 26%

Reason: Professor Layton is developed by a company called Level-5. So far, Professor Layton has had around half a dozen games which are all exclusive to Nintendo handhelds. We believe this could be a reason for Nintendo to request his inclusion into the next Smash Bros.


Newcomer: Shulk
Series: Xenoblade
Developer: Monolith Soft
Probability: 30%

Reason: Now we actually messed up this one a bit. It turns out that Monolith Soft is NOT a third-party and is actually a second-party company owned by Nintendo. This would make Shulk have extremely higher chances of being in the game, especially because he is one of the most requested newcomers. Chances are this character has an even higher probability than we even gave him.


Newcomer: Bayonetta
Series: Bayonetta
Developer: Platinum Games
Probability: 5.4%

Reason: Bayonetta 2 has been announced to be an exclusive title released on Wii U because Nintendo is publishing. This could mean that Bayonetta has a chance to appear in Super Smash Bros. if Nintendo or Platinum Games requests it, although chances are her chances are low due to her mature style that wouldn't necessarily fit with the other characters. But who knows, anything is possible!


Newcomer: Sackboy
Series: LittleBigPlanet
Developer: Sony
Probability: 0.1%

Reason: We really just did this one for fun. There is literally no chance that Sony would ever give Nintendo the rights to use one of their characters in a Smash Bros. game. We simply thought that if Sony ever did give Nintendo rights to a character, it would likely be Sackboy who is more cartoonish and would fit well with the characters.


Newcomer: Banjo & Kazooie
Series: Banjo-Kazooie
Developer: Rareware
Probability: 1%

Reason: We would all love to hope that Banjo would be able to be in Super Smash Bros. Unfortunately, Microsoft owns Rareware now so it is extremely unlikely. However, we gave Banjo a bigger chance than Sackboy because we know that for Microsoft, money makes the world go round. If Nintendo paid them enough, Microsoft would definitely let this character be in the game since they really don't care for their games and really just care about the money they make them. 


Newcomer: Pac-Man
Series: Pac-Man
Developer: Namco-Bandai
Probability: 30.4%

Reason: We don't know for sure if it will be Pac-Man, but we can almost guarantee there will be a Namco-Bandai representative since they are helping develop the game. We think Pac-Man because he is the most iconic and memorable of their characters and would be an awesome addition!

Article By:
Giuliano V.
Matteo C.
Gino C.
Justin D.
Riley D.
 
  
   
 
 
 
   
 
 
   

February 2013: Video Game Scores

Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance
Scores by: Riley D.

Gameplay: 9.0
Very satisfying cutting people into pieces, blade mode well-implemented, very smooth and fast-paced

Story: 7.0
Far-fetched like most Metal Gear plots, lacks complexity, emotion and good supporting characters

Sound: 9.5
Fantastic music, matches the tone of the game and compliments the pace. Voice acting top notch.
 
Presentation: 8.5
Pretty good graphics, above average for the generation. Very good art direction, cyborgs looked very sleek. Model design fantastic. 
 
Lasting Appeal: 9.0
Various collectibles and VR mission add to gameplay. Revengeance difficulty very big challenge and rewarding if able to beat. 

Final Verdict: 8.6/10
A must-buy if you are a Metal Gear fan, enjoy face-paced action games or have a strange desire to cut things into little pieces.

Fire Emblem: Awakening
Scores by: Giuliano V. 

Gameplay: 8.5
Fantastic if you enjoy tactical RPGs. Marriage system is interesting. 

Story: 8.5
Feels a bit soap opera-like. Lots of twists. A very grand adventure and very captivating. Great and interesting characters.

Sound: 8.5
Not full voice acting but decent. Music is fantastic, really adds to the grand experience.

Presentation: 9.0
3D effects the best on the system. CGI cutscenes beautiful. Interesting character design with many different models. DLC characters add to the appeal.

Lasting Appeal: 9.5
Marriage system and DLC characters add to the game. Replaying the game with new combinations and characters always fun. New Game+ and difficulty allow for tougher replays. DLC scenarios add to the story.

Final Verdict: 9.3/10
A must-buy if you are a fan of the series or tactical RPGs. Highly recommended to anyone with the system or any Nintendo fans.
     

        

  
    

Super Smash Bros. 4 Predictions: Newcomers (Established Series)

Here is our second phase of the Newcomers category of our predictions. In this entry, we will show the Newcomers we believe have a shot at making the roster that come from series that already have a playable representative. 

Newcomer: King K. Rool
Series: Donkey Kong
Probability: 54%

Reason: King K. Rool is a longtime Nintendo villain that has much popularity among the fans. Donkey Kong is Nintendo's first video game which should mean the series is somewhat important to them. Including the series' major antagonist would seem like a likely and smart move.


Newcomer: Midna & Wolf Link
Series: Legend of Zelda
Probability: 30%

Reason: As we have seen with both Melee and Brawl, Nintendo likes to include different versions of Link into Super Smash Bros. Wolf Link would provide a unique character to the game whilst maintaining a representative from Twilight Princess. Midna being conjoined with this character would also give it further potential for movesets and final smash.


Newcomer: Baby Mario & Baby Luigi
Series: Yoshi
Probability: 17%

Reason: The Yoshi series of video games is lacking a second representative in Super Smash Bros. as of Brawl. Baby Mario & Baby Luigi could be included as a joint character, similar to Ice Climbers, in that you would control both of them as one character. If Nintendo were to decide to further represent the Yoshi series, then these two are the perfect second choice.


Newcomer: Zoroark
Series: Pokemon
Probability: 42%

Reason: Lucario was included into Super Smash Bros. Brawl for two primary reasons: he represented the newest generation of Pokemon and he was featured in a movie. Zoroark would be able to meet both of these terms (somewhat). It would seem quite likely that Lucario would be replaced with Zoroark, as they can have a somewhat similar moveset.


Newcomer: Bowser Jr.
Series: Super Mario
Probability: 44%

Reason: As of right now, the Super Mario series four representatives, which is quite high, but in comparison to the scale of the series, it is quite possible that a fifth representative would be added. The obvious choice for the next representative would be Bowser Jr, who has served as the primary antagonist of many Mario games since his release, reverting his father to the role of "final boss." Bowser Jr. also has potential for a unique moveset with the inclusion of his brush and we believe he would be a great addition to the roster.


Newcomer: Magnus
Series: Kid Icarus
Probability: 26%

Reason: Sakurai recently worked on the new Kid Icarus title for 3DS, so it would seem likely that he would include one of his original characters into Super Smash Bros. Magnus is the first person that came to our mind, as he would have the capacity to have a completely unique moveset utilizing his heavy sword.


Newcomer: Ghirahim
Series: Legend of Zelda
Probability: 50%

Reason: Ghirahim is the villain of the latest entry in the Zelda franchise: Skyward Sword. He was received extremely well and has become sort of a fan favorite. He has also been recommended highly to be included into the game. We believe because of his popularity and relevance to the Zelda franchise in the current time, Ghirahim could be included into the roster of Super Smash Bros. 4.


Newcomer: Waluigi
Series: Super Mario
Probability: 12.4%

Reason: While Waluigi has no relevance to the main Super Mario series, he has a very significant role in the Party games where he originated. As such, we believe there is a slight chance that Waluigi could be included on the roster as representing the Party aspect of Mario, having a moveset made up of Mario Tennis, Mario Golf and Mario Party assets. Waluigi is also one of the most popular characters being recommended for the next Smash Bros, which could increase his chances of being included.


Newcomer: Krystal
Series: Star Fox
Probability: 69%

Reason: Unlike the other Star Fox characters, Krystal has potential to be unique if they implement her staff from Star Fox Adventures. We also know that Krystal is extremely popular in the West and somewhat popular in Japan, which could increase her chances, especially if Sakurai wants to implement characters that aren't clones. 


Newcomer: Dark Pit
Series: Kid Icarus
Probability: 24%

Reason: As we stated with Magnus, Sakurai will likely want to include a character from his latest series onto the roster. We believe Dark Pit is an option because of the nature of Pit's moveset. Since Pit was included into Super Smash Bros. Brawl before Kid Icarus: Uprising was developed, he has nothing that relates to the new style of gameplay in that game in his moveset. Instead of completely redesigning Pit, they could just include Dark Pit, who would utilize a moveset that would take advantage of the assets of Kid Icarus: Uprising.


Newcomer: 6th Generation Pokemon
Series: Pokemon
Probability: 38%

Reason: Like we stated with Zoroark, Lucario was included into the Brawl roster because he was a Pokemon of the most current generation. Since Pokemon X & Y are to be released this October, it is quite possible that they would include a Pokemon from the 6th generation on the roster instead of Zoroark or Lucario. 


Newcomer: Chrom
Series: Fire Emblem
Probability: 37%

Reason: While Marth represents the most famous and popular Fire Emblem game in Japan and Ike represents the most famous and popular Fire Emblem game in the West, Chrom would see a combination of these both as Fire Emblem: Awakening is the best received Fire Emblem in both Japan and the West. Chrom would likely be included because of his popularity and current relevance to the franchise and it would also be a way to promote Fire Emblem: Awakening on the 3DS.


Newcomer: Skull Kid
Probability: 34%
Series: Legend of Zelda

Reason: Skull Kid is the most wanted character for the next Super Smash Bros. In addition to this, there is also a high chance that Majora's Mask is going to be remade for 3DS sometime soon, which would mean Skull Kid would become relevant once again. In wake of this, we believe that Skull Kid has a better chance than ever to be included on the Smash Bros. roster.


Article By:
Giuliano V.
Matteo C.
Gino C.
Justin D.
Riley D.