03.25.09
空気読み｡DS
Appliya’s Evangelion vol.5 is out now for $1.99 from the iTunes app store. Follow the link to check out the screenshots and details.
NINJA GAIDEN Σ2 will be released this autumn on PS3, it’s been announced. To enter the site, click はい(one on left). It may take some time to load (I gave up after entering – 5mins is a long time!).
DSi sales have surpassed the 2million mark within Japan, as of 22nd March (5months since launch). There are a wide range of games available over there, and not all are meant for children and non-gamers, like in this country…which probably help to keep Nintendo’s popularity afloat, even amongst hard-core gamers.
空気読み｡DS will be released this spring for 500DSi points. It was so popular as a mobile game that it’s going to be ported to the DS. 空気を読む literally translates to ‘Read the air’ – as in understanding the undercurrents of a situation and act accordingly. In the screenshots, you’re the red guy. Answer 100questions to see how well you can act in social situations. Of course, this is based on Japanese cultural and social situations, but it’s an interesting experiment of sorts, I think. It’s based on a concept that’s very Japanese, and probably would not work elsewhere.
For those of you who are Japanophiles, check out BBCFour on Monday night to get to grips with what Japanese life is about. Mind, the journalist following the ‘Japanese obsession with fish’ (aired a few nights ago) had preconceptions which he did not get rid of. I found him a very condescending sceptic of my culture – very offensive. If only Bruce Parry or Ray Mears can go around Japan – that would make better watching.