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GAMER'S CORNER: 'Viva Pinata,' 'Izuna' return for sequels

September 04, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

The Herald-Dispatch

"VIVA PINATA: TROUBLE IN PARADISE" (360): I'm not ashamed to admit that I was a fan of the first "Viva Pinata" game. Sure, an island inhabited by cheerful pinatas isn't necessarily an aesthetic crafted for men in their late 20s, but there was a dark humor and rich gameplay underneath the colorful coating that I found really appealing.

Now, the pinatas have returned, and though their exterior may still be the same, the candy within is even sweeter.

The first thing to note is that the wheel has not been reinvented. You're still going to be luring living pinatas into your garden, making them happy and getting them to fall in love and do the romance dance. Also, if there have been any graphical changes, I don't notice them.

What you'll find is a sequel that has been refined and improved in every way one could hope for. There's a new "Just for Fun" mode where kids can play and not have to worry about evil pinatas messing things up. It's now far easier to locate specific pinatas, saving you tons of time. There are additional areas you can travel to and capture brand-new pinatas (there are 32 additions to the roster for the sequel). They're all things that make it a much less confounding and more accessible experience.

Though it may not look like your ideal game on the outside, I predict that you'll be shocked at how hard it is to put down.

"IZUNA 2" (DS): Talk about a completely disparate game. "Izuna 2" is a funny Japanese RPG that is unrelentingly old-school.

Crawl through dungeons, collect gear, get stronger. It's rudimentary, sure -- but in a really refreshing way that makes it tough to put down.

That compulsion to move forward is boosted by some really funny, odd exchanges of dialogue in the middle as the juvenile junior ninja Izuna makes her way through the adventure, infuriating practically everyone she comes across.

Be warned though: Moving forward isn't always the easiest thing. For example, I had reached the 13th experience level before I even made my way through the first dungeon. It's not that it was long, it was that I died so many, many times, losing all my gear and money in the process.

In most games this would be frustrating, but the dungeon levels are so bite-sized, it's not tough to coax yourself into having another go. Is it for everyone? No. But if hours of loot gathering sounds like your idea of a good time, it's a great way to spend an afternoon.

Justin McElroy is a freelance writer living in Huntington. His writing appears on video game sites like Gamezebo.com and Joystiq.com.

Events

1940s Radio Hour
Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 4-6, and 11-13; matinee at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 14. A "live" radio show with seven performances. Complimentary tickets offered to...

J. Chris Newberg
7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4-7. A refreshing smart and edgy humor, delivered with a streetwise sense of philosophical...

First Friday and Second Look Saturday
5-9 p.m. every first Friday, 2-6 p.m. every first Saturday. Visit with Pendleton artists in their studios. Questions, call 606-920-9863.

Lions Arts and Crafts Show
4-9 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5-7. Hosted by the Lesage and Southeast Huntington Lions Clubs. The juried show is filled with...

"The Nutcracker"
school matinee begins at 9:30 a.m. and regular show at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5. Ashland Youth Ballet presents their annual presentation of The Nutcracker. Questions...

Christmas Tour of Homes
11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6-7. Tour six outstanding homes in the Bellefonte area dressed for the holidays. Questions, call 606-329-8888 or visit...

2nd annual Holiday Candlelight Tour
2-7:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. A tour (inside and out) of eight prominent Huntington homes beautifully decorated for the holidays. Questions, call 304-733-ARTS.

Marshall Artists Series: "Wizard of Oz"
7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9. A spectacular celebration of the iconic 1939 MGM film, "The Wizard of Oz." Tickets, call 304-696-3326 or visit www.marshallartistsseries.org.

16th annual Joy to the World Holiday Concert
8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11; doors open at 7:30 p.m. Featuring Bob Thompson with guest vocalist Dwight Lenox. Tickets, visit www.mountainstage.musictoday.com or call...

"Cowboy" Bill Martin
7:30 p.m. Thursday, 7:30 and 10 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 11-14. The Texas native, who has toured with some of the biggest names in country music,...

Movies

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Released 7-Nov-08. Runs 93 min.

"The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is a fictional story that offers a unique perspective on how prejudice, hatred and violence affect innocent people, particularly children, during wartime. Through the lens of an eight-year-old boy largely shielded from the reality of World War II, we witness a forbidden friendship that forms between Bruno, the son of Nazi commandant, and Shmuel, a Jewish boy held captive in a concentration camp. Though the two are separated physically by a barbed wire fence, their lives become inescapably intertwined. The imagined story of Bruno and Shmuel sheds light on the brutality, senselessness and devastating consequences of war from an unusual point of view. Together, their tragic journey helps recall the millions of innocent victims of the Holocaust.

Rated PG-13 for some mature thematic material involving the Holocaust

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The Duchess

Released 19-Sep-08. Runs 105 min.

"The Duchess" is the story of an extraordinary woman who rose to fame by staying true to her passions in a world of protocol, gossip and social rules--and paid the price. Long before the concept existed, the Duchess of Devonshire, Georgiana Spencer, was the original "It Girl." Like her direct descendent Princess Diana, she was ravishing, glamorous and adored by an entire country. Determined to be a player in the wider affairs of the world, she proved that she could out-gamble, out-drink and outwit most of the aristocratic men who surrounded her. She helped usher in sweeping changes to England as a leader of the forward-thinking Whig Party. But even as her power and popularity grew, she was haunted by the fact that the only man in England she seemingly could not seduce was her very own husband, the Duke. And, when she tried to find her own way to be true to her heart and loyal to her duty, the resulting controversies and convoluted liaisons would leave all of London talking.

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, brief nudity and thematic material

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The Metropolitan Opera: La Damnation de Faust Encore

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Fathom presents an encore presentation of Berlioz's "La Damnation de Faust" in HD on the Big Screen! The encore presentation (captured live on Saturday, Nov. 22) will be shown for one day only on Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2008, at 7 p.m. in all time zones. Robert Lepage, one of theater's most imaginative directors, applies his artistry to Berlioz's contemplation of good and evil. Using ethereal projections, Lepage has created a vision for "La Damnation de Faust" that seamlessly marries art and technology. Marcello Giordani stars in the title role opposite Susan Graham as Marguerite and John Relyea as Méphistophélès. James Levine conducts this rarely staged masterwork.

Rated

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Rated PG-13 for thematic material and some violence

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Rated R for some violence and language

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Rated PG-13 for some violence, a scene of sensuality, and brief strong language

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Rated PG for some mild thematic elements

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Released 15-Nov-08. Runs 96 min.

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Rated PG for some mild action and peril

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Rated PG for some mild action and peril

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Alex, Marty, Melman, Gloria, King Julien, Maurice and the penguins and the chimps find themselves marooned on the distant shores of Madagascar. In the face of this obstacle, the New Yorkers have hatched a plan so crazy it just might work. With military precision, the penguins have repaired an old crashed planesort of. Once aloft, this unlikely crew stays airborne just long enough to make it to the wildest place of all--the vast plains of Africa, where the members of our zoo-raised crew encounter species of their own kind for the very first time. Africa seems like a great place--but is it better than their Central Park home?

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Rated R for crude and sexual content, strong language and nudity

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Released 26-Nov-08. Runs 100 min.

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Released 21-Nov-08. Runs 120 min.

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Rated PG-13 for some violence and a scene of sensuality

Dining

GOOD EATS: Rocco's Ristorante serves up Italian faves

November 27, 2008 @ 12:00 AM

CEREDO -- Rocco's Ristorante has been a favorite of the Tri-State since 1977. The restaurant continues to serve delicious Italian meals, which have attracted people from miles around.

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"Viva Pinata: Trouble In Paradise" for Xbox 360 has refined the original.

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