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Post by reno on Jul 18, 2008 13:44:28 GMT -5
Haven't attempted one of these since my review of 2112 was posted in the Promoter (shameless self-promotion, gotta love it):
2123 IN REVIEW:
New Wrestlers/Cards (3.4 star average)--
PATCH (****) Great concept, story, and fit with the Outlaw Nation. Having the character be the only true "natural athlete" in the group gives him a unique niche and story to build on in the future. I could see him coming to terms with his eye, and maturing into a fantastic heel wrestler, ala his planet-mate Morpheus.
IRON HAND (**** 1/4) Perfect fit for his role, and very intriguing twist on the kick-butt commissioner. A human (maybe?) feud machine. As a side-note, I was officially the first person to predict Epoch, let's see if it holds up.
THE MAIN EVENT (** 3/4) Reeks of Gatekeeper/Daimyo/Ringer, which takes something away from the character -- unless this is the final incarnation of the character. If that is the case, then having him confidently strut out after 3 years of hiding in masks would make for a good wrap-up to the first chapter of this story.
DEADLIEST (* 1/2) Lacking something at the moment, she seems to have been added simply to replace the roster spot vacated by Lorelei, with no true direction yet. I know Tom rarely updates female characters, so hopefully her story will take a more compelling direction.
NITRO (***) Great way to tie-in a convention appearance without going down the well-traveled "from the past to the future" path. His offense fits his story-line, and he is good fit with Tristan, probably a better one than Reckless in hindsight.
SLEEPER CELL (**** 3/4) The "sleeper" idea of the set in my opinion. A great mechanic, that allows for compelling drama (possible banishment) without having an impact on the GWF roster. What the main "sleepers" may do/become in the future also adds another layer of intrigue to the story. A fantastic, original concept for the GWF, kudos.
Updated Cards (3.5 star average)--
GRYT (***) Very solid update to make the Circus Strongmen a legit threat in tag action. Leaving the story open to Tanck possibly perceiving failure makes Gryt push all the harder to make the team a success. These 2 could be near the top of tag teams that are the most fun to use, a huge move in the right direction for both characters.
TRICKS (**** 3/4) What else can really be said? The art is some of the best in the history of the game, and his stats make him a legit threat to the upper-mid card.
SWARM (****) Tom has pulled off another minor miracle by continuing an admittedly stale feud, and turning it into one of the most intriguing, simply by adding a new layer to the story, and some cool new moves for the 2 men involved, great work.
TAURAN (** 1/4) The story has potential, but the card seems somewhat lost at the moment. His reaction to the Sleeper Cell (along w/ U.S. Male's) could divide the FDF in the future. How this saga plays out will be fantastic, or a thud.
Storyline (**** 3/4)
Honestly some of Tom's best writing, period. Please continue to take as much space as you want, I will gladly print out a 200 page booklet if this is what we receive year in and year out. Nearly every feud/character was given a boat-load of added depth.
In particular:
Swarm's fatherhood struggles; the potential mole on every team; Iron Hand's super-squad; Endgame getting his hands dirty -- through Anivar; and the emergence of the Resistance (perfect use of these characters within the team dynamic -- finally!!), just to mention a few.
Again, EVERYBODY became more interesting in this set, and more surprises remain on the horizon with the escape/re-emergence of Epoch, the identity of Iron Hand, the pending explosion of Nosfera and Tricks, and the stagnancy of the Gladiators looming in 2124.
OVERALL (new 3.4 + renewed 3.5 + story 4.8) = **** 1/4
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Post by jimsteel on Jul 18, 2008 13:57:51 GMT -5
HERE ARE THE TEAMS
NEW GUYS:Iron Hand,Nitro,The Main Event,Patch,Sleeper Cell(Attack Card),The Deadliest
UPDATES:Swarm,Tricks,Gryt,Tauran
GONE FROM GWF:Lorelei,Reckless,Massif+Daimyo(?)
TEAMS
Feud's in ( )
MARTIAL LAW
Iron Hand(Everybody)
Monolith(Wolf,Havoc,Disaster+Endgame)
Mother Superior((Sultana)
Divided We Fall(Bloodline+Encubus)(The Stand)
FDF
Endgame(Sly Drury+Monolith)
Tauran(Patch)
Anivar(Betrayer)
U.S. Male(American Guy)
Genesis(Tauran+Anivar)
SLEEPER CELL WORKS FOR ANIVAR(SECRETLY)
OUTLAW NATION
Sly Drury(Endgame)
Patch(Tauran)
American Guy(U.S. Male)
Betrayer(Anivar)
Phantasy(Shann-Ra)
GLADIATORS
Disaster(Havoc+Monolith)
Rage+Paralyze(Master Race)
Strafe(Deadliest)
EUGENICS PROJECT
Dark Menace
Havoc(Monolith+Disaster)
Master Race(Gladiators)
Deadliest(Strafe)
ANIMEN
Swarm(Tricks+Main Event)
Retribution(Nosfera)
Plethador(Scimitar)
Jungle Warriors(Malkuth+Panther Warrior)(Circus Strongmen)
She Devil(Rotunda)
THE GREATEST SHOW
Vin Strutter
The Omen
Tricks(Swarm)
Nosfera(Retribution)
Scimitar(Plethador)
Circus Strongmen(Gryt+Tanck)(Jungle Warriors)
Rotunda(She Devil)
TITAMS
Payback(Vidtek)
Titan Energy(Tristan+Nitro)(Troubleshooters)
THE TROUBLESHOOTERS
Vidtek(Payback)
Troubleshooters(Muss+Bomb)(Titan Energy)
THE RESISTANCE
Sultana(Mother Superior
Wolf(Monolith)
THE Stand(Kill Prey+Valour)(DWF)
Shann-Ra(Phantasy)
INDEPENDANT
Main Event(Swarm)
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Post by PermanentlyHip on Jul 18, 2008 14:36:13 GMT -5
I agree with Aq and wildfire on the Glads...the team should be an absolute force in the new "Martial Law" era and one cool way for Tom to do it would be to move Disaster into the tag role (to help lead a dominant Glad tag team) and intro a new up-and-coming singles star. See I REALLY liked Paralyze 2119...the new one? Not so much. And Rage?...meh. Havoc should get involved somehow...not necessarily team up with those guys, but his "anti-Aethran establishment" mindset could be a useful tool in mixing up the Glad presence in the GWF. Just my two cents... ~ :-Xsk Here's MO: The Gladiators all have generic Gladiator personalities. Honestly, if you didn't label the dialogue I would have no idea who's talking. Paralyze was a beast in 2119. I agree that his downgrade (expecially if it was to make Monolith look better) was terrible for him. In my 2119 fed, I've even used him as a singles star, given Disaster some time off, and brough in Rush to team with Havoc as more of a speed based team (like Twin Blood with facepaint) My suggestion for 2124: move Rage to POW, bring in Rush (with Werner's drawing) and anothe speed based Gladiator to make a spotfest kind of team, then bring in someone with a Vengeance type of personality (manipulative, calculating, vicious, remorseless) to give the Glads their edge back. Maybe have Epoch join the team for a while until the war with Iron Hand passes. |
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Post by payback on Jul 18, 2008 15:37:03 GMT -5
The Gladiators all have generic Gladiator personalities. Honestly, if you didn't label the dialogue I would have no idea who's talking. My suggestion for 2124: move Rage to POW, bring in Rush (with Werner's drawing) and anothe speed based Gladiator to make a spotfest kind of team, then bring in someone with a Vengeance type of personality (manipulative, calculating, vicious, remorseless) to give the Glads their edge back. Maybe have Epoch join the team for a while until the war with Iron Hand passes. Well, why would Tom just "move" Rush to POW? Tom has said the Gladiators would be GWF only characters. The Aethrans are written as a race of very like-minded "people" (see Havoc's dialogue in the 2122 handbook). The Aethrans have always used all their top fighters for their army except a few that they allow to go to th GWF -- the best fed in the galaxy. They'd have no ambition to go to POW or aCe. Plus, you're letting Mark and Kris off the hook. I'm sure they have some ideas for sweet characters instead of taking anyone Tom gets rid of. Rush's whole persona is to be a great tag partner for Paralyze. I agree Paralyze's new card is not nearly as good as his NB card but that was by design. Back to 2123 -- easily the best set Tom has ever written. Amazing stories and great art. This was one of those handbooks you just couldn't put down. Love the Sleeper Cell -- really helps Anivar's character. Iron Hand is awesome! Assembling Monolith and DWF?!? Nobody saw that coming! The Resistance is a very cool team. Some dissention in the Ani-men team is brewing. Will be interesting to see what, if anything, comes of it. The Main Event, Patch, and Nitro are 3 of the coolest new characters in a LONG time! I'm so excited -- gotta go play some GWF right now! |
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Post by aquinas on Jul 18, 2008 15:47:04 GMT -5
Got the cards today! Yeehaw! Now that I have them... *-***** scale Sleeper Cell Artwork -- **** Concept -- **** -- I really dig this group, and particularly that they are helping the good guys. Endgame walks a dangerous path letting stuff like this happen. Deadliest Artwork -- ** Concept -- *** -- Biased because I don't care much about the GWF women's division. Not a bad entry, but nothing remarkable either. The Main Event Artwork -- ** Concept -- ** -- I think someone else mentioned this, but in a cosmos that has seen guys like Dynamo, Pegasus, Paragon, Matinee Idol and others, The Main Event comes across as somewhat dull. That's not to say he'll work up to a very cool status. I hope so anyway. If he's Daimyo/etc, meh. That game is getting old if he's just going to reinvent himself over and over. Patch Artwork -- **** Concept -- **** -- I dig Patch. Great fit for the Outlaws. The gross-out factor is a nice touch. Iron Hand Artwork -- **** Concept -- ***** -- I thank the COTG gods that we didn't get boring old Code Enforcers and instead got this guy entering the whole Good -vs- Evil mix. I love his heavy-handed tactics that are making everyone mad, and the Fight the Power thing is the coolest idea in commissioner-dom. Nitro Artwork -- *** Concept -- *** -- I like others hated the idea at first, but am mildly pleased. The art's pretty cool....and the stats are innovative. Not having used him yet, he looks really powerful, but I'm guessing things balance out to make him not TOO good. The backstory is sorta dorky....but at least it doesn't impose on his current status. And he with Payback make the Titans tolerable again. Good riddance, Reckless. Swarm Artwork -- ***** Concept -- **** -- Best art of the set. And long overdue upgrade. The whole story with his son and stuff makes him a bit more "real" and fleshes out the character more. I'm not putting much stock in this "Is he/isn't he a real AniMan?" question -- I think he's a legit AniMan and adds to what has become one of the best teams in the league, along with Malkuth and P.W. Gryt Artwork -- * Concept -- *** -- I've liked Gryt and I've always dug Tanck, so the Circus Strongmen are favorites of mine. I think Gryt looks sorta lame in his new art, almost sickly....but he looks stronger stats-wise. Another long overdue upgrade. Tauran Artwork -- *** Concept -- *** -- I was underwhelmed by the big "shocker" involving him. We all know he's aging backwards, so it didn't do much for me. But like I said, I'm optimistic there are much cooler twists to this tale soon. Tauran was always something of an overachiever -- he looks even better now, stats-wise. Tricks Artwork -- **** Concept -- *** -- Heath Ledger/Joker parallels aside, he looks darn good and twisted. And it gives what was a ho-hum character some real life. I think he'll be fun to use. The Greatest Show is getting better again, and he's a key reason why. And I dig him because he got rid of the lamest Titan ever  |
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Ringsyde
Infinity Challenge
No better seats in the arena!!
Posts: 231
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Post by Ringsyde on Jul 18, 2008 15:57:34 GMT -5
I agree with Aq and wildfire on the Glads...the team should be an absolute force in the new "Martial Law" era and one cool way for Tom to do it would be to move Disaster into the tag role (to help lead a dominant Glad tag team) and intro a new up-and-coming singles star. See I REALLY liked Paralyze 2119...the new one? Not so much. And Rage?...meh. Havoc should get involved somehow...not necessarily team up with those guys, but his "anti-Aethran establishment" mindset could be a useful tool in mixing up the Glad presence in the GWF. Just my two cents... ~ :-Xsk DITTO!!!!!!!! |
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Post by lwffantrav on Jul 18, 2008 16:02:34 GMT -5
I've only seen the Patch art and have heard the backstory, but kinda confused. In a wrestling fed with Demons from Brymstone, slimy creatures from Andromeda and about every kind of alien imaginable...seems weird that fans at home and opponents would be freaked out by a guy missing a eye. I'm sure many in the GWF rings have seen worse
I'd like to see more of that Sleeper Cell and the FDF develop. Seems that Sly Drury will catch on pretty quickly that they seem to be working in favor of the FDF. Sly could call out Endgame for being a hypocrite and tease a subtle heel turn for Endgame and subtle face turn for Sly.
I heard about the ideas of the moles on every team which is very nice. Iron Hand is probably untruthful about it and is doing it to cause dissent on each team..but an interesting concept.
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Werner Mueck
Fighting Titan
Filsinger Games Artist/FG Community Citizen Award Winner
Posts: 315
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Post by Werner Mueck on Jul 18, 2008 16:19:21 GMT -5
I think his socket is infected. It just happened and he forgot to put peroxide on it.
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Post by PermanentlyHip on Jul 18, 2008 16:30:12 GMT -5
The Gladiators all have generic Gladiator personalities. Honestly, if you didn't label the dialogue I would have no idea who's talking. My suggestion for 2124: move Rage to POW, bring in Rush (with Werner's drawing) and anothe speed based Gladiator to make a spotfest kind of team, then bring in someone with a Vengeance type of personality (manipulative, calculating, vicious, remorseless) to give the Glads their edge back. Maybe have Epoch join the team for a while until the war with Iron Hand passes. Well, why would Tom just "move" Rush to POW? Tom has said the Gladiators would be GWF only characters. The Aethrans are written as a race of very like-minded "people" (see Havoc's dialogue in the 2122 handbook). The Aethrans have always used all their top fighters for their army except a few that they allow to go to th GWF -- the best fed in the galaxy. They'd have no ambition to go to POW or aCe. Plus, you're letting Mark and Kris off the hook. I'm sure they have some ideas for sweet characters instead of taking anyone Tom gets rid of. Rush's whole persona is to be a great tag partner for Paralyze. I agree Paralyze's new card is not nearly as good as his NB card but that was by design. Not to argue but I don't think Rage fits that well. Mark said in this thread he would take Rage and I think from a storyline standpoint having a Gladiator who specializes in MMA style fighting go to the biggest MMA fed around makes perfect sense. Just MO. Again...I love the set but I think the comments that the Gladiators are in a rut are perfectly justified. The Gladiators used to be the scariest faction in the GWF: they didnt' even need the label Hero or Villain. This group is just three guys in facepaint. |
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Post by Trent Lawless on Jul 18, 2008 16:41:13 GMT -5
Just to get it on the record, if Tom wants to keep Rage, by all means he can. I'm not jonesing for Rage to be in POW. But he's one of the guys that does make sense to make the jump, if anyone does, because of his fighting style. Gryt would be another, but since he got an update, that won't happen (and I don't know that I'd want him, either).
And it doesn't get me off the hook, necessarily, because I'd have to deal with a Gladiator in POW. Where the heck do I go with that one?!?
Hypothetically speaking, of course...
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