...Because Sometimes XBL Just Ain't That Bad
Forget this. I just got Left 4 Dead last week and I can't play it solo anymore. It's not like the game is horrible or anything. In fact, it's far from it. The problem is that the campaigns are INSANELY hard. Or maybe it's because I'm using Advanced mode. Anyway - despite the fact that the CPU support is about as efficient as the CPU support in Gears of War, there's nothing quite like knowing a flesh-and-blood person has got your back. Besides - I suck at leading in a combat situation. I do much better as support; calmily watching the backs of the poor fellas that decide to take point.
On a side note, Ral/Grad is officially the second most awesome Shonen Jump title EVER (second only to Hokuto no Ken, of course)! It was recommended to me by someone in my ATA meetup group back when the series was only in Japanese. It's somewhat of a surprise because [it seems like] many of the manga series that are recommended to me I don't like (the only other exceptions so far being Death Note and Love Hina). It began to pique my interest a few pages into the first chapter. Then I started liking it by the second chapter. And then an interchange happened that launched it to a favorite manga - now keep in mind, this is from the [probably watered-down] US Shonen Jump translation:
Ral, our young hero/protagonist, has stopped an invasion and has forced Duofurque, a shadow-minion, to send a message to Opsquria, Queen of Shadows and his new nemesis.
Duofurque: Lady Bira...
Opsquria: What is it, Duofurque? News of Princess Stola?
Duofurque: my, uh, my other half has been captured by, um, Grad's host--a human called Ral--
Opsquria: --IDIOT!!
Duofurque: and...um...that is to say, um...
Opsquria Spit it out.
Duofurque: Ral sends a message to you...
Opsquria: Oh? That is intriguing. What is the message?
Duofurque: Please understand that my other half is under duress...on our own, we would never presume to--
Opsquria: SPIT IT OUT!
Duofurque: A-hem. He says, "Opsquria, Queen of Darkness, I am on my way, and when I get there, I'm going to tweak your titties!" Then, um, some details with regard to, um, licking and squeezing...
Opsquria: HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!! Is that all?
Duofurque: No, um..."When I'm done, Grad is going to kill you." Th-That's all.
Thank you Shonen Jump for translating such an awesome series. Now all you have to do is turn this into a totally awesome anime series with every bit of the nudity and hedonistic attitudes that is depicted in the manga.
Also, it just came to my attention that somebody IS putting together an American version of Death Note and (surprise, surprise!) ZAC EFRON is supposed to be playing Light! CALLED IT!! I hear there's supposed to be some kind of petition or whatever somewhere against it, but I for one, am not signing it. I want to see what he can do with the part besides looking it. Now, if the rumors are true, I'd have to sign the petition against Miley Cyrus being Misa. I'd personally prefer either Kay Panabaker or Brenda Song over her. And as for L, I'm drawing a blank for choices, but the only name I can picture is Lee Thompson Young. However, that may just be me wanting to see him in more roles.