Sarah

Book Review
Azumanga Daioh: Volume 4
by Kiyohiko Azuma

If you've dug around in the humor genre of manga, chances are you have heard of Azumanga Daioh, or at least seen it. Azumanga Daioh 4 concludes the four-part serial, which is presented almost completely in the yonkoma format (Japanese four-panel vertical comics) and entirely filled with Japanese humor. Because of its comic strip-type feel, you can jump in at any volume—although it's probably best to start from the beginning).

Volume 4 centers on the girls throughout their senior year, doing much the same as in previous volumes (which, in the case of Azumanga Daioh, means everything from going on a senior trip to flinging sea cucumbers, and of course just arguing amongst themselves).

For those who've been following the story, it's nice to see each character's goals finally start to be, uh, realized. Will Osaka be able to pull her chopsticks apart perfectly? Will Yomi be able to stick to her diet? Will Chiyo-chan grow? Will Sakaki finally get a cat? And will Kaorin ever get a good picture of Sakaki without Tomo's innate foolishness interfering, all before the end of school? You'll have to find out for yourself.

Video Game Review
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga

Wait a minute, you say. She did an RPG last time... and now this? Look, just hear me out.

All right, Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is a combination of the original LSW and LSWII: The Original Trilogy. It was released for the Xbox 360, PS3, Wii, and Nintendo DS on November 6 two years ago. (I played the Wii version.)

The game's actual goal is to collect gold LEGO bricks scattered throughout the game, and this is achieved by action-platforming through 36+ levels which, once cleared, can be replayed again and again to get better scores or to reach new areas. The levels are, for the most part, the same as in their original games, although some have been altered slightly.

Although there are several character types with differing abilities, strengths and weaknesses (the usual gunners, high-jumpers, those who can use the Force, etc.) the Jedi class is most likely the one you'll make the most use of throughout the story mode―since the films are kind of centered on those guys. A good-sized chunk of the game requires the Force, from tampering with environmental puzzles to many boss battles. And if you don't want to go it alone (which is 50% less fun), you can enlist the help of a friend with drop-in, drop-out local co-op.

All in all, The Complete Saga is one game you have to play before judging. My only complaints would be about 'friendly' AI with sub-par intelligence when playing solo, occasionally-confusing solutions to problems, and the fact that the game doesn't always function correctly with two players. Nonetheless, whether you're a Star Wars hardcore or at the very least interested, this game is worth at least a rental.

More info can be found at Gamefaqs