Score: 6

"Heh, Hammer Bros."

submission: A&K Battle Rocks

date: January 10, 2007

I imagine it isn't easy to have the name "Joseph Blanchette" at Newgrounds. Ever since your earlier works, it seems no one can be pleased anymore. Everyone's expectations from your earlier works are so high up that anything remotely new or different is just upsetting(truth that Newgrounds will always be a little Indie). I think the people here are a little unmerciful in that regard.

No, this particular flash is not a histerical, side-splitting, knee-slapping film that we apparently expect from you EVERY TIME. But it's a cute, simple little narrative that does not require flashy, ultra-detailed graphics, sound effects or even dialogue. It does its job, and it does it well. And it entertained. I think it says something about this flash that it made me take the time out to write a review here for the first time in over a year.

It's nice to see an otherwise big-name flash artist take the time out to do something like this. It would be wrong of us to expect a parody blockbuster every time, and it's these little artistic diversions from which creativity spews forth at an unchallenged rate. It's a nice little portfolio piece.

~A.W.H.

Score: 7

"Took you long enough. =P"

submission: Hunter Zero Ep.3

date: February 5, 2006

I like how you give time for some dialogue between characters, even unimportant ones like the soldiers and operators. Unlike every other episode in these series', this one doesn't dwell on violence or action, giving us a much-needed chance to get adjusted to the characters involved. Although there are a couple of questions that feel unanswered.

There is no explanation as to how Bass was revived, or how he was put under Sigma's control. Also, why is no one questioning Sigma's supposedly good intentions? In fact, how did Sigma come back from the dead? Blues almost gives the impression that he's suspicious, but the flash never really explores it, or any of these questions. Of course, it does validate his suspicions through flashbacks, and in small snippets of dialogue.

Speaking of which, there has been a tremendous jump in quality in the voice acting. It's still pretty cheesy, but at least now all of the characters sound the way they -should-. Megaman actually sounds younger than his brother, Elecman and Quickman are given more interesting personalities through their voices, and this helps contrast with the rest of the cool-as-nails characters. It sounds like the actors are actually TRYING, although not always successfully hitting the mark.

Again, because this episode focuses more on dialogue and anticipation, it creates a better stage for the inevitable anime-esque battle sequences that occur. It could've used some more sound effects, and the scrolling background layers scenes felt a little choppier now than in past episodes. But it's clear you're trying to accomplish something here, and you have a certain nack for dramatic presentation and proper pacing, even if the characters aren't of your own property. It makes for a commendable fan-fiction.

~Phantos

Score: 6

""Not bad..." [6.5/10]"

submission: Gorillaz Groove Session

date: October 9, 2005

Not bad... Some good recreations of the Gorillaz art, although it's clear they're movements are just tweens. Nice quality on the music, glad to see you didn't make a horribly compressed file of Feel Good Inc. The game itself isn't bad either, but you should've made it more obvious that you're supposed to press the buttons along with the DRUM beat. It wasn't very clear on that, and I ended up having trouble on my first try.

There's not a whole lot to the game, but it's nice that you added a high score system to it.

~Phantos

Score: 9

"Calmly paced, but magnificent"

submission: The Temple Of Time

date: October 11, 2005

I don't usually check out the Audio Portal, but I'm glad I did this time. Almost on a whim, after watching Skittlez and Bitz 4, I heard some of this track and wanted MORE. I now have some of your audio stuff on my computer. And you're now probably my favourite composer at Newgrounds. I LOVE the echoey, ancient yet grandieur sound that comes from many of your songs/remixes. The "choir" synths are used VERY well in your finer selections, including this one. It's no wonder it's 2x Platinum. It's nice to see someone at Newgrounds stop and make something so calmly paced, yet magnificent all it's own.

By the ratings up top, it's not an original song per ce, since it's a remix from Zelda. But what you do with it is the kind of stuff one hears in a great film, an epic perhaps. And you deserve lots of points for that.

~Phantos

Score: 0

"Retarded"

submission: Crazy Dogs Barking

date: July 23, 2003

That's all I can say about you, or your works, be they flash or "music". You have absolutely no talent, and should be exiled on some God-forsaken rock. If you honestly believe there isn't enough crap at NG, then just spend 5 minutes at the portal to see how wrong you are.

As for this crap, this doesn't even qualify as music. This is a sound effect. One made with no effort whatsoever.

Grow up.

-Phantos

Score: 6

"Not bad"

submission: What It's Like Cover Ending

date: July 8, 2003

It was well performed, but there was little variety in the sounds, and it... I dunno, didn't seem to go anywhere, or change as it continued. It just kinda stayed as the same sole beat over and over again, with the occasional extra set of sounds for about 4 seconds or so.

But then again, I'm not very good at reviewing music, so what do I know?

-Phantos