Activating these enshrouds Narita Boy in flames, boosting his attack damage against enemies of the same colour type. Naturally, this takes up precious bullets that slowly reload over time.Īs you get further into the game, you’ll then gain access to ‘Wild Fire’ abilities, which come in red, yellow, and blue varieties. Alternatively, you can hold down the ranged attack button and fire off a devastating beam of energy that will wipe out most enemies in one swoop. In addition to standard melee attacks, you can also utilise the techno sword as a shotgun, unleashing major damage upon one enemy. Attacking enemies feels fluid and intuitive, and the dodge mechanic not only lets you avoid enemy attacks, but also places you behind the enemy, giving you a great opening to launch a counter-strike. Early on, you’ll pick up the Techno Sword, and from there you’re gradually introduced to more and more moves and abilities. Where the game truly shines is in its excellent combat. In addition, the NPC dialogue is purposefully vague and obscure, which for the most part is great, but there are definitely a few moments where you wish a character would just say “go here, do this… off you pop!” Captured on Nintendo Switch (Docked) ![]() ![]() When half the game entails collecting Techno-Keys and gaining access to new areas, a map – or at the very least some sort of guide – could make all the difference. For example, there’s absolutely no map to speak of, and while the environments are hardly as complex as your average Castlevania, for instance, there are quite a few doorways and passages for you to get lost in. On the flip side, there’s absolutely no doubt that the game could have made a few quality-of-life additions to the gameplay and structure to make things a little more digestible. It can all feel a tad overwhelming at first, but as you make your way around, each narrative thread starts to fall into place, and you’ll find yourself thinking “ah, so that’s what that is!” There’s an abundance of seemingly nonsense names and phrases like ‘Son of Trichoma’, ‘Creator’s Tears’, and ‘Citadel of King *NumStr the Horseman’ (no, really). It drops you in with almost no build-up or introduction, and you’re left to explore the environment and meet its many weird and wonderful digital inhabitants. Narita Boy wastes no time in easing you into its surprisingly complex world. HIM deploys its minions known as Stallions throughout the world, and it’s your job to obtain the legendary Techno Sword, take down the hordes of corrupt enemies, and restore The Creator’s memories. The overarching narrative sees you take on the role of Narita Boy, who must traverse the Digital Kingdom within a video game to battle the forces of HIM, a virus that has stolen the memories of The Creator, the game’s, uh… creator. For newcomers of the Metroidvania genre, Narita Boy isn’t the most accommodating title to start with, but it’s certainly one that rewards patience and exploration. The pixelated visuals feel retro and yet distinctly modern at the same time, with beautiful animations, bold environment design, and an optional CRT filter that enhances the overall tone of the game (though can occasionally feel a bit too much). It’s an action-oriented Metroidvania that absolutely leans into a heavy ‘80s, Tron-like aesthetic, but never lets it overshadow the world or its characters. ![]() Let’s be clear right from the start: Narita Boy is a great game. Thankfully though, with so many ‘80s-themed books, movies, and games to choose from recently, it’s gotten incredibly easy to filter out the great from the poor. Unfortunately, nostalgia has often seemingly taken precedence over good storytelling, resulting in some rather questionable throwbacks (looking at you, Mr. We’re at a point in time where those who were born or grew up in the ‘80s are now expressing their love for the decade through the arts, resulting in cultural behemoths like Stranger Things and Ernest Cline’s Ready Player One. It’s 2021, yet it somehow still feels like we’re in the 1980s. Captured on Nintendo Switch (Handheld/Undocked)
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![]() The dancers, with their colorful costumes, hip-shaking action, fire knives, and bright smiles, light up the stage. The Hawaiian luau draws people to touristy night shows, full of music, dancing, and traditional luau food. The Hawaiian luau portrays the value of pā’ina Especially in Hawaii, never underestimate the power of food to open hearts and spread aloha. Food plays a powerful role in every culture, as it brings people together, nourishes the body and spirit, and makes us all feel better in general. No blog about Hawaii would be complete without a discussion on food. The Hawaiian word ho’olaulea is a large party or celebration. ![]() ![]() The Polynesian Cultural Center, Old Lahaina Luau, and the Royal Hawaiian hotel organize traditional Hawaiian parties with prices ranging from $80 to $120 per adult.The Hawaiian word pā’ina is a small party, potluck, or dinner. ![]() Hotels, cultural centers, beaches, and public areas host regular theme parties across Hawaii. Today, the Hawaiian luau is also a visitor attraction. The most popular luau dishes are poi, Kalua pig, chicken long rice, laulau, lomi lomi salmon, haupia, and poke. It's the moment when organizers remove the layers of leaves and cloth from the pit oven to expose the cooked pork. Traditionally, the celebration starts with an imu ceremony. Have you won a surf contest on the North Shore of Oahu? Why not invite friends and competitors for a luau night with free beers and a spicy Hawaiian barbecue? There are many reasons why people throw luau parties.Ī wedding, the birth of someone's child, a marriage anniversary, or medical recovery are good personal motives.īut a successful business venture, a significant collective achievement, or a good harvest will also be at the center of these laid-back parties. If you received an invitation for a luau, make sure to wear comfortable clothes and footwear like Hawaiian shirts, blouses, shorts, summer pants, and sandals. It can be held at the beach, at home, in a forest, or in a garden, as a public or private commemoration. You can throw a luau-themed party anywhere, as long as it takes place in an open outdoor space. The celebration had 4,000 taro plants, 3,125 saltwater fish, 2,245 coconuts, 1,820 freshwater fish, 482 large gourds filled with poi, and 271 pigs. In 1847, King Kamehameha III hosted one of the largest ever Hawaiian luaus. Throughout the next 100 years, the term evolved possibly due to different uses of the word by haole (foreigners). However, in 1819, King Kamehameha II put an end to all religious laws and invited women to eat along with the men - the luau parties were born. So, before the arrival of Protestant missionaries, the word "luau" had a different meaning - it meant "chicken baked in coconut milk with taro," the main dish of these Hawaiian royalty feasts. In these early 19th-century Hawaiian aha'aina, men and women ate separately, and only Hawaiian chiefs could enjoy particular foods. In ancient Hawaii, royalty used to celebrate the local culture and special occasions by organizing feasts of mea'ai (food), hula (dance), and mele (songs). The word "luau" is a modern adaption of the concept of aha'aina (or pa'ina), meaning "gathering meal." You can find a luau near you, especially during summer, almost anywhere in the world. They have somehow transcended the borders of this Pacific Ocean archipelago and became an international symbol of friendship, fun, goodwill, and sharing. Luaus have always been a social, cultural, spiritual, and entertainment manifestation, in which all guests wear a classic Hawaiian lei. The event involves traditional Hawaiian cuisine - including pig, salmon, taro corms, and coconut milk-based dessert - arts and crafts demonstrations, traditional games, and live music.Īs a celebration of life, a luau is a unique party that gathers family and friends around several recreations and pastimes. A luau is a traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian celebration, feast, or party featuring entertainment and outdoor activities. |