So here we are again,
with another set of heroes revealed. How
fitting is it that the New Year would start off with a pair of characters who
are just barely qualified to be
heroes? Oh well; in their universe,
they’re the best the world has got.
Though you could pretty much apply that to every character introduced so
far, but that’s neither here nor there.
In any case, I’ll hold
off on posting a summarizing video, mostly because the “full set” hasn’t been
revealed yet. It’ll come next time, but
for now you can either read the posts for Alice, Raze, and Tony/Beat -- or you
could do the more natural thing and wait for the highly-condensed version in
about a month.
The reason, obviously,
is that I promised ten characters -- and that’s precisely what you’ll get. So I’d rather not make a video now (which
with my limited tool set takes much longer than I’d prefer), only to make
another video for one character. It
seems wasteful, is all I’m saying. But
in addition, there’s also the story arc that I’ve been developing for quite a
while -- the one in which I (or at least my virtual stand-in) actually die.
So for the sake of providing a refresher, I'll give you a quick summary.
It started with me (or
should I say Voltech) starting off this feature, and showing off the posts with
great gusto to a less-than-enthused viewer.
But as one savvy commenter was quick to note, the viewer had a very clear mind
of his own -- and with it, his ability to travel across the internet as he saw
fit. Even if each post in the Showdown
grated him, he kept coming back over and over for reasons unknown -- but it
wasn’t until the end of the 4th post and the start of the 5th
when his confident airs started to evaporate. There was a notable divide between Voltech and
the viewer, and it reached a climax at the end of the fifth post; the viewer up
and left without a word, though for what reason and to which corner of the
internet, nobody knows for sure.
Nobody except for FX,
of course -- or so it seems. One of
Voltech’s creations given form, the wily coyote appears before him. How much he knows remains to be seen, but he
gives Voltech just as much info he needs.
With some info in mind -- or lack thereof, given that the viewer’s name,
origin, and even face are all a blank -- our hero begins strategizing, and
setting a plan into motion. Reasoning
that the viewer has been coming to Cross-Up because there’s something he needs,
Voltech sets a plan into action to ensnare him, and put an end to the threat he
poses -- one that could unravel the internet, and the very fabric of
reality. But before the threat can be
stopped, the viewer strikes: he stabs Voltech with a lethal blow, and leaves
him for dead as he begins roaming the internet once more. Of course, he ends up returning -- and Tony
and Beat, under orders from a left-behind letter, are there to reel him
in. Beat goes on the offensive, but with
little success; just as Tony’s about to make a desperate move, FX steps in with
a smile on his face.
So that’s about where
we are in the story arc. And there are
plenty of questions that still need to be answered. What is FX doing back on the blog? What is the faceless phantom really
after? What is the mysterious “File
Zero” spoken of in Voltech’s letter -- and why is it so dangerous? What on earth is “Cross-Up is alive” supposed
to mean? And can Voltech return from the
shadowy abyss he’s entered -- and defeat the viewer and save the internet in
one fell swoop?
Maybe. But he’ll have to beat Majora’s Mask first. Don’t worry, reading the “Let’s discuss
Majora’s Mask” posts isn’t required, but it’ll certainly enhance your
understanding of what’s going on. Also
enrich your soul. Because I like the
game.
Anyway, that’ll just
about do it for now. No poll this week,
so if you want to mention which character is your favorite (if any), just leave
a comment. In the meantime, let’s have
something a little different. As you
likely know, I’m a fan of games -- and as such, it’s not uncommon for me to
associate one concept or product with another.
In this case, it’s voices. So
I’ve assembled a quick smattering of voice samples that, I hope, capture each
character’s essence (all of whom are sequentially listed in the Showdown’s
archive). Not exactly 1:1, but close
enough. Most of them are from a
Newgrounds user, so just click around and test out the soundboard -- and if you
so deign, give thanks. Or click on the
proper video on Behind the Voice Actors. And of course, if you have suggestions on potential voice actors -- or even real-life actors that could act as stand-ins -- then leave a comment below.
In any case, there's nothing like audiovisual aids to spruce up a presentation, eh?
Power-Type
Deias: Roger Craig Smith
Ursa: Michelle Ruff
Ocelot V: Todd Haberkorn
Speed-Type
Cobalt: David Vincent
Shino: Tara Strong
FX: Johnny Yong Bosch
(because no list is complete without the Black Ranger)
Tech-Type
Alice: Caitlin Glass
Raze: Bryce Papenbrook
Varia-Type
Tony: TJ Rotolo/Beat: Laura Bailey
Lloyd: Matthew Mercer
And that’ll just about
do it for now. See you guys…wait. Hold on a second. It feels like one of these is different from the others.
I haven’t overplayed my hand, have I?