The Legend of Legacy

I actually wanted to end the year with a anime review, but since my procrastination skillz have prevented me from finishing Kill la Kill, I guess I'll have to make do with a game review instead ;) Ah, tis life in a nutshell. Wow, it looks like realizing that I'm literally one day away from the new year has made me kind of philosophical. But enough of my wacky musings, and onto the real meat of this post!

I'm always excited about playing Atlus games, especially those that sell themselves on having exploration and adventure. One reason is that I might have been spoiled by Legends of the Titan (Another game with 'legend' in it's name. Coincidence?) and the Persona series. 2015 was a great year for 3DS games in my humble opinion, and though I did not pick up the latest installments of the Etrian Odyssey franchise such as the Untold: The Fafnir Knight or Etrian mystery dungeon, I did however, do myself a favor and picked up The Legend of Legacy instead!

Keep in mind that I have not finished the game since I'm stuck at the final boss (>:|) but after 40 hours or so of dungeon crawling, getting mobbed by various monsters and the like, I think I can safely give my opinion on the game while simultaneously avoiding any sort of spoilers.

I went with Eloise for my first and only playthrough, and I'm glad to say that I quite liked her. I don't know what made me choose her out of the colourful cast of characters, but I normally never chose any sort of 'Mage' type characters in game, so I probably chose her based on her gorgeous character design. I was torn between her and Bianca (the amnesiac) but eventually I jumped the wagon and went with Eloise.

She's a pretty entertaining character, her speeches are sometimes peppered with heart or star emoji's, which I personally find quite hilarious since this contrasts with her true personality. From another review I read of this game, the person admits that Eloise resembles an anti-hero more than your typical goody-two shoes, sacrifice everything hero that you normally take control of. Her motivations are quite selfish, and to see her internal monologue and sarcastic quips is a real treat! We need more characters like this.

I started out with Owen and Lars, but eventually I switched them out for Filma (the frog) and Garnet (the stern looking warrior beside the frog). Your party conists of three characters, including yourself, and is pretty flexible in terms of choosing who want to party up with since you can switch them out at the nearest inn. As with typical Atlus RPG's the gameplay is unforgiving and tough when you first start out. Forgetfulness or overconfidence will prove to be your undoing when you accidentally bump into a pack of monsters or heaven forbid, one of the mini bosses that are littered throughout some maps.

There is not much to say story wise, seeing as most of the information you glean comes from a smattering of flashbacks and finding artifacts to unlocking the mystery of the island. In fact, the real meat of the game is in the details, namely, the gameplay. It can be trying at times, but ultimately The Legend of Legacy proves to be a solid RPG in terms of game play. Anyone who wants to be invested in a good story however, will find this game to be quite disappointing.

Art/Animation is really nice. The backgrounds are beautiful, and the maps you visit all have their own unique atmospheres and obstacles to overcome. The sprites in the game (meaning your characters and enemy monsters) are great as well, but the only thing I found lacking was the lack of variation in the monster sprites. Even though the monsters you fight in each place are different, the sprites that you see or come across when you're not fighting are pretty much the same. It's unfortunate but it doesn't take anything away from the experience so I guess that can be overlooked.

Game play is great. Each character can unlock different skills depending on what weapon they're equipped with/ what you chose to equip them with, and this means that the characters are highly customisable and allow you to mold your team into the most efficient, dungeon explorers you'll ever need. You can speed up battle animations by holding down the 'A' button (something I only discovered 20 hours into the game) and it's hard to go back to slug through battles while waiting for your enemies turn to end.

And with more skills comes the annoying part, to select the skill you want, you need to go through all the other options and this can become tiring, especially when you're engaged in a ridiculously long battle with a boss. It does get boring, and I wished that they had added some sort of shortcut button to save me the effort of clicking the arrow button hundreds of times every time I wanted to select a different skill. But nevertheless, it's something that you'll learn to live with. The minor framerate problems that occur during battles with many enemies at once also show that this game is not perfect.

Music is another superbly done aspect of the game as well! They were a feast for the ears, and two of my favourites include  the battle with the Shadow giants and the last boss. On the flipside, the music you hear can make you scared as well like it did me, I can't tell you how panicked I would be when I accidentally ran into a monster and the battle song started playing. I would compare the soundtracks to each map like a calling card of sorts - easily recognisable and very unique.

Overall, I didn't regret putting in all the hours I did. The Legend of Legacy was pretty good, and I would recommend it to people who like dungeon crawlers and character driven games.

Pros

+Great gameplay
+Characters are very customisable/Character classes are not limited to the skills they start out with
+Beautiful art/animation
+Brilliant music
+Challenging
+Varying enemies both difficulty wise and appearance wise

Cons
-Minor frame rate issues
-Quite grindy
-Attack menus could have been done better
-Fights get boring quickly

Overall score: 7/10 

Crimson Peak - The movie with an identity crisis

When I walked out of the cinema this morning, I spent almost ten minutes in the toilet pondering on what I just watched. I had a mixture of emotions roiling inside me, which made me stop to think about what I just saw. And around nine hours later, I sit here, still not quite sure of what I did watch.

I was tremendously excited to watch this movie for several reasons. (a) It was a gothic romance, (b) The trailer made it looked superb, and (c) The cast of the movie looked freaking awesome. But strangely enough, it wasn't quite what I expected it to be. Could it be because my hopes for this movie were ridiculously high? Maybe. But Crimson Peak has some rather glaring flaws which might have attributed to how disappointing this film turned out to be.

Let's get this straight. Crimson Peak is not bad. In fact, I wished it turned out to be some stupid romance horror flick that I could just walk out of the cinema and say "Meh. That was awful." and go on my merry way. But it wasn't. And that, is what makes me torn. The problem, is that Crimson Peak isn't bad, but it is definitely not good either.

For starters, the plot was quite lackluster. It's straightforward, and plays out like one of those point and click adventure novels which makes it, unfortunately, quite predictable. You know how it will play out, thanks to the ample amount of foreshadowing, but it uses a straight forward formula that takes much of the 'mystery' aspect out of it. And we have to keep in mind that Crimson Peak isn't marketed as a 'Mystery' movie, so we can't really blame the darn thing for having such a lackluster mystery.

But on the other hand, Crimson Peak isn't a horror movie either. I'm no expert, but it doesn't really feel like a 'horror' movie would. Like Edith, our main female character, says at the beginning of the movie. It's not a ghost story. It's a story with ghosts in it. Well, okay. And therein lies the problem.

Crimson Peak does not know what it wants to be.

It's not scary enough for horror fans, It's doesn't have good enough plot for mystery fans, and while the romance makes the movie interesting, it isn't enough to save it. Crimson peak can't be classified by a genre, because it doesn't even know it should be classified as. The story goes from 'mystery' to 'romance' to 'horror' and then shockingly, ends with a sequence that seems like it would be a better fit in a slasher movie than in this one.

Pros:

+Movie is stunning and very beautiful
+The cast and its acting is brilliant
+CGI is well done and doesn't feel cheap
+Sound effects are good

Cons:

-Weak plot
-Unsatisfying payoff
-Movie is stuck between a smattering of genres
-A little too bloody despite being marketed as a gothic romance


Did I enjoy Crimson Peak? Yes.

Would I watch it again? No.

Seraphina - To be or not to be?

I think  most of us have read fantasy books about dragons at least once in our lives. There is something very intriguing about scaly, fire breathing reptiles that make them such an interesting subject to read about. Dragons have played many different roles. Villain, victim, hero. As time has gone by, they no longer have a fixed set of powers. Now they don't merely breathe fire, they can a wide variety of powers ranging from shape-shifting to healing, and are no longer just painted as beastly brutes who plunder the lands in search of their next meal.

The dragons in Seraphina are one such variation of dragons and are intelligent, sentient creatures. And I think this is one of the reasons that make Seraphina such a interesting read. That is not the only thing the book has to offer of course, they are certainly many other factors that make it such a good read as it is.

The story follows Seraphina, or Phina for short, as she tries to navigate through the waters of high society while trying to keep her 'heritage' under wraps. I confess that I didn't expect it to be part-murder mystery, part-self discovery, but thankfully it was done pretty well. The other characters in the book like Lucien and Glisselda were likable in their own way, and the interactions with Seraphina were so lively, and the way they contrasted with her just made those scenes come to life in the best possible way. The romance this book comes out of nowhere, and while I'm not really bothered by it I feel that it could have done without.

Unlike in some books, the politics in Seraphina did not bore me to death. The power play between Dragons and Humans is a source of tension for both races, and our dear protagonist is caught between the two worlds (literally) and desperately tries to keep herself from being washed away by the hostility between the two races. Her path of self-acceptance doesn't play out like one of those cliche fairytale types, it is much more intense and emotionally disturbing in a way.

Overall, it was a nice read and I look forward to picking up the next installment in the series.

7.5/10 - Would read again! 

Recommended to those who are okay with/like:

-Fantasy

-Politics

-Dragons

-Slight incestous vibes (Lucien and Glisselda are cousins and are engaged, but this is only referenced sparsely throughout the book)

The Guest Cat - Takashi Hirade

It took quite a long time for me to finish this book, due to the sudden onset of laziness and usual procrastination. It wasn't a bad book, not at all, but it is definitely a book which would appeal to certain types of people.

I like Japanese prose, they have a certain sense of detachment and hint of melancholy, but at the same time the stories told have a certain warmth to them. I would describe it as thoughtful, and depending on the books, feel as though they are grounded in reality despite the 'spiritual' elements. I'm no guru of course, this is just my own opinion. I have a strange preference for books in which the main characters evolve, come to terms with something, or have a mysterious charm about them. And in this case, the titular cat in this story, named Chibi.

Through the eyes of the writer, we see how this mysterious cat influences the lives of our main characters. In the story, she is described at charming, yet at times seem otherworldly, but she has a very profound effect on those around her. She comes and goes as she pleases, and though she already has a family of her own, Chibi is not held down by such titles and regularly traipses the line between the two houses, the line being a fence with a hole big enough for her to slip through.

The Guest Cat is not a story which can be understood through a review in my opinion, the writing of Takashi Hirade is very enjoyable as well. Through the eyes of the characters, the beauty lies in how they experience the events which they encounter. The emotions that could be interpreted by the reader range from many different types, like wistful and nostalgic, sadness, and fear.

One thing that might put people off, is the parts where financial and property related jargon is thrown into the story. There were quite a few chapters where things such as property values, job hunting and economy were included, and they were boring to me, since I'm not interested in such things. However, these parts do not subtract any enjoyment I felt while reading the book.

Recommendation: 3/5

The story has a very slow pacing, and concept of 'time' moves according to the events which happen in the main character's lives, and not by the day and night cycle. Some may dislike it, but don't dismiss it until you try it!

Why I dropped Lord Of Magna : Maiden Heaven

Don't be fooled. The blue haired cutie is NOT going to be the main attraction. 

Okay, so I first pre ordered this game when I caught a glimpse of the cover art. The beautifully drawn characters plus the title 'Maiden Heaven'  was what pushed me to buy a copy of the game. The summary sounded pretty interesting too.

Summary: Residing on the outskirts of town as the proprietor of a quiet, rustic inn, Luchs has lived through much of his life proudly clinging to a code of honour passed down from father to son for generations:

"When our cherished guests finally arrive, think of them as nothing less than family."

Unfortunately, the inn has not yet had even a single guest since its foundation, leaving Luchs no choice but to excavate and sell crystals - the islands most valuable fuel source - in order to make ends meet. It is during one such routine excavation that he happens upon a beautiful maiden encased inside a massive crystal, and her abrupt awakening triggers a series of unexpected events that include foul fiends, astonishing abilities, and miraculous mysteries... 

So fast forward like one or two months later. Yippee, the game was here! The limited edition set was better than I'd even imagined, consisting of a nice OST cd and the 3ds box actually had the chibi characters instead of the usual plain, white background. I was pretty pumped, to be honest.

The opening was so - so, the animation was fairly well done for a JRPG. The track which was played at the title screen, however, was FANTASTIC! Everytime i booted up the game up, I'd always spend two or three minutes listening to it at least. Now, with where this is going, readers are probably wondering why I'm clearly praising the game when the title of the post says differently. Whelp, the only reason I'm starting off with the good points is that this game wasn't that bad. It has a 3.5/5 score on Metacritic (a decent rating) and for what it was worth, the time I had spent with the game was not soul shatteringly horrible.

The game's selling point (what they kept advertising about) was its unique combat, namely, striking down your enemies by 'bowling' them over (aka. knock them over like a stack of dominos). The gameplay is quite good, in my opinion. Its fun and challenging, you really have to plan your movements before hand so you don't get stuck in a pincer attack, or getting into trouble when one of the characters in your party dies.

But unfortunately, Lord of Magna: Maiden Heaven experience is bogged down by its tedious cut scenes. I don't like how the game shoves the plot down your throat. I had thought that it was just the prolouge kind of thing, but after continuing with the game, I realized that it wasn't. Its like reading a book which throws a large chunk of exposition at you. What was originally interesting and fun suddenly became boring and downright frustrating. It got so bad that i actually searched for a 'SKIP' button, which I used all too often.

Something is definitely wrong if you continuously skip about 2/3 of the dialogue.

This feature did nothing help the plot, either. The premise and story was very generic to begin with, and having to sit through 10 minutes of doing nothing but stare at the 3ds screen makes the story seem MUCH more idiotic. I give the game props for trying to be all 'foreshadowy' and dramatic by having these segments where a narrator asks rhetorical questions, but that brings me to another reason why I ended up dropping it.

The main character (Luchs) is about as interesting, as a piece of cardboard.

He was so generic and cheesy that I really couldn't stomach much of him. Okay fine, just because he's that way doesn't mean that he's a bad character. Fine, I agree on that point. But come on, why would I play this game, when I could play a thousand other games just like this one?! How are is LoM going to keep its players engaged, when the main character is so predictable, so boring, that made me skip most of the cut scenes? Heck, even his best friend was much more enjoyable to watch! Luchs has almost no character traits outside of  being 'Kind hearted' and 'Nice' and that is why I find myself yawning when he comes on screen.

I know this sounds quite harsh and may seem like I'm bashing on him, but to be honest, Luchs is not the main reason that I dropped LoM. Everything bad about the game culminates into one giant, glaring con and it was what turned me off.  Another thing I noted, was how the game was trying to 'pair' up Luchs and Charlotte. And let me say this, I would rather watch paint dry than watch Charlotte being awkwardly forced to bond with Luchs. Their conversations are not interesting, or even remotely witty. By the time the prologue was over, I found myself desperately wishing to shut off my 3DS. Not liking her is just my personal gripe, however, because many people have expressed that she was quite the cutie. I guess that this is just a personal preference thing.

+Nice art
+Soundtrack
+Visuals
+Gameplay

-Cut scenes are too long
-Voice acting is tolerable at best
-Characters were too one-dimmensional for me
-Bad pacing

I'm not saying that you shouldn't buy the game, but I would recommend getting it when the price drops on when it goes on sale. I wished I liked it, but unfortunately, nothing ever goes as planned.

First Episode Mayhem - Gun Gale Online (SAO II)

After an insane amount of time spent writing fanfiction and generally lazing around, I finally got around to watching the sequel to one of my guilty pleasure animes: Swort Art Online II.

The episode starts off with a scene from some 'seedy' bar in Gun Gale Online. After some brief exposition in the form of a guy getting shot on screen and THEN dying offscreen, I liking it so far. What I was worried most about was the lack of stakes in GGO. What I mean is that Sword art online made things interesting because of its permadeath and it makes viewers more interested in what will happen through out the show.

This was clearly SAO's selling point, in that it makes fans scared of the fact that their favourite characters can be killed off. Alfenhiem online didn't have that, and as such fans of SAO were more inclined to be bored because seriously, what happened to all that exciting 'I'm gonna die' stuff we were promised? In my opinion the second arc was pretty okay. It's the fact that they try to fatten up a series clearly fit for 12 episodes into 26 (or was it 24?) episodes that makes me kinda mad, Have some self control people!

Ahem. I got off track there.

So yes, at this point i was rather liking the whole premise of the anime. It had the potential to be very very interesting and I just sat back and relaxed as the episode continued on its merry way.

And then I saw this .

Let me go bleach my brain. 

Wow. What a fucking train wreck.

That picture over there marked the end of the scene I am dubbing 'The Duitful Waifu' because that is what it literally felt like. What happened?! Where was the Asuna of SAO? What happened to that brave, determined, smart girl which we all fell in love with in sword art online? The character in this scene is NOT Asuna. It felt like a two dimensional picture copy and pasted into the scene, while a voice recorder just played "Omg Kirito-kun I wove you so much!! Look at us so fab!"

Haha, oh hey, remember when Asuna had a PERSONALITY??

Just....wow. The first episode and it's already making me angry with how they portrayed Asuna. There is no longer any depth to her. She feels and acts like a literal piece of cardboard who had merely took the form of Asuna. Yeesh...what a rude awakening. Kirito is still his normal standoffish self and even I felt that he had much more character! Are you kidding me? And this is only the first episode! Sufficed to say, I am not looking forward to see how much they destroyed Asuna's character and what kind of nonsense inducing headache they'll be giving me in the episodes to come.

The fact that they make references to SAO gave me a whole bucket full of sarcastic musings too. No really. It was just that upsetting.

And of course, I leave you all with this joke :

Er...is it just me?

Is this one of those hints that eventually come true? Because you know, canon and cannon. Great jumping jellybeans. The KiritoAsuna couple is fucked.

When Marnie Was There - Omoide no Marnie

Studio Ghibli's last film is a coming of age story. I can't say I'm exactly surprised, they seem to like making films revolving around self-discovery and growing up mixed with fantasy or supernatural elements. I think that's what I love about them. They take one look at the norm and go 'Psh. Normal is boring.' and the fact that they excel at their jobs makes anime fans like me feel all the more grateful.

The feel of this film was pretty similar to that of Kagurashi no Arrietty. Or more specifically, the similarities can be found in the main protagonists in that they both suffer from life threatening illnesses and are sent somewhere to recuperate.

One thing i truly admire about When Marnie was there is how wonderfully Annie was portrayed. She begins as a cynical, angry teen who eventually becomes more understanding and more open with both others and herself. The movie makes us sympathize with her, and at the same time, allows us to see her flaws. She's not perfect. Though her problems may seem minute to us, in the end, they are pretty big from her perspective.

Plot gets a 6/10 because let's face it; an angst ridden teen trying to find herself isn't exactly an original idea. The plot twists fails to be surprising because the foreshadowing and hints the movie dropped were a little too good. At one point in the movie I went 'Oh. I think i know where this is going.' and though the ending was heartwarming, it was hardly spectacular. The supernatural aspect of the story was pretty okay. It gave us exposition, background, and made me care for the characters. But they relied too much on using it as a plot device so the novelty of it wore out soon enough.

Characters gets an 7/10. While Annie had a good character development, Marnie still remains somewhat of a mystery. Despite the film's attempts at trying to make her more than just a cut board cutout, Marnie doesn't really get any memorable development. I do appreciate the dynamic between Marnie and Annie though, it's interesting to see them bringing out the best in each other while simultaneously bringing out the worst as well. There seems to be an undertone of Yuri (or shoujo ai) but the ending pretty much kills off that sentiment. As a Yuri fan, I feel decidedly upset but ultimately I think it was for the best. Instead of trying to make a relationship that would never happen to work, it was just better to direct that effort into making the characters and story better.

OSTs are well...meh. The ending did strike a cord with me and there were several scenes where the music stood out well. But overall, not very striking. They did their job of suiting the atmosphere but once the credits roll, I could't recall having remembered anything. 7/10

Recommended: A nice, enjoyable movie best saved for those rainy days. It is ultimately enjoyable, butt does not fall in the same vein with Studio Ghibli's previous works. 3/5

Fire Emblem Awakening

Alright, so I decided to try my hand at one of the most highly rated 3DS games of all time. What caught my attention was not because I'm a hardcore follower of the series, but because of the MARRIAGE SYSTEM. Yes, I'm shallow I know. But how many JRPGs have a marriage option? And oh goodness, you get to choose who you want to be with?

Anyway, moving on. Honestly, I didn't know what to expect with Fire emblem awakening. It was my first ever fire emblem game, and served as a gateway into the franchise. Fire emblem games are notorious for their perma death and difficulty level, and that was the only part which kept me from getting this game. Until I found out about the casual mode, that is. For a beginner like me who stumbled through FE:A, it still lasted for a solid 20 hours give or take.

Story wise, nothing I haven't seen before. It starts of well, and keeps you intrigued until you get through at least half of the game and realize: Oh wait. Is this what i think it is? It made the ending predictable, but I still enjoyed the game immensely. Thus, plot gets a 7/10. I'm sure anyone who ever played a JRPG knows how it goes. Main character is the destined one who would slay evil and or help to put an end to the time of evil bla bla bla and even finds love along the way, I didn't think the story was anything special, but it was barebones enough to keep me going to the end.

Gameplay gets an 9/10. Despite not being a huge fan of tactic games, I found that the causal mode helped immensely. The great thing about the game is that, you're not just controlling your main character. You are also responsible for each move your 'group' members make, and ultimately, are responsible for their deaths. On casual mode, you just get upset and move on since they'll be back after the battle anyway; but playing on normal mode, it takes a certain amount of planning and cunning to win. Not to mention, you'll be having emotional backlash when your favourite character gets killed off by a stupid decision.

The large cast of characters allows you to experiment with different weapon types. There is also a weapon triangle which allows you to take advantage of the weakness in different types in order to give you more advantage in battle. What I loved were the cutscenes that were shown whenever your characters engage in battle with the enemy. You don't merely just see the picture of the enemy get cut down! It plays out right in front of you!

The music of FE:A was fabulous. The background music during support conversations change according to the mood. A catchy little jingle is played when the interaction is humorous, a somber tune is played when the mood turns serious as the characters speak about their painful past. The battle scenes were accompanied by intense, fast paced music and differs between the places/continents. There is alot of thought put into this, and I for one wholly appreciate how well done the music really is. It deserves much of the praise it has received. 9/10

Animation gets 8/10. I wasn't a fan of the particular sprite style the game used, because it made the characters less than lifelike. I mean, it was good, but not so good that I couldn't take my eyes off of it. But I can't blame the game, since it's has to work on a hardware like the 3ds. It's obvious that the limitations of the console play a factor in this. But still, there were no lack of wow moments whenever they showed the animated cutscenes and introduced new characters with splendid artwork and managed to display them up to their knees at least. Many a waifu was born that day, and I'm sure fans of the game had their favourites.

Recommended to everyone who enjoys JRPGs and tactical, turn based combat. It's suited for a more wider variety of players due to the addition of casual play, and almost everyone will be able to enjoy it. It is a definite must have for the 3DS console. Doubtless, Fire emblem Awakening is a timeless gem that has been capturing the hearts of players ever since its release. 5/5 

999 - Nine hours Nine persons Nine doors

999 proves that games can be a good story telling medium. What cannot be done with books can be done with games, as it allows one to interact with the characters and move the story forward. Another name this would be ‘visual novels’. Personally, I’ve never really played visual novels outside of the Sono Hanabira series and some indie ones.

The game starts with your character waking up in a room on a ship. Discovering that you are locked in, you try to find your way out when BAM. Disaster strikes. The only window in the room begins to crack, and water streams through the opening like an unending waterfall. At that point, I got a glimpse of what playing 999 was going to be. This game could easily have fallen flat on its face if it wasn’t fun and gripping. But it was.

And I’m glad. The puzzles are surprisingly enjoyable. Some are easy while others require a bit of thinking to get you going. Sure, the puzzles were irritating sometimes but mostly, I felt that they complimented the game perfectly. The puzzles weren’t just a means to an end. And the best part is that when trying to complete a puzzle, your character slowly discovers the truth behind the Nonary game or the backstory of game’s characters.

It may seem totally random, but as you play on, you begin to realize that every bit of info is important. Every piece of seemingly unrelated information are small scraps of cloth. Once you get enough, you begin to piece them together to try and see the whole picture.

One the first play through, I can almost guarantee that the ending will be a sucker punch to your gut. You’ll go ‘wtf?’ and end up with more questions than answers. Personally, I recommend that you play through two or three times in order to at least understand what the hell is going on.

But boy will it be worth it.

Story gets and gameplay 10/10 because honestly. It is mind blowing yet fun. That’s a difficult combination to achieve in visual novels. This is strictly speaking based on my personal experience though, so feel free to think whatever you want. People with more experience with VN may not agree and that’s okay. I’m simply stating what I think in any case.

In terms of characterisation, I’m am pleased and shocked to find that the reactions from the people in 999 (main character included) are extremely realistic, and to some extent, very accurate. You cannot take anything at face value, and if you do, you’ll best hope that the character you trust doesn’t stab you in the back.

Everyone has their motivations and selfish reasons for getting out. And the worst part is; none of them are care about stepping on toes to achieve their goals. Thankfully, Junpei is a somewhat enjoyable character, flaws and all, though there were some times I wanted to scream at my 3ds and say ARE YOU INSANE? June on the other hand, I have mixed feelings about. Sometimes, June is an independent woman. Other times, she follows Junpei around like a lost puppy. So yep, mixed feelings.

I don’t want to touch on the other characters, because it is best to get a feel of it yourself once you’ve started the game.

Characters get an 8/10.

The music is pretty brilliant as well, though I didn’t particularly notice it during some scenes. But they managed to convey the heaviness and creepiness very well, so I have nothing to dislike.

Music gets a 7.5/10.

At the end, what 999 is, is up to you. Is it a tale of friendship? A tale of star crossed lovers? Or simply just a good old fashioned revenge story, or even perhaps just a mere coincidence caused by the pickings of a madman?

It’s up to you to decide.

Recommended: 5/5

Legend of Zelda Ocarina Of Time 3DS

It would be crime to say that oneself is a gamer, without having played a single Zelda game. Or so  the internet claims. From  personal view point, Ocarina of time is interesting but definitely not for me. I liked it, no doubt about that, but I don't really feel that it is the 'Best Game Ever Made' or that sort of thing. It was a greatly unique experience, but I don't think I'll be playing through it again anytime soon, because it wore me out a little.

The story was great, much like a cinematic movie (only with you controlling the main protagonist) and it kept me forging through it to see what came next. It must have been mind blowing when it first came out on the N64. Despite not being a fan of puzzle based games, I have no doubt that I would have been mesmerized. I mean come on, time travel, exploration and a heck ton of puzzles to spend countless nights with? I imagine that it was a magical experience for everyone who played OOT back then.

Animation wise, this Zelda remake looks really beautiful. I've seen screen shots of the N64 and doubtless, the 3ds one takes the cake. While galloping through the Hyrule fields with cutie Epona, I found myself just going in circles just to admire the lushness of the grass and the ridiculously blue sky in-game. Playing on the 3ds Xl was a treat, but the gameplay on the 2ds was just as good, only less immersive.

It surprised me though, that what I loved about this game was not the game play nor the story. It was the soundtracks. Some of the songs captured my heart, and I find myself putting on my HD 598s just to enjoy the game, while Link just stands idly in-game. One of my favourites was the Minuet of the Forest and the song of the storms.

As for the gameplay, it took some time for me to get used to. It was challenging at first, but after getting out of the Deku tree, I sort of got a hang of it. Let me just say now that I dislike puzzles intensely. I didn't even get through the first game of God of War before I threw my hands up and called it quits. The puzzles in the OOT were amazing, but were hair pulling and I cannot describe how frustrated I was. But...the feeling of utter satisfaction that filled me after I completed a difficult puzzle, or finished a temple was pure bliss. A sense of accomplishment that I never knew I would feel, always raised my spirits without fail. My guess is that many players have felt similarly, back in the day of the release.

I really do want to love this game. But unfortunately, it is not a game that I would claim to be my absolute 'favourite' although it has left its mark on me. I can say that I would be picking up Majoras Mask sometime in the future, though i doubt it would be so soon.

And I have to say that this game is something that everyone should play through at least once, just to experience what captured the hearts of gamers back in the day, and still allow the current generation of gamers to reminisce fondly on when they nearly broke the hinge of their ds while playing through OOT. I wouldn't call myself a 'gamer' in that sense  as I like playing for fun. Curiousity got me to buy a copy of OOT and I was not disappointed.

Plot : 9/10

Gameplay : 8/10

Animation : 9/10

Soundtracks : 10/10

*keep in mind that i am rating this based on my personal opinion and does not mean that what i feel represents what others think of the game.

Recommendation: 5/5

Yahari Ore no Seishun Rabukome wa Machigatte Iru Light Novel

Since the amazing experience that was season 1, I started on the first few episodes of season 2. To be completely honest, I had hated the new character designs at first. It was all so...bishonen like. Not that I have anything against bishonen, it's just that it looked wrong on Hikigaya Hachiman. His face was previously full of sharp lines, dead fish eyes and had sharper facial features. Now, it seems to have been sanded off, into a round pretty looking face.

I guess that i felt that it was going against his character, who was said to be unattractive in a sense. Thankfully, the change in designs did NOT change other character's reactions/interactions with him. You could say that it sort of grew on me as well.

With the usual pace of release for subbed episodes, I got impatient and started on the light novel.

Yes. From the very first one.

It was kinda painful to read about all the events that i had already previously seen, but it was a good refresher as well. I loved reading about all the events in first person perspective (Hikigaya's) and it made me enjoy the novels all the more.

The first few novels have a rather cheery and light hearted atmosphere, focusing more on comedy. The interactions between members of the service club were stellar, and I could really see why this novel is as popular as it is. At first glance, I felt that the writing was too 'simplistic' or 'amatuerish'. But that is just me being a lowlife, so ignore that.

But as I continued reading, the writing became a thing of beauty.

 The way the sentences melded together, the flowery but hard hitting paragraphs that conveyed the emotions the characters felt...it was absolutely wonderful.

After the first few novels, the atmosphere starts to take a rather different turn. I think it was the sixth or seventh novel maybe?

The problems of our main characters (namely Hachiman, Yukino and Yui) begin to surface. Their problems were always there, but it was at that point where things started to change. Wataru Watari brought another level to writing that I've never seen before. The novel began to show their true colours, their beliefs, what drove them to act as they did. It was addicting, to see the them try to fix themselves, piece by piece and for them to admit their short comings.

There were times the novel made my chest clench in pain, and flutter with unbridled joy at others. Wataru Watari's writing is truly a thing of beauty. I look forward to seeing how season 2 does the anime justice, and what happens on vol 10.

The Wolf Among Us

Well, my plans for watching two animes in a month have gone down under. With the looming presence of school and temptation of games, it's difficult to prioritize i guess. But without further ado, let's get on with it yeah?

I was expecting great things for this game, and i have to say that i am NOT disappointed. The story was thrilling, each twist and turn was nicely done and without the use of horrible cliches while still making it feel original. Based off an award winning comic series, it's great that someone managed to do it justice.

This game works as a standalone, and since i haven't read Fables yet, I can't really say how this game compares to it. But after poking around the internet for some time, I found that The wolf among us is set several years before the first issue of Fables. So basically, it's a win win situation for the fans and newcomers like myself.

I really like games which let you have the freedom of choice, i.e how you choose to let your character react to situations and interactions with people. It definitely makes you feel much more 'connected' to the characters and the story which is a good thing, because you KNOW that the choices you make will affect what happen in the end,

The game graphics are really splendid, the noir look with a palette of dark and neon, it certainly fits the overall somber mood. Its pleasing to look at, and you can even gauge whether certain characters are lying by their facial features. It made me feel like a real detective on the scent of a criminal sans suspect, I try to read between their words and actions, and nothing is as it seems. The question i ask myself most frequently while playing this game is without a doubt:

Who's lying?

Overall, it is definitely a game all vita owners should try at least once. Unfortunately, one bone i have to pick with the game would probably be the exhausting loading times and the lag during action scenes. Or maybe the Vita just lacks the horse power to fully push the game to its full potential. Often times, i find myself thrown off during the game when i am about to make a decision. The game stutter to a halt, and leaves me panicked and angry, since there's always the chance that even a split second would render me unable to decide my character's fate.

I would second the Vita game, ONLY if you don't have a computer strong enough to handle the game. If you do have one, then i would suggest getting that instead of the vita version, as fun as it is. However, those who lack a good computer or just prefer consoles, then The Wolf Among Us is a must buy.

Thoughts: Selector Spread Wixoss (contains spoilers)

So this post will round up my feelings for the second season of Selector, while trying to digest all the revelations made by the last episode.

It was a pretty amazing and satisfying ending for the characters. For the fans, maybe not so much. There is still too much left unknown by the anime, especially since Spread occasionally broke its own rules thus causing confusion. I think the creators of the show did a great job for what it was worth. Stuffing all that into 12 episodes must not have been a easy feat.

Its hard to believe all this spawned from a card game isn't it?

The title is actually a bloody reference to the whole show. Can you believe it? Mind blowing actually. As if the revelation of the real meaning of LRIG wasn't mind blowing enough in the first season.

'Selector' actually refers to the ability to select, or in simpler terms, make a choice. The girl in the white room, Mayu, had no options to choose and thus, born out of jealousy she names the girls 'selectors'. Pretty nifty thing to do if you ask me.

Wixoss makes a lot more sense when you think about the whole thing. Pronounced 'We-cross' I think it actually refers to the birth of an eternal girl, where the LRIG and the selector trade places. Again, when you think about the title of the anime, it feels like a veil has been lifted. I was literally wowed by this. Seriously. First LRIG and now this?? Whoever made this anime deserves to get the award for this.

Speaking of the anime (it looks like i went off track), there were definitely MORE yuri moments. Ulith and Akira? Yeah, the sexual tension between them is fucking insane (pardon my french) and I got some similar vibes from Yuki (Iona) and Ruko as well. Not to mention the appearance of Midoriko HOLY SHIT that girl deserves a damn award for being able to find Hitoe. Again. That's dedication if I ever saw it.

On the other hand, i think that while they handled the ending for Yuzuki, Mayu and Chiyori well, the rest of the characters were sort of left hanging. How did Iona get back to her own body? I mean, if she was 'between' two cards/bodies, and was able to enter back, wouldn't it mean that some other LRIG could do the same thing? Yeah, they kind of glossed over that part.

My favorite characters this time were surprisingly, Chiyori and Eldora. The playfulness of the two plus their amazing dynamic was just pure gold to watch. Despite rooting for Ruko and Tama, i couldn't help but hope that Chiyori managed to fulfill her wishes too.

The ending was satisfying and sort of bitter sweet. But the overall message was nice. I liked the positive vibes, especially with Ruko's monologue and the appearance of Tama at the last end. Other people may have been upset that it didn't end up like they expected (namely in tears and tragedy with a smidge of angst) but i thought it was pretty great. I'm glad I started this series. I now have something to obesses over. Good job creators.

Rewatch value is there for the second season. First, maybe not so much. Bah, who cares I'll be coming back to rewatch it anyway.

Sabagebu!

We all have that one anime series that, regardless of what others say, make us laugh our heads off. Sabagebu is one of those animes that just makes me laugh, even if the joke is over used, stupid or just downright ridiculous.

While there is no denying that Sabagebu! is not the first type of its genre, I feel that it has done a good job in making itself fun to watch and leaving you asking for more. Each episode contains several small stories, something which some may dislike. I don't have a problem with it personally, but overall I would still prefer the use of one story per episode or a story arc stretching over two or three episodes. Thankfully, Sabagebu! pulls off the 'short stories in one episode' thing pretty well.

The characters are downright hilarious. Even if you hate the narrator, or the weird looking platypus, you can never go wrong with the characters from the survival club. At first, I was annoyed that the characters were stereotypical cardboard cut outs such as the rich ojou sama, the otaku, and the big breasted one. But after making it past the third or fourth episode, I was hit with the realization that this is what makes the show funny.

I enjoyed the show because I realized that the show was somehow making fun of these characters. You know what will happen because you already know what the personalities are like, and what actions they would undoubtedly take, but when it happens, you will find yourself laughing along with them. I feel that Momoka is what makes the interactions between the characters enjoyable and ridiculous. Her sarcastic and selfish personality made me want to continue watching, if only for the parts where Momoka's actions leads to the group going on some ridiculous mission or taking part in her idea.

Story: There are some genuinely entertaining stories that will make you chuckle or laugh until your throat hurts. However, there is no overarching plot or visible ending. It is what it is, a fun and quirky anime that you can shut off your brain and enjoy.  7/10

Characters: Not much development for any of the characters, and some are just there for the sake of being there. On the bright side, most of them make the show much funnier, the dynamic between Urara and Momoka being one of the best for me. 7/10

OSTs: Does its job but seems boring and bland at times. Opening is pretty generic but the ending is addictive and quirky. 6.5/10 

Enjoyment: A very fun and good time filler with great jokes and enjoyable characters. I defintely get the blu-ray or rewatch it if I want something to tickle my funny bone.  8.5/10

Edge of Tomorrow

Frankly i don't know what made me write this but i can tell you now that this movie is easily one of the best i've seen in 2014 so far. Edge of tomorrow is one of those movies where i cannot forget, even after i left the cinema, the story is still running over and over in my head.

I think that they did a great job of making this movie based on the source material; a light novel named All You Do Is Kill. The characters connect with the audience seamlessly and i felt genuinely amused by Major Cage's situation and also felt his despair when the movie went on. I hope this movie comes out on blu-ray because it is freaking awesome and i will definitely buy it.

Oreimo's light novel - My thoughts

So, this is the first post for the year 2014. I'm going to be talking/sorting out my thoughts on Oreimo's light novel. I agree this is kinda late, but i only recently discovered that it ended before season 2 even finished.

I was browsing on YouTube, watching random videos when i came across one of Kirino and Kyosuke kissing. I went into shock and after a few minutes of stillness started watching the video. Shortly after that i started fan girling and went in search of the light novel ending. I came across many discussions about the epic failure that was oreimo. I searched a little more and found out that many diehard oreimo fans went into rage and destroyed complete collections of their light novels, going as far as to burning them into ashes.

I for one was not a diehard fan of Ore no Imōto ga Konna ni Kawaii Wake ga Nai! but enjoyed it well enough. I am a fan of Kirino and kyosuke because i really don't give a flying shit about incest. But as for the ending, i think that it was indeed disappointing but at least i got a kiss out of it right? Well, whatever. There is but one thing i have to say to the author of this series.

You are amazing.

The ending of the novel was definitely a ballsy one, condemning kyosuke to a possible life of loneliess while totally ending the incestuous relationship between him and Kirino. But that is exactly why i admire the author so much. It would be so easy to give in to the oreimo fans, maybe giving a Kuroneko ending or a Ayase ending or even a better Kirino ending. But he didn't! The ending of the light novel was almost like (or maybe it was) a large "Fuck you!" to the fans of the novel, Kyosuke did not end up with anybody and ended up rejecting all possible love routes for the sake of kirino. Whose relationship ended as abruptly as it began.

The author ended it like he wanted it to. That action alone shines through the ending because it says one thing to me. I will end it how i want it too, because it is my novel.

I think that the people who destroyed their light novel books are not actually fans of the light novel itself, but the fictional characters that Tsukasa Fushimi created. Those poor books did nothing at all and suffered the fate of being torn, burnt and ripped. I think that is seriously overreacting. Are they going to do what they did every time something in a light novel doesn't go like they want it to? Sure, i would be pretty angry, probably throwing the book down and sulking for a long time, but in the end i am going to have to accept it. Its like reading a book with no happy ending.

What can you do but accept it?  Regardless of what happened in the end, the rest of the book was certainly better than the ending, was it not?