#solo leveling in a nutshell

[howlingday]

Lisa: Hello, and welcome back to Morning Wood news. We're joined today by Headmaster of Beacon Academy, Professor Ozpin.

Ozpin: Greetings. I am Professor Ozpin, and I'm super important because-

Terra: (Click!) Gotta go!

Terra: Jaune, did you do all those chores ye- Oh, hello, beautiful stranger!

Terra: ...How do I call for help again?

Jaune: Very funny, Terra, and no, I haven't done those chores yet. I just got back from the hospital.

Terra: Yeah, yeah, yeah, whatever. You're ripped and hot and you remind me of my wife, so I'll look past this home invasion for now and assume you're a huntsman assigned to protect me and my family or something. That said, I need you to do something for me.

Jaune: Is it... the chores?

Terra: Heck no! Leave that to my loser brother-in-law, Jaune, wherever he is... I need you to sweep me off my feet and whisk me away to a lovely tryst romance that slowly involves my wife~!

Terra: Think of it like being sold to VIZ media, but with fewer steps.

Jaune: Well, I am helping pay for your mortgage.

Terra: That's a start! Speaking of, I gotta hurry to my job because I am super late for that! I keep skipping days to spend time with my son. Don't tell Jaune, okay? He would be PISSED~! Bye, new boyfriend~! (Leaves)

Jaune: ...She's right; I am pissed. But now... for a whole list of new reasons.

[chahaeroine]

Broke: solo leveling epilogue Suho (arrogant high schooler, too much entitled teenager energy)

Woke: sl ragnarok manhwa Suho (cool aura scenes, kind of a dork (endearingly), makes cute faces a lot)

Bespoke: sl ragnarok novel Suho (genuinely the funniest guy ever, has so much monarch rizz that his enemies switch sides for him, the reason why i'm obsessed with Suho)

[mydearestbeloved]

Firstly, I would like to apologize for accidentally deleting this ask (good thing I always screenshotted my inbox) and for the late response. My apologies, dear Anon. 🙏

Secondly, in that case, welcome back to the bandwagon! 🎉

As for me, isekai—well, to be specific, isekai-romance—is still going strong as my favorite since I discovered it. Glad you noticed the many inspirations/references/classic tropes/clichés that I used, 'cause writing those are the privilege I want to abuse the hell out of when writing my own isekai fiction. Asdfghjkl

If it’s not obvious enough, I even deliberately made Trial Player!Reader aware of the clichés she's living through with direct mentions in-story. And while they serve their due depending on the moments' context (two obvious examples being showing TP!Reader’s inner fangirl and my poor attempt at rom-com XD), I actually made them quite relevant to the story! Say, implications of TP!Reader's personality & how she views everything about her situation, her knowledge & awareness, her thought process & imaginations—maybe even serving as foreshadowing, hints, and or a nod toward her truth, fate, & destiny. 🤫

Good to know you like what’s going on in the story so far. Indeed, there’s more going on with TP!Reader’s ‘connection’ with the Absolute Being, and while I can’t spoil much, one aspect that’s already implied to be playing a part—which I can say for now—is that these two are like reflections in a mirror—same features but also flipped. So, not quite the same but also not quite opposites at the same time. Creator-Mother, Entertainment-Spectator, Indifference-Love—these are just some examples.

Also, you know when Ashborn and Jinwoo go like, “I am you and you are me”? In a rough comparison, the Absolute Being and TP!Reader might go like, “What is beyond the reflective surface? Are we really the same? What of the other glass?” Basically, in a nutshell, I’m giving TP!Reader the amalgamation identity crisis of the big three isekai: reincarnation, transmigration, and summoning—all in one go. LOL😅

Now, while I did say in the past that I already have a rough idea for TP AU's sequel in Solo Leveling: Ragnarok (placeholder name for now: Guide AU), I haven’t looked back and developed it further past a very general synopsis draft. Partly because I’m already so busy with college and writing TP AU, and mostly because I don’t know much about SL: Ragnarok’s story. I’m not motivated enough to read the novel, and while I might be more motivated to read the manhwa, both are still ongoing, and to add to that, I heard that the manhwa diverges from the novel. I just don’t have that much time to catch up. T_T

In conclusion, while I do want to make this story an AU that can be freely and easily imagined with canon, I can’t promise that it’ll be entirely canon-compliant information-wise—especially for details that were elaborated more in SL: Ragnarok. So, I apologize in advance for this, but I feel obliged to advise you to keep your expectations low regarding any connecting-information pertaining to the sequel made in the current TP AU. That said, I’ll still try to make those connections as best as I can, and hopefully, they’ll come out good enough. 🤞

Reading the comments and asks from everyone has always been a joy. So, thank you for reading my works and for sharing your thoughts, dear Reader! 💕

[chlochette-sunde]

1x03 - Dead in the Water

Score: 8

This episode is about Dean. Because of parallels. A kid witnessed his father die, Dean witnessed his mother die. He opens up about it. He learned how to be brave early on.

Also, he's so so good with children. He connects instantly with Lucas, knows how to speak with him and wants to protect him. He gets the kid out of the water. He's definitely father material.

On the other hand, Sam is, in the beginning, a judgemental fun killer, and he is sometimes shot in a sinister way. He softens throughout the episode, he even smiles in the end and he gets to know his brother better. But still, he doesn't believe it and mocks Dean when he wants to go back and investigate further because the kid, Lucas, was really scared. Grrr.

1x03 in a nutshell:

Score in details:

Dean is bi: 1 pt ("Chicks dig artists" "I'm a sucky artist"/no flirt with men, but he's definitely interested in the waitress in the beginning of the episode, and he gets to kiss Andrea Barr and he's all flustered again)

Get them laid: 1 pt (Dean gets a thank you kiss on the lips by Andrea)

Sexy shots: 1 pt (Andrea in the bathtub for foot fetishes. I'm not counting the girl in swimsuit because she could have been way more objectified)

First introduction of beloved characters/guests/well known actors: 1 pt (Amy Acker)

Banger quotes: 1 pt

Bonus: 4 pts (well directed/Agents Ford and agent Hamill -> reference to Star Wars, Han Solo and Luke Skywalker inspired Dean and Sam/Dean is so cute when he's with children/good plot)

Malus: 2 pts (the lights are so weird when they are driving in the middle of the episode/scene in the bathtub, water is about to overflow but Andrea does nothing to stop it from flowing. And then, the water level is lower)

[miloscat]

[Review] Sonic Rivals 2 (PSP)

Does Rivals 2 really rival Rivals 1?

Almost exactly a year after Rivals, Backbone produced a sequel. Given the quick turnaround you can't expect too much has changed—we still have a 2.5D race-based platformer—but they've done a good job stuffing new features and content into the package this time around. Is the new stuff a worthy addition though?

First I'll address the general refinements. Characters' signature moves are no longer at the whim of the rotating pickups, but given their own button and a dedicated meter that fills by collecting rings. This is a great change that adds dynamism to play, and makes character choices more meaningful. The action feels faster paced, with shortened windows to execute vaulting moves, for example. Presentation is a little more slick and the card collecting more transparently tied to your accomplishments (although they don't factor into the plot anymore). Weapon use has a little more depth as it's possible to avoid hits, and stage gimmicks get more involved at times. All these tweaks make for a stronger game experience, but I did feel like the bot players were harder, and story levels took me more retries on average... especially when playing as the characters with weaker abilities.

So the headline feature is the new playable characters. Added to the prior game's roster of Sonic, Shadow, Silver, Knuckles, and Metal are Tails, Rouge, and for some reason Espio. They bring new abilities of varied usefulness; Tails's flight is rarely helpful and Espio's merely makes you disappear from the level progress bar, but Rouge's homing bat missile is great. Apart from these powers, everyone plays identically. Story mode is still split into four perspectives as the roster of eight pair up... you can pick either character within a pair but I think this only changes which order you play out events within a zone, while each character still has a separate campaign progress. It's an odd choice.

The story follows its predecessor's example of constant misunderstandings and miscommunications as an excuse for the characters to get into petty conflicts. It also reuses the "Nega disguising himself as Eggman" plot device, although this time Eggman has an actual role in the plot. Not content to rip off its own prequel, Rivals 2 steals shamelessly from Sonic 06, as it culminates in a city of the future devastated by a raging beast of elemental fire whose name is taken from Islamic folklore, Iblis Ifrit! At least this game doesn't completely erase itself from history. Anyway, more characters means more interactions and this time the cutscenes—while still just text boxes and portraits visually—are all nicely fully voiced.

A new world map screen helps to contextualise things well and the new environments are just as nice and colourful as they were in Rivals 1. Among the race levels and boss fights (whose quality is on par with the prior entry's) are new level types. Some just have you run through a level solo against the clock or trying to collect rings or Chao; not very satisfying. Others are head-to-head battles in small arenas, and despite pushing them hard in the story mode I feel like these are a dud. Even with the standard multiplayer-type variants of deathmatch, capture the Chao, bomb tag, etc. these always seemed a drag when they came up in the campaigns. It's a shame that all these attempts at adding new things to do end up not as fun as the core gameplay.

At least the soundtrack is a step up, catchier and more exciting. The exception is the addition of a key vocal track, which only plays on the title screen and oddly in level one. It stands out, and not in the good way that His World stood out in 06. This sums up Rivals 2 in a nutshell: the core is enhanced and refined, but its new additions and ideas are a real mixed bag. This leaves Rivals 1 as a purer if rougher experience, which I prefer. Unfortunately Backbone didn't get another chance with Sonic as a couple of years later after a flurry of acquisitions and mergers this particular studio was closed down. There wouldn't be another Western-made platformer in the series until Boom seven years later... well, unless you count Unleashed for mobile phones, Jump, Jump 2, Jump Pro, Jump Fever, Dash, the Sonic CD remake, Sonic for Didj... you know what, never mind.

[ibukimioda-0u0]

I'm back, and with my totally not starter level art skills, I present you your magical girl self: meet ✨️Pop☆Rock✨️

I decided to make it rainbow instead of your usual blue, pink, black and white color palette, giving colorful streaks to your hair and some ribbons to your horn things on your head that I still don't know what they are until nowadays, I also gave you a silver breastplate inspirado on Mettaton, with the heart-shaped gem on it being a rainbow topaz, since your birthstone is a topaz.

Lore (in a nutshell): Pop☆Rock used to be a normal girl with a normal life and a huge passion and talent for music, until, a huge dark force called Zetsubou (despair in japanese) possessed her and her classmates to become it's vessels and start spreading havoc across all Earth, that would be the end of the story if it wasn't for a group of magical girls and boys named Hope Stars, they defeated Zetsubou and freed the people under it's control. After being freed, Pop☆Rock started using her music talent to spread joy, and when she managed to spread enough happiness, Pop☆Rock unlocked her magical girl powers, now able to help people more efficiently alongside some of her classmates that also became magical girls.

Attacks: Pop☆Rock has 4 attacks: 1 solo, 2 in duo and the last one being in trio.

Solo Attack: Soul Ressonance

Duo Attacks: Healing Serenade & Royal Ball

Trio Attack: Princess Cure Song

And that's it, hope you liked it Ibuki :3

"Oh wow! Oh wow, wow, wow, wow! Ibuki looks so cool! Let me get a closer look!"

"This is amazing! Thank you so much Mimi! Ibuki thinks your art is amazing!"

[mai-han]

Intro Post!

I'd like to reintroduce myself!

My name is Maihan. I'm a Vietnamese voice actor from Los Angeles who moonlights as an independent Vtuber [now in 3D!] named Hanchu.

You can find me all over the place here:

⟡ Voice Actor | Voice Acting Website ⟡ Vtuber | Twitch ⟡ All-You-Can-Eater | Food Instagram ⟡ Cat parent | My Cat's Instagram ⟡ More of my links here! | My Beacons Page

About voice acting:

You can hear me in games like Arknights, Solo Leveling: ARISE, Fae Farm, Diablo IV, Genshin Impact, Honor of Kings, Fae Farm, and more! I also do Live-Action dubbing and Anime! Some of my credits are listed on my IMDB page, but unfortunately it doesn't list everything!

About Vtubing & Streaming:

I'm a vermilion bird (called Chu Tước in Vietnamese) Vtuber, now in 3D! I play a variety of games including lots of action and adventure games, RPGs, JRPGs, and all the Final Fantasies (especially FFXIV).

Some of my favorite games include God of War 4, Dragon Age, Yakuza, Kingdom Hearts, Risk of Rain 2, SSX, Hotel Dusk, Baten Kaitos, and a somewhat obscure Final Fantasy called Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers for the Wii (Not to be confused with Crystal Chronicles).

Vtubing/Stream credits can be found here!

Other Interests:

Drawing/Painting

Promare, Link Click, All Saint's Street

Danmei (especially TGCF)

BL/GL Manwha/Manga/Manhua

Sanrio things (especially My Melody)

Vkei & EDM (especially Madeon)

All kinds of foods from everywhere

That's me in a big nutshell. Thanks for reading and I hope we can be friends!

Here's a picture of my WoL as a peace offering:

[winter-1023]

The master post of very gotten out hand theard of cat videos with solo leveling vibes

Jinwoo

Jinwoo to park kyung-hye

Jinchul trying to talk to anyone

Jinchul after jinwoo caused him too much paperwork

Thomas vs jinwoo

E rank jinwoo

Post rewind jinchul

Jinwoo in a nutshell

Jinwoo when his social battery dies

Jinchul after a tiring day dealing with S ranks 1 2 3

Jinwoo running away from jinchul after causing another mess 1 2 3

Jinwoo: I’m the void 1 2 3

Jinchul trying to stop jinwoo from causing trouble

Thomas vs jinwoo p.2

Chulwoo after a tiring day

E rank jinwoo vs S rank jinwoo

Jinwoo vs the monarchs

Jinwoo trying to get jinchul attention

The beast monarch vs jinwoo

Jinwoo showing affection 2

Jinchul about S ranks

Jinwoo vs jinchul

Jinwoo & suho 1 2

Jinah about jinwoo after his reawakening

Jinwoo to his shadows

Jinchul about jinwoo

Jinwoo about jinchul

Jinwoo when jinchul is lecturing him

Jinwoo making sure jinchul isn’t going back to work

Jinchul finally on his day off

Chulwoo early in the morning

Jinwoo & his shadows off to dungeon raiding

Jinchul to jinwoo vs to everyone else

Jinchul on his first day at the KHA

Jinchul at the end of his rope with jinwoo

Chulwoo daily

Jinwoo flirting with jinchul

Jinwoo after the job quest 2

Jinwoo playing with his shadows

Jinwoo trying to get jinchul to stop working

Jinwoo & jinchul playing with suho

Jinchul showing affection vs jinwoo showing affection

Jinwoo when jinchul wants him to socialize more

Igris, beru and bellion when jinwoo is asleep

Jinwoo when there is a dungeon

Jinchuls revenge

Jin-ah and park kyung-hye with jinwoos shadows

Jinchul being done with everyone

park kyung-hye in the middle of the night with the shadows

End of shift

[nanintell]

maplestory the last adventure in nutshell

when black mage read too much solo leveling and decide to apply it to maple world

[howlingday]

Harriet: You seen that newbie from Beacon in room 208?

Elm: He's the only thing I HAVE seen recently. Didn't he have a mop of blond hair two days ago?

Harriet: I think so. We are so good at being Specialists!

Elm: I haven't been looking after any of the other recruits since he showed up, so a lot of kids died.

Harriet: SAAAME~! We are not good at being Specialists!

---------------------------------------------------

Winter: Arc, I have your- HOT, THROBBING BODY~.

Jaune: Uh, no, I have my hot, throbbing body. I've been meaning to ask about that. Is that normal?

Winter: I- Khm! I could examine it more closely... if you'd like~.

Jaune: Nah, I think I'll just get used to it. Anything else you need from me?

Winter: YOUR HOT DISCHARGE ALL OVER MY- You're being discharged today! Yaaay...

Jaune: That's great! Well... See ya! (Exits) I'm gonna take some time off to see my family. (Leaves)

Winter: God, I wish I was his family...

Winter: BA BA BANOW, BA BA BANOW, SWEET HOME ALABAMA! BA BA BANOW~!

[beatthegame]

I just beat Red Dead Redemption 2! Originally released on the PS4 but played on a PS5. Published by Rockstar Games, who would be best known for bringing the Grand Theft Auto series to life. Amongst many other hits throughout the years. Red Dead Redemption is simply considered the "spaghetti western grand theft auto". And of course the first Red Dead Redemption would be a hit. But after a few years of putting out constant bangers in the video game market. Rockstar may have dropped their magnum opus with Read Dead Redemption 2. Allow me to share my thoughts...

In a nutshell: Yeah, it's the spaghetti western version of Grand Theft Auto. But that's such an understatement. Red Dead Redemption 2 is an epic tale following a group of outlaws on the run. Fighting for survival, pulling off heists and scams while running from the law and surviving in America during the cusp of the industrial revolution. It's a colorful group of misfits led by the flamboyant Dutch Van Der Linde. At first you control Arthur Morgan. Dutch's wingman, for lack of a better word. But the game pulls you through just about every Western movie trope in existence. Immersed in several unique experiences and insane characters only Rockstar can come up with. Whether you like to shoot up cowboys, rob banks and trains, go horseback riding or go out hunting and fishing in the wilderness? This game has it all!

The Good: Fuck! This game is GOOD. In all caps! Visually stunning in so many ways. I previously thought Zelda: Breath of the Wild had some of the most gorgeous open world visuals in gaming. But Read Dead Redemption 2 is on another level. The whole game plays like a cutscene. The stellar graphics and environment details are impeccable. I wish I could post more than 10 screenshots  but you're better off playing the game yourself. Pretty graphics are one benefit. But when you mix that with a solid gameplay experience with seamless load times. This game is just a joy to play. But this isn't a typical cowboy game. You have a lot of options going on. And it's all executed in the best way possible. From gunfights, to horse racing, to stealth missions, to gambling. You can hunt, fish, pick plants and herbs to cook and camp. You have the freedom to do it all in the most aesthetically pleasing way possible by today's technological standards. Personally, I enjoyed the Texas Hold Em and Domino mini-games BETTER than a lot of the solo release games out there. Complete with shit-talking banter that cowboys make up during poker games. I will most likely keep playing RDR2 just for the hold 'em simulator. It's better than that shitty World Series of Poker game. But I digress... Although this is based in a fictional world, there were a lot of American historical elements that made it feel authentic, without it feeling too goofy like Saints Row or Fallout 76. Yes, this game is fantastic! But now, let's get a little bit nasty...

The Bad: I'm struggling to find the faults in this game. Like, I can't exactly call this game perfect? But it's pretty damn close. There were times where I found my self struggling with the controls. Seamlessly transitioning from a horse chase, to a physical brawl, to a shootout could be jarring from one point to another. Especially during a panic situation. But it was mostly balanced throughout. Allowing to start at certain save points alleviated some of the frustration. Although some players would consider that nerfed gameplay? Also, I heard from other folks complaining about the consistent traveling between missions? Which is admittedly HUGE distances at times. It feels like a horseback simulator. But you have options between fast travel, or riding along a brief horse & carraige cutscene, or ramble on in "theatrical mode" which enables cool camera angles while you travel the wilderness. I like it because it allows ample time for smoke/snack breaks between missions. The scenery is gorgeous and worth just sitting back and appreciating the atmosphere. I'm sure there are dudes out there who couldn't care less about ambiance and need that constant dopamine drip. But don't get it twisted. You'll frequently have run ins with rival bandits, or law enforcement, or a pack of wolves, or cocaine bear when you'd least expect it. So you're always on alert. Take that as a good or bad thing? But there's honestly not a whole lot of bad to play with in this game. Except for Micah. He's BAD! LOL! Fuck that guy. But every story needs a good villain, right?

Overall: Red Dead Redemption 2 is a masterpiece. It's a culmination of all the great things about prevous Grand Theft Auto games plus everything that was great about the prevous Red Dead Redemption games multiplied by a thousand. I also appreciate a game that keeps the party going after you beat the game. Replay value is important these days. And you definetly get your money's worth with RDR2. With a robust online mode, along with the countless side quests this game has to offer. Beating the story mode was just the tip of the iceberg. I'll still be playing this game in between all the other titles I encounter. This is a virtual world I don't mind coming back to. And that says a lot. This game is Sunset Riders on crack. This game is like a Sergio Leone wet dream. By far, the best western game ever. Believe the hype. Red Dead Redemption 2 rules!

S-Class

[gremoria411]

I suppose I should finish off that ramble about Gundam Code Fairy, shouldn’t I?

Gundam Code Fairy is a Videogame billed as the single-player campaign to Gundam Battlefield operation 2. I’ll start with talking about the gameplay, since I want to take my time with the story and characters:

The (story) Gameplay’s….. fine. It’s not really as deep as GB02’s and it genuinely annoys me you can’t select different mobile suits for a level after you’ve beaten it, but there aren’t any real problems with the moment-to-moment gameplay. The skill system’s irritating, because you’ll always have the wrong skills in when fighting bosses, necessitating restarting the level. You can command your allies to target specific enemies which is helpful, but it’s really only used to call out snipers or blunt hordes, as opposed to actual tactics.

The other gameplay modes are fairly hollow, Simulations are mostly nice - a few missions to kill so many grunts are functional. I’d like to call out tank-hunting as quite enjoyable, and Hardcore as an exercise in utter pointlessness. The Cost Matches are just awful. To save me droning on - the AI’s crap, you win by kills and kills alone, you can’t even exploit the enemy by calling in artillery or blowing up the base, as those features aren’t in the game. Finally, in order to get rewards, you have to win the match with a certain number of kills. Win the match without those kills? Waste of your time. Lose the match after soloing the entire enemy team twice, because your AI partners kept getting shot? Waste of time. It is an exterior in frustration, where you just have to keep trying and praying for a quirk of the AI to cause them to lose and you to win.

In a nutshell, it’s a (very, very) hollow reproduction of GB02’s gameplay, with the tactical options replaced by mind-numbing gameplay, a bigger-stick philosophy and putting kills over objectives.

The characters, then.

The plot of Code Fairy concerns the exploits of the Noisy Fairy Squadron, a specialised all-female commando unit under Kycillia Zabi. The three pilots being Alma Stirner (centre left, the squad leader, and the player character), Mia Brinkman (middle right, Tech nerd and support) and Helena Hegel (centre right, Sniper). They are commanded by Killy Garret (middle left, a Zeon Ace canonised from Gundam’s very early side materials, who fought in the Battle of Loum) with Barbara Hahari (left) and Irmela Grubler (right) as further support (honestly, these two are essentially nothing characters, here to give the rest someone to bounce off of). The whole story is framed as a “coming of age” for the main 3 pilots. I am going to spoil the majority of the plot, but in a nutshell, it’s not very good, since the entire cast are a bunch of stock characters.

The main trio first. Alma’s fine, I don’t have any real problems with her. She’s supposedly a newtype, but she can’t use Psycommu, and honestly it feels like the story could have worked just as well if she was an Oldtype. Her arc is that she’s young and inexperienced, and she gets beaten (non-lethally) in a fight with an enemy Gundam, leading to issues with her self-worth. Alma’s struggled with her confidence as a leader and how her encounter with the enemy Gundam affected her are good, it’s just I feel like actual lasting consequences would have lent it more impact. As it is, she fights a strong enemy, and ceases being commander for a few missions. She still goes out and fights though. No Amuro “you can’t make me pilot the Gundam” thing here. It comes across as incredibly hypocritical, since she’s worried about being killed by the Gundam or her friends dying under her command, but not about the (literal) hundreds of Federation Grunts she mows down along the way? Oh, they were the enemy, it’s alright then. Alma’s essentially the fresh rookie that grows into the leader of her squad.

Helena Helgel is the only one of the three I would consider to have an actual arc. It’s not brilliant, but it’s there. She starts out the war as a sniper, and slowly comes around to adopting a more generalist fighting style when she finds that sniping doesn’t work for everything. And then she gets the Efreet Jäger, the best sniping suit in the game. Also, her “growth” is punctuated by her throwing away her sniper rifle. Like, actually throwing it away. A still-working and incredibly rare Zaku Sniper rifle. After they’ve literally been

Grave Robbing

For the equipment. As I said, it’s not brilliant, but it’s an arc. I honestly struggle to remember what her personality was, but I don’t remember disliking her particularly.

Mia Brinkman…… I kinda hate. I’m not really sure why, because it’s obvious that she’s the one I’m supposed to like, being the healer. Part of it could be that getting the Dom Gnomides (which I despise) is what counts as her arc. Part of it could be the

Grave Robbing

Or it could be that I don’t really like a lot of Gundam’s “nerd” characters, because they’re always so one-note, existing to ramble on about technical specs or identify the new enemy mobile suit, and having little else in the way of personality.What I do I know is that early on in the game your squad comes under attack by some GM’s. Mia goes “make sure to move in zig-zags to avoid their beam weapons” and then proceeds to not do that and is shot in the chest pretty much immediately. I laughed out loud and rewound the scene to watch it again, simply because the timing was so perfect. But it’s played as such a serious scene that it makes it funnier.

Killy Garret’s honestly just weird, because the game acts like she’s going to make this big dramatic choice at one point and she just… doesn’t. She’s just “the commander that wants her troops to succeed”. But she never really does anything other than be Mission Control. She even goes out in defence of California base, disappears at the end of the war and then sends Alma a letter years later. I assume it’s supposed to be a hook for her own adventures, but we’re given no real personality to go off of.

Now that I’ve rambled about the protagonists, what about the antagonists?

Lilith Aiden is the Gundam Pilot and at first is a screaming Berzerker maniac, because her family was killed in the colony drop. That’s….. actually a really good angle for Gundam to take. And how does she develop? Well, after nearly killing Alma, Barry Abbot (Lillith’s Mentor) points to the Black Dog Squadron, the villains of the piece and is all “don’t lose yourself to war, like those guys. Those guys are Wack.�� So she doesn’t. Huh. Seems like a bit of wasted potential there.

And how about that Black Dog Squadron? It’s essentially an entire squadron of the Earth Federation forces dedicated to warcrimes. Like, actively. An entire division of giggling psychopaths with top-level mobile suits. ……..I’m really not sure how that would be in any way effective? Their leader, Renato Germi (who I would describe as Yazan Gable without the complexity) literally wastes valuable resources because he’s too kill-happy to think in the long term. It doesn’t make sense to me that anyone would sanction this squad unless they had an ulterior motive, and that seems to have been the idea at one point (Pale Rider Units, GM Spartan’s, Renato’s custom unit) but it just never comes up. There’s no actual depth to them as a force, so Gundam’s typical grey morality is completely upended. It makes the central conflict of the game feel incredibly dull.

Also, explicitly no named characters die. Like, call me crazy, but if I was going to make something about the horrors of war, something that involves a lot of death and killing, I would probably feature some of that death and killing. Maybe have a named character die at some point. Because throughout the story, Killy Garrett is depicted (privately) making a big deal about how horrible war is, and she doesn’t want the girls to be affected by it - but it never happens. And as the game goes on, it increasingly seems like she’s not worried about the death and tragedy inherent in war, but of being on the losing side. Which….. isn’t what Gundam’s about? Like, it’s difficult for the game to disguise the fact that it’s being written with the knowledge of Zeon’s defeat and of Operation Rubicon (the events of 0080). So much of what Killy says just foreshadows events to come in U.C. that it gets grating. Because instead of establishing her as someone who has a good read of the situation, it makes her sound like a character who read ahead in the script ahead of time and know how it all ends.

Come to think of it, Gundam’s whole “war is bad” aspect is kind of completely absent from Code Fairy. Yeah, Lillith has a good amount of rage towards Zeon, but that’s never actually resolved, she just…. Stops having it? Yeah, the Black Dog Squadron are horrible warmongers, but it’s so blatant that you feel that they’d just be going around making coats out of puppies in peacetime. Also the original series nailed this, so it irritates me that I have to point it out: Humanise the grunts. If I see a character, in gameplay, custscene whatever, as “Zeon Soldier F”. Then I know that he’s not gonna make it out of the scene. I don’t view him as a human, I view him as a plot device and it makes it meaningless when he dies. It’s just irritating, because it feels like the game expects us to understand these character, but it doesn’t actually bother to humanise any of them, so they’re all just cardboard cut-outs.

In fact, hopping back up to my earlier point about no named characters dying, while there are multiple bosses in this game, I’d like to talk about the second to last one, Renato Germi and the Black Dog Squadron, because it underlines the problem I have with the Black Dog Squadron as an entity. Noisy Fairy Squadron has a confrontation with the Black Dogs in the mountains, where they fight off waves of troops before being attacked by Renato Germi and the two Rider Units. It’s a pretty good boss fight, since it’s a three-on-three, with each unit having different weapons. Eventually a cutscene occurs of Renato getting Noisy Fairy on the ropes. So he has them, here, dead-to-rights, then turns to the rider pilot and says “hey, grab them and I’ll shoot you in the back, just to be sure we get them”. When they reply with the reasonable response of “no, just shoot them you idiot” he attacks them anyway, this enrages the pilot of the Black Rider, who proceeds to tackle him off a cliff. Cue explosion. Noisy Fairy wins, and retreat to California base for the final level. The final level is essentially Alma by herself holding off waves of enemies, with occasional fire support from your squad mates. It ends with a final confrontation with Lillith, and then ceasefire. And after that ceasefire, who should walk up but Renato Germi, who then attempts to kill Alma. So what exactly was the point of that entire boss fight earlier? I’m not going to sit here and say that every boss fight should end in a death, but there’s no point to Renato staying alive afterward.

Ian Greydon’s great thought. He’s another MSV pilot, known for piloting the Zaku Cannon, who shows up here. Yeah, he’s really just a mentor figure and he doesn’t do all that much. But I’ll admit I got a kick out of seeing him leading a team of Zaku Cannons. They only really use him sparingly, so he doesn’t outstay his welcome.

Honestly, the reason I like Gundam as a franchise is that all the elements blend together so well. You have giant robots, you have sci-fi, you have interesting villains and you have anti-war themes (there’s other stuff besides, but you get the picture). It all works because it all blends together. If you take one part of that out, then, yeah it still works, but it’s not nearly as appealing to me as the full thing, if that makes sense. Gundam Code Fairy is missing significant elements, and it doesn’t really bring anything to the table to replace them.

So, Gundam Battle Operation Code Fairy then. The story and gameplay’s fine, but the characters are just so very boring and the non-story content really isn’t worth it. I guess buy it if you really, really want to unlock the new MS (except the GM Spartans, Dom Gnomides and Rider Units) in GB02, but I can’t really recommend beyond that.

[miltonexcutivecars]

Get More for Your Money: Value-Packed Cambridge Airport Taxi Services

Whether you are traveling to or from Cambridge Airport to your destination/accommodation, the journey should be stress-free. Looking for a smooth, affordable, and enjoyable ride? Professional Cambridge Airport Taxi Services can cater to your expectations.

The Value Proposition of Cambridge Airport Taxi Services

When you take a taxi ride, it isn’t just about moving from point A to point B. Reliable taxi services bring a range of benefits that represent real value for your money.

Fixed Fares

Metered taxis often come with fluctuating costs due to traffic and route. Unlike them, reliable Airport Taxi Services in Cambridge provide a pre-agreed price for your journey. This allows you to set your budget effectively and eliminate any surprises. This is one of the best advantages of the taxi services.

Comfort and Convenience

Make your ride comfortable and convenient with an airport transfer. Skip the hassle of public transport with heavy luggage. Professional Airport Taxi Services offer the convenience of door-to-door service. Your driver will pick you up from your doorstep to the airport or your destination safely and on time. Even after a long time, this level of convenience is valuable.

Professional and Reliable Service

Reputable taxi companies pride themselves on their professionalism. The drivers are experienced, licensed, and knowledgeable about the local area. Your punctual driver also monitors flight schedules to adjust pickup times.

A Range of Vehicle Options

Be it a solo, family, or group travel, your requirements are met. Professional Airport Taxi Services in Cambridge offers a diverse fleet of vehicles to accommodate your specific requirements and budget.

Saving Time and Reducing Stress

An Airport Taxi Service can save you time and reduce stress. Pre-booking your taxi today! It eliminates the need to wait in long queues for a taxi upon arrival at the airport.

How To Maximize Value When Booking Cambridge Airport Taxi Services

Book your taxi online or over the phone in advance and secure better rates.

Compare prices from different providers and look for transparent pricing.

Inquire about fixed fares before booking and check for additional fees.

The Value Beyond The Fare

Reputed taxi services ensure peace of mind by providing stress-free rides.

Reputable taxi services prioritize the safety of their passengers

Drivers are locally trained and understand the traffic pattern.

If it is a business travel, arriving in a professional taxi creates a positive impression.

In a nutshell, hiring a reliable taxi service can offer additional benefits. These services offer excellent value for your money.

Looking for the best Cambridge Airport Taxi Services? Look no further! Learn more at www.miltonexecutivecars.com

Resource: https://miltonexecutivecars.wordpress.com/2025/04/03/get-more-for-your-money-value-packed-cambridge-airport-taxi-services/ 

[maximuswolf]

Vermintide 2 is some of the most addictive fun Ive had in years

Vermintide 2 is some of the most addictive fun I’ve had in years So this might be an odd recommendation as it’s a few years old, pretty well known with pretty solid reviews. I’d just somehow completely missed out on this amazing game and I had just been enjoying it so much I just wanted to recommend it for others who may have missed it. Lot of community overlap with Deep Rock Galactic so if you like that game you will probably like this one.For those that have not heard of it Vermintide 2 is a multiplayer coop game although it can also be played solo absolutely fine. While I think it’s most fun played with friends, queue times for playing with random people is only a few seconds or you can just go at it solo with the use of bots that you gear, choose talents for etc.The gameplay is pretty much a medieval fantasy (warhammer) mixed with Left 4 Dead. The 4 of you need to do objectives and get to the end of the map. While fighting hordes of rat men and all sorts of evil.Outside of that you chill at your hub where you can craft gear, change talents, open loot chests etcThat’s it in a nutshell. If I just read that I would think the game sounds neat but no more than that.What makes this game just so fun and addictive comes in several parts.One, the combat is superb. Slashing a giant greatsword into a mob of little rat men feels amazing and has great feed back or a big fireball into a bunch of rats, that sort of thing. More so than this while there is a bit of mindless carnage fun involved, it is a very skill dependant game that super rewards learning it. Doing the harder difficulties is super rewarding and the first time you do the hardest difficulty is completely cheer worthy.The overall progression feels great not just as your skill improves but the gear progression feels great too. Every run you complete you get a loot box and opening these are exciting. The game also has a lot of crafting where you can perfect your build and try out new builds.On the note of builds, there are 5 classes each with 4 subclasses and each of these subclasses has several different builds and playstyles so the variety is huge.The community is amazing. Super helpful and max level players who are fully geared are always happy to help out newer players.While I did say the game has a lot of depth and skill required. It is very new player friendly. It’s quite simple to get the basics down but a lot to master.I’m just loving this game. I’m terrible at making something sound good but it’s like $2 on Steam atm and still has a big active player base and is just so much fun, I really recommend going and smashing some rats. Submitted December 22, 2024 at 01:31PM by Dungeonvibes https://ift.tt/k6gfROF via /r/gaming

[copyqueer]

Albannon in a nutshell is stereotypical theme park Victorian England.

To go into more detail, it's technically the Great Albannon Empire which is one of the larger political entities that can contend with the World Government and is not (currently) in the territory of any Emperors of the Sea. Albannon is known for their very impressive navy and technology as well as their success in conquering and colonizing other nearby islands which is where the bulk of their wealth comes from. They're also currently the only world power with an air force which is what's kept entities like the World Government from trying something historically. Their range is also expanding which is likely going to force them into true conflict with the World Government soon.

The capitol is Big-Clock-On-Time and yes it's basically Weird London. Time is the name of the major river and Big Clock is the city that's sprung up next to it. As I mentioned before Albannon is extremely steampunk and while yes there is a Big Ben expy the Big Clock comes from all the clockwork that makes up the city. It's a very twisty complex multi-leveled place where the richer you are the higher off the ground you live and elements of the city will move according to the time.

The poorest tend to live on the ground itself where there's less natural light and poorer conditions. They rarely can go even a few levels above the one they live on and overall society is VERY stratified and conservative, for example, there are places women can't go with out a male chaperone and what you can wear is dictated entirely by your social status. One of the only ways that the poor can have a chance at upward mobility is via the military.

Something I get into more with Ileana but not Bentham (who leaves Albannon completely to pursue his dreams) is the military and intelligence sectors of Albannon as after she managed to convince Whitebeard to take out Jack and almost dies she pretends to be a boy and joins the army. The warfare is in many ways reminiscent of World War 1 just a little more One piece-y and is utterly ghastly. A fun example of how much Albannon sucks is that during the war she was apart of they used chemical weapons on their own people (her squad) so they could claim the enemy did it and use chemical weapons against them. So that's fun!

They do also have their own intelligence/black ops organization similar to Cipher Pol which she's recruited into. They're much more James Bond-y than Cipher Pol with lots of gadgets and shit. They're all naturally very ruthless, nationalistic, and look down on everyone else. Most of their solo agents like Ileana tend to get their own private small subs which they can stealthily travel in and also live in. It's basically like having a traveling studio apartment.

[gillesreigner]

Experience Luxury: Gillesreigner's Catamaran Yachts

Hey there, sailing enthusiasts! Let's talk about something super cool today - Luxury Catamaran Yachts, brought to you by the amazing Gillesreigner!

Imagine cruising on the open sea with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face, but wait, on a super fancy yacht! That's exactly what these Luxury Catamaran Yachts are all about - the epitome of sailing in style.

Gillesreigner, the genius behind these floating marvels, has taken sailing to a whole new level. These yachts aren't your regular boats; they're like floating palaces on water!

First things first, what's a catamaran? It's not some fancy word - just think of it as a boat with two hulls instead of one. This design brings stability, comfort, and loads of space for you to enjoy your sea adventure.

Now, let's dive into the luxurious side of things. Gillesreigner has turned these catamarans into a dreamy haven. Picture yourself lounging on a spacious deck, sipping your favorite drink, surrounded by stunning ocean views. It's like a vacation that never ends!

The interiors are jaw-droppingly gorgeous. Plush sofas, elegant cabins, and all the modern amenities you can think of. It's not just a boat; it's a floating paradise!

One of the coolest things about these yachts is their versatility. Whether you're a solo adventurer, a couple seeking a romantic getaway, or a group of friends ready to party on the waves - there's a Gillesreigner Luxury Catamaran Yacht for everyone.

Safety is a top priority too. Gillesreigner has equipped these yachts with the latest navigation and security systems, ensuring you have a worry-free and fun-filled sailing experience.

Let's not forget the tech-savvy side of things. These yachts come with state-of-the-art entertainment systems, so you can dance the night away under the stars or enjoy a cozy movie night on the water.

And for all you foodies out there, the onboard kitchen is a chef's dream. Whip up your favorite meals or let a professional chef do the cooking while you soak in the sea breeze.

But here's the best part - you don't have to be a millionaire to experience this luxury! Gillesreigner has made these catamarans accessible to all adventure seekers. It's like living the high life without breaking the bank.

In a nutshell, Gillesreigner's Luxury Catamaran Yachts are a game-changer in the world of sailing. Whether you're a seasoned sailor or a first-timer, these yachts will redefine your idea of a perfect sea escape. So, what are you waiting for? Time to set sail in style with Gillesreigner!