madraine-blog

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That perfect gaming moment (FFT: War of the Lions)

So, here I'm in the last battle of chapter 1 of Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions.   I start out with 4 party members and Delita, who's basically a throwaway character during this battle.  Ramza and my Black Mage on one side of the map, and my two Knights on the other side.

Like a turn or two into the battle, I realize how screwed I am.  All those guys under Argath, basically with them all ready and waiting to mow my guys down.  

So, Ramza dies, and so does my Mage, and I'm thinking that I've got to just reset the game and do things over...AGAIN (granted, this is my second try of the battle).  Still, I'm telling myself to just play until my knights die.  Simple as that.

So, Knight one, the male one, dies, and I'm down to my absolute last unit.  And so, I direct my very last, female Knight unit, and I have just enough movement to go over to that jerk Argath.

One hit, and it's a CRITICAL!  Down he goes, and YAY, I won the battle!  JUST BARELY!  (Battle objective was basically to just smite Argath.  Oh how good it felt...)

In other words, I realized how this game can be difficult (VERY!), but not impossible.  Moments like this make me really enthusiastic.  

[madraine-blog]

Tales of Xillia 2 review.

The sequel to Tales of Xillia 1, ToX2 details a man named Ludger Kresnik and a mysterious girl named Elle.  Over the course of the game, he meets and befriends various allies in a quest to potentially save the world.

Graphics - Quite superb for a PS3 title.  Has some nicely animated cutscenes and various outfits for the playable characters.

Gameplay - Though the combat system starts out a bit complicated, it plays like a Tales game, so the controls aren't too difficult.  

Story - This game shines, as does the individual sidequests of the other party members.  There's a great mix of happy, sad, hilarious, and heartwarming events to keep a player occupied.

Overall - 9.5/10 feels sufficient.  This game is perfectly executed, though the debt system might leave a bit to be wanted.  You'll love the characters and their storylines.  

Side-note(s):  Muzet rocks.  And, what's with Jude and Aska?!  So many more things wished to be mentioned, but I REALLY don't want to spoil the game's plot...

If you've played Tales of Xillia 1, then there's no reason not to get this one.  Get it!  It's fun!

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Suikoden is a beloved RPG series around the world, some considering the first two games a true classic. In 2006, Konami re-released 1 & 2 (with...

[madraine-blog]

Have been accumulating some good 3DS games.

-Animal Crossing:  New Leaf  (Started off nice, had interactive gameplay, but slowly got burnt out.)

-Bravely Default  (Finished.  Incredibly fun features and turn-based combat.  Story was a bit so-so.)

-Final Fantasy IV (DS)  (Finished.  Good story, good combat.)

-Fire Emblem Awakening  (Beat, but has great replayability.  Character pairings and interactions add to the srpg gameplay.)

-Pokemon X  (Currently playing.  Seems very 3D for a Pokemon title.)

-Radiant Historia (DS)  (Beat.  Has unique mechanic of past-traveling.)

-Tales of the Abyss  (In playing queue.  Rumored to be a very good title, will see.)

[madraine-blog]

So, when interstellar space warfare occurs, and you're drafted as a fighter pilot...

What music will you put on your mp3 player to listen to in the cockpit?

Me, I was thinking (hypothetically):

Linkin Park (when in rush of warfare)

Avril Lavigne (angsty music for fighting, and romantic or pop music for when cooling down).

Command and Conquer Red Alert OST (definitely for when fighting, it would pump me up).

Shinhwa and Lee Soo Young (for sad, romantic, riveting melodies for chilling with).

Would have many other artists as well, but these come to mind.

[madraine-blog]

Was on the bus and...

Was heading home, and looked to my left outside the window, and saw a motorcycle by the side of the bridge, totally unattended. Couldn't help but think, "There went another one". Like, somewhere in the city is someone waiting for someone, and that person's not coming home. ---

[madraine-blog]

I've got to finish up Bravely Default.

It's been very good so far, but have been lazy these days.

Heck, haven't even gotten to that infamous stage in the game where apparently the plot takes a "nosedive".

McDonald's Korea has amazed me lately.  Story goes that the Mario toys were out of stock and would re-appear in the restaurant on the 16th.  So, early that day for lunch, I headed over to get some with Happy Meals, and it was out of stock.  Apparently, the toys started selling that very morning at 12AM, and sold out around 3:30 AM (less than 4 hours of sale).  Could've been mad, but was astounded instead.

Aw, well, at least I had that extra Mario toy from before...

I've basically blown through the Akira manga.  Cost an arm and a leg somewhat.  Still, a very good read and one above the rest, also considering how long ago it was released.  I'd say the movie based upon it is very different, but complements the series nicely.  A 9.5/10 for the manga.

Nana bothers me a bit, for a bit of moral ambiguity.  However, the character designs and execution is growing on me.

[madraine-blog]

The glory of the 3DS XL.

This is definitely one of the best gaming purchases in quite some time.  Originally stayed away because of cost and region locking, but eventually caved in and got one.

Have been loving it since.  I love the functions, from mini internet browser to photo camera.  The games are quite glorious and fresh, and can be seen in 3d mode.

Just wish Secret of Mana would be playable on it.  Apparently SNES games on the virtual console are limited to Wii/Wii U playability.  On the plus side, though, at least Mario Brothers the original 3 for NES can be put onto the 3DS.

This post is just a minor update of things.  I notice I haven't been posting to this blog in ages.

[madraine-blog]

Tales of Symphonia

Excellent game, good ending, and then Dawn of the New World Happened.

Luckily, DotNW seems pretty good so far.   I love the graphics in particular, and the characters seem engaging enough.

Thought of Tales of Symphonia as a 8.7/10.  Dawn of the New World I'm thinking will probably fare similarly in quality.

[madraine-blog]

My own Sailor Scout made with DollDivine.  Can't wait for Sailor Moon the anime reboot.

http://www.dolldivine.com/sailor-senshi-maker.php

[madraine-blog]

If the people in Saudi Arabia have so much money...

Rika_Furude (Gamefaqs.com):

An Arab student sends an e-mail to his dad, saying: Dear Dad Berlin is wonderful, people are nice and I really like it here, but Dad, I am a bit ashamed to arrive at my college with my pure-gold Ferrari 599GTB when all my teachers and many fellow students travel by train. Your son, Nasser Next day, Nasser gets a reply to his e-mail My dear loving son, Twenty million US Dollar has just been transferred to your account. Please stop embarrassing us. Go and get yourself a train too.  Love, your Dad

[madraine-blog]

Story idea. 100 per country.

World War 3 has finished, and a treaty is signed by all nations to promote diversity.

Every country with a population of 5 million or more is put into an exchange program.  Basically, each country sends 100 children to each country that is 5 million in population or more.

In example, Brazil would send 100 to China, 100 to France, 100 to Saudi Arabia, and to the rest of the world in that manner.

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Some beginning images of Lightning Returns Final Fantasy XIII.  One of my biggest pondered mysteries is the last image:  "Who is Lumina, and what's Vanille doing here as well?"

[madraine-blog]

Twenty-two militants at a training session were killed after a commander mistakenly used an armed belt during a demonstration.

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Lightning Returns Final Fantasy 13 is coming out next week.  Are you ready for it?

A very extra perk:  The ability to take screenshots while playing.

[madraine-blog]

Darwin Awards 2013.

After stopping for drinks at an illegal bar, a Zimbabwean bus driver found that the 20 mental patients he was supposed to be transporting from Harare to Bulawayo had escaped. Not wanting to admit his incompetence, the driver went to a nearby bus stop and offered everyone waiting there a free ride. He then delivered the passengers to the mental hospital, telling the staff that the patients were very excitable and prone to bizarre fantasies. The deception wasn’t discovered for 3 days.

http://imgur.com/gallery/5wBRU

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There will be a Christmas Winter play on Ragnarok Online Renewal server.

http://forums.warpportal.com/index.php?/topic/140095-a-very-merry-winter-christmas-ragnarok-play-auditions/