For whatever reason the place I ordered this from set it WAY early... So i figured i would give my impression of the first chapter spoiler free.
Also i'm going to talk about the special edition.
Tokyo Xanadu is a new entry in Falcom's Xanadu's series (which apparently is a spin off from Dragon slayer)
You play Kou, an average student who prefers to do part time work instead of club activities.
One day after work he spots his class rep being tailed by some thugs and he worries about leaving her alone. This action changes how he'll perceive the world from now on.
He gets dragged into another world full of monsters that his class rep is able to fight off.
From now on he gets dragged into helping his class rep stop these "eclipses" from growing in size or number.
The gameplay in town is so Persona-esque i'm actually surprised falcom didn't get in trouble.... even the music has a kind of atlus sound to it... it's a bit odd.
HOWEVER.... the dungeons are very unique and the combat system while a bit complex is really really fun.
It's 3rd person dungeon crawler over the shoulder (Think trails of cold steel) with action based combat with enemies that have weaknesses to certain types of attack (Think Ys Seven or Memories of Celceta) and you can change party members on the fly but only one of you can be seen at a time (this seems similar to how Ys 8 is but i can't comfortably make the comparison as i haven't played that yet)
The lock on system could use some work but i have a feeling i'll get used to it.
However... for now at least i'm not playing anymore.
See i'm Canadian... and the special edition for the PS4 version of this game (which has more content and better graphics) is 200 dollars.
So instead i bought the special edition for Vita and the vanilla version for PS4.... in the end it cost be 160....
I wanted the special edition partially cause i like artbooks and cds BUT mostly because it came with the game Blade which can be played in cold steel.
I was really excited for these cards.
Then I opened them up.
I don't know who approved the proofs of these but... maybe you should have looked a little harder.
The back and front of the cards are incredibly low res. it's like they took a tiny image and tried to make it bigger... had it been apparently that they were going for a pixelated look maybe i could forgive it... but the borders are smooth and the promo art cards look fine.
It's still a playable game but wow it's disappointing.... they also weren't punches out very well and feel extremely cheap.
The other special edition goodies are fine, the plus toy is tiny but incredibly soft. the cd didn't have nay info so having to manually input all the information sucked but a minor gripe.
I am going to have a blast with this game and if you have a vita and want to play something this is a great option.
HOWEVER
if you also have a PS4 just wait for that... it's the complete version of the game.
Also the voice acting is really good (japanese only so be warned) and the translation seems ok so far... i look forward to continuing later on this year. (or i may just cafe and play the game twice... depends on how long it is i guess?)
Friday, 30 June 2017
Monday, 26 June 2017
Eccentric Family 2
This show is hard to describe but i'll do my best... also i'll be posting more trip pictures at the end!
Eccentric family is about the balance between Tanuki, Tengu and Humans.
The second season has a slightly different focus then the first but all the pieces are there.
Yasaburo is still causing trouble because of his fool's blood.
The Friday club is still having a year end Tanuki hotpot.
The question of who will help lead Tanuki is still up in the air.
Akadama is still pining for the Half-tengu Benten.
However there are quite a few new characters that create an interesting dynamic.
The show can be goofy at times but I adore it's heart warming nature and it's ability to make me cry.
I'm sad that it's over but a small part of me is hopeful for even more of yasaburo's foolish adventures.
Both Season are on Crunchyroll and I highly recommend them.
Now for pictures!
While i was in Japan there was an eccentric family Cafe~ it was really yummy and super cute so here are some pictures.
The whole cafe (which was in a really nice mall across from Tokyo Station) was themed around the show. I had the Curry and 'frog in a well' Latte (which was just a green tea latte) and it was absolutely delicious.
My friend had the Gyuudon and Benten cocktail (which i believe was hibisucus from what she let me try)
I also ended up buying and acrylic stand of Yasaburo, a book with loose papers that apparently you are supposed to bring to different shrines to have stamped... I also got something else but I seem to be forgetting it at the moment.
After that we actually in Kyoto and because that is where the show is set i'll show some locations~
Unfortunately I didn't take many picture in town because it was pretty Rainy and miserable every time we were there but I hope you enjoy these Kiyomizu-dera and Inari Shrine pictures.
I will say considering Kiyomizudera was a location showed shortly after i got back i can't wait to rewatch the show and see what other landmarks i witnessed in person.
So yeah go enjoy this show!
Eccentric family is about the balance between Tanuki, Tengu and Humans.
The second season has a slightly different focus then the first but all the pieces are there.
Yasaburo is still causing trouble because of his fool's blood.
The Friday club is still having a year end Tanuki hotpot.
The question of who will help lead Tanuki is still up in the air.
Akadama is still pining for the Half-tengu Benten.
However there are quite a few new characters that create an interesting dynamic.
The show can be goofy at times but I adore it's heart warming nature and it's ability to make me cry.
I'm sad that it's over but a small part of me is hopeful for even more of yasaburo's foolish adventures.
Both Season are on Crunchyroll and I highly recommend them.
Now for pictures!
While i was in Japan there was an eccentric family Cafe~ it was really yummy and super cute so here are some pictures.
My friend had the Gyuudon and Benten cocktail (which i believe was hibisucus from what she let me try)
I also ended up buying and acrylic stand of Yasaburo, a book with loose papers that apparently you are supposed to bring to different shrines to have stamped... I also got something else but I seem to be forgetting it at the moment.
After that we actually in Kyoto and because that is where the show is set i'll show some locations~
Unfortunately I didn't take many picture in town because it was pretty Rainy and miserable every time we were there but I hope you enjoy these Kiyomizu-dera and Inari Shrine pictures.
I will say considering Kiyomizudera was a location showed shortly after i got back i can't wait to rewatch the show and see what other landmarks i witnessed in person.
So yeah go enjoy this show!
Wednesday, 21 June 2017
RDG: Red Data Girl
Recently Crynchyroll added a ton of stuff to their catalog and I had heard about this show so i figured why not give it a try.
What i got was an interesting premise with little to no payoff.
RDG: Red data girl Is about a young girl named Izumiko. Her entire life she hasn't been able to use any kind of technology since it will just break in her hands. Apparently she is one of the last humans to possess 'true power' and is destined to become a Hime-gami who has the power to destroy the world.
After being pared up with a mountain monk who is her age they transfer to a new school in Tokyo in order to learn more about the Hime-gami as well stop the destruction of the world.
only thats not what it's about at all
They transfer to the school and theres a power struggle between the two top students. One an omnioji (a kind of diviner though thats not completely accurate) and one who has a relationship with a divine spirit.
Somehow or for some reason one of them will be picked as the "world heritage person" by judges who are all secret and Izumiko picking a side will effect the world or something....
I think the main problem with the Anime is that when you try to cram 6 novels (or what i'm assumign is a portion of 6 novels) into 12 episodes you are going to make things feel rushed and/or unexplained.
Most of the main plot points are said as if we are just supposed to automatically know what on earth is going on.
Worst of all the ending doesn't tie off any plot threads introduced (my guess is that they planned for 2 season but only [as of June 21 2017] 1 season has been made. )
The other disappointment is that a main plot thread, her inability to use technology, is only touched on a handful of times but it's a main character trait so it was just disappointing... as well as her red glasses and braids which are apparently important until they suddenly aren't.
It's not all bad, the show is animated by PA works and they did a lovely job. It's nice seeing a PA works show that attempts to have a bit of plot. the characters are all distinct enough and again the baseline concept is interesting it just feels like this adaptation focuses on the wrong thing. The main character feels like a side character most of the time. So it's just a little disappointing.
All that said if they made another season i'd watch, I may check out the manga if possible to see if that adaptation explains things a little better.
At least i don't feel like my time was wasted i just feel like it was all cut short.
What i got was an interesting premise with little to no payoff.
RDG: Red data girl Is about a young girl named Izumiko. Her entire life she hasn't been able to use any kind of technology since it will just break in her hands. Apparently she is one of the last humans to possess 'true power' and is destined to become a Hime-gami who has the power to destroy the world.
After being pared up with a mountain monk who is her age they transfer to a new school in Tokyo in order to learn more about the Hime-gami as well stop the destruction of the world.
only thats not what it's about at all
They transfer to the school and theres a power struggle between the two top students. One an omnioji (a kind of diviner though thats not completely accurate) and one who has a relationship with a divine spirit.
Somehow or for some reason one of them will be picked as the "world heritage person" by judges who are all secret and Izumiko picking a side will effect the world or something....
I think the main problem with the Anime is that when you try to cram 6 novels (or what i'm assumign is a portion of 6 novels) into 12 episodes you are going to make things feel rushed and/or unexplained.
Most of the main plot points are said as if we are just supposed to automatically know what on earth is going on.
Worst of all the ending doesn't tie off any plot threads introduced (my guess is that they planned for 2 season but only [as of June 21 2017] 1 season has been made. )
The other disappointment is that a main plot thread, her inability to use technology, is only touched on a handful of times but it's a main character trait so it was just disappointing... as well as her red glasses and braids which are apparently important until they suddenly aren't.
It's not all bad, the show is animated by PA works and they did a lovely job. It's nice seeing a PA works show that attempts to have a bit of plot. the characters are all distinct enough and again the baseline concept is interesting it just feels like this adaptation focuses on the wrong thing. The main character feels like a side character most of the time. So it's just a little disappointing.
All that said if they made another season i'd watch, I may check out the manga if possible to see if that adaptation explains things a little better.
At least i don't feel like my time was wasted i just feel like it was all cut short.
Tuesday, 20 June 2017
Natsume Yuujinchou Roku
10 years....
6 seasons...
and that ending.
Ok Biases out of the way first.
This is my fav show.
Hands down if i had to pick only one show to watch for the rest of time it would be this one.
I recently went to Japan and i spent an obscene amount of money on merch..... about 90% of that for this show.
There was a cafe that was open for the final week of my trip.... I went with a friend EVERY DAY....
I went to the damn town that this show is loosely set in.
I love this show.
It will be my number 1 anime of the year.
If someone licenses it I will buy it no matter what the price is.
and i will hope it doesn't take 3-4 years for another season even though i know thats probably exactly whats going to happen.
So my opinion on this show is utterly worthless because i love it so damn much.
That being said.
Natsume Yuujinchou is about a young boy who can see spirit, after a chance encounter with a cat he learns of his grandmothers final possession the book of friends. This book holds the name of every Youkai his grandmother defeated and is sought out both by yokai wanting their names back and those wanting to control the names within.
The show is episodic in nature and as far as pacing goes it's pretty chill. Sure there is a surprising amount of blood for what is essentially a shoujo title and some of the questions asked in episodes are genuinely scary but overall this is a heart warming show that will make you feel good about everything.
Until this season where it'll take out your heart, show it to you and then crush it right infront of you.
I mean it's still heartwarming but I don't think i've cried so hard for a show ever before.
It's to the point where i'm convinced i need to build a time machine and slap past me up the back of the head for predicting exactly when the 3 most painful episodes of the season would air.
Now we just get to wait for Natsume Yuujinchou Nana... it'll probably be a few years (the manga needs to get ahead) but much like Go and Roku it'll be worth the wait.
My only hope now is that someone licenses it for North american distribution (i'll even pay the aniplex tax if i have to just let me own this damn show)
Expect more fanart from the show as well... if past experience is anything to go by i tend to need to do something with this show every few months cause it's just so damn good.
Also just for fun....
I have more pictures from Hitoyoshi but.... i figure this is enough for now.
Alright.... Thank you for reading!
6 seasons...
and that ending.
Ok Biases out of the way first.
This is my fav show.
Hands down if i had to pick only one show to watch for the rest of time it would be this one.
I recently went to Japan and i spent an obscene amount of money on merch..... about 90% of that for this show.
There was a cafe that was open for the final week of my trip.... I went with a friend EVERY DAY....
I went to the damn town that this show is loosely set in.
I love this show.
It will be my number 1 anime of the year.
If someone licenses it I will buy it no matter what the price is.
and i will hope it doesn't take 3-4 years for another season even though i know thats probably exactly whats going to happen.
So my opinion on this show is utterly worthless because i love it so damn much.
That being said.
Natsume Yuujinchou is about a young boy who can see spirit, after a chance encounter with a cat he learns of his grandmothers final possession the book of friends. This book holds the name of every Youkai his grandmother defeated and is sought out both by yokai wanting their names back and those wanting to control the names within.
The show is episodic in nature and as far as pacing goes it's pretty chill. Sure there is a surprising amount of blood for what is essentially a shoujo title and some of the questions asked in episodes are genuinely scary but overall this is a heart warming show that will make you feel good about everything.
Until this season where it'll take out your heart, show it to you and then crush it right infront of you.
I mean it's still heartwarming but I don't think i've cried so hard for a show ever before.
It's to the point where i'm convinced i need to build a time machine and slap past me up the back of the head for predicting exactly when the 3 most painful episodes of the season would air.
Now we just get to wait for Natsume Yuujinchou Nana... it'll probably be a few years (the manga needs to get ahead) but much like Go and Roku it'll be worth the wait.
My only hope now is that someone licenses it for North american distribution (i'll even pay the aniplex tax if i have to just let me own this damn show)
Expect more fanart from the show as well... if past experience is anything to go by i tend to need to do something with this show every few months cause it's just so damn good.
Also just for fun....
Alright.... Thank you for reading!
Thursday, 8 June 2017
Trails in the Sky The 3rd
I want to start this off the same way i started my Trails in the Sky Second Chapter Ramble.
To everyone who had a hand in making this game and allowing an English speaking audience to enjoy it I have one thing to say.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart... Thank you.
I know (while this may not have been as large in scope as second chapter) that this series is a bitch to translate for. I know the sheer amount of text (not even mentioning that damn near every chest says something unique) was an insane task. You persevered and worked extremely hard to get this game out and to that I say Thank you.
Thank you!
I can't say it enough.
Thank you.
I know none of you will ever read this (granted last time i said this BOY was a mistaken)
But seriously, Thank you.
True story: The day I saw the tweet. "A nun and a priest walk into a game" I audible gasped. My family who were nearby at the time wondered who had died. (then i had the joy of explaining it's for a game where i got the look.... you know the one) Still even though the evidence was pretty damning I had some to terms that we were never getting the 3rd and i refused to get my hopes up.
The next day (or shortly after? my memory is not known to be the best) I was streaming some art and in a 5 minute break I checked twitter.
"Trails in the sky the 3rd coming to the west" I heard myself reading that glorious tweet out loud before tears rolled down my face.
I honestly don't know of any other series that could make me cry by announcing a localization (well i can think of a few more now but i'm not going to get greedy)
Alright onto the Spoiler free ramble.
... Now to think of a way to describe this game without spoiling anything....
I know!
A nun and a priest walk into a game : D
...
Alright so this will be short.
We follow two Grailsritters, Kevin Graham and Reis Argent, as they look into a mysterious artifact that was pull out of the lake.
Soon they find themselves drawn into a new mystery in which they will need to rely on old friends to help solve.
Out of the three games (hell out of the 5 if you count cold steel series) this one is the most unique. Pretty much immediately certain things are added to the combat system that make it far more deadly then ever before.
It's also got a far less powerful protagonist then any of the other games do. Not that Kevin is physically weak by any means but for me his job was making sure no one got hit and if they did that no one stayed hurt for long. Sure Reis makes up for this by easily being one of the most (if not the most) powerful characters in the game... but still it takes a little getting used to.
Outside of that I can't say much other then you get a lot of party members and i loved it.
My playtime was 42:03 which i feel is pretty close to how much time First chapter got? This game is shorted then Second chapter for sure but again Second chapter was massive.
One of the things I'll say is that near the end if you enjoy double checking things you are asked. "Was it worth the wait"
Yes.
100% it was worth the wait.
Not a shadow of doubt in my mind... it was worth the wait.
I loved this game, Every moment drew me in and when I'm getting teary eyed at chests being so supportive near the end... I know i was hooked.
Part of me wonders what it would have been like to play this in the order of the series but honestly i don't care. I'm just happy i got to experience it at all since i had given up on ever playing it.
I will say this.
Star door 15 was not nice... I don't think I've cried that hard concerning anything ever.... Falcom (and I guess those that translated it too but this one is mostly on falcom in my mind) That was not ok.... you should feel bad for that.... I know you don't cause you thrive on our suffering but no... bad Falcom, you sit in the corner and think about what you did.
No don't think about how to make it worse!
Now for the part where I get a little greedy.
I would love to have Xseed put out the crossbell games.
I know it probably wont happen.... I'm even ok with it not happening but if i had one hope.... it would be getting to play those games. I just love this series so much and i just wanna throw as much money as possible to whomever brings it over.
However for now I'll just enjoy the fact that i can look at a little more of my kiseki art books without getting spoiled. (well I'm pretty sure a lot of crossbell has been spoiled cause of Cold steel but hey.... gotta keep whatever i can under control.)
But seriously...... Thank you for this.
Alright I think it's time for some Kiseki fanart! right after I finish these project pieces! (which you will find out more about in August!)
Also just in case my Bias wasn't clear enough in all this.... I put aside Persona 5 to play this game... so yeah.... I enjoy Falcom games just a little too much.
Side note: there are a few instances where the text is still in Japanese (at least in my play through, it's probably been patched by now)... both in battles.
one at the end of Schera's door and the other in the final round of the final arena.... neither are story relevant but just thought I'd mention it.
But yeah... This will probably be my number 1 game of the year... at least... don't be surprised if it is come new years.
For now it's back to work and back to chipping away at Persona 5, Fire Emblem Echoes, Xanadu next and all the games that are coming out just around the corner.
And for those who stuck through to this point... i present my fav Chest phrase.
Yeah I'd buy that.
To everyone who had a hand in making this game and allowing an English speaking audience to enjoy it I have one thing to say.
Thank you, from the bottom of my heart... Thank you.
I know (while this may not have been as large in scope as second chapter) that this series is a bitch to translate for. I know the sheer amount of text (not even mentioning that damn near every chest says something unique) was an insane task. You persevered and worked extremely hard to get this game out and to that I say Thank you.
Thank you!
I can't say it enough.
Thank you.
I know none of you will ever read this (granted last time i said this BOY was a mistaken)
But seriously, Thank you.
True story: The day I saw the tweet. "A nun and a priest walk into a game" I audible gasped. My family who were nearby at the time wondered who had died. (then i had the joy of explaining it's for a game where i got the look.... you know the one) Still even though the evidence was pretty damning I had some to terms that we were never getting the 3rd and i refused to get my hopes up.
The next day (or shortly after? my memory is not known to be the best) I was streaming some art and in a 5 minute break I checked twitter.
"Trails in the sky the 3rd coming to the west" I heard myself reading that glorious tweet out loud before tears rolled down my face.
I honestly don't know of any other series that could make me cry by announcing a localization (well i can think of a few more now but i'm not going to get greedy)
Alright onto the Spoiler free ramble.
... Now to think of a way to describe this game without spoiling anything....
I know!
A nun and a priest walk into a game : D
...
Alright so this will be short.
We follow two Grailsritters, Kevin Graham and Reis Argent, as they look into a mysterious artifact that was pull out of the lake.
Soon they find themselves drawn into a new mystery in which they will need to rely on old friends to help solve.
Out of the three games (hell out of the 5 if you count cold steel series) this one is the most unique. Pretty much immediately certain things are added to the combat system that make it far more deadly then ever before.
It's also got a far less powerful protagonist then any of the other games do. Not that Kevin is physically weak by any means but for me his job was making sure no one got hit and if they did that no one stayed hurt for long. Sure Reis makes up for this by easily being one of the most (if not the most) powerful characters in the game... but still it takes a little getting used to.
Outside of that I can't say much other then you get a lot of party members and i loved it.
My playtime was 42:03 which i feel is pretty close to how much time First chapter got? This game is shorted then Second chapter for sure but again Second chapter was massive.
One of the things I'll say is that near the end if you enjoy double checking things you are asked. "Was it worth the wait"
Yes.
100% it was worth the wait.
Not a shadow of doubt in my mind... it was worth the wait.
I loved this game, Every moment drew me in and when I'm getting teary eyed at chests being so supportive near the end... I know i was hooked.
Part of me wonders what it would have been like to play this in the order of the series but honestly i don't care. I'm just happy i got to experience it at all since i had given up on ever playing it.
I will say this.
Star door 15 was not nice... I don't think I've cried that hard concerning anything ever.... Falcom (and I guess those that translated it too but this one is mostly on falcom in my mind) That was not ok.... you should feel bad for that.... I know you don't cause you thrive on our suffering but no... bad Falcom, you sit in the corner and think about what you did.
No don't think about how to make it worse!
Now for the part where I get a little greedy.
I would love to have Xseed put out the crossbell games.
I know it probably wont happen.... I'm even ok with it not happening but if i had one hope.... it would be getting to play those games. I just love this series so much and i just wanna throw as much money as possible to whomever brings it over.
However for now I'll just enjoy the fact that i can look at a little more of my kiseki art books without getting spoiled. (well I'm pretty sure a lot of crossbell has been spoiled cause of Cold steel but hey.... gotta keep whatever i can under control.)
But seriously...... Thank you for this.
Alright I think it's time for some Kiseki fanart! right after I finish these project pieces! (which you will find out more about in August!)
Also just in case my Bias wasn't clear enough in all this.... I put aside Persona 5 to play this game... so yeah.... I enjoy Falcom games just a little too much.
Side note: there are a few instances where the text is still in Japanese (at least in my play through, it's probably been patched by now)... both in battles.
one at the end of Schera's door and the other in the final round of the final arena.... neither are story relevant but just thought I'd mention it.
But yeah... This will probably be my number 1 game of the year... at least... don't be surprised if it is come new years.
For now it's back to work and back to chipping away at Persona 5, Fire Emblem Echoes, Xanadu next and all the games that are coming out just around the corner.
And for those who stuck through to this point... i present my fav Chest phrase.
Yeah I'd buy that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)