Synesthesia

XBox 360: Part 1 of 6

2010-02-05T01:25:00.001-05:00

Part one of this series is a simple apology to anyone I've talked to about the XBox before. I apologize for saying it wasn't any good (I prefer its games to the PC versions of the games). I apologize for pointing out only its unreliability (50% break rate, 50% of those broke again). The newer ones are more..."durable".

Anyway, we purchased the XBox 360 Elite (120 Gb Hard Drive, HD cable, and two games we won't be rating: LEGO Batman and PURE). I'd rate the system itself NEARLY as high as the PS3 (as compared to the almost as low as I rated WoW) I would have given it before). We also have a total of eleven (11) games for it (if you count the Orange Box as 5 games, which it is).

Part 2: - Me - The Orange Box (all 5 rated as one collection)
Part 3: - Me - Left 4 Dead 2
Part 4: - Sumomo - Assassin's Creed 2
Part 5: - Sumomo - Bayonetta
Part 6: - Me - Mass Effect 2

Yeah.

2010-01-23T00:06:00.000-05:00

I may not have been posting as frequently as I should, or have been in the recent past, but I'm feeling successful right now. I'm also very happy for a friend of mine for finding love. Why not promote her blog?

Doshite! Doshite!

There ^^ Her posts seem a little less random than mine (sticking to mainly one topic), but I'm pretty sure she'll branch off eventually and talk about something else. Oh, and she's been posting songs in most of her posts.

Lets see, anything else? Oh, I'm getting back into writing and drawing again, as I feel rather inspired.

Happy New Year and all that

2010-01-01T03:09:00.001-05:00

Yeah, new year. Woo. Don't see what the big party's for, but I don't particularly care, either. So, anyone else think I need to post something good again? Well, you're stuck with my usual crap. Why am I hearing all these words come out in a drunken voice in my head? There's really no reason for that as I haven't had alcohol since the 26th (a Christmas present I got while we were wrapping other people's presents on Christmas Eve). So, why do I sound drunk? No idea. Maybe it's because I've been singing loudly all day for no reason and am starting to get lightheaded. It's not a big deal, to be honest. Oh, and if you're wondering why I've been singing, it started because I was accepted into the Wormwood Society Absinthe Association. I was singing Nine Inch Nails - The Perfect Drug (which has little to do with absinthe, save for him drinking it in the video. The proper way, at that). So it's time for another wasted post! Well, it's at least celebratory. And hey, the world all needs to celebrate something together (over a 24 hour period). So let's celebrate with a song about a dead son!

Nine Inch Nails: The Perfect Drug (1997) from Nine Inch Nails on Vimeo.

ALSO: In case anyone's forgotten about L'Art d'un Homme Perturbé, I've added two posts in December. I intend on adding more (I have stuff to show again), but for now, you'll have to just read Anne Rice's and my advice (Anne's is general information for new writers, mine is on character generation).

It's almost Christmas!

2009-12-21T01:34:00.000-05:00

(I'm not really all that excited...same as celebrating Washington's or Lincoln's birthday...but different than MLK day because that actually has meaning to people. I'm not going to debate my feelings on Christmas, as for once, I agree (partially) with the religious nazis...as well as other Buddhists. If you really want to debate, bring facts)

The real purpose of this post was to get people into the spirit of Christmas...and promote [Dipdive], a media site owned by the Black Eyed Peas...if I'm correct, it's more specifically owned and run by will.i.am. So, enjoy this trailer of St. Nick and Kate plus 8 (which will run from 21-25 Dec.)!

New Story

2009-12-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

I've started writing a new story that is completely unrelated to my book. It features a blind werewolf searching for lost love. I know, I kow, it's extremely cliché, but I like the way I'm writing it. I also know I should be working on my book -and I will-, but I've run out of ideas and inspiration for it. I'll get around to it eventually. That's all.

Karōshi Suicide Salaryman

2009-12-05T01:52:00.004-05:00

Yes, you read that correctly. Karōshi literally means "Death from overwork" in Japanese (A growing problem in Japan, but some companies are taking measures to prevent/remedy this). The game is...kind of like that...well...

This game is the only game I know of where the entire purpose is to die. I don't mean this in the same sense as Demon's Souls, which is meant to prove how much you suck at gaming. I mean it's 50 levels of you dying. Some of the levels take a little thought, however, as you don't necessarily have to use the tools they give you.

If you are easily offended by obviously fake blood or the concept of suicide, I do NOT recommend this game. However, it is quite a good game. If I can get the Spoiler tags to work (I've forgotten how to use them, as they're custom and I used them once a long time ago), I will put a quick strategy guide, though I consider that cheating...and why should you cheat? But don't worry, it will be written clearly.

Click the link to play the game: Karōshi Suicide Salaryman
To save you the time of scrolling down the page to them, the controls are the arrow keys and the space bar. A few have other controls, like the one with the kitty.

EDIT: A reply that may or may not be spam was completely right that the act of suicide is a major problem everywhere in the world (though this specifically relates to Japan). Therefore, I'd like to amend this post with some information for those considering suicide:

Inochi no Denwa (Lifeline Telephone Service)
Japan: 0120-738-556
Tokyo: 3264-4343

USA National Suicide and Crisis Hotline: 1-800-448-3000

Thanksgiving

2009-11-25T13:19:00.001-05:00

This post really only applies to those in the US, but feel free to read it no matter where you are.

I've noticed that for most of my life, they've been advertising Christmas since right after Halloween, but recently, they've even started advertising before that. That's right, we're SKIPPING HOLIDAYS to get to one that, at least to most Americans, is THE HOLIDAY WHERE YOU GET STUFF. Sure, Christmas is the holiday of giving, but not to Americans. No, we (excluding those of us who don't celebrate it and those who celebrate it correctly) brag as children that "I got this and this and this and this and this REALLY EXPENSIVE thing!", not about "I gave such and such something they needed" or "I donated the money I was going to spend on gifts to a homeless shelter". While that's bad enough, we're skipping a holiday that, in my opinion, should be more important (than the holiday that most of us think of, not the religious one, for those who celebrate Christmas correctly. It's Jesus's chronologically incorrect birthday party, not the holiday you buy crap and get more from some fat dude in an ugly suit). We're skipping a holiday for GIVING THANKS for what we have. No, we go straight from GIVE ME CANDY! to GIVE ME TOYS! Now, we're even skipping the candy. No, that's crap. Even worse, people are celebrating Halloween the wrong day because "it's a pagan holiday", which is TRUE, but it's not the satanic one they claim it is...just because you celebrate it the day before and call it something else doesn't mean it's a different holiday. Sorry.

Okay, no more ranting. I apologize if I offended anyone. It was more to make people think before they make stupid decisions like skipping holidays or calling them something else. It's just that this part of the year pisses me off, especially when I'm not in the best of moods anyway...

Well, I'll add to this post so it doesn't end on THAT bad of a note. So, keeping with the theme of notes, here's a song with a few of those.

Black Eyed Peas - Missing You

I can't stand another night
Stand another night
Without you

Since you've been away
Everything don't seem like they used to be
Between you and me
'Cause I'm missing your (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)

I'm missing your (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)

Yo. Yo. Yo.
Everyday-Everyday that you gone
I'm singing that sad song
If loving you is wrong
Then-Then I must be wrong
Even-Even when I'm gone (don't go away)
Our-Our love is strong (don't go away)
You the one I want (don't go away)
You're my nuh- You're my nuh- You're my number one
Yeah, our love ain't goin' out of fashion
I need your love, your passion
But love is everlasting, -lastin' (-lastin', lastin')
(-Lastin', -lastin', -lastin')

Since you've been away
Everything don't seem like they used to be
Between you and me
'Cause I'm missing your (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)

I'm missing your (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)

When I'm out on the road (I'm missin' you)
Rockin' them shows (Missin' you)
Up in Monaco (I'm missin' you)
Making gold
When I'm AC plus (I'm missin' you)
And glamorous (Miss kissin' you)
But I miss your touch (I'm missin' you - oh-oh-oh)
Yeah, I miss your touch
I spend all my time (Missin' you)
With you in mind (Missin' you)
My mind's on you
'Cause all I am is missing you (I'm missin' you - missin' you)
(I'm missin' you)
(I'm missin' you)

Since you've been away
Everything don't seem like they used to be
Between you and me
'Cause I'm missing your (ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)

I'm missing your (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)
I'm missing your love (love-love-love)

Without you, girl I don't know what to do without you

Girl, I ain't never had nothin' like this
When I'm all sprung caught up like this
Maybe it's your face, girl
Maybe it's your lips
Maybe it's the way you shake them hips
Baby it's the way you do what you do
That got me all love struck on you
I'll be just like an umbrella
The way I'm all over you
I know the other voice be callin' you
But they just want a piece
I want all of you
Take my time just spoilin' you
'Cause I know I'm in love with you (with you - with you)

Please, baby, don't go
I'm needin' you now

I'm missin' you - Oh oh oh
I'm missin' you - Oh oh oh
I'm missin' you - Oh oh oh
I'm missin' you - Missin' you
I'm missin' you - I'm missin' you

Hey!
I miss your love, girl (love-love-love)
I miss - I miss your love
I miss your love, girl (love-love-love)
I miss - I miss your love

Hey!
I miss your love, girl (love-love-love)
I miss - I miss your love
I miss your love, girl (love-love-love)
I miss - I miss your love...love...love

Oh, and I've finally posted on the art blog in the sidebar.

Shale (Dragon Age)

2009-11-20T01:53:00.001-05:00

This pretty much summarizes the character humor in Dragon Age: Origins. Shale has become my favorite playable character. Oh, and if I'm correct, the player-designed character (the one in the ugly hat) is wearing Tevinter robes and the Libertarian Cowl. This clip doesn't require any setup, except for the fact that this is right after you get Shale, when you're leaving the village she's been trapped in for 30 years. And yes, Shale is female.

And I'll leave this with a Shale conversation. It summarizes both Shale and Zevran simultaneously.

Shale: "Order me to do something."
Warden: "Give Zevran a hug."
Zevran: "Now, now. I don't care much for foreign objects invading my personal space. Well... usually."

Forgot

2009-11-15T01:54:00.002-05:00

I completely forgot to post on here. I've been busy attempting to play violin (I can play a whopping 4 notes) and playing Dragon Age. I'm not really going to give a summary of it, but think of it as having the world/plot based on/ripped off of Guild Wars: Eye of the North and Final Fantasy XII, the systems of Dungeons and Dragons, and the NPC reactions of Fallout. Overall, I give it a 10/10, but it has some minor issues that bother me, but are just annoying and don't affect the game at all (like the quest to get the acorn for the rhyming tree...if you get the acorn before you know about the tree, the quest arrow never goes away -_- Another issue is that sometimes, it takes a LONG time for a corpse to allow you to loot it...which means you can wait a while to finish quests that involve killing stuff, because they don't update until the corpse can be looted...oh, and there's an annoying thing in Redcliffe where a skeleton gets stuck behind a building...it took me 20 minutes to find it...I ran around everywhere else and even left for a few minutes to see if it would update...but that quest seems to have a lot of waiting issues anyway...). So, if those annoyances DID take points off, it would still be a 9.9.

Here's a poem that summarizes how one of the bosses, the Brood Mother, came to be. It is chanted by Hespith, a member of the same royal house as the dwarf that became the Brood Mother.

First Day, they come and catch everyone.
Second Day, they beat us and eat some for meat.
Third Day, the men are all gnawed on again.
Fourth Day, we wait and fear for our fate.
Fifth Day, they return and it's another girl's turn.
Sixth Day, her screams we can hear in our dreams.
Seventh Day, she grew as in her mouth they spew.
Eighth Day, we hated as she was violated.
Ninth Day, she grins and devours her kin.
Now she does feast, as she's become the beast.

She continues it in prose after you finish talking to her, describing this person eating her husband's face. So yeah, the game is very dark. I love it.

Violin

2009-10-28T00:50:00.000-04:00

I'm going to be getting a violin. It's currently being delivered. If I'm lucky, it'll be here tomorrow or early thursday. Later than that and I won't be here for it. Great. Well. It's a silent electric 4/4 violin in bright orange. The orange may or may not be permanent. I may later paint it a brass-like color or cover it in brass...whichever is most easily available. I may or may not add vacuum tubes, depending on if I can get them for much less than $20. I've seen them from $1 each to over $1000...yeah. Ebay is not always the best deal, but sometimes it's the easiest place to find stuff like that. It won't just be vacuum tubes that I add, of course; everything will be functional. Hopefully, my modifications won't drastically affect the sound...

Oh, still not cheerful. Just...numb.

Bark

2009-10-20T21:01:00.000-04:00

Ever have one of those days where death would be a step up? I have. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine. I just want to tell everyone that Love is a fickle bitch who should be shot point blank in the face with a shotgun. It's not even Love's fault. It's Love's ward's mother, Misplaced Protection. I wouldn't mind venting, but I refuse to disrespect the other party, especially in public. That would be rude and I don't do rude (intentionally). I wouldn't mind it if speaking was allowed, but I've had my vocal cords metaphorically removed. It's not pleasant in any way. I'm sure cops are investigating me for something, even though love is not a crime. Neither is respectfully standing up for it against someone who doesn't feel the same about it. I also expect a phone number change because people don't always respect you even if you respect them.

I've said my fill. I wish everyone a great day tomorrow. Including the aforementioned mother.

New Crew Required!

2009-10-17T23:46:00.003-04:00

In case you haven't looked at the link list, there is a new entry: Marvellificent Scriptorium. It's a blog run by Sumomo and me (she's the captain, I'm the chief engineer). We need people who are well-versed in steampunk literature, art, fashion, science, websites, blogs, or anything else to post on there. It's not a paying job, of course (unless it gets huge and we do get paid for it, but I don't foresee that happening; steampunk isn't high school vampire romance), but it would be nice to have more people.

If you wish to join, comment in this post with the following form:

Area of Expertise: (Art, Literature, Fashion, Science, etc.)

Desired Title: (It has to be related to your area. I'm the chief engineer because I work on the insides of the "airship" and design various things)

Also, we need a good name for our airship.

Will Play for Souls

2009-10-15T23:36:00.008-04:00

You know those games that with enough skill, time, and determination you can get through them without dying even once? Well, Demon's Souls is not that kind of game. If you don't want to read a long review, then I can leave you with this: You will die; you will die often, and you still won't be able to stop playing it.

For those of you still interested enough to listen to the rest, please continue reading. It's a long one, though, so I'll wait while you use the bathroom and get a snack.

Ready? Good. First, a small description of the plot (which I still don't really understand at this point). This is paraphrased from the Wikipedia article for the game. King Allant XII used the power of souls to guarantee the prosperity of his kingdom: Boletaria. However, King Allant had unleashed the Old One (I am in awe of their creativity), an ancient beast who had been slumbering beneath the Nexus. The Old One brought with it a fog that covered Boletaria, and infested it with demons who are after your soul. Many heroes have tried to free Boletaria from its curse, but none so far have succeeded.

Now to the good stuff. Automatic plus for the game: customizable character creation. The character's basic stats are chosen by class; you can choose from: Knight, Priest, Thief, Magician, Temple Knight, Soldier, Wanderer, Barbarian, Royalty, and Hunter. Different classes have different starting equipment; some will start with a spell or a bow, while some (i.e. the Barbarian) will start with no armor.In addition to basics such as age, gender, etc., you can make your character look anyway you want in a character creator that uses sliding scales to change pretty much every detail of your character's face. One odd thing in the character creation is a sliding scale for their gender where you can make them more masculine or feminine separate from their actual gender...well...I guess if that's what works for you...anyway...

You start off in a basic tutorial where you go around finding out how to attack, use your shield, and use items. However, you end this tutorial by dying at the hands of a giant demon that kills you in one hit (two if you're lucky). Now, it's obviously not game over when you die, because this is the first of many deaths, but a few things happen. You are sent to a place called the Nexus, a place for souls where you can also buy items, or deposit items that you've picked up for later use. It is here that you find that you have lost your physical body. Regaining your body only requires you to obtain a Demon's Soul, but your HP has been halved while in spirit form. The Demon's Soul can only be acquired from a boss-level demon, but you have to battle your way through lesser demons first. The souls you collect from them are used as currency throughout the game. You can then use one of the Archstones to be teleported to a place within Boletaria.

One of the most important things to remember is that you cannot pause while you're in the middle of a level. The only completely safe place in the game is the Nexus, but the game also auto-saves pretty much constantly. So before you start playing make sure you have a good amount of time, or someone to hand the controller off to. The aforementioned soul-craving demons like hiding around corners, behind things, and in dark rooms. They're armed with swords, bows, firebombs, and spears; some are wearing full armor, while others are wicked fast. No matter how quickly you can kill them, they can kill you just as fast. Even in the beginning stage you will die several times, and at least one path is blocked by a foe we have yet to beat. Every time you die, you lose all the souls you've earned, but if you can make it back to where you died you can pick those souls back up.

In addition to using souls to buy items, repair weapons, or upgrade weapons you also use them to upgrade your character, which replaces a traditional level system. You choose one of your basic stats to upgrade, which then upgrades things like your physical/magic defense, HP, spell memory, etc. You have to know what your character needs to really make the most of this system.

Really, the only bad thing I can about this game is that sometimes playing the same level for the eleventh time gets a little frustrating, but for some reason you just keep playing.

On to a point break down:

Battle System 10/10 - It's easy to switch between weapons, magic, and items, which is good when you're in the middle of fighting a demon that wants, and is completely able, to make you into a shishkebab.
AI 9/10 - While you will encounter some enemies that are pretty dumb, many enemies are going to put up a good fight.
Graphics 9/10 - The graphics are good; the characters and world are highly detailed. This game has a pretty stunning look.
Storyline 8/10 - It's hard to get a real feel for the storyline when it takes you fifteen tries to get through the first level, but from what I've seen it looks good; it's better than most games' at least
Difficulty 10/10 - This game is hard, sometimes bordering on impossible. Why is this a good thing? Most games try to coddle you by giving you lots of items, and easy enemies. This game all but tells you that you suck, and I think that's what makes you want to keep playing it.

So, final score: 46/50. I know I've said it before, but this game is hard. You're going to die, maybe at the hands of a basic, firebomb wielding demon; maybe at the hands of a boss that will kill you by looking at you. However, the bottom line is you're going to keep playing it. You're going to play it and beat it just to prove that you can.

And I think a picture to wrap up this very long review: this is what you're going to look like after playing for about half an hour (though hopefully not so...baby-like, but you never know)

Review and MORE!

2009-10-10T01:37:00.000-04:00

Okay, quick review of the Fallout 3 Add-on: Point Lookout.
8/10
+ Great location
+ Pretty cool weapons
+ Great Plot*, though short
+ Not as many glitches as a few of the others (Specifically The Pitt, as awesome as it was)
- Lots of stereotyping (stereotypical rednecks shooting you with shotguns when you're running through the swamps. A few of them carry giant jugs of moonshine, as well. Most have lots of beer and drugs, too)
- COMPLETELY unfulfilling ending (it just ENDS. Very anti-climactically, at that)
In other words, if you have Fallout 3 and don't have Point Lookout, GET IT NOW.

Okay, onto other stuff...I'm going to be doing concept art for a game for a while (not a big game, just an RP...so people know what everything looks like basically, so no kudos to me). I might not be too active anywhere else. I'll make sure to post whatever sketches I'm allowed to on the art blog (which has been renamed to those who didn't notice).

Fallout 3 Add-ons for PS3

2009-10-05T02:34:00.004-04:00

This will just be a quick review as I'm getting progressively aggravated and worried over the unspeakable issue I mentioned roughly a week ago...in fact, I'll just do the ratings out of 10 for each of the expansions:

Broken Steel: 8/10
The Pitt: 9/10
Operation: Anchorage: 4/10

Meh, I'll list positive and negative points, as well.

Broken Steel

Summary: Two weeks after the end of the main story, you wake up from your coma. Your main goal is to finish the war against the Enclave.
+ Completes the story (instead of the main character just dying at the end)
+ Awesome new weapons and armors

The Pitt

Summary: You receive a radio signal from an escaped slave. He wants you to find a cure for the mutagen changing everyone in The Pitt. You have to become a slave yourself. All of your equipment gets taken away (temporarily) and you have to work as a slave for your new raider masters.
+ This new plot is well-developed and fun
+ My favorite new content, including a very..."Spartacus" equipment...it's like Spartacus set in a post-apocolyptic-but-steampunk setting (The Pitt = Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania...but it's mostly in the steel mill)
- Nowhere to sell stuff
- The "better" option involves killing slaves (I'd explain why it's better, but it would be a pretty big spoiler, since the "cure" is what you're trying to obtain and...well...I'll stop)
+ The "better" option leads to a pretty...erm..."heartwarming" twist

Operation: Anchorage

The Brotherhood Outcasts have found a place that is supposed to have all kinds of awesome pre-war technology. They need you to go through three simulations to open the door because you just happen to have an external user device (Your Pip-Boy 3000) because the door's failsafe won't activate without it.
+ Pretty nice new equipment (including an essentially indestructible armor)
- Armor isn't available until you finish the whole story
- NO plot; just running around and killing commies
- Pretty much no reason for the Player Character's actions

And a side note: If you like music from the 30s and 40s (specifically the stuff that plays on Galaxy News Radio (GNR) in Fallout 3), that station is available online (without Three Dog as a host, unfortunately). Feel free to listen to GNR Online. I'm doing that right now, in fact.

Tablet

2009-10-02T22:50:00.002-04:00

I have my new tablet. It came earlier than expected. I'm still trying to figure out some features (like the ability to write with it), but overall I like it. So does Photoshop (unlike my other one). Unfortunately, GIMP doesn't, so if I make a mistake, it only goes back one step. I have yet to try it with Paint.NET, so I have no reports for that. This tablet was cheaper than my other one and also came with a tablet mouse...though I doubt I'll use that much. So, I'll have to draw something for everyone. My first saved piece of "art" was an edit of an already edited WET screenshot...but I'm not going to share it. The original is not my artwork, so I don't think I have any right to.

11:35 EDIT: It WORKS in Paint.NET, but it ignores pressure. My other one never did, either ^_^

Great News

2009-09-28T15:20:00.001-04:00

I know I posted this on my art blog, but I thought I'd bring it up here, too: I'll be getting a new tablet relatively soon! That'll definitely inspire more writing and drawing (I like to write by hand more than I like to type, and this saves the time of having to type what I've written). Now let's hope it helps my mind go back into creative mode (those creative writing classes killed my creativity >.<)

And speaking of my art/literary blog, there's a new post there. It's got story snippets! You can read a comparison of first- and third-person for five paragraphs of the story. My test reader said it sounds better in 3rd, but I want more input.

EDIT: This great news has been overpowered with really bad news, but I'm not going into that. It's too personal for this blog.

I forgot my password

2009-09-26T17:45:00.001-04:00

Yeah, about that password thing...I didn't post because I forgot it. I'll start posting more now.

Misfortune

2009-09-26T01:19:00.000-04:00

Not terribly bad or anything, but this computer was NOT made for game creation (a fact I knew before I even started). This is not a gaming computer. Looks like if I want to do that, I'll have to do it on the other computer...but I like this one! So, for now, it looks like I'll just have to learn Korean and browse the web from this computer until I decide to use the other one again. Hey, at least I can write on here; the most recent versions of Synesthesia are on this computer, after all.

Something...

2009-09-23T14:26:00.000-04:00

I'm going to try something I haven't done in a long time: make a game with DirectX. More specifically, I want to make a RPG. I want to try to do this on this computer (my netbook) and also in 3D for once. I'm not sure I have any idea...maybe I'll make Synesthesia into a game...(yeah right...that'd be way beyond my graphical ability)

WET (Full Review)

2009-09-18T00:37:00.010-04:00

I'll just get straight into this review; it focuses mainly on plot and music. The game is impressive for its visual style (not the best graphics, but I've covered this aspect) and plot. It's a basic third person shooter with the plot of a Tarantino movie. The only thing I thought was strange was the very end, where the fight against a character named "Tarantula" involves you being instantly transported to a battlefield and isn't a normal fight like the rest of them. It involves timed reaction commands (the button shows on the screen for about a second and you have to hit it RIGHT AWAY). Tarantula is actually the only character who really stands out. I was going to include a picture, but I couldn't find one. I'll try. She looks like a new x-men character and carries pistols with a blade below each barrel (similar, but more logical, than the Gunblade in Final Fantasy VIII).

I'd also like to include that the game can be completed in like 3 hours on the easiest mode. I'd also like to point out that "Golden Bullet" mode is excessively difficult, even though you kill all enemies (except the guys with miniguns, who require a special set of commands to kill, always ending in the sword going deeply into their crotch or, on rare occasions, down their throat).

The game is full of humor similar to what you would find in a Tarantino movie or in a Russian book. It also includes interludes in each chapter that are commercials from 70s drive-in movies. It even gives a break after the introductory tutorial mission to get up and get refreshments.

The plot is fairly straightforward, though about halfway through there was at least one twist I wasn't expecting and one that made sense because of that one (and a card for a character involved).

Throughout the game, you unlock various upgrades. There are two types of upgrades: Abilities and Weapon Upgrades. Abilities range from the ability to change who you're targeting to the wonderful "Human Wall Run Slash", which is exactly what it sounds like; you run up an enemy, use your sword on them, and jump off.

The weapon upgrades increase fire rate (for guns and the crossbow), damage, and ammo capacity (also, for guns and the crossbow). Rubi has five weapons to choose from: her katana, dual pistols, dual shotguns, dual SMGs (Submachine Guns), and dual crossbows (which is illogical if you've ever used one, but meh...the "darts" [as they're called in-game] explode on contact). All of the guns have limited ammo except the pistol (which with maxed fire rate is almost as fast as the SMGs).
The shotguns are (obviously, if you've ever used one) best used at close range, but are especially nice against the guys with miniguns, as are the SMGs, but the SMGs I would consider medium range weapons. The crossbow should really only be used against the guys with miniguns or if you only have a few enemies around you as they have a small ammo capacity and fire very slowly. The pistol is the overall best weapon to use whenever as it's fast, accurate, and can be used at any range. The sword is next, as if it is timed correctly, it can increase your score multiplier significantly (which is used to heal when you attack enemies).

There are two ways to restore Rubi's health (which is more like pain tolerance than anything): Alcohol ("to dull the pain") and a high score multiplier (when it's 2x or higher, you restore health with every kill).

There are many ways to raise your score multiplier, but the best is to use acrobatic slo-mo to your advantage. This can be triggered by sliding and shooting/slashing, jumping and attacking, wall running and attacking, human wall running and attacking, pole-spinning (not like a stripper) and shooting, shooting enemies from a zip line, or getting near a multiplier thing that each level seems to have.

The music all sounds like Tarantino picked it all. It's all reminiscent of stuff that could be found in either Kill Bill volume, though there's a little trend: Most of the songs are by bands with Corpse in the name or the songs have corpse in the title. The rest all have some synonym of crazy in them. The website for WET has a list of the songs and artists who did music and has five songs that are free to download. Three of them are songs I love (Gypsy Pistoleros' The Crazy Loco Loquito, The Arkhams' Insane and Knock Galley West's Undead West) and two are created specifically for the game (they're the two by the same artist). The music is all phenomenal in my opinion, though it could handle less from the Hypnophonics and more from the Arkhams.

The main drawback is that it can be completed very quickly (around 1-5 hours, depending on skill and difficulty level) and has no replay value if you're not into completing "gun-and-run" challenges after you finish story mode (-0.5 pts). The plot is, however, deeper than most other shooters (or even just games where the main character is a mercenary).

There are also very few scenarios to play through. There are four main types of play in the main story: Arena fights (trapped in a room where enemies keep coming in until a certain event occurs or your block all the doors), "Rage Mode" (make the longest chain of kills before leaving the level), Car chases (where you jump from car to car while shooting the enemies), and action sequences/stationary gun pwnage sessions (there are few of these last two). This makes the game lose another 0.6 points on my scale.

My overall, score (not broken down, but on a decimal scale): 8.9/10
My advice: Play it for the Tarantino-esque plot and music and pretend you're watching a movie, then work on completing some gun-and-run challenges in Rubi's Boneyard (not what it sounds like).

I'd also like to point out that I LOVE this game. I'd also like to point out that I have updated my links on the side. I've replaced the Fallout link with the WET one and added Sumomo's reincarnated blog.

Offensive?

2009-09-16T22:30:00.003-04:00

I don't have much to say. I leave you a question:
In your opinion(s), is this offensive?

Hospitals

2009-09-13T00:20:00.000-04:00

I got out of the hospital a couple hours ago and now I have some awesome meds!

WET

2009-09-11T14:22:00.005-04:00

All I've played is the demo and I already like it more than any other game. It's the first game where you dual-wield guns and can target two enemies at once (auto-target one, other gun is under your control). You can slide while swinging a sword or shooting both guns. Not to mention the music is AWESOME (10/10).

So, based on the DEMO alone:

Gameplay: 10/10

Music: 10/10

Controls: 10/10

Graphics: 9/10

Style*: 10/10

OVERALL: 49/50

Gameplay and controls are 10 for reasons already stated and also because they're simple and nearly intuitive.

The music is what you expect from a 70s action/Tarantino movie. It's energetic and fun...and PURELY AWESOME.

The graphics are really good, but even Fallout 3, from the same creators, has better graphics.

*Style refers to the overall look of the game.

The game's style DEFINITELY matches what you'd expect from Tarantino, the main inspiration for this game, and is definitely reminiscent of Kill Bill.

So...I'd even give this the extra credit point to give it a 50/50. I DO NOT recommend it for children, but neither does the ESRB (who gave it an M for MANY reasons, and I'd have to agree, for once). I AM going to buy this in 4 days. And I'll review the plot even (from what I can tell, it's pretty good...just from what little there is in the demo)

And an example of the music:

I gots me a friend

2009-09-09T23:50:00.002-04:00

Yes, I DID have to say it like that. I don't know why, but I did. So...like I said, I have a new friend. Her name is Hayley. Be nice to her. You can find her hanging around Hellban High Road, her blog, which you can find in the sidebar. I convinced her to make it after quite an argument. She's nice, but we don't agree on much. She believes the same way I do about cannibalism, though. That's how we met. I'll just leave it at that. So, welcome her to the blogging community so I can prove her wrong about something she said, please. It's a friendly competition we have going. Be nice to her and don't harrass her or she'll hurt me. With a scalpel. She has one...

Fat Princess is...GOOD?!

2009-09-07T22:02:00.006-04:00

Post has been edited to add/change content (09 Sep 2009).

So, according to IGN, Fat Princess is a good game. In fact, it earned a score of 9.0. After reading the review, we bought it to test it. You know what we found? IT'S THE MOST ADDICTIVE GAME available on the PS3. It's incredibly simple, though also remarkably complex. So, review time! You play as a member of a group of up to 32 characters (not choices of characters. The others are unplayable and merely help you fight the other team). You customize your character from the main menu, changing your head hair, facial hair, eye color, and skin color, and gender voice. Your weapons are decided by the hat you wear in battle (literally). You change your class by picking up hats that are either dropped by the enemy or dropped by your "hat machines". Each class has a unique attack style and an alternate weapon (available upon machine upgrade), which can be changed by hitting triangle. CLASSES: Warrior: Uses a sword for melee attacking. Charging the attack merely does more damage. The upgrade to this class uses a spear. The charged attack is a few sweeps of the spear and a jumping attack.
Priest: You can hit gently...pretty much useless for attacks. You can heal allies by targeting them and charging your "attack". Charging your "attack" without targeting heals all allies in a circle around you. The alternate is the Dark Priest, which saps life from enemies. Charging the attack deals damage to all foes around you.
Mage: You can attack with your staff or shoot fireballs. Charging the attack creates a circle of flames around you. The alternate uses ice to slow enemies. Charging creates a circle of ice, slowing all nearby foes.
Ranger: Attack with a bow. Charging increases range a little and increases damage heavily. The alternate uses a gun with a wide spread, like that of a shotgun. Charging this is the same as charging the bow attack.
Worker: You can attack with an axe. The alternate attacks with bombs. Charging increases attack only. Workers can also build and repair gates, collect resources (wood and metal) and upgrade your machines.
Villager: Hatless villagers can only punch, but with almost no health, they're rather useless if enemies are around.

The game sort of has a plot, though it has little to do with the gameplay at all. You listen to the story and complete the missions to listen to more of the story. That's all.

There are several ways to play, each chapter having a different goal. Several goals are:
Rescue the Princess: Rescue your princess from the other team. They'll try to do the same. You can just kill the enemies and wait for your team to do it or rush in yourself.
Invasion: Capture outposts to lower the other team's morale to zero. Again, it's more fun to slaughter your foes.
Search 'n Grab: Capture the enemy princess and throw her in your dungeon three times.
Team Deathmatch: Kill the enemies until their lives reach zero. That's it.

Oh, the game is also full of adult humor, as well as a lot of gamer humor (like the narrator yelling "We're being ganked!" when your castle is under siege), and the game has a lot of replay value, so long as you're very bored.

GAMEPLAY:       9/10
PLOT:           8/10
MUSIC:          8/10
HUMOR:         10/10
CUSTOMIZATION:  7/10
ADDICTIVENESS: 10/10
--------------------
OVERALL:       52/60

My next review should be of Farcry 2, though so far, it's not favorable...but the guy who sold it to us said it's not that great the first two hours, but is awesome afterward.

EDIT: Farcry 2 isn't worth a review as it's rather average. Graphics get a 10, but the rest gets 5-7.

Reason for "Slow" Posts

2009-09-06T23:09:00.005-04:00

I was at a family gathering. But...3 days isn't too slow...

Anyway, I intend on applying at Gamestop (which is actually farther on bus than walking, but will still take forever...unless I can get rides from someone...but no one comes to mind...DRIVERS TEST TIME! And...time to get a vehicle...VESPA TIME!), since I need a job...as I'm not going to college this quarter (the first fall quarter in 3 years I haven't gone to college) so that I don't get kicked out of my house...yeah. I'd end up paying rent no matter what, so...yeah...but if I have a job, I have moochers...but I have Pierre le Wolverine! He protects my credit. He lives in my wallet after all. Maybe I'll show a picture of him eventually.

Oh, and my new computer doesn't get online at my house for some reason. Working on that now.

EDIT: Now it does! But I need a new battery for it...yeah...and my other computer fried my fan...

NEW!

2009-09-03T20:35:00.002-04:00

By "NEW!", I mean I have my new computer; an Acer Aspire One netbook. I'm not used to typing on it yet (It's tiny), but so far I like it. My main problem with it (other than the problems with all netbooks: No optical drive and no bluetooth) is the resolution. One program I use requires a 1024x768 resolution. What does this one do? 1024x600. It's annoying, but I can do that on the other computer anyway. I haven't tried out the webcam yet, though this one at least has a mic. That reminds me...I still have things to download, so...bye all!

LEMON WEEK

2009-09-02T16:12:00.002-04:00

Lemon week started August 31st. I'm surprised I didn't know about it...thank you, Dudel. You've done a good thing for the readers of this blog ^_^

Okay, this has nothing to do with Lemon Week, but it's pretty funny ^_^

SNL - Immigrant Tale

And yes, Hulu instead of youtube. I like Hulu more anyway, but the videos I watch are on youtube...so...yeah. Hulu link in the sidebar!

And thank you again, Dudel for the Lemon Week information!

Otherworld

2009-09-01T04:01:00.003-04:00

I mentioned that it was one of my favorite songs and the video I posted for it was enough, but that was the IN GAME video. The song is actually longer than that. This is someone else's fan-made video for FFX, featuring Otherworld and various scenes that make a VERY good trailer for the game and show the premise of the story very well.

Other than the annoying skip in the middle, I think this video shows the more appropriate, though less visually AWESOME, way this should be watched and listened to.

Fan-made FFX trailer, featuring the song, "Otherworld"

Oh, and for FFXII, Two videos why I think Fran is the most awesome:

And Fran's start halfway through (though you can watch all of them if you want):

Request and Safe Bank

2009-09-01T00:58:00.004-04:00

Showing up to say my fill. That's not much, but it's enough.

Yo.

I need all of you to do something for me. Go to the store and look at the price of beef. Then go look at the price of soybeans. Don't memorize the prices and don't tell them to me. Just look at them for a while. Make a face while you're doing it. The stranger the face you make, the better this will work. Try to look like an owl at the beef and a monkey at the soybeans. Then start making funny noises.

Or, as alternative options have been mentioned for other things, dance for a few minutes. It doesn't matter where. Dance alone. Dance with someone. Just dance. "Even if you have nothing to dance to but a spoken word novelty song backed by a generic techno track that sounds kind of like Enya but without the edge."* Try not to do anything too structured; this is to have fun.

*This is a line from the Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie (spoken word novelty) song (backed by...yeah), "The Sunscreen Marketing Board". Look them up. If you can find their "Safe Bank!" skit, you will be well rewarded with laughter. But why make you look these up when I can find them?

The rest of the video is okay, too, but the Safe Bank skit is 3:17 into it. Other than that, I couldn't find the skits I searched for on YouTube. If you have another source for these things, search for Three Dead Trolls in a Baggie.

I wouldn't mind!

2009-08-30T14:19:00.000-04:00

So...a certain family member is in San Francisco now...and I wouldn't mind going. I loved the time that I lived in that area! I also got to try out virtual reality there in the early '90s ^_^ Anyway, I wouldn't mind going! Oh well, it looks like I get a week of work at home, non-stop (very little sleep allowed, and also very little free time), so this post will be short. Say hi to everyone you know for me; especially those who don't know me! (That was addressed to all readers)

Dissidia

2009-08-27T21:43:00.002-04:00

I bought Dissidia on Tuesday (the day came out) and...well, I like it and it's addictive...but...

Graphics:      9/10
Music:         9/10
WTF?!         10/10
Gameplay       9/10
Characters:    9/10

-The graphics are really good for PSP. I'm not sure why I only gave it a 9...oh, and Squall looks more awesome than he did in VIII.

-The music is some of the best music from each of the games in the first 10 numbered games.

-The gameplay receives a WTF factor of 10. It's...well, have you ever considered combining Chess, One-on-One battles, and the clichéd plot of every other Final Fantasy? Well, that's what it is. You move around on the board and fight monsters until you get to the Chaos Insignia (I think it's Insignia...) at the end.

-The controls are fairly simple, but at the same time, they're hard to control. In battle, you use Circle to use Bravery Attacks (lower the attack power of the enemy while raising yours, but not doing damage to HP) and Square to attack HP. It's possible to only have to use ONE HP attack on your enemy. Oh, you can also use X to evade and Triangle and R to jump toward your enemy. Every once in a while, you can gain EX "power" (My term) to go into EX "Mode", which has various benefits individual per person. If you hit with an HP attack in this time and are successful with some button pressing (again, individual per character), you can unleash a REALLY powerful attack.

-There is one of the main characters from each of the first 10 numbered Final Fantasys (that looks weird, but it's proper, like with last names) and the final boss of the individual game (which you have to unlock). My only complaint is they should have had Rikku instead of Tidus and...what's-her-name instead of Terra.

Notice, I didn't once mention the plot. Guess why?

Harry Potter and the Prisoners of Waldemart

2009-08-25T22:28:00.005-04:00

What do you get when you combine Anti-Walmart propoganda, Harry Potter, and Thriller? Well...THIS. Also, it features a break dancing Dumbledore.

Harry Potter and the Prisoners of Waldemart

FF VIII and...LOTS of other stuff

2009-08-25T03:37:00.006-04:00

I was playing Final Fantasy VIII today. and I realized something. When I know what that something is, I'll tell you, but for now, let's just say it was nothing profound. So, here's some random stuff about it:

-GUARDIAN FORCES (GF) are what the summons are called, as compared to "Summons", "Espers", or "Aeons". They are aptly named, as while you're waiting for them to come, they take the damage for you.

-WEAPONS are crafted. You get the parts, the weapons get made. I like that in a game. I also like any other form of customization (like the weapon creation in Vagrant Story, another AWESOME, but often overlooked, game).

-CHARACTERS are extremely malleable. They can trade magic, GFs and abilities (abilities are another thing given by GFs and magic isn't learned, it's drawn from enemies and draw points). The only problem with the customization in this is the characters can all be each other, save for weapons, "Limit Breaks" (FFVII term, but in FFVIII, the characters get them randomly when their hit points are low), and appearances (obviously).

This is one of my favorite games in the Final Fantasy pseudo-series for the story and music.

Random Other Final Fantasy Stuff now!

My favorite FF of all is either XII or VII, because they have a balance of cool features and good music. They all share roughly the same plot, so I have to say that the way the plot is done is better in these two than the others.

WHY I LIKE EACH FF

FFI - It's the original and it was outstanding for its time. Only problem: Nameless chars. "Hey, Fighter, wanna go out drinkin' tonight?" "Sure, Blackmage!"

FFII - In number, this is TECHNICALLY IV in the US.

FFIII - I don't honestly remember it.

FFIV - Didn't actually like this one that much, though Rydia is awesome...but I tend to like summoners.

FFV - Meh, again, it was okay. It allowed a LOT of character customization, including a class-change system. Not to mention I liked Faris...even names a dog after her in NintenDogs. Named one Fran, too. I forget the names of the others.

FFVI - Haven't played it.

FFVII - First with 3D on 2D backgrounds, well-designed characters with personalities, the plot was well-done, the music was some of the best in the series, and it was LONG. That's good in any game.

FFVIII - Good characters, good plot (until the Gardens start flying and the player finds out everyone knew each other already, then it just gets weird...). The rest I already said. Oh, and it has the second best opening movie, Liberi Fatali (which is one of my favorite songs).

FFVIII - Liberi Fatali

FFIX - Well-done/deep plot, good characters (if you can look past their cartoony appearances), has some of the most memorable characters (along with only VII and X)

FFX - Plot's average, music is AWESOME, good graphics, varied world, and...well...Lulu. Gotta like an awesome black mage. This is the only one I didn't like the summoner in, 'cause she was annoying as hell. And stupid. But it makes up for it with its "opening" movie (a little ways into it), Otherworld (another of my favorite songs).

FFX - Otherworld

FFX-2 - Crap-in-a-box, but if you remove the preteen girl elements of fashion and such, it's actually pretty good. The plot is deep, though it's done in a mercenary (mission-based) style. The characters are okay and you can customize them fine...but they all end up being the same with a FEW exceptions: The Mascot Dressphere and the special dresspheres. It also has one of my favorite video game FMVs, 1000 Words. I can't stand the song, but the video is dramatic (I have the heart of a preteen girl, apparently).

FFX-2 - 1000 Words

FFXI - Haven't played it, but from what I've heard, I wouldn't like it. Not to mention it's one that has to be paid for monthly, a HUGE drawback for ANY game.

FFXII - It's just...good. Overall. Especially Fran. I can overlook that she's a bunny for the fact that she's awesome and has the best "Limit Breaks" (Or, as they're called in XII, "Quickenings"), Feral Strike, Whip Kick, and Shatterheart.

FF Tactics - This is one of my favorites, as it allows COMPLETE customization. And even though you can have a team of black mages, they can all still be different. Black Mage 1 could use a crossbow, Black Mage 2 could be wearing a knight's armor, and Black Mage 3 could be dancing, wearing heavy armor, and picking stuff up off the ground, also counterattacking with a skill that turns the ground they're on against the enemy (Geomancy, specifically the counter skill, Nature's Wrath). I have this for the PSone and PSP, but I like the PSP one better (more stuff and better translations).

FF Tactics Advanced (1 and 2) - Meh.If you play the other Tactics first, TA is kinda boring and restrictive (a Judge system where you go to jail if you do whatever the law bans that current day).

And no, my favorite game series is not Final Fantasy. I prefer Shadow Hearts (not to be confused with Kingdom Hearts, which I don't particularly love, but I don't hate, either), as it has a less "clean-cut", gritty story set in modern times, but with magic that's more logical. It also has the best battle system, where you have to use your reaction time instead of button-mashing or menu-surfing. Oh, and it has good music. AND good characters. AND lots of humor. AND...well, you get the idea.

But Fallout rates pretty high on my list.

And I can't wait for WET and Dissidia (another FF title, released 4 hours, 1 minute ago at the nearest walmart, but I don't have it...I'll probably get it later, after I wake up).

And WET, if you haven't seen the trailers, which are everywhere, is a current project of Bethesda Softworks (Bethsoft), the makers of Fallout 3, that is made to look like a combination of a 70s action b-movie. I sense this is going to be my new favorite game, though, when I want to just kill stuff. It features a dual-wield system for guns where BOTH guns are used and can target different targets instead of just the guy in front of you (one auto-targets, you control the other with the camera).

So, when I get Dissidia and/or WET, I'll do a review for them.

So...

2009-08-24T22:05:00.007-04:00

So, just checking to see if this works. I've never posted by text message before; maybe i'll post more often this way

Bow Wow.

2009-08-24T01:03:00.003-04:00

My circadian rhythm has reversed temporarily. For those who don't know what I mean, I am unfortunately becoming slightly nocturnal. I wouldn't mind it very much (I like the night, since I can OPEN MY EYES), but I am very social and I tend to be awake when other people are sleepy or sleeping.

Just thought I'd mention it.

Hello, Hello

2009-08-22T01:29:00.004-04:00

I wasn't formally introduced by Jikei. My name is Toshio, as you can see. I don't say much in my posts, but you'll be affected profoundly by what they contain, I'm sure.

Ha!

It's more than likely that you will read them and become bored.

And in other news, I'm sure I was only invited because of my natural state of Awesome.

So, music time.

KIVIMETSÄN DRUIDI - Jäässä Varttunut

KevJumba

2009-08-22T00:28:00.006-04:00

He is funny. That's all I have to say...oh, and this video is from March 2008...and I don't recommend watching this if you're not used to annoying internet sexual culture (the video isn't directly sexual, but when people ask you questions on the internet...well, that's how it goes). Oh, and watch all his videos a lot, especially on his JumbaFund account, as views of videos on that account count towards the "Jumba Fund", which is money that goes to a charity chosen by his viewers.

CHARMANDER!

OH, and on a side note, I've removed the Digsby widget as no one talks to me on it (not that I expect it, honestly). If you wish to contact me, you can email me (or IM me on MSN) at ikimasho@london.com. I do, of course, reserve the right to block people who send spam, chain letters, scam offers, or stupid email jokes (most of them). I'm also willing to do that to people who get too offensive or spammy on MSN, too.

Lemonade

2009-08-20T08:18:00.008-04:00

I like lemonade. Anyone else like it? I could drink a whole pitcher of it right now...but alas, I have none. I would love to have some right now. It's rather hot in here. But it's okay, soon I'll be in KMart doing inventory on their movies (even though I'm not an employee of theirs ^_^ SPAR ftw. I get paid to do very little work ^_^)...I've been playing drums a lot lately and...I'M GETTING SOME! All I know it that they're Pearl drums and have a "silent mode" (I believe that's how they worded it in the description Sumomo (which I use to refer to my fiancée on here, even though in real life, she and I use it to refer to a niece ^_^) showed me. I really just have nothing to write if you're wondering. Thank's for asking, though. I wasn't lying, though; I do love lemonade and want some right now. I know at least one reader who agrees with me...and a random member of a certain site that I go to (no idea why I don't just say it, it's in that list of links). I feel much stronger now that I've been playing drums for 3 days straight, a good portion of the day...like I could lift a sandwich! Mmm, sandwich...you know what else I could go for right now? A grilled cheese sandwich. Those are yummy. I just wonder how human flesh tastes...would it need to be marinated or would it be good on its own...and by human flesh, I mean muscles...and cheeks. I know what human FLESH tastes like...kinda salty and bitter...except when it tastes like lemons. Have I mentioned I like the flavor of lemons? Come to think of it, did I need to? I have a post about lemonade and a post about lemon Sno Cones, so I'd think it would be implied, but you know, whatever ^_^ Lemons are awesome. Hey, wait! That's the name of my unused blog! I think I may keep it but extend its use to something other than just food. What else should it include? Because I don't want to get rid of it. I thought I did, but now I don't...maybe I could use it as another literary blog? OR I could do updates on my novel there...no, I couldn't do that; this blog was named for it, after all.

AND, since this post is titled "Lemonade", why don't we make some? You'll need a LOT of lemons and sugar...and don't forget the water! This specific recipe is just my mind at work and probably won't be accurate, but I'm going to make this in my head to my liking.

Fill a pitcher about 3/4 full (or empty if you're a pessimist) with water. Add enough lemon to make it 7/8 full (1/8 empty). Add sugar to sweeten if you so choose (about a cup...no pessimist measurements for that ^_^). Use the remaining 1/8 to water it down or add more lemon! Oh, and if you want it to look pretty, use a clear (preferably glass), open pitcher (lids are EVIL), and add some lemon slices...OH, and optionally, you can replace about 1/4 of the water with ice (before adding the lemon, of course).

So, since I've decided to keep the other blog...what else should I put on it? I need it to be something that will make me update it more frequently. The OTHER other one doesn't get updated a lot, but it takes time to write a story.

And I ask again, lest anyone's forgotten: what should I use the food blog for?

What should I do?

2009-08-16T23:45:00.013-04:00

I decided I should ask my wonderful readers -the four or so of you- what I should do.

"Honto?!"
"Majide?!"
"Really?!"
"Est-ce la verité?"
"Campbell's?"

YES.

I've been considering combining all three of my blogs since, frankly, no one really pays much attention to the others...well, instead of going into that blog pity, I'll offer a few pros and cons:

PROS:
-The others have no real activity and I often forget to post in them or can't come up with new material, so I can get rid of them
-Combination will allow people to read my works without having to go to other sites
-It will increase the randomness of this blog (since that's one of the main focuses, secondary to my novel...which has very few posts on here), meaning people will be more likely to find things they like on this blog
-It will shorten the excessively long list of external links, therefore cleaning up the sidebar

CONS:
-At least one of my other blogs has been linked to by someone else (thank you, Dudel)
-It creates a lot of work for me until it's over (Copypasta, Labeling)
-There will be a LOT of new posts this month (though I'm considering using the spoiler tag to make the posts a little smaller so you won't have to scroll as much. This also means I could possibly put them all in one post without it being too long)

RANDOM
-I'll be able to use the spoiler tag to separate comments from the story, though it was never a problem and I could have done that on the other blogs
-National Waffle Day (US) and International Waffle Day are in different seasons, 3 months apart.
-Cold Case is on right now
-Badgers can't break dance. They also can't tango...with each other, at least. They're not human after all.

Quick Reminder

2009-08-15T02:59:00.002-04:00

SwagBucks searches get you free online money that can be used to purchase many things. Go there (preferably through the link I provided) and create an account. Start earning money today!

(And I'm physically a little better. I still can't talk very well, but the slurred speech is explained...and I'm not drunk.)

2009-08-13T22:19:00.003-04:00

I'm not doing so well physically today. I was fine this morning, now I'm really weak and am having problems walking. I have nothing else new, though I feel like a toddler. I just woke up from nap #3, so I feel a little fuzzy. I can't think of anything to say now, so...yeah.

I apologize for all the personal stuff lately, but I can't think straight and can't do anything better. I'll attempt to come up with something else for another day.

Oh, So Lonely

2009-08-12T23:38:00.009-04:00

I've been incredibly bored since about 6 today. Happy, but bored. Also, I've been increasingly lonely the past week. I'm starting to miss Abi very much and it's messing with my head. I think I need to make a new personality or just get back into RPing. Mai has taken over as my dominant personality and while she's a great, fun, lovable person, she's a little messed up in the head; a little too innocent. And yes, I know this makes very little sense and makes me sound crazy, but did I ever say I was completely sane? It would probably help if people talked to me every once in a while, but the only people who don't live with me that I've talked to for months are my fiancée and my little sister. That'd be all fine and good, but I need more people to talk to and a new personality who would be willing to go out and find them. My new personality needs a name...and it can't be Abi. That would be...depressing. I've had enough depressing things happen and have been under a lot of stress, so I can't have that. I need to have a fun personality who won't go and off herself. I need a personality that doesn't come with baggage. I need a personality that's...Abi when she was first "born". I can't convey how much I need this new personality to take over for Mai, as Mai can't handle stress very well. She's rather shy and introverted, despite being extremely social and pleasant. So...I'm taking Abi's death a little hard; too hard for a fictional person who embodied a single mood, especially since she contained ALL of my past guilt, which went away when she died. It was great at first, but now...I have too much that needs her. And I can't just bring her back from the dead. I can't. It's not possible. Even in personality fiction. I'm...just sad. And lonely. And I need Abi back.

And honestly, I think part of the depression comes from getting 8 hours of sleep when I'm used to 4-5. That also leads to grumpy mornings for Mai. Then she's not as pleasant as usual, which is...strangely refreshing, but not enough.

Digsby

2009-08-11T15:45:00.012-04:00

If you haven't noticed, there is now a Digsby widget in my sidebar. Unfortunately, it has, since I installed it, always said I'm offline. I am currently signed into it and am CLEARLY online. If anyone knows how to fix this, please tell me. I'll even post a screenshot! (It's edited to hide the identities of my friends and my email address).

EDIT: It's working now...I had a nice little chat with myself on it just now: 5:45 PM EST 8/11/09

Oh, and just a random notice: If you have a conversation I find post-able (if you own yourself like sexypotato here), I may or may not post it.

Game Creation

2009-08-11T13:05:00.005-04:00

Game creation can be fun and simple, depending on what kind of game you want to make and how you intend on making it (what programming language, etc.). There are programs to make the process simpler (like VisualBasic...which I don't know where to get) and some that do a lot of the work for you (liker RPGMaker, Mythmaker, etc.). This post will be about the last group, specifically RPGMaker XP (RMXP).

You can find a downloadable version of RMXP from the company's site for it, but it costs $60. I DON'T RECOMMEND IT, but there are also patched versions and keygens available all over the internet. There is even an illegally ripped version called RPG Maker XP Postality Knights Edition. The LEGAL version is available at http://tkool.jp/products/rpgxp/eng/.

A lot of programmers look down on programs such as this because they make it too easy and the scripting you do in the game isn't real programming. Most of what you're working in in the scripts section (unless you're a programmer and are making new content that isn't possible with the current scripts) is in a modified version of the Ruby programming language called RGSS (Ruby Game Scripting System).

Now, onto specifics about RMXP:

You can make a game without ever having to go into the database or scripts, as there is already default content (8 characters, 32 skills, 32 weapons, 32 armors, and much, much more)

Graphics are 2 dimensional unless you want to do a LOT of scripting and make a LOT of images to make a pseudo-3D world. I've seen people who have done this and they did it well. Others...failed.

RMXP is powerful enough to make a Virtual Machine (a computer within a computer, essentially), but as of yet, I don't think anyone has made a way to install downloadable content inside a "game". RMXP has scripts you can find from several different sources (that can be found with Google searches) that allow internet access.

It is possible to make games in RMXP that are EXACTLY like the old Final Fantasy games, Such as the first one, which was available for Super Nintendo.

Within many RMXP communities, games with unoriginal content (like music from popular games, ripped sprites, etc.) are frowned upon and are not viewed as highly as games with completely new content.

However, if your game has content, like a tactical battle system (Think Final Fantasy Tactics), people will ignore a LOT of its other problems because of the difficulty of the script.

And, if you choose to download it (legally, I'd hope), here's a few links to get some custom content:
Ragnarok Online Item Database - (ENGLISH) - You can find all the items from Ragnarok Online here. Their images (possibly with some editing; I don't know, as I haven't tried it myself. It was a suggestion from someone else) can be used as the icons for items in your game. If you want, you can emulate the stats of these items in your game, too, but it'll take a little more effort, as they both calculate damage differently.
Material/TKXP - (JAPANESE) - This site has a few good things (maybe 10 windowskins, a battler or two), but a lot of it is crap. The few good things make me give it a rating of 3/10, at least ^-^
Scripts RMXP - La source du pouvoir - (FRENCH) - This site has a LOT of useful scripts. They're even more useful if you read French, which I do, conveniently ^-^
Seventh Sanctum - (ENGLISH) - This site is awesome. I recommend it to anyone doing anything creative. It has almost any kind of (text) generator you can think of.
Random Plot Generator - (ENGLISH) - Though it doesn't do what the name implies directly, it is useful for if you can't come up with a plot. It gives advice for 5 characters, then a few "Murphy's Laws of Combat", which are very useful when it comes to making a comedic modern warfare RPG.
Erm... - (GIBBERISH, but the site is JAPANESE) - You can't read much of anything on this site (it's NOT in Japanese, despite ending in .ne.jp), but the battlers available here are some of the best I've seen (the only ones I've seen that were better were on a site that's blocked to anyone but the owners now). TECHNICALLY, the site has battlers for RMVX, a newer, less well-received RPG Maker, but they work just fine with RMXP...so long as you can find character graphics that look like the battlers.

Weather and Deception

2009-08-10T11:22:00.005-04:00

It's too hot for me. I like 60-79 degrees (Fahrenheit) and dry OR rainy, but not just humid. Was there any point to this post? No. Hmm...how about we give it one?

A quick and simple fact: The key to deception is only telling the truth and not lying, but making people believe the lie using your factual evidence...as long as you don't go on and on.

However, I don't recommend deceiving too many people if you're going to do it at all. Do it to a friend, but not too harshly. Don't try to convince them that someone died or anything, but do something silly. As long as they realize it was all in fun, it's good. If it hurts people, don't do it.

You may ask why I linked the two ideas, Weather and Deception...or you may not. It's perfectly logical and you may have figured it out, after all: The weather deceives. So do people who claim to "predict" it. They can't always be right, but they try to deceive you into believing it's going to rain by showing you things that are true (there are clouds that are ready to rain coming...not that they'd phrase it like that).

And no, this post wasn't supposed to serve any purpose; I just wanted to post something and couldn't think of anything. That's when I realized how hot it is in my room.

Fallout 1, 2, and Tactics

2009-08-07T01:07:00.015-04:00

This post has been edited to include more information about getting the games (8/10/09)

Just a heads-up that I will be doing a review of the Fallout Trilogy, which includes the original game, the sequel, and Tactics...which is nothing like any other game with Tactics in the name that I've seen...in fact, it seems more like a TPS (Third-Person Shooter) than the original.

These games are available at Walmart as one game (a single disc) for $19.97 (or something else slightly under $19.99) in the US. I'm not sure about other countries, but it's probably just a simple conversion.

FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN SO FAR:

Fallout:   8/10
Fallout 2: ?/10
Tactics:   5/10

The original game, for the time it came out, is quite awesome, especially if you've played other games from (the now defunct) Black Isle Studios branch of Interplay. The 2 points off are for the controls: There's no tutorial and this package doesn't contain a booklet, so I had to figure out that you move with a left click, then right click to switch to an "interact mode", then left click on whatever you're interacting with. The battles are turn based, but are in whatever map you're in. The battle system is actually somewhat of a menu-less version of Wild Arms XF (which I also happen to enjoy).

Also, from what I've noticed, the little text area in the bottom left corner serves as a computerized D/GM (Dungeon/Game Master for you non-Roleplayers out there). It gives a brief description of the effects of what you do (Rat takes 2 damage) and see (You see: Rat).

The game has a standard world map that you run around in however you want, only allowing access to "dungeons" and cities, so not as graphically demanding as Fallout 3. Also, the fully 3D world may visually immerse you into a game, but this one draws you in with that little text box.

I haven't played 2 yet.

Tactics is just too damn complicated, even for me. I LOVE other games that I have with Tactics in the name (since they're generally strategy games, not tactical games like FPSs ^_^), such as Final Fantasy Tactics and La Pucelle Tactics...or...Wild Arms XF, which doesn't have Tactics in the name, but is that type of battle system. But nonetheless, though my rating for it so far isn't too high (big plus for this one having several tutorials), I WILL be playing it more to get a more accurate rating.

EDIT: And if you're wondering, the Browning M2 description reads: "A heavy machine gun developed in 1918 and has always been in use when war has broken out". I haven't actually seen it in the game yet, so I couldn't tell you what it says in the English version.

In fact, I'll play them all more to get a more accurate rating.

Swagbucks

2009-08-05T19:04:00.004-04:00

Want free online money just for searching? Swagbucks.com search is powered by Google AND Ask.com. Not only that, you can buy things from their online store with the swagbucks you get...meaning FREE STUFF for searching online. And by free, I mean you don't even have to pay shipping. It's available to the UK, US, and Canada.

Anyway, I've advertised enough now. It's that good. If you want to try, it's here

Arf.

2009-08-04T23:22:00.002-04:00

I don't mind the occasional energy and happy times. It'd be great if it wasn't accompanied by depression.

Creativity

2009-08-02T12:37:00.007-04:00

For some strange reason, as soon as I got Fallout 3 for the PC and the G.E.C.K., I've been more creative than usual. I'm currently still working on the novel, but I've also restarted a failed other project of mine, currently named "Addicted" that failed miserably in my eyes. The new version is MUCH closer to my style and doesn't seem...sappy. I may even include it as a sequel to Synesthesia (it MIGHT work with a certain ending I'm planning), but it won't be as much of a vampire story. It may just be a subplot in Synesthesia...which may undergo a change from first person present to third person past.
Anyway, that's what I've been doing.

Love and Pancakes,
Jikei

The Novel

2009-07-30T12:55:00.002-04:00

I've gotten back to working on my novel again. That's all. The next chapter is FUN...Time for an inhumane unconventional prison. That's right, a prison that's cruel and...sociogenetic. Sociopathic sociogeneration? The story's rather psychogenetic, as well, but aren't they all? I realize this makes no sense, but I can't explain too much. This is a completely illegal prison, after all.

Discovery

2009-07-27T00:25:00.003-04:00

I've found a major problem with Fallout 3: It's destroying my creativity and will power at an alarming rate. But I can't...stop...playing! Damn addictive game with rewarding gameplay! Damn it to Underworld! Or...well...yeah, the ghouls probably would like to play it there...not much else for them to do...

Fallout 3 (Actual Review)

2009-07-23T12:02:00.003-04:00

So, now I'm pretty far in Fallout 3, so it's time for a good review of it. I don't have much else to say other than that...(Oh, and it's the PS3 version)

Music          10/10
Graphics       10/10
Plot           10/10*
Char. Create   10/10
Equipment      10/10**
Humor          10/10
Char. Dev.     10/10
----------------------
Overall        70/70

So, I wasn't expecting to give this a perfect score before I started playing (I'm not all that into FPSs, frankly), but as soon as I started playing it and heard "I Don't Want to Set the World On Fire" by the Ink Spots, I was hooked.

The music fits the mood of the game PERFECTLY.

The graphics are nearly realistic.

The plot is open-ended, but there are quests to guide through the main story of the game (find your father, etc.)

Character creation occurs AT BIRTH. That very moment, in fact. It has character creation almost parallel to The Sims, sans personality (which you develop naturally throughout the game).

There is a vast selection of weapons, from knives and sledgehammers to "Fat Man" (A nuke launcher named after the bomb dropped on Nagasaki to end WW2) and laser rifles. Armors vary from normal clothes to "Power Armor", which adds to various attributes. I'd be fine if there was a greater selection of swords, though, as the only one I know of, the Chinese Officer's Sword, you can get as soon as you get to the closest town to your vault...which is less than 5 minutes away.
EDIT: I completely forgot about the Shishkebab, a flaming sword that you can craft from a motorcycle gas tank, a motorcycle handbrake, a lawnmower blade, and a pilot light (all of which can be found in a ghost town called Minefield, which is a location near where you get the schematic for this from a quest).

The humor is mostly dry and a lot of it requires some intelligence (that most people old enough to BUY the game should have).

Character development occurs throughout the game. Every decision you make has the potential to change what people think of you and even what you can get for rewards. When you level up, you raise a variety of Skills (Barter, Small Guns, Large Guns, Energy Weapons, Melee Weapons, Medicine, Lockpick, and Sneak are just a few) and pick a Perk (Gun Nut, Lady Killer/Black Widow, Swift Learner, Intense Training, Size Matters, Scrounger, Nerd Rage!, Night Person/Solar Powered, Sniper, Tag!, and Ninja to name a TINY amount of them). You can also gain Perks from quests and Skill points from books. Occasionally, you have the ability to raise your attributes, or S.P.E.C.I.A.L. (Strength, Perception, Endurance, Charisma, Intelligence, Agility, and Luck), as well. S.P.E.C.I.A.L. points also increase related Skills (Strength increases Melee and Unarmed Weapons, etc.) or have other effects (like Intelligence, which raises the number of Skill points you get when you level up).

Overall, unless you're a little kid/easily offended person/Anti-Violence In Games person (the game is gory and has drug and alcohol use), this game is perfect for you...even if you don't get into FPSs, as it has many elements of RPGs, as well. Also, many of the things in it were inspired by 1950s themes, like the burned out cars which were a concept car designed by Ford in the '50s that would run on nuclear power. Much of the technology also comes from '50s sci-fi, like the Gene Projector (used in character creation to determine what you'll look like).

WoW, this game sucks...

2009-07-20T22:32:00.003-04:00

Mind you, I've only played this game TODAY and only for like 3 hours, so I'm sure to get flak from hardcore people, but I don't really like it at all, especially after all the hype from people who buy Guild Wars and talk about how much it sucks compared to WoW. I'll rate this on points that people have brought up and on a comparative scale. Quests are on a comparative scale to introductory quests from GW, which serve the same purpose as the ones I've completed. Skills are being compared only to starter skills in GW and rated on the number available as compared to GW.

Interface      3/10
Char. Creation 9/10
Graphics       4/10
Quests         2/10
Skills         2/10
Armor          7/10
Sound/Music    6/10
-------------------
Overall       33/70

Wow, that's even lower than I thought I'd rate it.

-INTERFACE:
--Awkward placement
--Cluttered
-CHARACTER CREATION:
--There is an assortment of races, each with classes limited by the race.
--There are 6 available classes maximum for good or evil in both GW and WoW
--Lost a point for how horrible the creation interface is. ONLY one point. I'm being nice.
-GRAPHICS
--They suck. Period. They're just horrible, even on the highest settings.
-QUESTS
--While introductory quests are ALWAYS "kill this many enemies!", "pick this up!", or "Collect this many of this item!" in pretty much every MMO, many are rendered nigh impossible by spawn campers and high-leveled characters in newbie land.
-SKILLS
--The skills are visually appealing and effective; however, the enchantments last FAR too long for balanced gameplay and characters have FAR too many skills that they can use whenever. A limit on skills allows more strategy while playing, as does skill balancing. As much as people complain about ArenaNet nerfing skills, they're doing it for the overall enjoyment of the players as well as requiring a more intelligent group of players. Me saying this also comes as a surprise, because I RARELY defend ANet.
-ARMOR
--There is a good selection of armor early on and it is limited by class, level, and proficiency.
--Many armors are unrealistic/illogical, even for a fantasy world, like shoulder pads that are larger than the character's chest.
--The LOW LEVEL armors are actually attractive and I wouldn't mind seeing some in GW.
-SOUND/MUSIC
--Overall, it's pretty good. However, the music during character creation sounds a bit too much like it could be used as battle music in a Final Fantasy knockoff.
--It's hard to hear music of all the people casting spells (I know, you can change volume levels, but one shouldn't have to)
--Spells, actions, and monsters make "appropriate" sounds (what one would expect).
-OVERALL:
--If it was free, it'd be worth it. $12.99 a month for something so craptastic is a bigger waste than gardening supplies for the guy in Metallica's One.

Butterflies

2009-07-19T00:36:00.003-04:00

I like butterflies. I think I'll use them somewhere in a story, but I'll try not to do cliché stuff, like a sentimental reflection...or something stupid like a crown of butterflies...damn, that show sucked...

Fallout 3

2009-07-17T01:15:00.003-04:00

Maybe some other time I'll do a review of Fallout 3...as soon as it's not as addictive. So far it's a 100% perfect game for me, even though I usually hate FPS games. It more than makes up for it in the humor.

But for now: LYRIC TIME! This song plays in one of the opening movies...hmm...why don't I just post a video of it? This is the preview for the game.

And the lyrics to the full song:

The Ink Spots - I Don't Want To Set the World on Fire

I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start
A flame in your heart
In my heart I have but one desire
And that one is you
No other will do

I've lost all ambition for worldly acclaim
I just want to be the one you love
And with your admission that you feel the same
I'll have reached the goal I'm dreaming of

Believe me!
I don't want to set the world on fire
I just want to start
A flame in your heart

Forgot to Mention It

2009-07-16T00:27:00.003-04:00

I have another new blog for food stuff. At the moment, there are only two posts: A discussion on cookies and a rant on Rachel Ray and her lack of knowledge about asian cuisine.

The link can be found here.

If, for some reason, you can't click on links, the URL is:
http://remonseppun.blogspot.com

The Tain

2009-07-11T14:56:00.005-04:00

I'm not going to say anything other than this song is based off an Irish legend. I don't believe I'll have to give backstory, though. Oh, and the song is over 18 minutes long. It was the only song on the album, also called The Tain (which is the short version of the real name, which sounded much more Irish, though it was REALLY long and most, if not all, of people who are reading this don't read Celtic all too well.

The Decemberists - The Tain (Parts I-V)

PART I

Crone: Here upon this pillow
made of reed and willow
you're a fickle little twister
are you sweet on your sister?
your fallow won't leave you alone.

And granted for their pleasure
possessions laid to measure
she's a salty little pisser
with your cock in her kisser
but now she's a will of her own.

PART II

Husband: Damn your ankles and eyes wide
from you fingernails to your ponytails too.
King of the insects and the M-5
over Charlemagne in a motorcade too.

And baby needs a new prize,
baby needs a new and shiny prize.

Captain: In this place called heavenly
you were born here.
this place called heavenly
you were born here.
you were born here.

Husband: And now all the marchers descend from high
I will dedicate all of my awakenings to this.

And damn all the angles that oppress my sight
I will bleed your heart through a samovar soon.

Captain: In this place called heavenly
you were born here.
this place called heavenly
you were born here.
you were born here.

PART III

Soldier: They settled dust in your hair
to watch you shake and shout it out.
With our armaments bared
we shed our bags and travel alls.

From the lee of the wall
he comes in the chang and the chariot
and all his eunuchs in thrall
can scarce lift his line and lariat.

Here come loose the hounds
to blow me down.

Chorus of Waifs: blow me down.

Soldier: On this stretch of ground
I'll lay me down.

Chorus of Waifs: lay me down.

Soldier: To sleep.

Chaplain: And now stricken with pangs
that tear at our backs like thistle down
the mirror's soft silver tain
reflects our last and birthing hour

Soldier: Here come loose the hounds
to blow me down.

Chorus of Waifs: blow me down.

Soldier: On this stretch of ground
I'll lay me down.

Chorus of Waifs: lay me down.

Soldier: To sleep.

PART IV

evening

Widow: O, the wind is blowing, it hurts your skin
as you climb up hillside, forest and fen.

Your arms full of lullabies, orchids and wine,
your memories wrapped within paper and twine.

The room that you lie in is dusty and hard
sleeping soft babies on piles of yards
of gingham, taffeta, cotton and silk,
your dry hungry mouths cry for your mother's milk.

When the dawn comes to greet you, you'll rise with clothes on
and advance with the others, singing old songs
of cattle and maidens and withered old queens.
Let the music carry you on.

The room that you lie in is dusty and hard
sleeping soft babies on piles of yards
of gingham, taffeta, cotton and silk
your dry hungry mouths cry for your mother's milk.

PART V

Woman: Darling dear what have you done?
Your clothes are torn, your make-up runs.

Daughter: I ran through brambles, blooming thistle
I washed my face in the river when you whistled me on.

Woman: Darling dear, what have you done?
Your hands and face are smeared with blood.

Daughter: The chaplain came and called me out
to beat and to butcher his mother's sow

Woman: But darling dear, they found him dead
this morning on the riverbed.

But hush now darling, don't you cry.
Your reward's in the sweet by-and-by.
So, hush now baby, don't you cry.
Your reward's in the sweet by-and-by.

Crone: And now we've seen your powers
softly stretch the hours.
You're a fickle little twister;
are you sweet on your sister?
As now you go wandering home.

Quick Announcement

2009-07-11T00:33:00.002-04:00

We'll be extremely busy cleaning for the next few days.

Also, Sumomo-san's dad gets out of the hospital sometime Monday unless he gets worse off for some reason, but that doesn't seem likely at this point. He can breath again on his own, at least, so it's all good, though technically the news he got wasn't all too good. As I said, I can't go into a lot of the details or I'd tell them to you.

I hope you all have a nice day and dance a lot.

MORE bad news

2009-07-06T02:23:00.002-04:00

Sumomo-san's father is in the hospital. He has an O₂ count of 76 (I think...I know it's in the 70s...it might be lower, but either way, it's dangerously low) and they can't get it up. They've done a lot of testing (CAT scans, X-Rays, Other)...so don't expect too much posting. That's all.

Busy/Guild Wars

2009-07-02T19:17:00.005-04:00

Sorry I haven't posted in a while. I've been busy landscaping in my backyard. I had to dig a giant pond and plant some stuff around it. Now we have to work on making it look good. I'm rather itchy right now because I'm allergic to the tall grass that I had to carry (and it's heavy)...anyway...yeah. That's why I haven't posted. But...just to take up space: A review! It's a general information review rating personal opinions on the different Guild Wars campaigns!

PROPHECIES:  7/10
FACTIONS:   10/10
NIGHTFALL:   9/10
EOTN*:       9/10
-----------------
TOTAL:      35/40

*Eye of the North. The title was too long and would make the rest look weird ^_^

PROPHECIES
-Appears to be medieval Western Europe mostly, with a few tropical areas and deserts. Typical generic RPG settings.
-Mandatory Tutorial: You have to go through several quests in "Pre-Searing" (pre-apocalyptic castle town type setting) before you can advance into the largest portion of the game.
-Slow Development: The story takes many quests and missions that take a LONG time to finish at times to finish. You can hire runners to skip large areas, but there are some mandatory missions and there are some runs that can take up to 4 hours with a GOOD runner.
-Low Rewards: It takes a long time to level up and you might as well give up on making a fortune unless all you do is farm rare things (which is harder to do here)

FACTIONS
-Asia, Eastern Europe, The Middle East
-Lots of Otaku.
-Optional Tutorial QUEST. Just one. All you get from it is information, a few items, a few experience points, and a tiny bit of gold.
-Fast Developement: Though you DO start on a tutorial island, you get into the main plot almost immediately.
-HUGE rewards: You can generally leave the beginner island at max level with at least 10 platinum (10,000 Gold).
-Pretty armor

NIGHTFALL
-Africa, The Middle East, The Mediterranean Region
-Beautiful Scenery
-The Prettiest Armors (and the most expensive non-core elite armor)
-Optional Tutorial Quest. Gets better rewards than the factions one, like the possibility of rare materials that can sell for up to 1 platinum (1000 Gold)
-Medium rewards: You get less experience and gold than factions, but it's tolerable
-Fast Development: A little slower than Factions, but there's a LOT of new content (Heroes), and it's not painfully slow like Prophecies.

EYE OF THE NORTH
-The only expansion (other than the bonus mission pack). In other words, this is the only one that requires another expansion, though it doesn't matter which you have.
-Pretty armors. You also have to EARN the armors (reputation points gained from quests and hunting, as well as materials and gold). Most of them are worth the work.
-Fastest Advancement: You're into the story before you get into the place the story starts. You can also beat the game in a day or two if you play non-stop (It took me a few weeks playing in it about an hour or two a day 5 days a week...another time it took me about 3 days, 5 hours a day).
-High Rewards, BUT...: The rewards for everything are high, but everything's a little expensive. Also, due to how short it is, if you divided the time it took to get the stuff by the time it was useful (TIME TO GET / TIME USED), you end up with a positive number (meaning it takes longer to get it than you have time to use it).

BONUS MISSION PACK
-Not scored because it's 4 missions, nothing else.
-Explains a LOT of the GW history as seen through the eyes of 4 of its most prominent characters.
-When you finish the missions, you can trade the storybooks for some really pretty weapons (My favorite being the Undead skinned weapons from Palawa Joko's Story).
-I'd Give it a 10 if I were to actually count its score.

Pandora Radio

2009-06-27T03:33:00.010-04:00

Time for something new; how about a review of a website? Pandora.com seems like a good candidate.

Pandora is an internet radio site where you create your own radio station based on a band, a song, or a genre. The site takes over then, playing songs that share similar characteristics as the base choice. You also have multiple other customization options, including, but not limited to:

Add Variety: Add another band or song to the current station's influence.
Thumbs up: The station plays more music like the current song
Thumbs down: The station narrows down the song list by removing songs similar to the current song.
Sleep for a Month: If your station plays a song too often, you can make it NOT play it for a month

BASED ON BAND:   10/10
BASED ON SONG:    9/10
BASED ON GENRE:   8/10
VARIETY OVERALL: 10/10
----------------------
OVERALL SCORE:   37/40

-Basing a song on a band is great. You get EXACTLY what you want, since it will try to play music similar to all of the content of the band
-Basing it on a song works well, but offers less variety
-Genre stations should possibly have gotten a lower score. Genre stations are shared by all members of the site, so that means everyone decides what gets played. Therefore, the songs that come up occasionally do not fit the genre (like David Bowie on the Industrial genre station), but it redeems itself in that MOST of the songs do belong to the correct genre.
-No matter what your choice is, you will discover new bands to listen to.

Dead Space

2009-06-27T02:39:00.009-04:00

Here's an old review I posted on another blog, though I GUESS it's still relevant. I will post newer reviews, but my gaming's been rather...stale lately. I haven't gotten a new platform game in months. Oh, and I've cleaned it up and fixed it to work with this blog's format.

Well, the best quick summary of Dead Space is Resident Evil...IN SPACE!!! But instead of relying on headshots for one hit kills, you have to strategically mutilate the enemies (take out their legs to slow them down, take out their arms to their likeliness to attack, take out the head to unleash a frantic attack on yourself). You have an arsenal of futuristic mining equipment (plasma cutter being the first you get) slowly added to your inventory. The "necromorphs", as the enemies are called, get progressively more difficult as the game goes on, but only in the sense that they come in larger amounts. There is even one you first meet in chapter 3 or 4 that explodes when you kill it, releasing several dozen small ones that latch onto you and prevent you from shooting while doing damage.

Graphics:  9.6/10
Music:      10/10
Interface*: 10/10
Gameplay:    8/10
-----------------
Overall:  37.6/40

-The game's graphics are nearly realistic. For a game with as much action as it has with no lag, this is an achievement.
-The music is limited and what there is fits the mood of the game perfectly.
-There isn't a traditional interface. Health is displayed on the character's back. Ammo is displayed on the gun itself. "Stasis Energy" (used to slow down enemies) is also displayed on the back. The menu projects in front of the character and does not stop gameplay.
-The gameplay would get a 10/10, but I deducted two points for the controls alone. The left stick (since I have it for PS3) moves you forward, backward, and left/right strafing. The right stick controls the direction you're looking, as well as the direction that is considered "forward". I also deducted a little for the Zero Gravity settings which, while awesome, are very clunky in the controls. This was only a minor deduction, however, as the strangeness is logical (can't jump to a platform you're too close to).

America's Got Talent...Sometimes

2009-06-27T01:29:00.007-04:00

So, I'm sure that a lot of you watched this past week's season premier of America's Got Talent. If you're like me, you mostly watch just to laugh at the people who don't have talent (and somehow don't realize it). While these do tend to be absolutely hilarious, every now and then someone who actually has talent manages to find their way into these otherwise talentless auditions. So, I've decided to share a few of videos of these rare talented acts.

While I think that there are way too many singing acts on the show, there are some that actually end up being pretty good. (Please ignore the disturbing first act the video shows)

Animal acts are also usually too numerous, without enough talent combined to fill

a thimble (best word that we could think of). This dog, however, is just really

amazing.

Impersonators are usually just plain horrible, but this one was hysterically funny

During this performance, the laws of physics were temporarily disabled

This last video...wow...that's all I can really say

Nothing New

2009-06-24T02:28:00.003-04:00

I have nothing new to say, so...

I don't like a7x, but jake2matt did make an awesome video for it, after all. The video is perfect for the song, though that seems like an insult to their video. Either way, the song gets three thumbs up. And that third thumb is "featured" from 3:16 - 3:29.

Random Ideas

2009-06-21T01:54:00.007-04:00

Just throwing these out there as possible things you may or may not see in my novel:

A clockwork city
A scene of torture with the male lead held in place and cut with thousands of narrow devices that look like spiderlegs
A beach scene with the male and female lead actually enjoying themselves for once
Above scene set in a forest
A subway
A smorgasbord in a bedroom

Also, time for some lyrics (unfortunately, you don't get to hear the blood-curdling screams placed at various intervals throughout the song, but I know the lyrics are correct, as they come from the band's website):

Gogol Bordello - I Would Never Wanna Be Young Again

By the desperate 'n' confused
Emotion of the youth
I was brought to Crisis Island
Where, after getting checked for fleas
And barricades of embassies,
I was sculpted to be overworked and silent

But since the early age
I broke out of the cage
And learned how to make a marching drum from fish can
And I knew I'd run away
So without further delay
I said, "Two tears in a bucket, motherfuck it!"

And it seems like I ran and ran
Through the garbage and quicksand
And after getting checked for fleas
And barricades of embassies,
I never, never, never wanna be young again!

But sudden wind stole my hat
And I went on chasing it
Before I was just another burned-out carnie
Every freak on every day lives their life one certain way
And that way, they know nothing but a birthright

But since the early age
I broke out of the cage
And learned how to make marching drum from fish can
And I knew I'd run away
So without further delay
I said, "Two tears in a bucket, motherfuck it!"

And it seems like I ran and ran
Through the garbage and quicksand
And after getting checked for fleas
And barricades of embassies,
I never, never, never wanna be young again!

And it seems like I ran and ran
Through the garbage and quicksand
And after getting checked for fleas
And barricades of embassies,
I never, never, never wanna be young again!

2009-06-19T01:49:00.011-04:00

I have a new blog for those interested in reading some of my short stories and short shorts. It can be found here and I will not mention it beyond this post. It will contain mostly the darker, grittier, and more graphic stuff, but I put a few other things there, too. I'll use this one primarily for random stuff, as before, but the written work on here will primarily be excerpts from my novel, such as this, a review of the Ionescu Family Circus (Chapter 1):

Have someone you want to kill, but don't have the heart to? Then the Ionescu Family Circus is perfect for your cause! A heart attack does wonders for the disposal of enemies and you won't even be suspected! Why not even scare your kids into listening?

"Hey kids, if you're not good, we'll make you join the circus!"

What was once every kid’s dream is now their nightmare. Good job, guys. Good job. It's not hard to scare a child with a clown, but when the performing animals, which are normally adorable are legitimately scaring teenagers, I think you've gone a little too far. In fact, I wouldn't even recommend them to your enemies. That's just cruel.

For those who want to go to the other blog, the URL again is http://satanspinups.blogspot.com. And no, it's not satanic, but the idea came randomly to my mind to use that URL. I'm not a fan of Satan, after all. He's kind of an ass.

Bad News

2009-06-16T21:57:00.004-04:00

My cat died about half an hour ago. It wasn't unexpected; she had a giant tumor under her armpit that had already started going through her skin and she spent more time than usual lying around. She'd also not been on my parents' bed for weeks after being there for years. She stopped sleeping on my bed freshman year of high school when I rolled over on her in my sleep.

How ironic is it that she died at the foot of my bed? Also, before I left to stay with my fiancée for the week, I'd told her not to die without me around. Where did she go? My room. She died in my room.

She's going to be buried in our back yard near the lilac bush. We have sand from a mandala made by monks when they came through that is supposed to be used for this purpose; to allow an animal a chance for human rebirth, if you believe in reincarnation.

So, without further ado,

R.I.P. Stella 1997-2009

Recipe #1

2009-06-16T12:31:00.003-04:00

This may sound strange, but...well...it's cheap and we were hungry. All of this is available at Walmart and this is easy to make.

Spaghetti with General Tso's Chicken and Alfredo Sauce

14.5 oz Spaghetti
1 18 oz box InnovAsian Cuisine General Tso's Chicken Breast
1 cup Classico Four Cheese Alfredo Sauce (or more. Depends on your tastes and texture preferences)

Make spaghetti as you normally would.

Prepare the chicken as directed by the box.

When the spaghetti and chicken are both done, mix together (in separate bowls if you want) with the alfredo sauce. Serves 4 (in other words, 1 or 2)

Double Meanings

2009-06-13T16:21:00.010-04:00

Words with multiple translations from other languages are great...why not share some? These are going by pronunciation if they're from a different alphabet. I used roman letters for those who don't have alternate alphabets on their computers, but I could easily have typed them in in Japanese, at least.

FRENCH:
Chou - (a pet name for someone cute), cabbage

JAPANESE:
Kaigan - Beach, Enlightenment
Seiteki - Sexy, Political Opponent, Legal Wife
Yaru - To Kill, To Have Sex
Umi - Beach, Birth, Pus
Tendou - The Sun, Destiny
Bouji - Sex, Lovemaking, One's Dead Child
Kumo - Spider, Cloud
Shi - Four, Death

KOREAN:
Sagwa - Apple, Apology

If you have any others, feel free to share them. I'll add them to the list.

Oh, and video time:

Windows

2009-06-13T00:25:00.009-04:00

I hate windows. Why do I use it? Oh yeah...'cause macs suck and I'm too lazy to make Linux run the programs I like. (I use Vista Home Premium, by the way. Not as bad as everyone says it is. It doesn't ask security questions any more than Windows XP Professional with SP 2...) What's this rant about? Well, I'll get to the point shortly.

Anyway, I was playing The Sims 3 (Collector's Edition ftw...I'd recommend getting the collector's edition whether you play the game or not just so you can get the flash drive. It opens instantly, even on slow computers. That and it's absinthe green; one of the best colors on the planet) and all of a sudden, it closes (and I hadn't saved in a while). Windows decided conveniently not to tell me it wanted to restart for an update.

Now onto the point: I've decided I want to get back to writing (it's been since TUESDAY. *gasp*). Then I thought, I don't know what to write! I know what should be happening in my novel. I know how to write it. I just want filler. That's where the point lies: I want you all to suggest things. If I can, I'll give you credit. If not...maybe you'll be a character in it somewhere ^_^

So, feel free to leave a comment with your idea or email it to me. I probably won't use any of them, but contributors may be used as characters, so submit your ideas!

Zombies!

2009-06-08T20:06:00.008-04:00

So...that title has absolutely nothing with what I'm going to say, but it sounded good at the time. I have already been introduced; however, just to make absolutely sure everyone knows who I am, my name is Sumomo-san. Don't believe any rumors you've heard about me, they're all lies (at least I think most of them are lies). I'm really not good at this blogging thing, but I promised that I would try.

I'm a major anime geek (not that anyone cares), so I think that I shall post a video about one of the coolest anime characters of all time: Edward Wong Hau Pepelu Tivrusky IV.

New Member

2009-06-05T20:50:00.003-04:00

This blog has a new member: Sumomo-san. Be nice to her. She...probably won't be nice back, but it's okay. If she kills you, you deserve it.

And to commemorate this, it's time to post a video.

Don't Piss Off Old Gypsy Women

2009-05-29T23:14:00.007-04:00

I went to see "Drag Me To Hell" this morning and have decided that the main idea in this movie is "Never Piss Off An Old Gypsy Woman".


Soundtrack:      10/10
Special Effects: 10/10
Plot:             7/10
"Scariness":      7/10
----------------------
Overall Score:   34/40

-My score for the music is a little biased, as I'm a huge fan of music from the Roma culture (more frequently called Gypsy music, which is a more general [and slightly offensive] term).
-They definitely spent money on the effects...with one minor exception (the first time it shows the Lamia when Christine first goes to the fortune teller guy).
-The plot was lackluster and left me wanting more; however, it was better than most modern horror movie plots. The characters were a little...erm...dense, but they were smarter than the average horror movie characters. I don't recommend watching the movie if you like kittens, though. I especially don't suggest it if you don't like profanity or are part of the Roma culture. It does depict Gypsies as evil and having pacts with Satan, which is a HUGE lie about such a strong culture. On the other hand, it DOES teach a TINY, TINY bit of Gypsy culture at the funeral of Sylvia Ganesh (the furious Romanian woman who cursed Christine).
-There were some scenes where even my fiancée jumped and she's less of a coward than I am. However, these scenes were destroyed by other scenes where we couldn't help but laugh, as we pictured the Burger King showing up instead of the Lamia.

The movie may make you nauseous at points from flies, partially digested insects, and embalming fluid...oh, and a crazy Gypsy woman gnawing on Christine's face. I recommend this movie if you have a strong stomach, but a love of small fluffy animals.

Ore Wa Homo Ja Nai

2009-05-28T23:39:00.004-04:00

I'd never dance with panties on my head while singing into a remote (though I have been singing that song today), but I'm not a homo either; I'm just rather feminine in my actions. I also like very feminine things, like making things pretty (I'm an armor whore in Guild Wars, collecting all the armors I think are pretty [which are very feminine]). However, my gender preference is not that of a female. It IS female. I have often been called gay (rarely seriously, but there are people who suspect that I am), but I am engaged to my lovely Krison.

But that's not the main purpose of my post. I want to articulate an opinion. I believe people who are gay should be allowed to be married. I'm not a very religious person, so I shouldn't get married in a church. The church wouldn't like it if I got married there, either. On that note, the church doesn't want gays to get married there. Don't get married there. That's disrespectful to that church's beliefs. HOWEVER, I do believe they SHOULD be allowed to get married. The government, on the other hand, thinks otherwise. They can't state a single reason against it that doesn't also apply to straight marriages, nor does it necessarily apply to marriage at all. The only non-health reasons they offer are religious ones.

Separation of church and state, anyone?

But since when has the government ever cared about anything other than upholding Christan (and ONLY Christian) values?

Now, don't get me wrong, I have nothing against any religions. They're all valid belief systems. I just don't like when religions get into power. That's what's led to the war in Iraq, even before the US got involved. But when the US got involved, it became a war over DIFFERENT religions instead of between two religious sects.

But back to gay marriage: It should be allowed. There is nothing in the constitution about gay marriage. There is no other major, non-religious text in the US that forbids gay marriage as a civil union that does not cite biblical reasons or reasons not pertaining to MARRIAGE.

On that note, people who are gay should be allowed to adopt, as well. People are against it for one of two reasons, from the information I've gathered:
1) "They'll turn them gay!"
2) "They'll rape them."

1 is just laughable.
2 is just ignorant. Contrary to popular belief, gender preference does NOT equal pedophilia.

There's also a third point I want to bring up: Those children don't generally CARE who adopts them. They're happy to have a home and a loving family.

Don't misunderstand me, though. I think the rules for adoption should be tightened. I don't just think people should be able to adopt simply because they can. I think social services should do an in-depth background check of EVERY detail of these people's lives. This includes random PI checks BEFORE AND AFTER the adoption is complete. Simply checking on the child won't work if the child is scared or blindly loyal to the parents.

If you wish to share your opinions, please share them RESPECTFULLY as comments to this post. Thank you for taking the time to read this.

Sno Cones

2009-05-27T21:53:00.001-04:00

I've been addicted to lemon sno cones for the past two weeks. And the ones I'm getting aren't cheap (though 24 oz of sour lemon juice on ice is pretty awesome). Yeah, these ones are good. Anyway, I had one...3 hours ago...I still taste it.

Lemons kick ass. Plain lemons are awesome, of course, though these sno cones kick just as much ass.

Hmm...have I said enough? How about if I tell everyone I have a pool now? I was swimming in it for like 2 hours...which didn't help me at all. It made my vertigo horrible...still, it was worth it. I love freezing cold water (it wasn't, actually...it was 75F in the water...but it felt really cold. Still...it was worth the effects.

Time to dance.

Humor

2009-05-24T23:50:00.001-04:00

Yeah, not really, but I try...time to get a song stuck in your head after listening to something ridiculous.

And something NOT from Death Note...it's an improvement to a song from the Little Mermaid (the way it SHOULD have been if you listen to all the words)

Two Days Early

2009-05-23T09:36:00.001-04:00

Yeah, I want to post this two days early so I don't forget to do it when it's the right time to post it.

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY.

Sparta

2009-05-20T19:28:00.001-04:00

I don't have a better title for this since I don't even know what I'll write. Let's see, I'll start off by saying you're not allowed to cook vampires in the "mall" (in quotes because there's housing there and everything...it's a mini-city, essentially) by my house. Also, sandboxes are meant to bury people, not dinosaurs.

I think my next post may include a link to a picture of a sketch in my sketch book. It's one I'm rather proud of. I may even upload 2 pics from there (my favorites).

Canada.

Tomato.

Sushi.

'Nuff said.

Hmm...time for something else...let's see...random video time:

And another!

Notes

2009-05-16T01:00:00.002-04:00

I've been bored lately. I've made two "* Note"s. I made one for my sister and one for my fiancée. My sister got a Win Note and my fiancée got a Lose Note. My sister's has her name in it twice, as I was the original owner. No one's name is in the Lose Note, which took MUCH longer to make (a full hour...the Win Note took 3 hours, the Lose Note took 4).

I'm REALLY bored right now, so I'll just add a tutorial, though I know no one cares.

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
1 Standard Black Notebook
1+ Black Markers or Gel Pens. More are necessary if they do not match the notebook color.
1 VERY Hard Eraser
1 Pen, Preferably Gel Pens

1) Black out any color on the cover of the notebook. If the pen/marker does not match the notebook color, make sure you leave an open area for the next step or it won't work.

2) Rub the eraser in the shape of the letters you want to write on the cover (Win Note, Lose Note, Some Other Note).

3) Clean up the edges of the letters with the pen/marker. If the pen/marker does not match the color of the notebook perfectly, you'll have to finish blacking out the entire cover, as well.

4) Write the Rules to the note on the inside of the notebook cover.

Here are all the rules for the Death Note, if you were wondering:
deathNote-club's deviantART gallery

I used a few of the rules, but modified, for the notes I made.

12 Seconds/Synesthesia

2009-05-13T19:28:00.004-04:00

Just going to post two TINY fragments of the novel that I'm eventually going to publish. Both of these fragments are from chapter 2. If you want, feel free to suggest a title, although, at the moment I prefer Synesthesia.

"....Still staying low, I follow closely as she runs to the barn. We run in. We couldn't hide here for long. From the looks of it, the whole barn would fall from a little touch to the side. We run out the other side to the field. When we gets to the edge of the field, Erin shoves me down. She dives in front of me, dropping to her stomach. She starts army-crawling through it.

She must not be used to doing this dressed like she is. There's not much to see but wheat and the contents of her skirt. Hmm, this really could be my Erin; she has the same birthmark on her upper thigh.

Not long after my observation, she stops and motions for me to get ahead of her, her face glowing red. I smile back innocently as I crawl past her...."

"....Why don’t I hear it? Everything slows and the guns sound more like...a heartbeat. What the hell?! I feel a sharp sting and look down. Is that blood?!...."

I may or may not post more later.

Gypsy Part Of Town

2009-05-12T00:47:00.002-04:00

I can't think of anything to add...why not just post some lyrics?!

J.U.F. - Gypsy Part of Town
Well I've been reading some texts in my dreams
They went for pages
And I've been watching the wolves
They broke out of cages

And how fallowing dirty old useless clown
Gadjo gets lost in a gypsy part of town..

So be I gagged or bound, lobotomized, sedated
My foundations are too deep to penetrate it

And let your girl scouts lip-synch about the freedom
Just the way you like them, but you'll see them
Soon enough they all turn around
Soon enough you'll see them in a gypsy part of town..

I kept on reading the texts, they went for pages
I looked at the guards, they were burning stages
I smiled at the world, there will be some changes
I winked at the wolves and they broke out of cages
Lets go... kuravla

New Blog, Lyrics

2009-05-11T01:17:00.001-04:00

Yeah. New blog for all my random purposes.

Here, I'll add some lyrics to give this post a purpose.

Voodoo Loons - The Unabashedly Political Song
Hey
If you watch Fox News, you might as well just turn this shit off right now
'Cause I'm having a hard time how you people aren't deeply fucking concerned about the state of our affairs
And by "Our", I'm talking about the land of the supposedly free,
Home of the brave
I've been noticing lately that we have no idea how many people have been killed by OUR bombs in this "war on terror"
Yeah, War on Terror
How terrifying do you suppose it is to have a bomb dropped on your family?

Forgive me world, I'm just trying to understand
How we solve all our problems dropping bombs on your head
Excuse us, World, We're just following God's plan
Saving the world just one
war
at a time

How many kids were killed in the World Trade Center?
How many kids have we killed in Iraq or Afghanistan?
Why don't you know and how is this not wrong?
And I'm having a hard time figuring out how it's wrong to blow away babies in Oklahoma City,
Somehow it's just collateral damage when those babies have brown skin
and live in the desert

Forgive me, World, I'm just trying to understand
How we solve your problems dropping bombs on your head
Excuse us, World, We're just following God's plan
Saving the world just one
war
at a time

Meanwhile back home, We're putting poor Johnny away for 15 years for tripping the light fantastic
While his kid brother's a zombie on prescription Ritalin
And Mom's on Prozac
Dad's having martini lunches with pills to get a hard-on, grow his hair, drop 20 pounds
Yeah, war on drugs, indeed
Most people seem to agree that it's madness
that out *gigglegiggle* leaders won't vote this way for fear of retribution.
So that's to make you wonder,
Who exactly are the assholes?
Is it the guys with no guts and the bizarrely vain profession fucking us up
or is it really us as a people
'Cause yeah, we're for freedom,
Like freedom of religion
(as long as your god is the Lord Jesus Christ,
Not some heathenistic idol that, you know, the rest of the world worships)

Forgive me, World, I'm just trying to understand
How we solve your problems dropping bombs on your head
Excuse us, World, We're just following God's plan
Saving the world just one
war
at a time