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admeister
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 Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:11 am Post subject: |
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Don't worry about a FAQ, just enjoy the game and make your own decisions, I say. I didn't follow any kind of guide when playing the first game, I'm not sure what ending I got, and I don't really care.  All I know is that I liked it.
On an interesting note, song magic has been simplified somewhat in Qoga. There's only red magic now, with healing effects only being attributes of said magic. As such, most healing is now done by using items.
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OropherX
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:07 am Post subject: |
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Ok I'm on phase 2 now. Hmm who to pick first... I'm guessing I won't really see the other characters depending on which route I choose.
edit: Whoa Misha's lvl 6 soul space, **** getting crazy =P I need to play through this level in japanese to see how the japanese voice actress portrayed her here.
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Onislash
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 10:11 am Post subject: |
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| OropherX wrote: | | Oh no, is this one of those 'i have to follow a faq or i'll miss out on the epic ending'? :/ |
No. The deciding point is as subtle as persona 3, but not quite as blunt.
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Cyph
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 11:01 am Post subject: |
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I'm thinking about letting go of my copy of Atelier Rorona if anyone is interested. It's a good game, just not my cup of tea. Also still have Folklore if anyone is keen for that.
A few years ago I would've loved games like these, but now... not so much. I think my taste in games is changing.
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Kyle Clarthy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:26 pm Post subject: |
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| Onislash wrote: | | OropherX wrote: | | Oh no, is this one of those 'i have to follow a faq or i'll miss out on the epic ending'? :/ |
No. The deciding point is as subtle as persona 3, but not quite as blunt. |
Don't worry too much, Oropher. I think that you should really just go with the flow and choose whoever you like the most. If you don't and you want the "true" ending (for lack of a better word) then you're not really following your (Lyner's) heart now, are you?  I think you should just choose whatever/whoever/whenever and see where it takes you and enjoy the show.
Or make a lot of save files.
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chibiandy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:29 pm Post subject: |
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| Kyle Clarthy wrote: |
Or make a lot of save files. |
Do it!!! 
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Kyle Clarthy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 12:56 pm Post subject: |
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Here's some more information about that Grand Knights History game from Vanillaware/Marvelous. The artwork looks really nice.
| Siliconera wrote: | Vanillaware and Marvelous are working on Grand Knights History where three kingdoms are locked in a battle to control Ristya. Famitsu has a look at the regions plus a few screenshots of the PSP game.
Logres – The Ancient Country
Logres is hidden deep within the mountains and was once ruled by a tyrant. Fausel (his full name is Fausel Wald Logres) led a rebellion and overthrew Aless to become the country’s king. He’s the character on top of the mountain.
Union – The Country of the Knights
In the northern region of Ristya, lies a country with faith in church and holy sword. Union’s residents take pride in becoming honorable knights. Leon (left) is the country’s young king. Known for his resolute appearance he received the nickname the Lion King. Princess Sefia (lady below Leon on the left) is actually from Logres. Leon rescued Sefia and protects the princess after her exodus from her home country.
Avalon – The Magical Country
In a remote region of Ristya, within the Forest of Bewilderment, is where you can find Avalon. Founded by the great witch Theresa, Avalon is a land where sorcery reigns. Residents of this nation feel as they are one with nature. Queen Muse (below Fausel on the right), their leader, is an expert on magic. She studied the Wisdom of the Ancients and gathered the Treasure of the Saints.
You get to create a warrior to play as in Grand Knights History, but your squire is pre-set. Liscia, supports the player character throughout the game.
Grand Knights History is slated for a summer release on PSP. |
I guess it's too early to begin getting worried about it getting translated, isn't it? I'd really like to know some more about it.
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Cyph
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:45 pm Post subject: |
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Looks interesting. More reason for me to start to learn Japanese after my wedding.
In other news, I took some games I no longer want/play (including Folklore and Ateleria) to Game/JB/EB today (all in the same complex) with the intention of picking up Ar Tonelico. However, after reading some mixed reviews and thinking the game may not be for me, AND, seeing Yakuza 4 on the shelf, I picked up the latter! I loved Yakuza 3 so I think I made the right decision.
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chibiandy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 2:54 pm Post subject: |
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You can't go wrong with Yakuza 4....that said, I should really continue playing it....oh wait there's a Commercial Law midterm coming up, okay back to the top of the pile of shame of epic proportions
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dloiscute
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:12 pm Post subject: |
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Awesome Cyph. I am slowly making my way through some of my games lately. It is getting overwhelming >__>.
Currently playing through Yakuza 4 and Tales of Symphonia. Two massive games. Tempted to drop Symphona though due to its annoying conventions like extremely slow dialogue skipping, strange or lack of voice work and the short-ass GC controller lead  .
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chibiandy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:23 pm Post subject: |
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Found copies of Trails in the Sky L.E on Ebay going for $55 + $7 postage....tempted but the 3DS has effectively shut my wallet down
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OropherX
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:39 pm Post subject: |
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Grand Knights History looks like it might be vaguely based on British lore like Odin Sphere was loosely based on Norse mythology and Muramasa based on Buddism-Japanese.
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Luketheman5
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:46 pm Post subject: |
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Did I read Yakuza 4?
I'm playing it now myself and I love it! And I've barely started.
I don't know why, but I always loved the chase parts and they've improved them so much! At one stage a guy was catching up so I turned around and sucker punched him and sped off, it just makes it so much more awesome.
I haven't even met Kazuma yet and I love it...
Cyph you definitely made the right decision!
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emech
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 3:59 pm Post subject: |
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| chibiandy wrote: | | Found copies of Trails in the Sky L.E on Ebay going for $55 + $7 postage....tempted but the 3DS has effectively shut my wallet down |
http://www.videogamesplus.ca/product_info.php?products_id=17268 $47.60 ish including the delivery.....$10 less for the standard......
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Jahanzeb
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 4:44 pm Post subject: |
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@ Kyle's post
The ported Princess Crown to PSP in Japan but it never made it anywhere else. Oh how I wish these were released on XBLA and PSN. I'm a huge huge fan of Odin Sphere, and I love high res 2D gaming SO MUCH.
Odin Sphere had some excellent writing and one of the best english dubs ever!!!
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Kyle Clarthy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| Cyph wrote: |
In other news, I took some games I no longer want/play (including Folklore and Ateleria) to Game/JB/EB today (all in the same complex) with the intention of picking up Ar Tonelico. However, after reading some mixed reviews and thinking the game may not be for me, AND, seeing Yakuza 4 on the shelf, I picked up the latter! I loved Yakuza 3 so I think I made the right decision. |
I'm still waiting for Ad's "review" about Ar Tonelico before I even begin to make up my mind on that game. It's sad, but I feel the same way you do about it, Cyph.
| chibiandy wrote: | | Found copies of Trails in the Sky L.E on Ebay going for $55 + $7 postage....tempted but the 3DS has effectively shut my wallet down |
Strange, but I questioned for a moment whether I had pre-ordered Trails of the Sky or not. I think I did ... it was so long ago now. I'm sure I did. I think.
Anyway ... I guess if I did, I will get an email saying it was sent at any moment, right?
Here's something funny in regards to the Xenoblade Chronicles PAL announcement. People crying about Nintendo of America shafting them and so on.
Now, I understand that importing a Wii game is a little worse than a DS or PSP or PS3 title, but some of the stuff they're saying is ... well, read on. I'll choose a mixture of the sad, the bad and the just plain mad.
| Beggar wrote: | I swear to God NOA. Do not disappoint me again. The way you've been ignoring my favorite developer is really, really terrible. Honestly, every time you guys pass on a game from them my respect goes down a bit. You guys were talking so much about how you wanted to please the core gamer...well, localizing these games is one way to do it.
Just at least give me this game. Okay? Please? I'll try and get over the sting of having no Disaster or Soma Bringer if you just give us this game, okay? Please, NOA? |
| Seeing the Light wrote: | | I see a light...and I have a feeling it's going to be blocked off by NOA with a giant boulder >_> |
| Douchebag wrote: | I guess we can call this confirmation: a U.S. release simply isn't going to happen.
Look. If Europe gets it before America, then that means that NOA has officially passed it up. So yeah, it'll probably be playable in something resembling English, but I'm not modding my Wii for a half-baked Euro translation. |
| Gardenia wrote: | This is my face when I'm not seeing a U.S. release any time soon.
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| Right? wrote: | It would be terrible if we dont get it (like with that Inazuma game on the DS that Europe got, right?  |
| Shocked Dude wrote: | | I'm surprised this game got announced for EU before NA |
| What about me? wrote: | | Means nothing for us NA gamers. |
| There's a Downside to Everything wrote: | | The plus side...I can play it in English. The downside...may have to import it... |
| What about me, too? wrote: | | now what about the US? |
So ... yeah, I guess that people can learn to import or something, can't they?
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OropherX
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:19 pm Post subject: |
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NOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
Square Enix Acquires Gust Corporation
http://www.rpgfan.com/news/2011/1374.html
S-E just recently said that they are trying to western streamline their RPG games. It's like the spirit of Gust titles are being threatened now.
"For example, we will be expanding the Ar tonelico series beyond Qoga and into three separate branches of what we are calling Hymnos Eternia. The three titles currently in development are Ar tonelico Amyure, Ar tonelico Balduo, and Ar tonelico Deleir"
This doesn't sound good =((
"Ar tonelico Amyure combines the rhythm elements of Qoga's battle system with more modern music, allowing players to enter one-on-one combat while gaining power with attacks on beat with popular music."
Is S-E trying to turn Ar Tonelico into an RPG-DDR?!
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Pagan's Mind
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:22 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | Ar tonelico Balduo, developed by North American studio Robomodo, is an extreme V-boarding game, the sport fans will be familiar with. Playing as more than 12 pro V-boarders, the title uses the engine from the now-defunct Tony Hawk series. Players who have purchased Activision's skateboards will be able to use these boards with Ar tonelico Balduo. |
What the heck!? I'm pretty sure Ar Tonelico is a very niche series, who are they trying to appeal to? The Tony Hawk games are a total utmost failure now and they think combining that series with Ar Tonelico is a good idea?
Last edited by Pagan's Mind on Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:23 pm, edited 1 time in total
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OropherX
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:23 pm Post subject: |
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Wait maybe this is an April Fools Day joke >_>
Yeah actually this will most likely be one. Well done RPGFan/Internet you got me this year. They didn't source the article anywhere so it's definitely a joke.
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Pagan's Mind
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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I think you may be right. They got me too
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OropherX
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:28 pm Post subject: |
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At least the guys at RPGFan knows at what point JRPGs be utterly destroyed =P
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Kyle Clarthy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:52 pm Post subject: |
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Moving on ...
Here's something else you people who like TiTS may be interested in.
| Siliconera wrote: | Trails in the Sky Impressions
One night five years ago, Estelle Bright’s shining Bracer and former war hero father, Cassius, brought home a young boy named Joshua. He tells Estelle he found Joshua and the amnesiac boy moves into their home. Estelle and Joshua, both 16 years old now, follow in their father’s footsteps. They too, are on their way to joining the Bracer’s Guild. That means they’ll become mercenaries and take on missions protecting people. Right after the two pass their final exam and become Junior Bracers, Cassius gets a note calling him away for at least a month. He travels to a number of places to keep tabs on some suspicious activity. Estelle and Joshua begin their new lives as Bracers without his guidance and recruiting all kinds of new friends to help them on their way.
While The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky eventually develops into a story with elements of political intrigue, much of your time is spent helping Estelle and their friends complete Bracer’s Guild missions. Everywhere you go has a guild branch and getting a new mission is as easy as checking the board. It may sound simple, but it actually adds a bit of realism since it isn’t like people are just randomly running up to Estelle and Joshua, begging for help with important missions.
Polished is the most appropriate word to describe The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. It is absolutely beautiful and clear that Falcom put an extraordinary amount of detail into the game. The character sprites and environments look fantastic. The orbal arts system offers a lot of customization options and there are many tiny touches that weren’t necessary, but will make you smile to see them. Birds scatter when Estelle runs towards them and there’s an amusing newspaper in the game to help you keep up with current events. Townspeople may even move from one area to another too.
Xseed put just as much detail in their localization. The script is wonderful. Trails in the Sky is funny and engaging, with many clever lines throughout the adventure. I also liked the characterization for each party member, their dialogue always matched their personalities perfectly. Actually, this even applied to NPCs. Sometimes games are about seeing how many great one liners you can shove in there. When you play The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky, you can tell the script was a labor of love.
With all this text, you’d think it’d be hard to keep track of things to do in The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky. Never fear, as there are in-game notebooks, which take note of every detail so you don’t have to. The Bracer notebook holds all of the information pertaining to the jobs you completed or have to do. There are also rather helpful bestiary and recipe books as well, which can help you prepare for battle encounters or recreate tasted food to restore health. Even better is that these notebooks, like map directions, are assigned to hotkeys so you don’t always have to go through the menus to find them.
Ah, those wonderful hotkeys. With a press of a button, you can instantly bring up handy information. Pressing the triangle button lets you instantly access the Bracer notebook, recipe book, monster guide or Liberl map by pressing left, up, right or down on the D-pad. Pressing and holding the square button adds location names to the area you’re on, so you can see if you’re heading on the path to the right home or location. I got the most use out of that. It was so much easier than constantly checking the Liberl map to see if I was following the correct road.
The Trails in the Sky battle system nicely blends turn-based and strategic elements. When battle begins, characters and monsters appear on what is essentially a grid. On the left side of the screen, you can see character portraits, the turn order, and if any special bonuses are in play. Attacks have ranges though, so your party will occasionally have to spend a turn moving closer to get an attack in.
There are also special orbal arts, which are obtained by tweaking your characters’ orbments. Putting a quartz into an open orbment slot allows a character to use certain skills and boost stats. These special skills require points to use in battle and have a casting time, which means you have to wait a turn for them to take effect. The advantage of using Orbal Arts is these skills can hit anywhere on the map, attack evasive enemies, and are often more powerful. Plus, arranging quartz properly in an orbment can unlock more powerful skills to use in battles. Of course, you do level up after battles too, but it’s nice that you can also augment your character to try and customize him or her and enhance certain areas.
Everything comes together to make battles more of a thinking process. Trails in the Sky avoids the pitfall of spamming "fight" to defeat enemies. You actually have to plan. If you’re clever, you can attack enemies in such a way that they don’t even get a turn in. The S-Break special attacks really help with that. These become available after characters have taken or inflicted enough damage to fill a CP gauge. You can then press triangle and either up, down, left or right at any time to make them use the S-Craft attack assigned to the directional bottom immediately.
It may have taken five years to reach North America, but The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky was absolutely worth the wait. Even more so, because Xseed did an exceptional job of preparing the English release. I know, I’m gushing over it, but I can’t help it. I haven’t enjoyed a PSP RPG this much in a long time.
Food for Thought
* I like that the save file also saves a small image of what location Estelle and her companions were at. It’s helpful in case you keep multiple save files, so you know where you are.
* The ability to save everywhere is nice too.
* Even through the characters do sort-of fall into some video game and anime stereotypes, you barely notice because they have interesting personalities and most end up being quite useful in battle.
* I recommend waiting to use characters’ Break buttons. You never know when you’ll encounter a slightly stronger than usual enemy, and an instant S-Break attack can really help.
* Don’t expect voice acting. You’ll only occasionally hear the characters speak during battles.
* You have to beat the game once to unlock higher difficulty levels, but since some items do carry over from your previous game it makes it worth it. |
I know a lot of this has been stated before, but it's still nice to share the information and hopefully get a bit more interest. And yeah, we've been told about the ratio between interaction/exploring/dialogue and battling, but this is the RPG thread, after all ...
Something about this title just strikes me as great.
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Luketheman5
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 5:53 pm Post subject: |
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Everytime I walk past this Qoga game I am tempted to buy it, but I know nothing about it....It's not the first in the series is it?
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Kyle Clarthy
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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No, it's not, and it's probably recommended to play them in order to get the full effect. I mean, there are characters who appear in Ar tonelico 1 that appear in AT 2 and I'm guessing in 3 (Qoga) ... and characters that appear in AT 2 that appear in Qoga, too. Not to mention the game play gets more refined and while each story is kind of standalone, there's a few ties between them all, even if they're minute and are probably only going to appeal to a gamer who cares.
There are some posts about the first couple of titles by Admeister and me in this thread somewhere, if you wanted to find out more about what the series is about, by the way.
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Bish
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| Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject: |
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Yakuza 4 talk: finally came today in the underwhelming steelbook case... looks stylish, but feels cheap. Made me a little sad.
I was going to start it, but then I started playing Shogun 2. Two very engrossing games. Should I start it anyway? I do like punching people in the face! Just concerned that if I did play both of them, I'd just get maaaad Japanese overload.
Also, I am just so tired of long final boss boss battles. 24 hours into Radiant Historia, beat the pre-final boss, hit the final boss, defeated its first stage, defeated its second stage, and once his health regenerated for his third stage, I just gave up. It's not that it was hard, it was just going to be looooong. I had already spent at least 25 minutes on it, and really did not feel like doing it again.
Now Dragon Age 2, that was a boss battle I could dig. I pasted the final boss so easily, but it was exciting and hectic and fast and furious.
[/rant]
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