Tag Archives: ar tonelico

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30 Days of Gaming: Day 22

Day 22: A game sequel which disappointed you.

This gaaame. Valkyria Chronicles II did improve on the original in a few ways, with new character classes and streamlined controls, but it shed a few pounds of plot and characterization to fit it in. I disliked all the main characters, and while the side characters did get development, it wasn’t enough to save the story, which ranged from okay to godawful at times. I didn’t mention VC1 in my “best story” post yesterday, mainly because I think I’ve been talking about it too much, but it ranks up there with the two games I did list. VC2 took that and pretty much laughed at it in Avan’s stupid HA HAHAHAHA sound clip. VC3 looks like a big improvement, however.


Another one would be Ar tonelico III. It took a system jump just like VC2, but instead of going console -> handheld, it went the impressive last gen -> current gen jump. Which should’ve made it better, right? Nah. Even if I was a graphics whore I wouldn’t say so. The character models are extremely plasticy, not like you see them a lot in scenes since they usually fuzz out the background for the typical talking heads sequences RPGs do. The amazing battle system from AT2 is scrapped and replaced with a Tales-like action system…that falls utterly flat as all you do is mash button and do 10 damage. There’s only one type of magic, attack magic, and each girl only has one spell. You’ll be seeing it a lot since that’s the only way you can do any damage. I could keep going on but I did review it a while back, so just read that.

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30 Days of Gaming: Day 18

Day 18: Favorite protagonist.
I’m one of those people who usually ends up liking the side characters more than the protagonists, so I really don’t have ONE favorite. Two get pictures, some others get words.


Croix from Ar tonelico II is a rare example of a JRPG protagonist who isn’t hot blooded or stupid (I’m looking at you, Lyner, Lloyd, and Avan). He’s also pretty much a doormat to all of the main girls, which is hilarious. But he’s also level-headed enough to help them through their problems, and considering they’re all Reyvateils, they have enough issues to fill a two-year subscription.

Looked at a poster which reminded me how badass Amaterasu from Okami is. Seriously, a god in the form of a wolf. Awesooooome.

Others I can think of off the top of my head…Samus (Metroid) is pretty cool, I always liked the evil-skewing Disgaea protagonists, and I’m torn between the Prince (Suikoden V) and Chris (Suikoden III) for best protag of that series.

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Gaming Garble: 33 B.C. Update #3 and More

So summer break didn’t lead to too much on the gaming side…did much more outside and with other things. But I’ve certainly started playing a lot. Let’s look.

Now Playing: My Pokemon FireRed Nuzlocke is still going, slowly. Mainly because I have to draw it out as a comic for the forum…Sakura Taisen slowed down since I’m not in the mood to be married to a guide while playing something.
I’ve picked Harvest Moon GB back up thanks to Lyndis who is also going through it. Of course I had to friggin restart my game when my horse glitched and didn’t grow up. I’m maybe halfway to where I was before, and the horse grew up this time, so here’s hoping for a win.
New games started…Valkyrie Profile: Covenant of the Plume is a nice marriage between grid-based SRPG combat and the standard VP battle system. Very intriguing plot so far, and lovely graphics. Yggdra Union is probably Sting’s worst game (unless Riviera WonderSwan was worse but I doubt it) due to the difficulty and RNG. Very tempted to pick up the PSP version and null the GBA copy I have.
Klonoa I just put in for the first time an hour ago, and I’m liking it so far. Something different than an RPG, though the bright colors are making me sick.
AND SOMETHING I FORGOT UNTIL NOW WHOOPS. Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale has an English-language demo out! The Japanese version has been floating around the internet for some time now, but it’s getting an official translation and will be sold sometime in the future. It’s an Atelier-esque game where you run an item shop. Play the demo, and then buy the game.

Gaming News: Ar tonelico IIIer, Qoga was announced at NISA’s press event as expected. Yeah, look at that name change…qoga means “end” or “demise”, which makes for a rather accurate translation of the Japanese title. Of course there’s already rage that “oh they make it seem like it’s the last game when Gust could still continue the series!” Mah. They also announced Cladun and ZHP for PSP. ZHP is going to keep all the anime references it apparently has.
Related but not really, apparently Phantom Brave is getting ANOTHER port. Lame. Also, Valkyria Chronicles 2 has a release date. I’ve already preordered it >:3

Coming Soon: Everyone’s hyped up for some BlazBlue game next week. Arc Rise Fantasia is coming if you like badly voiced RPGs (isn’t it sad, Wii?).

Other News: I think everyone should watch Battle Athletes Victory because I’m reminded that it is one of the best anime that I’ve seen. Going to end up watching it twice more this year -3-

And below the jump is my update on my thinger this year. Beat two more games so I’m up to 13/30, but still no completes…also took out some from my to beat list
Continue reading →

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Early Opinions on Ar tonelico III

9 hours in and at the end of Phase 1, let’s go!

-Since it’s in moonspeak I’ve pretty much been skipping the text…there have been some funny scenes, though
-Okay, purging was a nice gimmick at first, but I’m tired of seeing the scenes and fake boobs now.
-The battle system is mash buttan, die anyway. I’m only on normal and I’m still having trouble with things
-Don’t like how item synthing uses precious DP
-The first song you hear after starting the game is Cutypump. The next is Ep=Nova. It’s like they want your ears to be raw and bleeding before you get to the good shit
-Hearing Tatsumi use “boku” makes me laugh
-Some dungons have an overhead camera that zooms in and out and makes me dizzy

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Raki Battle Video and Early Opinions on Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World

First off, here’s my battle with Raki from AT2 on the retail NA version of the game. So no patching to make it go past Defense Phase 3. Apologies for the blocking, I had massive lag from my setup, I’m really a TON better, especially with Raki.

Now, for some Early Opinions!
-Emil, please grow a pair.
-Marta, please stop being so tsundere/cliche clingy girl.
-Tenebrae and Colette? DON’T CHANGE I LOVE YOU BOTH.
-I’m not used to 90% of scenes being voiced! Also, getting tired of Laura Bailey…
-The waggle shortcuts for techs are FUN. Though I set the most useful one to Down on the D-pad cause it’s easier…