Yes, it's true. I have a girlfriend again. This time, she's real flesh and blood. It's startling, I know, it was to me when it happened. So yeah, I do believe this has been the best few days of my life. I'm gonna take a nap now. I haven't been able to get much sleep... X_X

Current Mood: loved
Current Music: Returner ~Yami no Shuuen~ - Gackt

Yeah, I found a Fire Emblem manga based on Fire Emblem: Fuuin no Tsurugi (the game with Roy). It's called Fire Emblem: Hasha no Tsurugi (The Champion's Blade). For those who want to read it, you can find it here. Happy reading!

Okay, wow, there's been so much that has hit me over the past few days, it's almost unbelievable. I won't go into the whole school thing (that would take three days and three nights...), but that was a nightmare. Thankfully, that situation has been taken care of. So, onto the big news.

I think I might be able to get Emma back.

Yeah, yeah, Emma, the girl that I love, the one that I want to spend the rest of my life with. Her. Thanks to a HUGE fuck-up at A-Fest, I managed to lose her (granted, I told her a good three months after the fact... That was way), but I think I may have a way of getting her back.

I have enough money for a plane ticket to England, and Danni says she'll put me up for the duration of my stay. I just have to get spending money and a passport, both of which shouldn't be too terribly hard. After that, I get to meet Emma face to face, and I'm hoping in the shock of it all, she says that she'll take me back. I know, sounds like something out of a shoujo manga, and it's destined for failure, but I'm like Han Solo. Never tell me the odds. I'd go to the ends of the earth for that woman, and I mean it. And hopefully, by Spring Break, I will show that to her.

Alrighty, Christmas came and went, and in the span of a month, I got more games than I could have thought possible to get. Yes, I got them all with my own money. Thanks in part, or in whole, to that, I am now broke. But for the most part, I'm happy with my purchases. Let's break them down.

Chrono Trigger - Nintendo DS

Well, it's true, the game came out, and I bought it the same week it came out. It. Is. Amazing. Still the same game as the original back in '95, with a few new tweaks, it is definitely the same Chrono Trigger I remember, and then some. The main game is excellent, and has definitely aged well. Since it is a re-release, and the majority of the game is still the same as you remember, I'll get down to describing the tweaks and the new aspects.

First off, the game is a LOT cleaner. Naturally, Squeenix added use of the touch screen to this title, since it is for the DS, and they felt it needed yet another title that made use of it. The standard mode is "DS Mode", which lists everyone in your party at the bottom, as well as allowing use of the stylus to move around, while the top screen is the actual game. In fights, this means that the small screen is less cluttered than if they had tried to go for the traditional approach (though this is also accessible). Also, the classic Woolsey translation is nowhere to be found, as they've decided to scratch it and go with a newer translation. Thus, Frog no longer says "thee" and "thou".

There are two new dungeons added, those being the Lost Sanctum and the Dimensional Vortex. Both can be accessed during different time periods, and both are kinda blah, personally. The Lost Sanctum is a bunch of retrieval side quests, while the Dimensional Vortex (which getting through all three parts is required to get the "perfect" ending) is a rehash of old areas. I think Sqeenix dropped the ball on this one slightly, but the fact that Lucca gets a better weapon than the Wondershot is always a plus. Oh yeah, you also get your "perfect" weapons from these two dungeons.

All in all, it's a mix of good, blah, and Chrono, which is what we all need. This one is definitely a must buy.

No More Heroes - Nintendo Wii

The latest game by Goichi Suda (Suda51), this one is even zanier than Killer7. Taking the reigns of Travis Touchdown, you have to fight and kill your way to be the number one assassin. How do you do this? With your trusty beam katana, of course! But enough of the introduction, let's get into the meat of the game.

The gameplay is, in a word, excellent. Gratuitous amounts of blood fly out of your enemies, you get to chop, slice, and piledrive your foes into oblivion. At least, that's during the actual missions... In between the action packed parts, you have to earn money to get to the next "rank battle" by completing odd jobs, also known as mini-games. These tend to slow down the adrenaline rush of the actual missions, but they're crucial to getting to the next part of the game, though they do tend to be fun on occasion. My favorite was trying to cut grass. You can also complete assassinations in between, which brings back some of that rush, but it only goes so far.

The technological side of it was, well... It's a Wii game, let's put it at that. The controls are rather easy to pick up, and once you get the hang of it, it's really enjoyable. The graphics are cel-shaded, just like in Killer7, though not completely over the top; it's a nice blend, actually, something I could get my eyes around. The music is meh, and the song that you hear when you're on the motorcycle gets repetitive and monotonous real fast. The graphics are... Well, like I said, it's a Wii game. You're really not going to find any graphical powerhouses on the Wii.

The story is really what sold it for me. The game does not take itself seriously, even alluding to the fact that you're playing the video game. It is an absolute riot, and everything is over the top. There's a lot of stabs at the cliche in this game, and then some that take stereotypes and throw them over on their heads, then beat the shit out of them, stab them, and piss on them.

No More Heroes is definitely a must-own, as well. This is what we need more of in the video game world, I think, more original games, and less well-known/overused IPs.

Okami - Nintendo Wii

Ah, we take a trip back to feudal Nippon (that's Japan, for those of you who aren't worldly), where we meet up with a few gods, a few monsters, and a hell of a good time. Amaterasu, the goddess of the sun, is back on the Wii, and oh, how wonderful she's gotten.

Okami for the Wii is still just as good as when Clover Studios originally made it for the PS2, which made the jump to the Wii thanks to Ready at Dawn Studios. They have kept in most of the flair and flavor of Okami, while taking a few things out (namely, the cinematic during the credits scroll). The controls translating over to the Wii are a bit on the clunky side, which can be a pain when you're trying to do something with the Celestial Brush, but on the whole, it handles beautifully. The Celestial Brush is the main thing here, and you get to "use" it with the Wiimote, taking it and painting on the screen to accomplish Brush moves.

The gameplay is the same as it was on the PS2, though the fight system seems to be a bit bogged down in this version. It took me a little while to get a hang of the fight system, but I managed to get it right further in. For those of you who might be adverse to such things, then you'd probably want to stay away; the controls were better for the PS2.

The sound, graphics, everything technical, is still beautiful. Ready at Dawn Studios did a great job keeping everything, AND making sure it ran on the Wii. The music is excellent, and I still want the soundtrack; there are "traditional" Japanese pieces mixed with orchestral pieces, and it keeps a blend of old and new, which makes it excellent. The cel-shading is gorgeous, making the game look like a painting, which is the main premise of the game. It still looks like its PS2 counterpart, but it's still beautiful.

I don't think there are enough good things I can say about Okami that haven't already been said a thousand times before. If you're looking for an amazing port, go with Okami. Yes, there are a few control issues, but nothing you can't get around. Okami is definitely one for the history books, and the annals of mythology.

Star Wars: The Force Unleashed - Nintendo Wii

Okay, I know Force Unleashed got some pretty craptastic reviews, but hear me out, there are redeeming qualities to this game. For this review, I went with the Wii version, because, well, that's all I have in terms of next-gen.

First off, it is definitely a Star Wars title. Lightsabers, Jedi, Sith, the Force, blasters, spaceships, the works. You'll find it all in Force Unleashed. The first mission sees you as the Dark Lord of the Sith himself, Darth Vader, and it goes from there. The first mission plays out beautifully, making you into more of a Sith than even the Jedi Knight games. The controls are displayed, and you get to have fun choking, flinging people away, and pushing them back thanks to the power of the Force. After the first mission, you're in the boots of the Apprentice, and you play out the rest of the game as him.

The controls on the Wii are not as responsive as I would have liked. I would wind up doing something I didn't want to do in terms of lightsaber technique many, many times; I wound up resorting to Force powers for most of it. The camera does tend to get in the way, and with the only way to control it being the left and right buttons on the control pad, I think Krome Studios was trying to find the easy way out. Also, about the Wii version, the graphics suck. The PS3 and the Xbox 360 have way better graphics, making the game truly riveting, but the Wii? It's the little kid brother that no one likes, in terms of graphical output. Don't get this if you're looking for some cinematic adventure, it's not here.

I warn you now, the game is ridiculously short. No More Heroes is supposed to be short, and I got through it in 20 hours (also trying to get a few of the extras in that game); I breezed through the entirety of the main story in 10. The story plays out like an Oriental story, but I won't go into specifics here. As a game that's supposed to bridge the gap between Episodes 3 and 4, I'll let you figure it out.

Despite all that was wrong with the game, I still enjoyed myself. While not the kind of engrossing game that the Jedi Knight games, or even the Rogue Squadron titles were, it is good if you have some spare time to waste. I'd get this one used, personally (I got it as a gift; go me).

So, that's about it for me. I also managed to pick up Pokemon Ranger, which is a fun little game in and of itself, though I won't review it because it's been out for two years, and really doesn't need a review. This is your friendly, neighborhood game reviewer, signing out.

Geez, I don't update this thing at all. Maybe it's because I'm a stupid, lazy dick, but whatever. A lot has happened, and a lot hasn't, really. Work is suck, school is looking like an opportunity right now, I've been in a band and had it torn asunder, and I've got Chrono Trigger DS. Right now, I'm a happy puppy. Chrono Trigger has kinda made everything else disappear.

Current Mood: Blah...

Yeah, so not doing much of anything for the greatest holiday on earth (getting candy? Come on! That's the greatest idea for a holiday since Christmas and that whole present thing!), but I am getting in the mood. Death metal really works wonders for a spooky atmosphere, symphonic gothic metal even more so. So does The Nightmare Before Christmas, I've been listening to the soundtrack more. If I can, I want to get vampire fangs and go to work in my uniform, put the fangs in, and attack the first person I see. And I want candy, damnit...

The other night, while I was outside, I noticed something flying in the air. That something was a barn owl, a bird I didn't think we had here. It was looking for something to eat, but just the way it flew... Wow, those things really are soundless when they fly. It was a treat. I enjoyed it, it merely fed more on my Halloween hopes. Also, there have been a lot of crows in the area, something I don't see often in south Ft. Worth. Sounds like Halloween to me!

In other news, work is, well, work. I'm not going to the new store until it opens, apparently, which means Cynthia (my current boss) has another week and a half to torture me before it opens. I hate working mornings... I'd rather do night or graveyard, at least I'm awake then.

Also, I apparently have an audition sometime next week (dunno when) for vocals in a band a few friends of mine have. I am can sing gud, so I figure what the hell, why not try it, eh? We'll see where it goes. Only thing is, it's a Christian metal band, and I want it to deviate from that, because, well... Not being a Christian (you couldn't force me otherwise at this point), it would be rather hypocritical for me to front a Christian metal band, and Christian metal, I'm sorry, does not have a lot of followers, if you get my drift. The band could definitely go somewhere as a power/progressive metal band, but doing Christian metal, I'm sorry, no.

Current Mood: relaxed
Current Music: Chaosweaver ~ Scar Symmetry

Gods, I feel so alone... As in, my body is physically longing for someone's touch. I feel restless, tired, and all I want is a good hug right now. If only, if only...

Is this natural?

Current Mood: lonely
Current Music: Furubita Shashin ~ girugämesh

Alright, just to show you all how much of a loser I am, first let me tell you about home life. I'm twenty years old and still living with my parents, much to my regret, with my two little brothers and, on weekends, my two sisters. My siblings are all cool, I have no problems with them, because they don't give me shit. My parents, on the other hand, do, and I can't stand them. I honestly can't blame them, though, because they're fundie Christians who think their poor little son is going to Hell in a handbasket just because he doesn't believe the same way as they do. It's paternal instinct to want to save your children from a fate worse than death. However, their efforts are all null and void.

I honestly don't believe in a "god", as in the one outlined in the Holy Bible, or the Qu'ran but I do believe there is something supernatural going on, otherwise we wouldn't have miracles like we do. Unfortunately, I can't exactly tell my parents this, because I don't have another place to stay after this. Sure, I could go stay with a friend--oh, wait, I can't exactly do that, now can I? I don't like to impose myself on other people, really. Then I start to be hated, and I don't like being hated, it's not fun. But yeah, if my parents were to kick me out because of my beliefs, I wouldn't have any other place to go, and no way to get to my job, which I hold down admirably, I think.

I am extremely sick and tired of religion. Not belief, organized religion, the one with set beliefs that you HAVE to believe, otherwise you're all going to Hell because you don't believe in the right god. I'm sorry, but I cannot believe in a religion that, back in its early days, had so many differing beliefs that the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire at the time had to go and select the books HE liked, and then get that made into the Holy Scriptures. Neither can I believe a warlord who believes that it is okay to "kill the infidel", but the fat, jolly guy is okay. At least he doesn't sit on the corner of Sycamore and Hulen with a sign that says, "YOUR GOING 2 HELL".

As I said before, I can't blame my parents for wanting what they believe is right for me, but they have to let me live my life, something I can't tell them to do. If only I could, then I wouldn't be ranting on LJ about it like the little pussy I am.

Current Mood: crappy
Current Music: Abandoned, Please, Brainwashed, Exploited ~ Sonata Arctica

I cannot stress to you how badly I suck at finishing RPGs. I have Final Fantasy III, The World Ends With You, Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance, and several more to get through, and I've been working on those for at least months now. However, I finally picked up Golden Sun (after my little brothers had played the mess through it already), and I'm pleased to say that this might be the next RPG I beat. Isaac is a badass, Garet reminds me of a cooler Boyd from PoR, Ivan is just plain cool, and Mia... Oh, Mia, you've turned into another part of my videogame harem. The reason why I hadn't played it before? I have no bloody clue. I'm just pleased that I'm enjoying it so much. Now to pick up FFIV DS, and to await a remake of FFVI for the DS. Yeehaw!

Current Mood: geeky

A-Fest was, well, a ball. And by that I mean the little round thing you bounce, or kick, or throw, or put in a hoop. Okay, it wasn't anything like that, but it was just as awesome as a ball. Working A/V Tech is fun, if not tiring. For those of you who don't actually know, let me give you a run-down of my schedule for the entire con:

(Shifts I was scheduled to work will be in bold)
Friday:

Set up video rooms, Main Events, panel rooms: Arrival - 4:00 PM
Instant Character: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Take Down of Panel Room 3: 6:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Saturday:

Studio Capsule/Meet Scott McNeil: 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Meet Ishii: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Anime Karaoke: 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Digimon Zero Two - and Why Epilogues Suck: 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Take Down of Panel Room 3: 10:30 PM - 11:00 PM

Sunday:

Set up for Mock Battle for Cosplay: 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Mock Battle for Cosplay: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Anime in Academia: 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Full Metal Alchemist: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Take Down for Panel Room 5: 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM
Ouran High School Host Club Premiere: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Monday:

Gopher for Tom: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Set up for Charity Auction: 9:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Waiting for the soundman to get there: 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Take Down of EVERYTHING EVAR: 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM

If anyone can do my math for me, great, but I know I got more than the 16 hours I was supposed to have just for the badge. Oh yeah, by the way, on Saturday, there is an hour that is not accounted for. Reason: I stayed in Panel Room 3 for a grand total of 7 hours in a row on Saturday. But hey, when Tom asks you to do something for him, you do it, no ifs, ands, or buts.

As for the con itself, it was excellent. I had one hell of a time doing it, and I'm definitely going to work it next year. It was also great seeing all of you guys and more. I love you guys (especially you; you know who you are), and I hate it that I can only see you once or twice a year. If only I went to more cons... Ikki-Con is a big maybe at this point. I also have the tradition (it's been two years running, it's now a tradition) of getting the autographs of some of the guests I work with, and if someone recognizes the badge artwork as their own, then that too. Last year, I got three, Jeff's and Quinton's, plus the artist of the badge art. This year... I think I went over my quota. I got Michael, Mike, Scott, Hannah, Chris, Greg, Carli, and Josh. Greg was very amused with the A/V badge art, too, it was a good laugh for him. I thank those guys for making my time working worth it, and I thank all the con-goers for being just so fucking awesome. Also, if you haven't gone to one of Chris' "Mock Battle for Cosplay" panels, it's definitely worth it. I had a great time, and I was "soundman"! Until next time, guys.

Current Location: Home (FINALLY!!!)
Current Mood: tired
Current Music: Kinjirareta Asobi ~ ALI PROJECT