So last time I spoke about the region, and which is one of my favourite parts of a new pokemon game. I love world designs, more so in Pokémon. However, this is not one of the best things about new pokemon games, obviously the best thing....is new pokemon.
Yes, many pokemon follow similar themes, we always get a regional bird, rodent, bug, pikaclone,etc. But some break away from their base molds. For instance we got Fletchling in X/Y as our regional bird, and like all regional birds it was the Normal/flying typing, but I think everyone was surprised with its evolutions gaining the fire typing. So I can not wait to see what differences this generation will bring to the field.
Now, I shall look in depth at the new pokemon, and give my opinion of them. I am gonna go through them in rough dex order, and not shown order.
And we begin with a fantastic one. My Boy, My future starting pokemon. Rowlet, the Grass Quill pokemon. Rowlet is wonderfully designed, and it is simplist shape, and unusual traits make it brilliantly thought of. I love Rowlet being an owl too. One of the many things I have thought about in the past is what pokemon a grass bird starter could be. I've always thought a parrot would be the only logical choice for that place. While we don't have many parrot pokemon, we do not have many owls either, so I am more than okay with that. I know most people are saying that they'll choose a starter once they see all the evolutions, but I have been into these games since generation one, we will not see the full grown starters until the games are released. Yes, you can wait until the games are out to see them all, but I would rather play it then wait for all new pokemon to be shown. Its typing is also pretty cool for a starter pokemon. As well as being a Grass type, it is also a flying type. Which we rarely get a duel type starters (bulbasaur is the only other one, it is part poison.) Which, although gives him extra disadvantages, it is actually a wonderful advantage for early game. Early game usually features a lot of bug pokemon, so that is going to be very handy having him and the regional bird early on.
Next, is the fire starter. Litten the fire cat pokemon. (Cause you know they are totally not making each fire starter pokemon based on each animal of the zodiac. ;) ) If I had not fallen in love with Rowlet so much, Litten would be my next choice of starter. I love cats, and cat pokemon. I used Purrlion until I got to the fourth gym in Black. While firey fur balls seems a weird way of attacking, I think it is quite a genius move. Although, I still want my fire sheep/ram pokemon (going by the zodiac, which they totally are not doing that. ;) ) While many are speculating on Litten evolving into a Fire/Dark type tiger, I think we might be surprised with it being part poison, seeing as it's fur is covered in oil, and the games generally see oil as toxic sludge. Although, I am not going to mention the sulphur marking on it's forehead. But I can also see it being a pure fire type, as we have not had a pure fire type for a while.
And now poor Popplio the sea lion pokemon. While it is not going be my start pokemon of choice for this generation, I do not really understand the hate it is getting. Okay, it is another sea lion pokemon, which we have a few of already, but it is probably one of the best designed ones. Although, it does look a little clown/circus-like. The fact it can make balls of water, and jump on them, and spin them on it's nose, is quite fun. I must admit, I am not fully convinced it will be a fairy type, as everyone else deems it to be. However, I think it is going to be an oshawott, derpy to begin with, badass when fully evolved.
Now the starters are done with it is the regional bird, Pikipek the woodpecker pokemon. Yes, yes, YEESSS! A woodpecker, not been wanting one of them since freaking Red and Blue. Although, the name is not great, I am really excited to have this one on my team. I have big hopes that its normal/flying typing will change, but it is not the end of the world if it does not. Its design and colouring is fantastic, and while it is a woodpecker, also has that magpie in its design, which is another bird I have wanted to see pokemonised.
And now the regional rodent, but not....Yungoos the loitering pokemon. Another normal type ferret/mongoose like pokemon, but what I mean by "not" is the description on the pokemon websites saying that it is not native to Alola, it was brought over to take care of another pest animal which was over populating the island. He has a cute aggressive design, even has a new ability called stakeout. Which by the sounds of it, is a really powerful ability according to people who are into the competitive battling side of pokemon.
Next on our list of regionals, is the Regional Bug, Grubbin the larva pokemon. I have no idea what this'll evolve into, I am hoping its going to be an electric/bug as it seems to like power stations, and I think it even looks like it would be an electric component like a resister, or battery. I will be using it on my team to level it up as soon as possible to seen it fully evolved, but I hope it doesn't level up too quickly like all the other caterpies, and wurmples.
So before I go onto the legendaries, there is been two random pokemon shown but only in coro-coro, a Japanese magazine which is shown on the 15th of every month. It came out in June just after e3 showed the three regionals, as well as a little bit of gameplay. I expected Coro-coro to have the three regionals, but it did not. We were shown two completely different pokemon, both are very unusual. Neither have been officially announced outside of Coro-coro.
First of these is Iwanko the puppy pokemon. Name and species may change, but its typing, design, and abilities are not. It's a dog pokemon, it is not a normal type, it is a rock type. Very unusual for rock pokemon, to not look like an actual rock. Now, I do not normally train rock pokemon, I think I have only used Geodude, and Onix in Silver, and that was to take out Falkner's gym. I boxed them soon after. I hope Iwanko gets two evolutions.
The second pokemon, I love. Nekkoala the half-awake pokemon. (again subject to change) A freakin' koala. It carries a piece of tree with it. Which I am not really understanding why, but it's ability makes it even more unusual. Notice it is not called the Koala pokemon, it is the half wake pokemon, and its ability stops anyone from putting poison, burn, and such, however it can be put to sleep! Now, that is brilliant, and I am guessing it is slightly broken. I am not competitive at all, but I am guessing it is going to be really useful for that. Along with it's normal typing at the moment, I am guessing the tree piece it carries, may hint that it will evolve into a normal/grass type. Who knows, but I think it will have at least one evo.
Before I go towards the three legendaries, I will say this. This weekend is there is an announcement for the Pokenchi pokemon program in Japan. They have announced new pokemon will be on it. I am guessing Iwanko, and Nekkoala will be shown on national tv. While this is not confirmed to be them, and it maybe.
So for the first legendary. Magearna the Artifical Pokémon. I am not sure how I feel about this pokemon, it is okay. It's typing is not unusual. Steel/Fairy. Now, its design is quite cool, a pokeball that transforms into a creature. Even has an alterative colouring announced recently that gave it the classic pokeball design. It has a new ability called Soul Heart, which puts up special attack when anyone faints on the battle. So that can get quite powerful. However, I am expecting for this pokemon to be an event legendary, so the chances of me getting one....slim to none.
And now, Solgaleo the Sunne pokemon, the emissary of the sun. Its typing psychic/steel, shocked everyone, for a pokemon to be related to the sun, it is actually weak to fire. It seems to gain a load of energy, and when it uses certain moves, it will goes into another form called "Radiant Sun Phase" I like the fact that it is a lion, but if you ever asked me to think of a pokemon related to the sun. I would always say lion. But at E3 something interesting was sadly, about the box art legendary. Is that they are used in a way we have never seen them used before. So that will be interesting to seem them unfold. I think that once you get Solgaleo, he will lead the way to another legendary. Possibly the proper sun legendary, and the same for....
Lunala, the Moone Pokémon, the emissary of the moon. A great big freakin' bat legendary....heck yeah! Like its counter part, it has a full moon phase, and it is weak to dark, which being a creature of the moon really should not happen. However, I like my ghost types, and this guy is nicely designed. I am totally buying Moon, and using it as my main game to get this guy. Might not use it as a team member, but it is still a beautiful pokemon.
So overall, I quite like a lot of the new pokemon that they've shown. All are bright and bold, and well designed. I will probably wait a little bit before talking about any more pokemon stuff. Maybe just a minor one to announce the English names of Iwanko, and Nekkoala. However, believe me when I say, I am so hyped for these games. Including the phone game. Pokémon Go! Might do a quick blog on that when it finally comes out. (I never got to beta test it, I do not think they brought the beta testing to uk shores. :( )
Anyway, until next time. Hope you have enjoyed the post, and are looking forward to the news this weekend.
Wednesday 29 June 2016
Sunday 19 June 2016
Pokemon Sun and Moon Updated. Part one. (Looking at the region)
Hi-de-ho! Long time no post!
It has been a while since Sun and Moon were announced and shown, and I have wanted to express my feelings and thoughts. However due to work and time restraints I have not been able to.
However, I have a rare sunday off, and a full mug of tea. So get ready, sit tight, and read on!
So first things first. Hawaii Region and the map! I am loving the region designs and lay out. When the first trailer was shown, I thought " we are going to have Hawaii, how many islands are in Hawaii. That is eight islands... so that's one gym per island." While this is not the case. I think it is better for us, and an idea that each island seems to have an elemental focus too. The bottom left island looks like a rock/earth island, the starter island in the top left is water, top right has a volcano so fire, and the bottom right has a high ice capped mountain top so I am calling it the wind island. From E3 we know each island has it's own protector/guardian, and Tapu Koko is the guardian of Melemele island (the starting island in the top left.), and I will go into Tapu Koko at a later on.
Now, Melemele in Hawaii means a having Yellow in its colour. Yellow is a sort of primary colour along with Red, Blue, and Green. The first pokemon games are Red, Blue, Green, and yellow. So I'm guessing the other islands will have a similar thing with their names, one contain 'ula'ula (red), polū/uliuli (blue), ʻōmaʻomaʻo/maʻomaʻo (and yes, that's green). There is a few other words for colours, but I think thoses are the most likely. The idea for each island for each colour goes deeper, and might possibly be deeper connected to everything.
On the E3 conference we got to see in game video of the first route, and this connects to much stuff to this colour idea. It does sounds weird, but there is quite a lot of rainbows, and spectrums of colour used. When a battle starters, you will see a few rings appear, which flash a rainbow on it, and then when you level up your stats are colour coded, in a spectrum of colours. Even when a pokemon is registered, the word "registered" is a rainbow of colour. Finally, for the one that really reels it in, is on the sign for Route One, it says "The first route on the spectrum", which I think makes the point more than the others. Not sure if rainbows, and light spectrum are going to be part of the story, but since Sun is a light source, and we need the Sun to make rainbows, I think it is a possibility.
Now, I know a lot of people did not like Hoenn due to the huge area to surf in, and I do not think we will be surfing from island to island, or even once the game is finished. I think we will be doing a flying thing with a pokemon like in ASOR, and boats, mostly boats in early game. Any surfing will I think be done to a different area on the same island.
One thing I am concerned with, is how two islands seem to have not a lot on them (the left two), the other two islands seem to be teeming with towns, towers, and stuff! So much stuff. But all islands seem to be roughly the same size, I think they could have spread it about more, but I guess without playing the games, I can not say for sure. However, that is what it looks like. One thing that I do find strange is that many of the buildings are very close to each other, so many of the towns and cities are gonna be very hard to separate.
I could go into more of the more interesting bits and pieces of the map, like the big squares on the mountain side, with a line between them like a weird sort of life, or the pokemon graveyard, the appearance of a pagoda tower, or even the Massive world tree on the earth island.
Actually, I am going to talk about the World Tree, please no Grass Gym in a massive tree. We done that last generation. Although, I think because there is no visible town on that island, it may not be a gym.
Back to Tapu Koko, the Guardian of Melemele island. (Also, side note. I can not think of Melemele island without thinking of, or saying, Melee Island.) Tapu means Sacred and Koko means Blood. Thinking of ancient legends. Stars, and Planets in the sky were given the names of Gods, and raised to a holy status, and which Planet or Star in the nights sky is red? Mars! It is always to do with blood too, and what is better to praise a god, other than to fight! Specially since these games are based on planets and celestial bodies too. The other three island guardians I suspect will be connected to the other visible planets in the night sky. Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter.
Again, all this is my feelings on the matter, next post will be going into the eleven seventh generation pokemon that we have seen so far!
It has been a while since Sun and Moon were announced and shown, and I have wanted to express my feelings and thoughts. However due to work and time restraints I have not been able to.
However, I have a rare sunday off, and a full mug of tea. So get ready, sit tight, and read on!
So first things first. Hawaii Region and the map! I am loving the region designs and lay out. When the first trailer was shown, I thought " we are going to have Hawaii, how many islands are in Hawaii. That is eight islands... so that's one gym per island." While this is not the case. I think it is better for us, and an idea that each island seems to have an elemental focus too. The bottom left island looks like a rock/earth island, the starter island in the top left is water, top right has a volcano so fire, and the bottom right has a high ice capped mountain top so I am calling it the wind island. From E3 we know each island has it's own protector/guardian, and Tapu Koko is the guardian of Melemele island (the starting island in the top left.), and I will go into Tapu Koko at a later on.
Now, Melemele in Hawaii means a having Yellow in its colour. Yellow is a sort of primary colour along with Red, Blue, and Green. The first pokemon games are Red, Blue, Green, and yellow. So I'm guessing the other islands will have a similar thing with their names, one contain 'ula'ula (red), polū/uliuli (blue), ʻōmaʻomaʻo/maʻomaʻo (and yes, that's green). There is a few other words for colours, but I think thoses are the most likely. The idea for each island for each colour goes deeper, and might possibly be deeper connected to everything.
On the E3 conference we got to see in game video of the first route, and this connects to much stuff to this colour idea. It does sounds weird, but there is quite a lot of rainbows, and spectrums of colour used. When a battle starters, you will see a few rings appear, which flash a rainbow on it, and then when you level up your stats are colour coded, in a spectrum of colours. Even when a pokemon is registered, the word "registered" is a rainbow of colour. Finally, for the one that really reels it in, is on the sign for Route One, it says "The first route on the spectrum", which I think makes the point more than the others. Not sure if rainbows, and light spectrum are going to be part of the story, but since Sun is a light source, and we need the Sun to make rainbows, I think it is a possibility.
Now, I know a lot of people did not like Hoenn due to the huge area to surf in, and I do not think we will be surfing from island to island, or even once the game is finished. I think we will be doing a flying thing with a pokemon like in ASOR, and boats, mostly boats in early game. Any surfing will I think be done to a different area on the same island.
One thing I am concerned with, is how two islands seem to have not a lot on them (the left two), the other two islands seem to be teeming with towns, towers, and stuff! So much stuff. But all islands seem to be roughly the same size, I think they could have spread it about more, but I guess without playing the games, I can not say for sure. However, that is what it looks like. One thing that I do find strange is that many of the buildings are very close to each other, so many of the towns and cities are gonna be very hard to separate.
I could go into more of the more interesting bits and pieces of the map, like the big squares on the mountain side, with a line between them like a weird sort of life, or the pokemon graveyard, the appearance of a pagoda tower, or even the Massive world tree on the earth island.
Actually, I am going to talk about the World Tree, please no Grass Gym in a massive tree. We done that last generation. Although, I think because there is no visible town on that island, it may not be a gym.
Back to Tapu Koko, the Guardian of Melemele island. (Also, side note. I can not think of Melemele island without thinking of, or saying, Melee Island.) Tapu means Sacred and Koko means Blood. Thinking of ancient legends. Stars, and Planets in the sky were given the names of Gods, and raised to a holy status, and which Planet or Star in the nights sky is red? Mars! It is always to do with blood too, and what is better to praise a god, other than to fight! Specially since these games are based on planets and celestial bodies too. The other three island guardians I suspect will be connected to the other visible planets in the night sky. Mercury, Venus, and Jupiter.
Again, all this is my feelings on the matter, next post will be going into the eleven seventh generation pokemon that we have seen so far!
Saturday 27 February 2016
20 years of pokemon!
So Pokemon celebrates it's 20th year today, and although I was a little late to the games. I'd like to tell a bit about my experiences when I first played it, and how I got into it. Also, my experiences since then.
I think everyone, who's everyone has heard of Pokémon, so I don't really need to explain what it is. So if you don't know much I'll try to keep it simple. Just know that pokemon are monsters who live alongside people in the pokemon world. Some pokemon are wild, some aren't. Some people use pokemon as helpers to lift, and move stuff, have as pets, or use as workers. Some people deicate their lives to find out more about the creatures, others use them to battle them (it's okay though, it's not till the death, it's just until they're knocked out or out of breathe.) Each pokemon are given what's know as types, when fighting in battles they uses types to gain advantages to win. Think of it like a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, but with lizard, and spock.....and a bunch more!
I remember it first appearing over here in game, card, and TV form. I didn't watch the show, although, I have seen the odd episode since then. I have tried to watch from the beginning, but it's so annoying to watch.
Anyway, I remember being in 1998/99 and people going crazy over the cards, and I didn't really have to much interest in it. But I remember wanting the cards (just purely to fit in with friends), and being given Ponyta (A white pony that's on fire), Rapidash (a white horse that's on fire), Machop (a sort of duck like human with lots of muscles), and Machoke (a bigger duck like human with bigger muscles and a wrestling belt.)cards. Yup, it's easier to remember which ones were which as there was only 150 pokemon then.
After being given those cards, I wanted to know more about them, and this is were it probably took off. My friend Lewis let me borrow his copy of Blue (provided I didn't delete his save) to play on a snes to Gameboy adaptor (Yes, no playstation for me. I had Snes only!!) So I borrowed it for a weekend, and it was great. I liked the different monsters to fight with, didn't really understand what I was meant to be doing or going, as lewis had completed the game, and he was doing side quests. (There's no reminders in pokemon games to help you remember what you're doing.)
Eventually in late 2000, I brought myself a Gameboy Colour with a Copy of Pokémon Blue. I already had a much better knowledge of the game through Lewis' help, and sort of new what I was suppose to be doing. Basically, to become a great trainer for pokemon you're given a series of challenges to complete. These challenges are called Gyms fights. Usually it'll be a building where people only use one type of pokemon.
My first pokemon, as you always get the first one free, was a plant dinosaur, called Bulbasaur (four legged dinosaur with a plant bulb on it's back.). As I knew the first challenge I would have to face was to do with Rock type Pokémon, and Bulbasaur is a grass type. (In there rock paper scissors idea, Grass beats Rock in typings.) Anyway, I loved the game, and really took my time with it; but was instantly hooked now I knew what I was doing.
There was one point in Blue in which I nearly gave up. There's a City called Saffron, and there's four entrances to gain access to the city, but the guard wouldn't let me pass as he was too hot. It turned out I needed to get him some water to allow me access. Cheapskate!!
Eventually, I got Yellow for that Christmas, which I wasn't really interested in as it focused heavily on Pikachu (a yellow mouse which has a shocking personality, which is really popular and everyone knows what it looks like) but I absolutely hate that pokemon. Then there was talk of two new games coming out, and that there would be new pokemon too! This was after I left school, and I had internet to find out more. The rumors turned out to be true!
I loved everything about the process of these new games coming out. There was going to be new pokemon, some older pokemon were going to get new evolutions (an evolution happens when a pokemon gains enough experience to change it's physical form.) and some were going to get pre-evolutions (which means a baby form, and when the baby gets enough experience, it'll change into it's next form.), there was even going to be a new area, new people!
Now I'm a sucker for worlds and world designs. So I love this idea that there are places not seen in the old games, and that's why some of these pokemon would have never been seen before.
And then, there was even more good news, in that they were creating new types of pokemon, which was designed to balance out the rock paper scissor as there was a type called Psychic, and it had nothing to beat it, Another thing I glossed over was the Baby forms. To get these baby versions of pokemon......Well, how is baby formed? Pokémon now had genders, and they could now breed by leaving them with a day-care like service. If you were lucky you could find an egg later on which eventually hatch into these rare baby forms.
Pokémon has continued this trend of always adding new ideas to the game, and new areas to explore. I can guarantee someone who's only played the first one, will be amazed at how different, yet familiar it now is. With things like abilities, which not all pokemon have the same ones, natures which determines how it grows ups, and recently a new type of pokemon was announce which balanced out the game even more (apparently a type called Dragon was too powerful.)
The act of new games coming out, and the slow info of what's in store is generally part pokemon's charm for me; and can generally be just as fun as the actual games themselves. I've stayed up sometimes just to watch Japanese shows to find out new information, while talking to people in chatrooms as and when it happens; and recently with Nintendo's Direct (an announcement program on twitch), where again I'm talking to people while information is being freshly told. I've even discussed the games with friends, made new friends while playing it, and even made friends with people online, just because we've talked about these games.
The simplicity of these games means that everyone from 5 to 100 can pick up and play these games, and I know plenty of people who are into their mid-life years who still play it. And I'm sure it's going to be one of the games I'll be playing until the coffin lid shuts on me.
I think everyone, who's everyone has heard of Pokémon, so I don't really need to explain what it is. So if you don't know much I'll try to keep it simple. Just know that pokemon are monsters who live alongside people in the pokemon world. Some pokemon are wild, some aren't. Some people use pokemon as helpers to lift, and move stuff, have as pets, or use as workers. Some people deicate their lives to find out more about the creatures, others use them to battle them (it's okay though, it's not till the death, it's just until they're knocked out or out of breathe.) Each pokemon are given what's know as types, when fighting in battles they uses types to gain advantages to win. Think of it like a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors, but with lizard, and spock.....and a bunch more!
I remember it first appearing over here in game, card, and TV form. I didn't watch the show, although, I have seen the odd episode since then. I have tried to watch from the beginning, but it's so annoying to watch.
Anyway, I remember being in 1998/99 and people going crazy over the cards, and I didn't really have to much interest in it. But I remember wanting the cards (just purely to fit in with friends), and being given Ponyta (A white pony that's on fire), Rapidash (a white horse that's on fire), Machop (a sort of duck like human with lots of muscles), and Machoke (a bigger duck like human with bigger muscles and a wrestling belt.)cards. Yup, it's easier to remember which ones were which as there was only 150 pokemon then.
After being given those cards, I wanted to know more about them, and this is were it probably took off. My friend Lewis let me borrow his copy of Blue (provided I didn't delete his save) to play on a snes to Gameboy adaptor (Yes, no playstation for me. I had Snes only!!) So I borrowed it for a weekend, and it was great. I liked the different monsters to fight with, didn't really understand what I was meant to be doing or going, as lewis had completed the game, and he was doing side quests. (There's no reminders in pokemon games to help you remember what you're doing.)
Eventually in late 2000, I brought myself a Gameboy Colour with a Copy of Pokémon Blue. I already had a much better knowledge of the game through Lewis' help, and sort of new what I was suppose to be doing. Basically, to become a great trainer for pokemon you're given a series of challenges to complete. These challenges are called Gyms fights. Usually it'll be a building where people only use one type of pokemon.
My first pokemon, as you always get the first one free, was a plant dinosaur, called Bulbasaur (four legged dinosaur with a plant bulb on it's back.). As I knew the first challenge I would have to face was to do with Rock type Pokémon, and Bulbasaur is a grass type. (In there rock paper scissors idea, Grass beats Rock in typings.) Anyway, I loved the game, and really took my time with it; but was instantly hooked now I knew what I was doing.
There was one point in Blue in which I nearly gave up. There's a City called Saffron, and there's four entrances to gain access to the city, but the guard wouldn't let me pass as he was too hot. It turned out I needed to get him some water to allow me access. Cheapskate!!
Eventually, I got Yellow for that Christmas, which I wasn't really interested in as it focused heavily on Pikachu (a yellow mouse which has a shocking personality, which is really popular and everyone knows what it looks like) but I absolutely hate that pokemon. Then there was talk of two new games coming out, and that there would be new pokemon too! This was after I left school, and I had internet to find out more. The rumors turned out to be true!
I loved everything about the process of these new games coming out. There was going to be new pokemon, some older pokemon were going to get new evolutions (an evolution happens when a pokemon gains enough experience to change it's physical form.) and some were going to get pre-evolutions (which means a baby form, and when the baby gets enough experience, it'll change into it's next form.), there was even going to be a new area, new people!
Now I'm a sucker for worlds and world designs. So I love this idea that there are places not seen in the old games, and that's why some of these pokemon would have never been seen before.
And then, there was even more good news, in that they were creating new types of pokemon, which was designed to balance out the rock paper scissor as there was a type called Psychic, and it had nothing to beat it, Another thing I glossed over was the Baby forms. To get these baby versions of pokemon......Well, how is baby formed? Pokémon now had genders, and they could now breed by leaving them with a day-care like service. If you were lucky you could find an egg later on which eventually hatch into these rare baby forms.
Pokémon has continued this trend of always adding new ideas to the game, and new areas to explore. I can guarantee someone who's only played the first one, will be amazed at how different, yet familiar it now is. With things like abilities, which not all pokemon have the same ones, natures which determines how it grows ups, and recently a new type of pokemon was announce which balanced out the game even more (apparently a type called Dragon was too powerful.)
The act of new games coming out, and the slow info of what's in store is generally part pokemon's charm for me; and can generally be just as fun as the actual games themselves. I've stayed up sometimes just to watch Japanese shows to find out new information, while talking to people in chatrooms as and when it happens; and recently with Nintendo's Direct (an announcement program on twitch), where again I'm talking to people while information is being freshly told. I've even discussed the games with friends, made new friends while playing it, and even made friends with people online, just because we've talked about these games.
The simplicity of these games means that everyone from 5 to 100 can pick up and play these games, and I know plenty of people who are into their mid-life years who still play it. And I'm sure it's going to be one of the games I'll be playing until the coffin lid shuts on me.
Friday 26 February 2016
Sun and Moon part two.
So, they were confirmed as true. Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon are the next two games being released. Late 2016, next order of business.
There was no gameplay footage, nor anything more stated about them.
They could possibly not be a new generation. They could be the legendary "Z" game. Remember the 5th gen. They technically had two games as their 3rd game. This could be the same.
It's shown a glimpses of concept art, and a glimpse of what possible could be a new pokemon. I thought it was Fletchling for a second. But on second viewing, I'm not too sure.
So yeah, don't count your torchics before they hatch. The next couple of months are going to be interesting.
There was no gameplay footage, nor anything more stated about them.
They could possibly not be a new generation. They could be the legendary "Z" game. Remember the 5th gen. They technically had two games as their 3rd game. This could be the same.
It's shown a glimpses of concept art, and a glimpse of what possible could be a new pokemon. I thought it was Fletchling for a second. But on second viewing, I'm not too sure.
So yeah, don't count your torchics before they hatch. The next couple of months are going to be interesting.
Thursday 25 February 2016
Pokemon Sun, and Pokemon Moon.
Okay, so I'm sure we all by now have seen the two new trademarked name by Nintendo for the next upcoming pokemon games. (Potentially the 7th gen). I just want to remind everyone that there's quite a few names that they're trademarked and done nothing with Brown and Amethyst spring to mind.
The fact that they've trademarked them before the direct announcement tomorrow, is interesting, but still take this trademark news with a pinch of salt.
Although, if Moon is real. That's gonna be my game. Haha. Also, if it is 7th gen, this'll be the first time that they've released a new gen, without adding a 3rd game to the current gen. Very strange, and unusual.
More from me tomorrow, or later on. If the direct is the 7th gen, or 6th gen's third game.
The fact that they've trademarked them before the direct announcement tomorrow, is interesting, but still take this trademark news with a pinch of salt.
Although, if Moon is real. That's gonna be my game. Haha. Also, if it is 7th gen, this'll be the first time that they've released a new gen, without adding a 3rd game to the current gen. Very strange, and unusual.
More from me tomorrow, or later on. If the direct is the 7th gen, or 6th gen's third game.
Saturday 13 February 2016
Deadpool (and not the one in X-men Origins: Wolverine.
Ugh! Mentioning that wolverine film has made me throw up a little....anyway...
Also, gonna try and keep this mostly spoiler-free.
So I went and watched this today, and it was magical. It was everything the trailer showed, and more. From opening credits to the end of credits scene, the whole audience was laughing the whole time.
The pacing and plot is quick and to the point, and I didn't see any plot holes either. All characters were well written, and acted. Although, there was one character which did appear, and I felt they need more screen time. Hydra Bob, or in this film. It was just "Bob"
I think it probably should have been a higher rating, as I felt it had the same amount of violence (and goriness) as the 98 "Blade" film. As there's lots of graphic decapitations, and impalements. I've heard people have been trying to bring kids as young as 8 to the cinema to see it, and I don't recommend it.
However, I can't wait for the Blu-ray release, so I can add it to my collection. Also, the studio has agreed to do Deadpool 2. Can't wait for that. I've heard the Cable will be in it, and I think that Ron Perlman should play Cable.
Also, gonna try and keep this mostly spoiler-free.
So I went and watched this today, and it was magical. It was everything the trailer showed, and more. From opening credits to the end of credits scene, the whole audience was laughing the whole time.
The pacing and plot is quick and to the point, and I didn't see any plot holes either. All characters were well written, and acted. Although, there was one character which did appear, and I felt they need more screen time. Hydra Bob, or in this film. It was just "Bob"
I think it probably should have been a higher rating, as I felt it had the same amount of violence (and goriness) as the 98 "Blade" film. As there's lots of graphic decapitations, and impalements. I've heard people have been trying to bring kids as young as 8 to the cinema to see it, and I don't recommend it.
However, I can't wait for the Blu-ray release, so I can add it to my collection. Also, the studio has agreed to do Deadpool 2. Can't wait for that. I've heard the Cable will be in it, and I think that Ron Perlman should play Cable.
Friday 29 January 2016
Dark Cloud
So I've gone back to this Gem of a game. Loved playing it, but never got to the end. It's on the PS2, and I think it came out near the early stages of the consoles release. (I remember playing a demo of it, not long after PS2 came out.)
It revolves around a young boy. One night at a festival, and evil is released into the world called the "Dark Genie" Who, other than eating people whole, wipes out most nearly all life on the planet. As the attack happened the great fairy king sealed people away inside magic orbs and hid them, except the young boy. Who's given a jewel to reclaim the sealed people.
And to be honest, that's as much of the story as I know. I mean sure if the fairy king saved the boy without sealing him in magic, he probably could have done that for the rest of the world. I'm not sure why this boy either.
However, after gaining a few people back, you can take them back to their nearest town. Then sort of rebuild the town how you see fit, akin to Sim City, or Populous. You can then, once placed back in their town, you can ask the people how they want their town to be arranged. If you can get everyone happy, you'll net handy rewards. Their requests aren't normally hard, so it's easy to do.
But it's not all building, getting to the magically sealed orbs involves jumping into danger filled dungeons. Where brutish monsters live. Real time action fighting means you have to have your wits about you. Which brings up a strange mechanic. Thirst bar, you have to keep an eye on your thirst levels, and drink water regularly. It's an unusual thing to have in a game, and sometimes I do forget to keep an eye on it.
The Weapons to defeat enemies are also a bit unusual. They have a health bar, an experience bar, and item slots. The item slots can have jewels, or attachments. Which depending on what they are increases the weapons power, or what it's good against. Health bar takes damage as the item is being used, and if it "dies" the weapon shatters, and is...well, dead. Experience is gained from use, once it's filled. You can upgrade the weapon, upgrading swallows any items attached to the weapon making the effects permanent, and then frees up those spots for new items. Once a weapon is levelled up five times, you can break it down into a jewel. It'll lose some power, but it'll be a lot better than a normal gem or stat increaser. Once you increase a set number of stats, like give it +20 to fire attribute, and +30 against plant monsters, then a weapon can be upgraded into a completely different weapon.
Every time you go into a dungeon, you have to go down levels. You can replay a level, or carry on down to the next level. It doesn't really matter what you do, but a level only has certain amount of magical orbs. want more? Gotta go deeper. However this is a problem. The second level down in the first dungeon, has some seriously tougher monsters. Kill you in two hits. Then comes the other strange mechanic another couple of levels down.....quick time events! Yup, similar to papa the rapper, or any normal qte. You have a scrolling bar, with a win zone, and you have to press certain buttons at the correct time. Doing it flawlessly makes jewels appear, so it's always handy to do them perfectly. The other strange mechanic, is limit zones. Which will give you a set of rules for a level until you get to the next level. For example, only use swords on this zone, plus they lose exp, plus you can't change the one you have in your hand. Or you can only use the newly acquired character who only has a weak slingshot for a weapon.
That's okay, tho. You said I can go back and redo levels. Easy. No so much. The levels like to re-arrange themselves, so there's never a same layout twice. Although, they do all look very similar. Although, one thing that does have a weird habit of sometimes appearing, is the back dungeon area. Which, no isn't a naughty as it sounds, but is a lot harder. And things can one hit you their, but the random chest loot is a lot more rewarding. Also, chests come in three forms. Nice ones, big ones that are trapped (but if you have a key or can guess it, you can disarm it.), or everyone's favourite monster...the Mimic. And this game, they're usually always mimics in back dungeons.
Still, I love the game in it's blocky colourfulness, and billions of weird mechanics. However, I think a lot of my love for this game is through rose-tinted glasses. As I remember a bit where I was blown away as the main character drank soup, and you could see it disappear when it touched his lips.
The sequel was just as good, it was called Dark Chronicle. But I hope to play that after this.
It revolves around a young boy. One night at a festival, and evil is released into the world called the "Dark Genie" Who, other than eating people whole, wipes out most nearly all life on the planet. As the attack happened the great fairy king sealed people away inside magic orbs and hid them, except the young boy. Who's given a jewel to reclaim the sealed people.
And to be honest, that's as much of the story as I know. I mean sure if the fairy king saved the boy without sealing him in magic, he probably could have done that for the rest of the world. I'm not sure why this boy either.
However, after gaining a few people back, you can take them back to their nearest town. Then sort of rebuild the town how you see fit, akin to Sim City, or Populous. You can then, once placed back in their town, you can ask the people how they want their town to be arranged. If you can get everyone happy, you'll net handy rewards. Their requests aren't normally hard, so it's easy to do.
But it's not all building, getting to the magically sealed orbs involves jumping into danger filled dungeons. Where brutish monsters live. Real time action fighting means you have to have your wits about you. Which brings up a strange mechanic. Thirst bar, you have to keep an eye on your thirst levels, and drink water regularly. It's an unusual thing to have in a game, and sometimes I do forget to keep an eye on it.
The Weapons to defeat enemies are also a bit unusual. They have a health bar, an experience bar, and item slots. The item slots can have jewels, or attachments. Which depending on what they are increases the weapons power, or what it's good against. Health bar takes damage as the item is being used, and if it "dies" the weapon shatters, and is...well, dead. Experience is gained from use, once it's filled. You can upgrade the weapon, upgrading swallows any items attached to the weapon making the effects permanent, and then frees up those spots for new items. Once a weapon is levelled up five times, you can break it down into a jewel. It'll lose some power, but it'll be a lot better than a normal gem or stat increaser. Once you increase a set number of stats, like give it +20 to fire attribute, and +30 against plant monsters, then a weapon can be upgraded into a completely different weapon.
Every time you go into a dungeon, you have to go down levels. You can replay a level, or carry on down to the next level. It doesn't really matter what you do, but a level only has certain amount of magical orbs. want more? Gotta go deeper. However this is a problem. The second level down in the first dungeon, has some seriously tougher monsters. Kill you in two hits. Then comes the other strange mechanic another couple of levels down.....quick time events! Yup, similar to papa the rapper, or any normal qte. You have a scrolling bar, with a win zone, and you have to press certain buttons at the correct time. Doing it flawlessly makes jewels appear, so it's always handy to do them perfectly. The other strange mechanic, is limit zones. Which will give you a set of rules for a level until you get to the next level. For example, only use swords on this zone, plus they lose exp, plus you can't change the one you have in your hand. Or you can only use the newly acquired character who only has a weak slingshot for a weapon.
That's okay, tho. You said I can go back and redo levels. Easy. No so much. The levels like to re-arrange themselves, so there's never a same layout twice. Although, they do all look very similar. Although, one thing that does have a weird habit of sometimes appearing, is the back dungeon area. Which, no isn't a naughty as it sounds, but is a lot harder. And things can one hit you their, but the random chest loot is a lot more rewarding. Also, chests come in three forms. Nice ones, big ones that are trapped (but if you have a key or can guess it, you can disarm it.), or everyone's favourite monster...the Mimic. And this game, they're usually always mimics in back dungeons.
Still, I love the game in it's blocky colourfulness, and billions of weird mechanics. However, I think a lot of my love for this game is through rose-tinted glasses. As I remember a bit where I was blown away as the main character drank soup, and you could see it disappear when it touched his lips.
The sequel was just as good, it was called Dark Chronicle. But I hope to play that after this.
Saturday 16 January 2016
Disgaea 5
So here we are again, a new Disgaea game. Okay, so not really here, as it came out a while ago. It's just that my laptop died, and I forgot the password for this site. Anyway.... After last times disappointment, (I didn't like Disgaea 4 much.) I weren't sure how this one was going to plan out. However, I was happily surprised, and managed to complete the main story mode, which I usually play Disgaea for.
For those that don't know about Disgaea, it is a tactical RPG series made by Nippon Ichi Software (or NIS for short). Many of the games aren't directly related to each other, although, characters from previous games (and even from different games from NIS) make appearances. Each Disgaea game takes place in different netherworlds, and has a host of colourful characters to tell a vibrant, and imaginative, story. The story is told via still poses and voice acting (although, there is a script running under them, and I suggest you read it. As the voice acting in this one is bad.) After a short bit of story there's a fight. Fights are played out on kind of a chess grid, the player goes first, and moves his units and fights, then after his turn is ended the enemies get a turn. Usually, you have to wipe out the opposition team, but sometimes there's other winning situations.
Disgaea 5 is no exception to this trend. It's story starts with various netherworlds at war with a demon called "Void Dark" and his army called "The Lost". In one netherworld a Demon Overlord called Seraphina, is protecting her homeworld from attack. During a battle and lone wanderer called Killia, appears on the battlefield. He has a thrist for vengeance, and wants Void dead. He reluctantly agrees to help Seraphina take out Void. They go chasing after void hunting him down in different netherworlds. During the story you'll gain new allies, and abilities.
You'd think by the fifth time, this would get a bit repetitive. But there's more to the game than this. Like in most rpg's your character will level up. Disgaea has always taken this to the extreme, and from the first game, they made the level cap 9999. I've never gotten anywhere near it. I think the highest level I've ever had is 147, that was back on Disgaea 3. With this game however, I've got about 10 units so far over level 200, and another 7 more over level 100.
This seems ridiculous enough, but wait.... What about your armour and weapons? Surely, being at 100 or 200 won't be that much of a stat increase, if your sword is still the same. Well, they thought of that in the first game too. There's a person in the game called "Item Worlder", she unlocks a way to go into an item, and level it up by basically beating out it's faults (basically, there's baddies inside it, kill them and improve the weapons stats.)
You can also, go inside characters in a person called "Character Worlder" and similar improve things like base stats, and even learn new skills.
But these things have been in the game series for a long time. New things they've added are.
Quest Shop: Ranging from things like collecting certain items, getting certain levels in stats, even killing so many breeds of demons. All wins you money, items, or rare weapons and armour.
Interrogation room: Occasionally, when you clear a map. You'll capture an enemy unit. You can persuade them here to join your cause.
Netherworld exploration: Basically, send some of your characters out on a spaceship to find new worlds and find items. People you send out can't be used in future battles, until they return from their exploration.
Curry shop: Gives you stat boosts for next map.
Netherworld creation: Mostly just to change the lay out of the base that you move around in.
The game doesn't finish with the story, there's huge after story bit, plus tons of hidden characters and boss fights.
While I dislike the voice acting, the gameplay has kept me coming back every day to play it.If you're a fan of games like fire emblem, and Final Fantasy Tactics, then I highly suggest this gem.
For those that don't know about Disgaea, it is a tactical RPG series made by Nippon Ichi Software (or NIS for short). Many of the games aren't directly related to each other, although, characters from previous games (and even from different games from NIS) make appearances. Each Disgaea game takes place in different netherworlds, and has a host of colourful characters to tell a vibrant, and imaginative, story. The story is told via still poses and voice acting (although, there is a script running under them, and I suggest you read it. As the voice acting in this one is bad.) After a short bit of story there's a fight. Fights are played out on kind of a chess grid, the player goes first, and moves his units and fights, then after his turn is ended the enemies get a turn. Usually, you have to wipe out the opposition team, but sometimes there's other winning situations.
Disgaea 5 is no exception to this trend. It's story starts with various netherworlds at war with a demon called "Void Dark" and his army called "The Lost". In one netherworld a Demon Overlord called Seraphina, is protecting her homeworld from attack. During a battle and lone wanderer called Killia, appears on the battlefield. He has a thrist for vengeance, and wants Void dead. He reluctantly agrees to help Seraphina take out Void. They go chasing after void hunting him down in different netherworlds. During the story you'll gain new allies, and abilities.
You'd think by the fifth time, this would get a bit repetitive. But there's more to the game than this. Like in most rpg's your character will level up. Disgaea has always taken this to the extreme, and from the first game, they made the level cap 9999. I've never gotten anywhere near it. I think the highest level I've ever had is 147, that was back on Disgaea 3. With this game however, I've got about 10 units so far over level 200, and another 7 more over level 100.
This seems ridiculous enough, but wait.... What about your armour and weapons? Surely, being at 100 or 200 won't be that much of a stat increase, if your sword is still the same. Well, they thought of that in the first game too. There's a person in the game called "Item Worlder", she unlocks a way to go into an item, and level it up by basically beating out it's faults (basically, there's baddies inside it, kill them and improve the weapons stats.)
You can also, go inside characters in a person called "Character Worlder" and similar improve things like base stats, and even learn new skills.
But these things have been in the game series for a long time. New things they've added are.
Quest Shop: Ranging from things like collecting certain items, getting certain levels in stats, even killing so many breeds of demons. All wins you money, items, or rare weapons and armour.
Interrogation room: Occasionally, when you clear a map. You'll capture an enemy unit. You can persuade them here to join your cause.
Netherworld exploration: Basically, send some of your characters out on a spaceship to find new worlds and find items. People you send out can't be used in future battles, until they return from their exploration.
Curry shop: Gives you stat boosts for next map.
Netherworld creation: Mostly just to change the lay out of the base that you move around in.
The game doesn't finish with the story, there's huge after story bit, plus tons of hidden characters and boss fights.
While I dislike the voice acting, the gameplay has kept me coming back every day to play it.If you're a fan of games like fire emblem, and Final Fantasy Tactics, then I highly suggest this gem.
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