Backlog 2019

Samansu · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 11:00 am

Day 3 of Ring Fit Adventure down! \o.o/ I woke up this morning excited to play some, and that has NEVER happened with any sort of exercise before!

I again did 3 stages for about 10 minutes of active time!

A bit of soreness today, but nothing severe. I was able to get down into the 'Moderate Exercise' level today which is the optimal spot for me. I unlocked another new exercise (blue this time) as well as the shop! I can now buy new outfits which apparently have better stats and also smoothies! I am about halfway done with World 3! Oh and I unlocked the 'Color Match' ability, so now matching the color of the baddie with the move is more effective! \o.o/

I think I will try to move up to 15 minute of active time once I have a full week under my belt. I don't wanna go to fast and burn out.

Glad you brought it down for at least a few days Kikki and glad you were able to do the leg lift! I guess the exercise unlocks are random then? I unlocked the Yellow after only doing 1 yellow exercise total, so I don't think it's based on what you are doing more. Unless it gave me a new yellow because it noticed I wasn't doing those? Idk how it works. Sounds like you have a busy day though! I'm sure the soup and potato wedges will be delicious separately!

I'm going to try to finish up Chrono Trigger today. I only have two little side quests and the final battle left at this point!

Kikki · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 11:26 am

I saw you come online as I was about half way through my Ring Fit session this morning, Samansu. What time zone are you in? (If you don't mind me asking, of course.)

My muscles are still a liiiittle sore, but thanks to my freakish cardio adaptability, I should be able to progress decently, unless I go and overdo it one day. Which I'm really trying not to do, even though it's my natural instinct. (I have terrible survival instincts in every measurable way, lol.)

I am currently actually playing with the character creator for Code Vein, since I located the demo Night Owl mentioned (it's called a 'trial version' on the Playstation store.) I'm aiming to see how closely I can recreate my all-time favourite self-created avatar, Atran/Atryn (I can never decide how I want to spell it) from Xenoblade Chronicles X.

They look to have similar levels of customization, though the styles are quite different. We'll see if I can come up with something good. Though Atran looks nothing like a vampire...

ryume · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 12:12 pm

I tried the demo for Code Vein, and it totally felt like Dark Souls anime style to me. I only tried it because the graphics look so lovely, but ended up not liking it at all, as I found the demo to be bland in spite of the good looks. I'm very curious to know if you enjoyed it, since it seems like this type of game so far removed from your usual preferences.

Kikki · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 12:51 pm

Well, the story seems interesting, but I hate the combat, lol. It feels too loose. I'd like to see more of the story, at least to encounter some more main characters, but the setting...not my taste. Grimy and depressing, for me. I don't like post-apocalyptic settings at all, and vampires are ick. They're better than zombies, but only by half. I'm pretty much anti-undead all round, lol. I knew this had vampires, of course, but you never know what take people will use. (Personally I always wanted to write a story about the people 'vampires' were based on and have them simply be a people who can't eat, only drink, most effectively via their teeth. Basically they're just juice-lovers! In that world, human blood would only be consumed by weirdo perverts. Didn't write it; probably would have ended up too silly anyway...)

Also I find the UI more difficult to read than XCX's.

I didn't manage to make my avatar look all that much like Atryn. The styles are just too different. The game also likes to have very large boobs jiggling at the slightest provocation. Jiggle-jugs aren't a huge turn off or anything, but I always think looks weird in games. The overall movement animations aren't on the super-realistic side, like the hair and clothing aren't all ruffling realistically... so having boob jiggle just draws the eye unnaturally, imo.

I do think it's really interesting and I'll probably try to complete the demo, but I got sick of getting beaten up once my buddy wasn't helping any more, since it takes me a long time to get used to new control configurations, and even at the start I feel like the game has too many options, battle-wise. I don't love having multiple weapon and sub-weapon types, each with different skills attached. Makes me unable to remember any of the commands to USE any of them. Be fine later on, when I was used to it...but in a demo it's overwhelming. I'd be happy to finish the demo at least if it had difficulty settings to make it simply button-mashy for the story-enthusiast who prefers to minimize time and attention spent on battle, but it doesn't seem to.

Samansu · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 1:26 pm

Kikki wrote:I saw you come online as I was about half way through my Ring Fit session this morning, Samansu. What time zone are you in? (If you don't mind me asking, of course.)

My muscles are still a liiiittle sore, but thanks to my freakish cardio adaptability, I should be able to progress decently, unless I go and overdo it one day. Which I'm really trying not to do, even though it's my natural instinct. (I have terrible survival instincts in every measurable way, lol.)

Oh nice lol I am in NC on EST. I get up a little late on my days off to make up for the 11 hour workdays I have lol! What about you?

Haha weel at least you have good adaptability! I have terrible survivability because I'm slow and weak lol

Pachi · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 3:35 pm

I finished VA-11 Hall-A. I like it! I'd recommend it to anyone wanting a really comfy and cozy visual/kinetic novel. I love the atmosphere and slice-of-life feel of the game. The characters are interesting, and the game shines with the writing. Despite being published in 2016, the topics are still timely and I find myself relating to some characters a lot. So, backlog is at +1 now

I find myself itching for it, so I'm playing a Blue Lions run on FE3H next!

Spoiler:

cinnamon_yuki · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 5:05 pm

I haven't gone far from Code Vein as well because I was busy with the character creation part. This game has my favorite anime character creator. But this title is a gamble though since I haven't played much hack and slash games but I given this one a shot (and it didn't hurt that a good friend given me this game as a gift).

Spoiler:

Kikki · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 7:00 pm

I'm in Ontario, Samansu; so we're both on Eastern Time

I've been watching a Let's Play series on Code Vein because I do think it's interesting, but I can't take how combat-heavy it is, and how drab and ugly the scenery is, even if the graphic quality is decent. I saw a review complaining that the story isn't great because it unleashes big emotional moments out of nowhere, which normally, yeah...that would make everything feel empty and disconnected. But honestly, I think the premise is really good. Even the method of story telling...this is a world in complete ruins. The geography is shattered and society no longer exists in a recognizable way. Revenants and humans alike can barely survive...it's a constant struggle. No one wants to talk about their past; heck, many people don't even want to talk about the present, because it's pretty bleak. And the main character is someone who can revive the flow of...I'll call it energy, because 'blood' doesn't make sense to me yet. They can revive the flow of energy coming out of wellsprings at various points around that ruined world, as well as connect to shards of memory that have been cast off or lost, and see pieces of the past in greater clarity.

Anyway, it makes sense to me that the story lacks fluidity and that there's no gradual build-up to big revelations. That would bother me in a normal setting, but it doesn't bother me about this one. On the contrary; I find it interesting, that the MC is the one who can help revive points of health and reconnect the past to the present. (I don't really know how to say it.) It's like they're slowly making it possible for there to be a future. I REALLY wish they had made it so that when the MC revives one of the...mistle points? Bloodsprings?...that the area under its influence would become even a tiny bit prettier, cleaner or brighter, or less riddled with the Lost. Just something to show that a difference is being made.

It does bug me how the guys are covered from head to toe, though, while all the girls are wearing little scraps of ripped stuff, with their boobs falling out of the bottom of their tightly-stretched crop tops, and thongs poking out above their tiny shorts and skirts. I don't mind fan service if it's being provided for everyone, but I do when it isn't equal-opportunity. Then it just feels exploitative.

I'd totally play this if the game was a bit less hack-and-slash and a bit more colourful/pretty. I'd enjoy playing the story but it's just not my genre otherwise.

cinnamon_yuki · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 7:50 pm

Kikki wrote:
It does bug me how the guys are covered from head to toe, though, while all the girls are wearing little scraps of ripped stuff, with their boobs falling out of the bottom of their tightly-stretched crop tops, and thongs poking out above their tiny shorts and skirts. I don't mind fan service if it's being provided for everyone, but I do when it isn't equal-opportunity. Then it just feels exploitative.

I'd totally play this if the game was a bit less hack-and-slash and a bit more colourful/pretty. I'd enjoy playing the story but it's just not my genre otherwise.

100% agree to this Kikki. One of my major gripe was the lack of proper clothing for female clothing. Two out of the five are not the only ones exposed while the male ones have cool looking ones. I just wish there are more updates in the future. In terms of story, I heard it was good but it's not great especially if you played FE Three Houses before this, that's my opinion anyway. I still think it's worth to get this at a discount if you're new to the genre. I would have done the same. XD

Samansu · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 8:27 pm

Kikki wrote:I'm in Ontario, Samansu; so we're both on Eastern Time

Awesome! I bet exercising indoors is a huge advantage now that winter is hitting y'all!

I finally finished Chrono Trigger today! It was a lot of fun. The characters were lovable and the writing was charming and funny. The pixel art in the Steam version was lovely to look at, and of course the music was also amazing. I will very likely play it again in the future to try and get different endings!

I also decided I'm done with Twilight Princess Picross. I have done all the regular puzzles and have gotten good times on them. I'm just not a fan of the 'Mega' picross puzzles and that is all that is left now. Ah well that is another game beat bringing my total to 10!

I have also started Harvest Moon 2 and am halfway through Fall of Year 1. Fun Fact: Did you know if you accidentally leave your chickens out overnight they completely vanish as though they never existed? No scolding or even acknowledgement of my 4 chickens disappearing. I just had to start over and buy a new chicken... >n> Anyway it seems vastly improved from the original game, but is no where near as engaging as HM64 since there is no marriage or interactive festivals.

Now that Chrono Trigger is off my plate I will be playing the Dragon Quest Builders demo and then the Dragon Quest XI demo. That way I can make up my mind about whether or not I want to get those games. After that it will be on to round 2 of Three Houses! \o.o/

Updated Backlog

Spoiler:

Ehppy · Post Posted: Nov 09, 2019 8:33 pm

Y'all are making me want to get Ring Fit Adventure. It sounds like a really fun exercise game. My biggest problem with exercising consistently is I don't like doing it alone, and I think these sorts of games help me out with that. I had a game for Wii called Walk It Out, where basically you walked around a virtual city to the beat of various songs, and earned points to buy upgrades to make the city nicer. It was really simple, but it did get me walking more often, which was nice. The music selection was awful though.

Or not to my tastes anyway.

I just beat my second playthrough of FE: Three Houses. Now I've done Golden Deer and Blue Lions. I may do the other routes but I'm holding off until all the DLC comes out, or until my heart can't take being away any longer.

I really liked Three Houses. I was a bit apprehensive because, while I still enjoyed it, I had a lot of issues with FE: Fates, and I wasn't sure if Three Houses would suffer from those same issues. But I really enjoyed it. Kinda sad I didn't get the collectors edition, but that's how it goes I guess.

Now I'm just filling the time between now and Pokemon Sw/Sh with some more casual games. And it's times like these that I really appreciate Fogu for how chill and friendly the community is. The way people are talking in other gaming circles, you'd think it was a crime to be excited for Pokemon. Yikes.
But I am super excited. My sisters and I are going to have a launch party of sorts, with snacks and stuff. Playing a new generation of Pokemon alongside my sisters is one of the best feelings. It's something we all have in common and that makes it feel really special.

I went ahead and picked up the Humble Monthly for December, mostly because it includes My Time at Portia. I loved that game on Switch, but I abandoned it for FE: Three Houses in late July, and I've been really wanting to go back to it. While I had a blast with it, the bugs, long load times, and tiny text did make things tricky sometimes. I'm honestly worried my computer won't even run it, but if it does, I think it'll be a much smoother experience this way. And if it doesn't, I'll get a handful of other surprise games at the end of the month, so it won't be a total loss or anything. And I will be upgrading my PC at some point, probably a little ways away yet but still, eventually I will get to play it.

Bluie · Post Posted: Nov 10, 2019 6:09 am

Yeah, the Pokemon fandom is a bloody mess right now and you can't be allowed to be excited for it lest you incite their wrath. It's not everyone though. People who are legit excited and tired of everyone's stupidity made https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonSwordAndShield/ and it's a great spoiler free place to get hyped.

I personally cannot wait. 5 more days!!!!

Kikki · Post Posted: Nov 10, 2019 6:29 am

cinnamon_yuki wrote:100% agree to this Kikki. One of my major gripe was the lack of proper clothing for female clothing. Two out of the five are not the only ones exposed while the male ones have cool looking ones. I just wish there are more updates in the future. In terms of story, I heard it was good but it's not great especially if you played FE Three Houses before this, that's my opinion anyway. I still think it's worth to get this at a discount if you're new to the genre. I would have done the same. XD

I played the demo (though it's called a 'trial version' rather than a 'demo' if you look it up on the Playstation Store) and was interested in the characters/story, but really disliked the combat, and since it is so combat heavy, it's really a no-go for me. I was watching a playthrough, but he only did three parts and then completely quit doing them a month ago, so not sure if I will try to keep watching some other way, or not. I could watch the 'all cutscenes' video I saw.

~

Obviously don't poke this link if you don't want to see new pokemon or evolutions, but today I saw a chart of all the known pokemon in SwSh, and unlike the other chart I saw, this one is clickable so you can actually enlarge it big enough to peruse. (I think this abbreviation is super cute and always read it as SWISH.) Man, a lot of those pokemon are super cute. I even like a bunch of the evoutions, and normally I only think the baby form is cute. I am wavering very much on whether or not this should be my first Pokemon game. I think the setting/world is quite pretty for the first time, and I want to make many types of curry. But I'm betting the overall game play...a giant turn-based rock-paper-scizzors battle system, and without a particularly strong/meaningful plot...is not really my cup o' tea.

But...I think I saw a Pokemon in there that IS a cup o' tea. WAVER.

Nobody knows if I will end up getting this or not. Not even psychics and people who can see the future, because I just haven't committed to either leg of the Trousers of Time!

Well, gotta go make fudge. If you have a family member on chemo and they feel like eating fudge, you drop anything else that might be going on and make a batch of the stuff.

Daisuke Tsubasa · Post Posted: Nov 10, 2019 8:13 am

Bluie wrote:Yeah, the Pokemon fandom is a bloody mess right now and you can't be allowed to be excited for it lest you incite their wrath. It's not everyone though. People who are legit excited and tired of everyone's stupidity made https://www.reddit.com/r/PokemonSwordAndShield/ and it's a great spoiler free place to get hyped.

I personally cannot wait. 5 more days!!!!

It's a sad state of affairs. Being interested in the game or trying to look forward to it will get you marked as a "boot licker" to "lazy" Game Freak. Like tbfh, people need to grow up. If you're dissapointed with how the series is developing, I can't change your opinion. You're entitled to it. Just like how you're entitled to provide critique. Just don't put other people who are looking forward to the game down or make them feel like a lesser person for it.

Shan O 123 · Post Posted: Nov 10, 2019 9:40 am

I’m surprised. FE looks so good on my phone.