Persona 3 Portable - PSP

Hello again, my adoring yet underwhelming masses.
It's time again to visit upon another console defining title that provided me with countless hours of lost sleep and stimulated my urge to slay inhuman globs of what can only be described as magic nose goblins with arms.
Let me start out by saying I've played through about 35% of the FES edition of Persona 3 on the PlayStation 2. But, due to a massive loss of gaming data, my will to restart it was equal to a cat's will to stand up on it's hind legs and sing "Hello, Ma Baby" in the styles of Michigan J. Frog. For those of you who are confused by that, I suggest you stop watching whatever gay show is on TV and change the channel to Boomerang, I'm sure you'll figure it out if you watch long enough, just saying.
Anyway, I didn't play it again and wound up selling it. eventually I picked up the PSP version and decided to give it another go. GOD DAMN! I'm really happy I gave it a second chance, this is now my favorite PSP game above Crisis Core and Final Fantasy Tactics: WotL. Let's start with the actual reviewing, shall we?

STORY

In Persona 3 Portable, you start the game at midnight, in the middle of a dark and bloody city.
Everyone around you has transformed into coffins, the streets are paved with blood and the moon bright in the green tinted nighttime sky. You find your way to your assigned school dorm in the midst of the eerie situation before you. As you enter, you notice a young boy, his eyes blue and his skin pale, He is dressed in stereotypical  black and white stripped clothing, the kind of outfit that prison inmates in old cartoon would wear.
He approaches you, "I've been waiting a very long time for you".
"Please sign your name in this contract" He points to the notebook resting on the counter to your left. "Don't worry, it simply says that you will accept responsibility for your own actions."
A screen will appear asking for your first and last name, I named my character Hiro Naoru.

That is what happens in the very first scene, you'll have to play it yourself for more info.
I thoroughly enjoyed the story, it was as engaging as it was brilliant and mature.
There are times of great joy and hilarity and there are times of depression and brutal truths both thrust onto you without even a moments notice. I also loved how it wrapped up, the ending was enough to make me swoon, something not easily done.


GAMEPLAY

One thing I have to say about P3P is that it's battle system is far more superior than any Final Fantasy game.
(I'm looking at you FFXIII, you KNOW how much you suck at battles)
The P3P battle system consists of: Attack, Skills, Defend, Items, Persona, Tactics and Flee.

Attack will obviously attack, and each character's attack has a different attribute, depending on what their weapon is. For example, Hiro's weapon is a one handed sword, so it will inflict slash damage.
Certain enemy's are immune to slash damage, while at the same time may be weak to Pierce damage inflicted by bows and certain skills.

There are 3 different kinds of skills.

Physical, which will inflict the same type of damage as weapons (Slash, Pierce, ect ect)

Magical, which has 3 different types of attacks.

Type 1

Fire = Agi
Ice = Bufu
Wind = Garu
Electricity = Zio

Type 2

Dark = Mudo
Light = Hama

Type 3 is made up of various status inflicting spells such as Poisma, which will poison an enemy.


Healing and Enhancement, this one is made of Dia (healing) skills and status/buffing skills.


Defend will boost your defense by 25% for a single turn, you get the point.

Items you have collected will give you a boost in battle, I assume you can understand this as well.

Persona is a tricky command, from this menu you can switch between a set amount of Personas that Hiro has gathered. Persona themselves carry all your skills and will learn more upon leveling up. You will never go into a battle without at least one, but be sure to pay attention to it's attributes, as it will determine your strengths and weaknesses.

Tactics is where you can order your teammates what do do.
This ranges from direct control, where you will assume command of their actions when it is their turn to fight to assault, where they will act on their own using whatever attack they wish.
Also from tactics you can analyze your enemy, which after a turn or two will tell you it's strengths and weaknesses followed by current health and attack attributes.

Flee will let you run away from non-vital battles, I rarely used this command, so I do not know if it has any repercussions, such as money loss or otherwise.


When not in battle, you will have two different types of movement.
The first is when you are in Tartarus, you will have direct control of your character and can order your teammates to split up, regroup, explore and/or defeat enemies.
The second is during the daytime, where all interaction will be chosen by a cursor on-screen.
Simply drag it over a person or object you wish to interact with and press X.

When interacting with people and/or objects, sometimes you will be given a decision.
Depending on your answer, certain things may or may not happen, so chose wisely.

Finally, I come to Social Links.
These special links are developed by interacting with the unique people you will find throughout the game.
As said above, you will interact with them will be given choices, give the right answer and your social link will level up. the benefit of social links is directly related to your personas. Put simply, the stronger the social link, the greater your personas will be once you fuse them (see below).

Persona fusing and requests
During the game, you will be introduced to the velvet room.
From here you may fuse personas and take on requests.
I don't feel like covering this right now, so you'll have to see for yourself.




OVERALL SCORE

Story 9/10
Gameplay 10/10
Challenge 7/10
Voice Acting 4/10
Graphics 7/10

TOTAL
37/50
Pretty damn good.


I STFU'D the funny and cursing, but I did make it much longer.
I guess my stuff will always either be funny, vulgar and short or white-collar and long. sigh...

~Oaxan~

'Last Window: The Secret of Cape West' Review

Cheers! It's summer and I'm BACK for another review! Finally... Or maybe 'damn this bitch is back... -_-" ' Either way, today's topic is Last Window, which I just beat during my small vacation. It was AWESOME, if I do say so myself. :D

Overview
Last Window is a sequel to Hotel Dusk: Room 215 (look to way back when for my review on that one... http://gaming-mayhem.blogspot.com/2010/11/sooo-tsuki-is-back-again-for-another.html) so if you haven't played it, PLAY IT. It's a personal favorite, and Last Window makes more sense when you play Hotel Dusk first. I'm also going to refer to Hotel Dusk a few times, so at least read the last review first.

Gameplay
You play as the lovable Kyle Hyde again, and he's as Hyde-y at ever. :D The setting for this game is at the apartment complex Hyde lives at, called Cape West. It used to be Hotel Cape West, but dark stuff happened, spoilers spoilers, you'll get it when you play it. The gameplay is pretty much the same; walking, talking, applying items, menu, notebook, examining, etc. etc. etc. There's still times when you get a little triangle on a person you're talking to, and if you touch it then you'll press them for more information - there are two choices on what to say when you use it. However, in Hotel Dusk you were pretty much ALWAYS supposed to use it, but in Last Window there are times when you have to ignore it to keep from messing up. They'll give you a few harmless scenarios in the beginning to get you used to it.

The thing about Last Window is that it's easier to game over. More times than not, one little mess-up means you're DOOMED. So again, it's good to SAVE. A. LOT. Except in Hotel Dusk there were things from a way back when scenario that could really affect your future. In Last Window, it's not really like that anymore (which kind of disappointed me...). So in Hotel Dusk it'd be wise to use all three save files, but in Last Window you need like...just one. Just make sure you save before and after doing something important and you're good to go. And when I say "important", that includes talking to someone (you could mess up on a choice), doing something Hyde's not allowed to do (of course), and going into one of those epic confrontations (one little mess up = game over), stuff like that. As long as you didn't mess up as you did something, it's okay to save.

Another thing in Last Window is the fast forward feature. But you can only fast forward through text that you've already read. Which means if you gamed over and got to the same place again. But I never got to use that feature, cuz THERE'S NO WAY IN HELL I'M GOING TO GAME OVER AND CONTINUE. FUCKING RESTART! I don't like to soil my game record. =3= Even if it doesn't matter - and I have a feeling that it doesn't in Last Window... In Hotel Dusk it did matter because it'd affect your ending. ANYWAY, just train yourself to save. Then whenever you see that purple sheen go through a character you're talking to, you've messed up - RESTART. (Soft reset = L + R + Start + Select, if you didn't know the quicker way)

Plot
Like Hotel Dusk, Last Window is one of those "OMFG EVERYTHING'S RELATED IN AN EPIC WAY!" games. :D To the appreciative gamer, it's a very deep and suspenseful. As you proceed onto the thinner yet sharper ice, the plot thickens, and different plot devices and stories intertwine, bringing up some answers as well as numerous questions here and there until the biggest secret is unleashed in the end! Mystery rocks <3

Extras/100%ing
Multiple people live in this apartment complex, though not as much as you'd imagine; but I don't blame 'em, the place is old and kinda crappy. There're a few secret stuff, like something you can get from the vending machine ('cept it's waaay easier than the last game to do so), but it's just for fun. It doesn't affect anything like in Hotel Dusk. You get a "Last Window Novel" whose chapters add as you progress in the game. I just waited until the end to read it though, which is better because the novel is pretty much whatever happened in the game minus a few minor details. You also get music to listen to as you read, 8-ball, and you can use the thing that you might've gotten from the vending machine. I don't know if it's there if you don't get the thing though... JUST GET IT - It's super easy. You also get a table of contents thing to use to jump to chosen chapters, or you can just start from the beginning again. :D

Characters
Also like Hotel Dusk, Last Window had a beautifully colorful cast that made the game more exciting and unbland. Everyone had their own distinct personality - almost no flat characters! You have a lovable Hyde, steely landlady, grumpy old man, laid-back bum, peppy gal, cheery teenager, her cool dad who's sadly very dad-like with her, an obnoxious but toughy guy, somewhat snobbish yet kind-hearted Frenchie, glum yet obnoxiously nosy dood, extremely troubled lady, chatty salesman who thinks he's so smart, and...well I think I gave you a good summary. I think a few of the characters in this game kind of reflect/symbolize the personalities of characters in the last game, but maybe that's just my imagination. *rainbow* Oh, and yes, everyone has a backstory and they're all (or most of them) connected. :D

Graphics & Sound
The graphics and sound were...well they were just like the last game. Same style and everything. I really like their chosen style too, it's unique and cool. Though there're actually some cutscene-like scenes, but more like moving pictures and words than actual animations. You get enough animation when the characters are talking. :P I mean, THEY'RE ALWAYS MOVING.

Sadly, there were no voiceovers. :( But it's all good, I have fun making up my own perfect voices in my head and playing them as they talk. :D

Buggers
The only thing that really bugged me was how there was no way to speed up the text. When I've restarted and have to do like half the chapter over again (I didn't get into the habit of saving a lot...), I don't want to read everything again! When you're reading it the first time, though, it's all good. I actually like to imagine the person's voice and tone and stuff when I'm reading conversations.

Personal Generous Rating
Gameplay - 8.5
Plot - 10
Characters - 9
Graphics - 9
Sound - 9
Originality - 10

Overall - 9.5

I freaking LOVE this game! 8D

HOLYBATCRAPBATMAN! It's a Wind Waker Review!

Lo and behold, for the laziest and least known game reviewer on the net is back again after a long ass time of monotony and mayhem to review another classic must-play Nintendork game.


LEGEND OF ZELDA: THE WIND WAKER


Let me start off by saying, FUCK YOU! You totally forgot this blog existed, didn't you!? Some loyal fans you lot are, FUCKERS, ALL A YA'LL. Anyway, I've made it a point to start playing through my 40+ backlog in between games of LoL and Uncharted 2 Co-Op. Back to the topic at hand...



I must say, I wasn't as impressed with WW as I thought I would be. Even though it's been quite some time since I started playing, I hadn't forgotten the controls altogether but I did forget what the hell my next objective was.
As I started a new save file, I began to daydream about the glorious Ocarina of Time that I had completed the previous year. My mind wandered to and fro 'tween riding Empona an rekilling redeads, which just so happen to have been one of the few things about OoT that seemed out of place, but that's for another review, another place and another day. Continuing, I set out from outset island after completing the grudgingly grueling task of completing the tutorials and rescuing the not-so fair piratish maiden hanging from her cell-shaded britches in a rather conveniently placed tree limb in the middle of the goddamn forest in the middle of the goddamn island in the middle of the goddamn ocean in the middle of goddamn Hyrule. Needless to say, there's an ocean.
It is big. it is daunting. it is rectangular. I found myself spending more time traveling from island to island than actually playing the game, even after collecting the Ballad of Gales I had to go from rock to rock, feed all the fucking fish near every ambiguous spit of land in a 7 x 7 world that literally took 5 hours to completely fill in even with the help of my shiny winged conductor's baton that was given to me by a talking BOAT.
At least it's original, so no complaints there.... Moving on.


TRIFORCE SHARDS.



Well ain't this about a bitch? 8 shards scattered throughout the overly moist world, 1 player, 0 patience.
I cheated, honest to god I couldn't do on my own. I had to use an FAQ to find a fucking map to a GOLDEN FUCKING SLIVER. I feel used, dirtied and betrayed by my own inner soloist. The last thing I remember before blacking out and sleeping for 5 hours right after hauling up the final sunken shard from the depths of Noah's Flood 2.0 was ripping out my Gameboy equipped with a very snazzy Tingle Tuner and screaming at the top of my lungs; "YOU WANT MORE MONEY, TINGLE!? EAT MY SHINY GREEN SHIT" followed by insane laughter directly into my red handheld and thus proceeded to gnaw in my elbow.
Half a day later, I wake up with a slightly swollen joint etched with bite marks and the incredible desire to kick an anemic puppy. Afterwards, I diligently saved my game, played some Super Mario Brothers 3 on my verbally abused Gameboy, came back to my Gamecube and headed directly for my next goal.
Skipping ahead, I hated Puppet Ganon with a fiery passion known only to those who've attempted to play Final Fantasy IV DS blindfolded while simultaneously reciting every line of the first two Star Wars movies
with no prior practice. The final boss was easy and pathetic.
The game wrapped up beautifully and perfectly, though I couldn't enjoy it much as others due to my desire to judge and be a total fucking asshole from time to time.

Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker - 7/10
I need to sit down and write longer reviews, it's pathetic how little I actually say...

Portal 2 (X360) [Single-Player Campaign Only]

Since a certain someone decided to be an ass and review the first Portal game, I thought I should be an even bigger ass and review the more story-driven sequel. See what you did? You turned me into an ass. You monster.

As soon as I picked up Portal 2, I fired up Microshit's latest console and got to play. I was researching and they said that this would be like six times longer...so I turned off my phone and cut myself off from all social connections. But unlike some people, I didn't beat the game in a day. I didn't wanna hear GLaDOS do karaoke that much...now the game starts off with Chell inside this shitty looking hotel room. This personality core named Wheatley comes out and guides you. Also, no homo, but that accent is fucking sexy. It sounds British and Australian at the same time...but yeah. He asks Chell to talk...he clearly doesn't know she's a "mute lunatic"...the game prompts you to press "A" (or "X" if you're a PS3 owner :P) to talk. Hilarity ensues. The story picks up some more, I find a few easter eggs along the way...then the puzzles. 

Portal 2 does the same as the first one, making you get the gun, then obtaining the respective portal colors if I remember right. Oh and by the way, SPOILER WARNING. So stop reading if you don't wanna know how Wheatley the moron and Chell reawaken GLaDOS. Oops. Did I spoil it?

But yeah, they reawaken GLaDOS, our favorite sarcastic villian. Score one for the good guys. *clap* *clap* You spend the next few chapters testing and then plot comes back in. After escaping the clutches of GLaDOS...I won't spoil anything else. Just know, Wheatley is a fucking moron. Seriously.He was programmed for it. Not even joking. And thus I found myself carrying a potato with A.I. built in and now I'm at the bottom of Aperature Science Labs...listening to a dead man bitch about lemons as the potato has an orgasm...

I got so stuck around chapter 7. So I called in a specialist. A specialist being your very own Oaxan. He guided me and we finished the game out. But the ending. Holy shit. Not too many FPS games actually emotionally move me...actually, none do. I dunno why, but the ending of this game just...makes me tear up. And I expect a Portal 3. Why? Well, why not? Portal 2 was a beautiful game. 'Nuff said. I wish I could've put out more spoilers, but I didn't feel like being that mean.

Portal 2:
Graphics: 9/10
Plot/Storyline: 10/10 (You thought bring-your-daughter-to-work day was for teh lulz? Hell no.)
Gameplay: 9/10
Overall: 9.5/10

The only issue is...no DLC. And I love how the PC version has over 80 bucks of useless DLC. xD ALSO, the official DLC releases this Summer. And it's free.

Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective

Presenting one of the best games ever to grace the DS, is Ghost Trick: Phantom Detective!

Alright, so the main reason I bought this was because it was made by the team who created Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and of course, their brilliance shone through this fantastic creation. You may think I'm over reacting, but I'm not. I went through a week of sleepless nights just wanting to finish this game and wanting to bring it school to secretly play it under my desk just to know how the mystery ends. This game truly had me at the edge of my seat while I watched everything piece together like a puzzle - a very intricate puzzle.

Alright so game play, it's pretty interesting really. You're able to manipulate different inanimate objects, benefiting from their different uses to your advantage in each situation. In each situation is a new location and a bunch of convenient objects placed in rather convenient locations, but I won't dwell on the matter. Why? Cause it doesn't ruin ANYTHING. It doesn't matter if they're way to convenient for their own good, just take advantage of it, cause I did. Any who, manipulating is all you got in your arsenal of your tricks and you have to think outside of the box (Phoenix Wright reference, anyone?).

You start out as a ghost, completely and utterly confused and drowned in your own monologue. You have no idea what your name is, who you are, or why you're dead. So far in, you're practically a blank piece of paper waiting to be written on to gather information. Luckily, you have someone to help you...a lamp. A very happy lamp. That likes to dance. No I'm not kidding, but lamp will be your guiding light in a sense... there's a name far more clever than mine, so just wait till you play it.

The characters are as colorful as ever, produced by the brilliant team, and the challenges of using the manipulation powers to its fullest is pretty difficult. However, that could be because I'm not the greatest at puzzling situations; it's practically a mystery as to how I even finished the Ace Attorney series, let alone this game without Gamefaqs. I will admit, however, that I did have some help, but it was one for one case.

There's also the challenges, that I have said earlier. To every challenge is a death, no surprise there coming from a team who dealt with murder cases, and to every death is the event that happened to the victim. So with every prior event is the four minutes you're able to change it! Yes, you the player, are able to save the person's life! Four minutes before the death by interfering with the timeline and being able to change the course of the future! Oh by the way, you're timed four minutes, and every time you change someone's fate then you get more time in the hourglass (your timer)!

I'd tell you more, but then I wouldn't want to spoil anything from this wonderful piece mystery and art.

Have fun saving lives in the game!

Those manipulation powers you have there are called "Ghost Tricks" by the way~.

Rating: I'm sure a game as spectacular as this doesn't need one >>. 9.5 out of 10.

The music is great and fitting.

The animation don't have outlines so it kinda tipped me off at first, but they were flexible so I liked them.

The scenery was realistic as it should be.

The movements were very fluent.

So a 9.5 out of 10. Or a 9.0 out 10. Would be good. I'm trying not to let my opinions get the best of me.