Reviews

New Atelier Rorona – Origin Story – First Impressions

January 25, 2014 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

Back in 2009, Gust finally transitioned from the Playstation 2 to the Playstation 3 when they released Atelier Rorona. While the gameplay went back to the premise of the original games and focused more on item crafting and such, the graphics were pretty lackluster. While Totori and Meruru had better graphics and gameplay, it seems that first game in the Arland trilogy felt really out-of-place in comparison. I can’t really blame them since the Playstation 3 had a rough start when it comes to role-playing games.

Four years later, Gust finally made a full remake of the original game for the Playstation 3 and the Vita complete with a full graphics overhaul. How well does it stack up with the original? Let’s find out! (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: first impressions, Playstation 3, Playstation Vita, Video Games

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;birth1 – Final Review

January 18, 2014 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

Back in 2010, Compile Heart and Idea Factory made a game personifying video game consoles as cute girls with the plot based on the console wars. While it was an interesting idea for a story, the first game unfortunately had a lot of problems ranging from game-breaking bugs to mediocre graphics.

Just little over three years later after the franchise got two well received games, Compile Heart decided to make a complete remake and reboot of the first game for the Playstation Vita, Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;birth1.
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Category: Chou-Jigen Game Neptune, ReviewsTag: final impressions, Playstation Vita, Video Games

Surface Pro 2 Review – Great Tablet for Anime Blogging?

January 11, 2014 by Chikorita157 6 Comments

Directly from Leanbox, Vert joins the tablet competition with her own tablet.

Back in 2010, I became a first adopter of the original iPad, which was the device that started the tablet computer craze. I liked the device for the fact that I can surf the Internet, read e-books, watch Youtube, check twitter and stuff without having to drag a laptop along. Of course, tablets got more powerful since one can now view fansubs without converting them (even 10 bit providing that you have the latest tablet and the right player) and even write a post using the native Wordpress interface with image uploading. While tablets won’t replace a laptop for some tasks, they are handy when you are on the move.

On the other hand, when Apple decided to leave the original iPad behind for iOS 6 even though it can probably handle it. Since I got frustrated with my Livescribe pen, which is a device I use to take notes during class and transfer them to the computer, I need a tablet with an active digitizer. After reading about the capabilities Kai’s tablet can do, I decided on getting a Windows 8.1 tablet, particularly the new Surface Pro 2 Microsoft released last year.
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Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, opinion, tablet

Little Busters! Overall Final Review

January 4, 2014 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

When Key/Visual Arts announced back in spring of 2012 that JC Staff would be animating Little Busters, some fans didn’t like the idea. With the second season concluding earlier this week, how do the prequel and the sequel stacks up? (Image Source)
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Category: Little Busters!, ReviewsTag: drama, final impressions, JC Staff, key, moe

The Best and Disappointing Japanese Video Games of 2013

December 28, 2013 by Chikorita157 4 Comments

As we approach the end of 2013, I want to focus on the top 5 best games that released this year, which I got to play. As always, this list will only have games that are made by Japanese companies. (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: opinion, reflection, Video Games, year end

Kyoukai no Kanata – Final Review

December 27, 2013 by Chikorita157 4 Comments

For a while now, Kyoto Animation has been focusing on their in-house intellectual properties. With that, they finally adapt Kyokai no Kanata (境界の彼方, Beyond the Boundary) as their fourth show in their new effort. Does it live up to expectations? Let’s find out! (Image Source)
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Category: Kyoukai no Kanata, ReviewsTag: fantasy, final impressions, kyoani, supernatural

Tales of Hearts R – Final Review

November 30, 2013 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

To me, I felt that 2013 is the year of remakes in Japan since Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;birth1, New Atelier Rorona, and Tales of Hearts R got released this year for the Playstation Vita. With that, I decided to pick up my first Tales game that never made it out of Japan, which received a remake. That game is Tales of Hearts R. (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, Playstation Vita, Tales of, Video Games

Hyperdimension Neptunia Re;birth1 – First Impressions

November 23, 2013 by Chikorita157 4 Comments

Back in 2010, Compile Heart created a roleplaying game based on the console wars with video game consoles personified as cute girls in a game called Hyperdimension Neptunia (超次元ゲイムネプチューヌ). While it was an interesting concept, Idea Factory managed to mess it up. The first game shows this with obvious gamebreaking bugs, poor graphics for a PS3 game, difficulties trying to heal your characters among other things. They eventually realized how unfinished the first game was, so they remade it for the Vita. Since I received the game three weeks ago, I want to share my first impressions. (Image Source)
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Category: Chou-Jigen Game Neptune, ReviewsTag: first impressions, Playstation Vita, Video Games

Pokémon The Origin – Final Review

November 15, 2013 by Chikorita157 9 Comments

During my childhood, I used to watch the Pokémon Anime. It was enjoyable seeing Ash/Satoshi use his Pikachu to defeat an Onix. Eventually, I lost interest in the show since it has a lot of filler episodes and for the fact that it’s loosely based off the games, especially when Ash/Satoshi’s Pikachu lost to a freaking Surskit in a recent episode!

On the other hand, Gamefreak decided to make short Anime special based off the original games titled Pokémon The Origin staring Red and Blue (named Green in this Anime). With this new take on the Pokémon Games, will it live up to its name? Perhaps. (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, pokemon, special

Pokemon Y – Final Review

October 29, 2013 by Chikorita157 8 Comments

It’s have been a long time since I reviewed a Pokémon Game. When I got a Japanese version of Pokémon Black 2 back in June of last year, although I enjoyed it, I felt that it didn’t add much in terms of gameplay besides finishing what the prequels started. Not only that, even though I spent 380+ in the Generation V games, I didn’t like the fact that none of my favorites (e.g. Eevee) was in the first game and that it took power creep to another level. Generation V was a pretty big mess, especially considering permanent Sunny Day or Rain Dance. This is why I hardly did any wifi battles. With that, perhaps Game Freak finally realized the monster they just created and decided to fix that with Pokémon X and Y with its transition to full 3D. (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, opinion, pokemon, Video Games

Pokémon X and Y – First Impressions

October 15, 2013 by Chikorita157 8 Comments

Last Saturday, Pokémon X and Y has finally released everywhere. While I didn’t look at most of the press releases on some of the new features in this game, I was certainly excited. After playing the game for 24 hours, I would like to share my first impressions on the things I liked and disliked.(Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: first impressions, pokemon, Video Games

Hyperdimension Neptunia the Animation – Final Review

October 2, 2013 by Chikorita157 4 Comments

Back in the 80s and 90s, there was a heated console war between Sega and Nintendo with Sony and eventually Microsoft joining in the fray. In 2009, Compile Heart decided a game called Hyperdimension Neptunia (超次元ゲームネプチューヌ) that personified each console (Sega Neptune, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 3 and the Xbox 360) as cute girls. When they announced an Anime from the two games, I decided to take a look.
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Category: Chou-Jigen Game Neptune, ReviewsTag: final impressions, moe, Video Games

Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya – Final Review

September 21, 2013 by Chikorita157 5 Comments

I admit that I have a soft spot for magical girl shows. When I figured out that there was a magical girl show, which had characters from the Fate series, I decided to take a look. (Image Source)
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Category: Fate/Kaleid Liner Prisma Illya, ReviewsTag: final impressions, mahou shoujo

Atelier Escha & Logy – Alchemists of the Dusky Sky – First Impressions

August 28, 2013 by Chikorita157 3 Comments

In the second round of video game impressions, I’m going to share my first impression thoughts on Atelier Escha & Logy since I will probably won’t be able to finish my first play through when summer break ends the next week. (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: first impressions, Gust, moe, Video Games

Hyperdimension Idol Neptunia PP – Final Review

August 27, 2013 by Chikorita157 8 Comments

As the long summer break comes to an end, I want to focus on giving a review and first impressions of the two games I played. Today, I’m focusing on Hyperdimension Idol Neptunia PP (神次元アイドルネプテューヌPP), which is basically an idol raising simulator spin-off for the Playstation Vita.

Apparently, Compile Heart knows that idols are very popular in Japan and since they have some capable singers, then why not? But then again, will it live up to the other popular idol simulator, The Idolmaster? Not really. (Image Source)
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Category: Chou-Jigen Game Neptune, ReviewsTag: final impressions, idol singers, moe, Video Games

Photo Kano – Final Review

July 31, 2013 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

In the sea of dating sim game adaptations, Photo Kano (Photo Girlfriend) takes the mundane concept of a typical male lead hanging out with a bunch of cute girls and throwing photography into the mix. Some say that Photo Kano is the spiritual successor for Amagami, but does this show live up to that reputation? Not really. (Image Source)
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Category: Photo Kano, ReviewsTag: fanservice, final impressions, photography, romance

Suisei no Gargantia – Final Review

July 17, 2013 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

In the past, I didn’t really care for shows containing humongous robots fighting each other. However, when Gen Urobutchi revealed that he is working on a new anime original called Suisei no Gargantia, Based on his previous works, I decided to take a look. (Image Source)
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Category: Reviews, Suisei no GargantiaTag: final impressions, IG Productions, science fiction

Ore no Imouto 2 – Final Review

July 8, 2013 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

After spending about 11 and a half days relaxing on vacation in Chicago and Wisconsin, it finally came to an end this afternoon. So, I’m catching up with everything and hopefully I’ll be back on track by end of this week. With that, I want to share my thoughts about Ore no Imouto 2, which has been one of the most anticipated sequel for the Spring 2013 season. However, this sequel disappointed a good amount of people for various reasons. (Image Source)
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Category: Ore No Imouto, ReviewsTag: comedy, final impressions, romance, younger sister

Red Data Girl – Final Review

June 26, 2013 by Chikorita157 4 Comments

I tend to like some shows that PA Works makes because their animation quality now rivals Kyoto Animation. However, the execution aspect for some of their shows feels like a mixed bag as seen with Hanasaku Iroha or Another. Despite this, I was impressed with Tari Tari as it was a very enjoyable show without the things that tugged me in the wrong way such as the unnecessary cross-dressing. With Red Data Girl, will I have a similar experience?
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Category: Red Data Girl, ReviewsTag: final impressions, PA Works, supernatural

Tamayura ~Hitotose~ – Final Review

June 25, 2013 by Chikorita157 6 Comments

Nearly three years ago, the makers of Aria made an original animation adaptation of another Iyasashikei Anime called Tamayura. Although it was short, it had a very light-hearted feeling as the girls focus on their hobbies and of course, making and capturing memories.

A year later, this show finally got a full season, which introduced a few more characters and developed the existing ones further. But, will this be a second coming of Aria?
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Category: Reviews, TamayuraTag: final impressions, Hal Film Maker, iyasashikei, photography

Tamako Market – Final Review

May 25, 2013 by Chikorita157 4 Comments

Kyoto Animation currently holds a reputation for creating faithful adaptations. However, they are usually weak when it comes to original stories. Although Munto, their first original production wasn’t well received, they didn’t make another one until last winter when they aired Tamako Market, a slice of life story involving one girl, a talking bird and a family ran mochi shop. (Image Source)
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Category: Reviews, Tamako MarketTag: comedy, final impressions, kyoani, moe

Atelier Meruru Plus – The Alchemist of Arland 3 – Final Review

May 10, 2013 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

You might be asking, “if you have the English version of Atelier Meruru, why would you buy it again on the Vita, but in Japanese?” The answer is that I find the game addictive, but I want to play it on the go. This is where the Plus version comes in as it brings the full game with the DLC included, costumes and extra scenes. Since I use my Vita mainly to practice my Japanese skills, it’s one of the main reasons I bought this game. (Image Source)

Note: Like with all the Arland games, the Plus versions were rereleased on the PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch as DX on September 20, 2018. As with the Plus version, the review will cover the DX versions as well.
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Category: ReviewsTag: final impressions, Gust, moe, Nintendo Switch, Playstation 4, Playstation Vita, Video Games

Genkai Totsuki Monster Monpiece – First Impressions – A Cute and Fanservicy Monster Girl Trading Card Game

March 21, 2013 by Chikorita157 2 Comments

Since there is no Monster Monpiece art, here is the next best thing... — Since there is no Monster Monpiece fan art, here is the next best thing…

For a while now, there has been a good amount of criticism surrounding Idea Factory/Compile Heart games. They have a bad reputation of having overly complicated gameplay, needless grinding among other things. While the first Neptunia game had a lot of bugs, at least I heard that they improved the gameplay in the sequels. Now with the Playstation Vita, I think they kind of learned their lesson with Genkai Totsuki Monster Monpiece (限界凸騎モンスターモンピース, lit: Unlikely Knight: Monster Monpiece), which sold over 50,000 in retail and download. With that, I would like to share some experiences of playing it after getting through the first Chapter and a part of the next one. (Image Source)

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Category: ReviewsTag: Compile Heart, fanservice, first impressions, moe, opinion, Video Games

Thoughts about Tales of Series and Tales of Hearts Demo

February 19, 2013 by Chikorita157 Leave a Comment

In the past, I have played various Japanese RPGs such as Final Fantasy and Pokémon (excluding the Atelier games I played recently). Of course, there is one other RPG series that is popular with the Anime fandom and it’s the Tales of Series. (Image Source)
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Category: ReviewsTag: first impressions, Namco, Tales of, Video Games