With Natsumi finally joining the group, the preliminaries are almost here. However, Ren is acting a bit strange. It becomes obvious why.
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Love Live Superstar 2nd Season – Episode 7 – Ren Becomes a Gamer
Video Games
Episode 5 – The Dark Downsides of Gacha Mobile Games and Gaming as a Service
In this episode, we will discuss the dark downsides of playing Gacha Mobile Games and the Gaming as a Service Model. After all, with a Gacha mobile game, you don’t own anything.
This is an audio version of our post, originally titled The Dark Downsides of Gacha Mobile Games and Gaming as a Service, published on September 10, 2020. If you have any comments, leave a reply in the original post.
This podcast uses the following songs:
Night In Venice by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5763-night-in-venice
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Ultralounge by Kevin MacLeod
Link: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5010-ultralounge
License: https://filmmusic.io/standard-license
Kuma Kuma Kuma Bear – Episode 1 – The Bear Girl Appears
Obviously, there was an early airing for this show, but of course I wanted to wait until the official stream comes out. Aside from that, Yuna finally appears to do the impossible. Yes, defeating a big black viper.
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The Dark Downsides of Gacha Mobile Games and Gaming as a Service
It’s not a big surprise that anime fans tend to play Japanese mobile games that has a gacha element. In some cases, you probably saved a lot of free in game premium currency to roll for your favorite character. Others probably spent a lot of money in order to get the character they want in the game.
However, not everything is forever, especially in gacha games. The big downside of these games is that unless it’s successful, as in bring in a lot of money, the game won’t last long. In other words, you will lose all your progress and money spent in the game.
Believe it or this, this is not too uncommon, especially with localized mobile gacha game releases. This can really upset a lot of people as seen when Aniplex USA decided to pull the plug on the English version of Magia Record. Yes, I was livid about it, but apparently the franchise isn’t popular enough compared to popular franchises such as Fate Grand Order.
Since I spent money on monthly passes, this announcement really left a bad taste towards mobile gacha games or the whole games as a service thing. The question is, do you really own anything in these games? The answer is obviously no. Since I am salty about this a few weeks after the announcement, I want to share my thoughts on the dark side of Games as a Service.
Note: An audio version of this post is now available.
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What Is on My Mind – September 2020 – The Things You Like Turn to Crap Because 2020, Machikado Mazoku 2nd Season, and More
Now that Summer is coming to an end soon, it’s time to share my thoughts during the month. As expected, it’s not pretty because it’s 2020 after all.
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What Is on My Mind – June 2020 – Coronavirus Impact on Anime Blogging, Blog Changes, Black Lives Matter and Summer 2020 Preview
Now that it’s finally June, the rather desolate spring season thanks to Covid19 is coming to an end.
After the breakdown I had on Twitter, I want to change things up to perhaps improve the content of this blog. Since I usually do some kind of life updates on season previews, I want to do some kind of monthly summary type of posts.
Back in 2013-2015, I shared some kind of updates in a weekly summary of titles I chose not to cover individually. What I tend to do with these monthly posts is to share not only what I am up to and have planned, but also mini editorials on anime-related topics I find interesting during the month but couldn’t write a whole post for. Also, I will also share my picks for this summer, providing that it doesn’t get delayed.
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Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield – Final Review
After taking a break from being frustrated over the state of my blog, I’m finally back! During that time, I have completed two video games, namely Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield. As you would expect, these games are probably the most controversial. It’s not too surprising since Game Freak cut a large number of Pokémon from the games.
Now that I finished the main story, it’s time to share my thoughts. Is the game really that bad people make it out to be?
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Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield – First Impressions
Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield are the most controversial release in the franchise yet. It’s not too surprising since Game Freak removed little over half of the available Pokémon in the franchise. They said that they will improve graphics and animations.
When the game released, it appears that they didn’t do that, which caused the vocal minority of the fandom to become angry and review bomb the game saying it’s bad. This reminds me of a famous quote of people going on message boards complaining about games they never played. With that, since I played around 14 hours with only two badges, it’s time to share my first impressions.
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Transfer Limitations in Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield, Is Game Freak Betraying their Fans?
Back in February 2019, Game Freak finally announced their next generation games, Pocket Monsters Sword and Shield for the Nintendo Switch. This game will finally have a third person view in an open world compared to the previous games. However, after showing off new features at E3, a lot of people became upset. News broke that you won’t be able to transfer all your Pokémon from the Pokémon Home service to the new games. This is because of Game Freak’s change in direction.
To me, this decision is a big betrayal to the loyal Pokémon fan base. Of course, many people are angry about this decision and for good reasons. He or she won’t be able to use all of their favorite Pokémon in the new games. With that, I want to share my thoughts on why Game Freak is out of touch with the fan base.
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Vita Retrospective – Why It’s Better than the Nintendo 3DS for Anime and Japanese RPGS, but Still Unsuccessful
Since I finally obtained a PlayStation Vita in 2012, it was my console of choice. It had a great library of Japanese role-playing games and anime themed games released throughout the Heisei Era. While the console did poorly in the west, it sold well in Japan. This is not too surprising since Japan vastly prefer portable consoles opposed to home consoles.
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Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Side Story – Mobile Game First Impressions
If you recall in 2011, Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica took a different spin of the magical girl genre focusing on the darker aspects. With that, similar anime series such as Mahou Shoujo Ikusei Keikaku and Mahou Shoujo Site followed the leader in the genre, especially the former. I have to admit that I still have to see the Rebellion movie and will do so someday.
Of course, the Madoka Magica franchise had two licensed games such as Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Portable and Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica The Battle Pentagram, which I reviewed. Besides these two games, there are actually a good number of mobile games based off the franchise as well. While they are only available in Japan only and short-lived, mobile gaming has evolved since then.
In 2017, eventually a new mobile game called Magia Record: Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica Side Story, which released for iPhones and Android smartphones. It features new characters along with other magical girls from other spinoffs. Currently, there is a stage play and manga adaptation with an anime adaptation coming later this year.
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New Game! Volume 7 – Manga Review
In 2017, the second season of New Game had aired. It focuses on the life of Aoba and her friends working on another video game titled PECO. The 7th volume starts where the second season left off with PECO finally going on sale. Also, Kou finally arrives in Paris as she meets her new boss.
Author: Tokuno Shotarou (得能正太郎)
Publisher: Manga Time KR Comics (Serialized in Manga Time Carat, English release Licensed by Seven Seas Entertainment)
Original Release Date: March 27, 2018 (Japanese) Unknown (English)
Where to Buy: CDJapan
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Pocket Monsters Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee – Final Review
After Pocket Monsters Ultra Sun/Ultra Moon’s release, many fans of Pokémon anticipated a core Pokémon game release on the Nintendo Switch. However, Game Freak surprised many fans with some becoming angry about the new direction with Pocket Monsters Let’s Go! Pikachu and Eevee.
While Game Freak reiterated that the core Pokémon game most are expecting is still being worked on, they insist that this game is a core Pokémon game. Pocket Monsters Let’s Go Pikachu and Eevee is probably the most controversial core series Pokémon game release to date. Does it deserve the hate? Let’s find out.
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3DS Capture Mod Review
In 2016, I reviewed the Playstation Vita capture kit. It’s basically a hardware mod, which allows you to capture footage. While expensive, you can capture footage of all Vita games, which is something that you can’t do on the Playstation Vita TV officially.
In November, I decided to buy a Nintendo 3DS capture kit since Pocket Monsters Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon is coming out with it being the last on the console. Now that I used the kit extensively, it’s time to share my thoughts.
Note: It’s not possible to obtain a Nintendo 3DS with a capture mod since the company behind it, Katsukity went out of business. This review will remain for historical purposes. No, the capture kit is not for sale.
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PlayStation 4 – Worth it in the Age of PC Gaming and Nintendo Switch?
Since June 2016, I finally bought a PlayStation 4. You might be wondering, what took so long for you to write a review? There are many reasons why I didn’t hop on the PlayStation 4 bandwagon until later on.
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Pocket Monsters Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon – Final Review
It only has been one year and Game Freak decides to make an alternate story of Pocket Monsters Sun and Moon. Pocket Monsters Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon like Pocket Monsters Black 2 and White 2. How well does Ultra Sun and Moon compared to the originals. Let’s find out.
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Love Live School Idol Paradise (All Volumes) – Final Review
I have to admit that idol anime can be fun to watch. While it’s obvious that I like The Idolmaster a lot more, Love Live is enjoyable as well despite the music is not my cup of tea. When Dingo, who developed the Project Diva games on the PlayStation Portable, announced Love Live School Idol Paradise, it interests me. While it faced a few delays, does it live up to expectations? Maybe not and I will explain why you should probably skip this game and keep playing Love Live School Idol Festival instead.
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Yoru no Nai Kuni 2: Shingetsu no Hanayome – Final Review
In November 2015, Gust made a new franchise called Yoru no Nai Kuni (also known as Night of Azure outside of Japan). It focused on a half-demon girl named Arnice (アーナス) with her quest to protect Lilysse (リュリーティス) and stop the Nightlord
The sequel, Yoru no Nai Kuni 2: Shingetsu no Hanayome (よるのないくに２；新月の花嫁, lit: Land without Darkness: Bride of the New Moon) starts where the first game left off with a new cast with more refinements to the battle system and a new story. Of course, this game suffered development hell with it delayed several times. It’s not until August 31st it finally made it past development and released to the public in Japan. With that, this makes you wonder, is the sequel worth the wait?
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New Game!! – Episode 12 (END) – An Emotional Farewell, For Now.
With PECO’s development finally finished, Kou reveals her intentions that Rin is afraid about. Yes, Kou is planning to leave.
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Nintendo Switch – A Worthy Successor of the Playstation Vita?
For a while now, the Playstation Vita was the console for me. Not only it’s almost as powerful as a Playstation 3, but it has a lot of good Japanese role playing games. It also sold well in Japan.
Now, there is another contender. You guessed it! It’s the Nintendo Switch.
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New Game!! – Episode 11 – Narumi’s Big Mistake and Rin’s Worries
With PECO’s master release coming soon, it seems that Narumi got a bit too overconfident. Let’s say things didn’t went well for her in the end.
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New Game!! – Episode 10 – Narumi Shows Her Prototype and Kou’s Surprise for Rin
With PECO’s development moving along, it seems that Narumi finished the mini game Hajime tasked her with.
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New Game!! – Episode 9 – Yun and Hajime Reflects on Their Past Selves and Unexpected Rivalries
After Hajime watched a live action show with Yun and her siblings, she runs into her high school friend. I wonder how she will react.
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New Game!! – Episode 8 – Maid Cafe Fun and Interns’ First Week
Now that the newcomers finished their first day, the girls decide to throw a welcome party. However, they have trouble deciding where to go.
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