OK. So there have been another case of Killer Prince and Princess fever... and I was one of its unfortunate victims... NOT!
But seriously, Phantom of the Kill has just gotten better. Nevertheless, I must say that the content is still lacking... probably because there are not enough supply of Lazulis to satisfy us F2P players. This doesn't mean, however, that they don't deserve support. In fact, the game itself is becoming even more playable now with new chapters and events (I am still hoping for that Brave Frontier cross-over to happen once more... also Dempagumi Inc).
That being said, here's another edition of making another set of characters that may or may not appear in Phantom of the Kill.
Consider it a vision of sorts...
Again, here are the factors that I am going to use to formulate the character concept.
1. Potential background (based on gender) and Element (now added)
2. Weapon Type
3. Preferred Trait
4. How many stars does this unit evolve into?
5. Signature Skill
6. Leader Skill
Today's theme is Killer Princes. With a massive influx of Killer Princesses being released, I am quite impressed to see diversity that this game provides. However, the amount of Killer Princes in this game is quite low, which is why I decided to make ideas for Killer Princes that has yet to appear in the game. I am only focusing on ideas that has yet to appear in the Global Version, so my apologies if there are characters proposed in those post that have already been released in the Japanese version.
1. Areadbhar (M)
Element: Dark
Potential Background: Areadbhar is a vicious warrior that takes no prisoners. He is scarred by a terrible fate that he can never escape from. His Killium comes from Areadbhar, meaning "Slaughterer" and one of Lugh's mythical weapons. When he was young, he was said to have gifted with a power to "destroy all life". He tries to prove otherwise by saving an entire village. However, instead of driving away the bandits that attacking the village, his power destroyed everything in sight; including the village he's supposed to protect. His mind snapped and realized that he cannot save anyone, and instead goes to the Ragnarok Institute to harness his new-found power to save everyone... by destroying them. Many Killer Princesses and Princes are quite afraid of him, as a result. However, he was said to be the only one whom Zero considered "his equal". Whether it is true or not, Areadbhar do not care that much.
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Trait: Force, Dexterity
Stars: A 4-star unit capable of evolving to a 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Eternal Bloodlust - May activate when attacking. Areadbhar deals a critical blow to an enemy, dealing 400% damage instead of the usual 300% damage.
Leader Skill: Chaos Incarnate - +5/+10/+15 Critical Chance to all allied Dark units in whole stage
2. Vajra (M)
Element: Fire
Potential Background: Sassy and full of charisma and style, Vajra never fails to lighten up the battlefield with bad one-liners that never gets old... or so he believes such. His Killium comes from Vajra, a sacred weapon used by Indra. He used to be a magician, creating grand illusions to impress people far and wide, which is where he gets his grandeur appearances every time he fights. However, he is more known by Killer Princes and Princesses as some sort of a "guy who watches too much comedy back in his childhood", which is why he was given the title "Mockingbird" much to their annoyance.
Weapon Type: Gun
Preferred Trait: Magic, Dexterity, Guard
Stars: An automatic 3-star unit capable of evolving to a 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Sleight of Laughter - May activate when attacked. When activated all, damage taken will be reduced to 1. Does not activate when it's HP is above 50%.
Leader Skill: Marksman's Oath - +6/+8/+10 Accuracy and Magic to all allied Gun units in whole stage
3. Muramasa (M)
Element: Dark
Potential Background: A young warrior who wants to isolate himself from the crowd due to the power he hides from within. His Killium comes from Muramasa, a blade once owned by a man in the verge of madness. In order to achieve more power, he sacrificed his ability to speak, which is why he only conveys his thoughts through moans and grunts. Despite this, he is a gentle soul that only unleashes his bad side during battle. However, just like his Killium, he grows insane as his power continues to grow each day, which is why he tends to stay away full of people as his power may someday destroy them...
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Force, Guard
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Edge of Madness - +35 Critical Chance when equipping a sword
Leader Skill: Trueblade's Wrath - +15 Attack to all Sword allies in whole stage (additional +4 if it is Dark Element)
Well, that's all for now. What are your thoughts on this? Let me know by sharing your insights here. It is truly appreciated.
Have a great day. :)
Saturday, September 17, 2016
Sunday, September 4, 2016
Character ideas for Phantom of the Kill - Part 3
I totally understand that the recent Brave Frontier cross-over was a successful one. Too bad I didn't managed to get the awesome Vargas there. (;w;) I do got his sword, though.
Oh well, it looks like I will do what I can not to miss out on their other collaborations. Anyways, I kind of find the Phantom of the Kill and Brave Frontier to be quite a let down for me, not because that I didn't get much from it (getting Selena is enough for me, I swear), but because it felt so short and lacking in some major characters.
That being said, if ever that Phantom of the Kill decides to make another collaboration with Brave Frontier, here are some of the characters from that game that I would like to expect to appear;
Again, here are the list of the things that needs to be considered when making these character ideas:
1. Potential Background (based on given gender)
2. Weapon Type
3. Preferred Trait
4. How many stars does this particular unit can evolve into?
5. Signature Skill
6. Leader Skill (now added)
1. Eze (M)
Potential Background: Reckless yet courageous, Eze is a knucklehead with a heart of gold. His Killium comes from Batootha, a sword that was said to be the embodiment of lightning itself. Hailing from the Atharva Republic, Eze always trains hard to become strong enough to handle things alone. Despite this, after seeing a young woman fighting monsters, Eze was amazed and found out that he has yet to improve a lot. That said, he train alongside different masters; hoping to unleash his true potential someday
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Force
Stars: 3-star unit that can evolve to a 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Supreme Bolt - May activate when attacking. Eze unleashes a bolt of lightning using his sword; striking down the enemy. If Batootha is equipped, the targeted enemy cannot attack until the next player turn.
Leader Skill: Fulgur Halcyon - +10%/15%/20% additional HP for all allied Thunder units
2. Magress (M)
Potential Background: Cold and ruthless, Magress is the strongest knight to ever serve his liege. His Killium comes from Leomurg, a spear that was once a normal spear later bathed by the blood of countless deities. When he was away from home, he trained hard to become the strongest knight of Bariura. Tragedy struck, however, as he found that his parents were killed upon his return. Filled with rage, Magress killed the people whom he thought responsible for their deaths, and from there, his quest for vengeance begins...
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Trait: Guard, Vitality
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Judecca - May activate when attacking. Magress unleashes the darkness within him, instantly reducing the opponents HP to 1. When Leomurg is equipped , the skill also prevents that unit to recover their HP, not even through items or staves from other allied units.
Leader Skill: Umbra Halcyon: All allied Dark units receives -12 reduced damage from enemies
3. Lance (M)
Potential Background: A young noble boy hailing from the Principality of Vriksha. Lance always do his best to level up every step of the way. Upon arrival in this desolated land, he receives Killium from Drevas, a cursed lance that possesses the power of nature. Lance seems a bit disappointed to see the world that he suddenly got transported to. He planted a seed as a symbol of hope for this world, however, he tells himself "I may not be able to see the world become normal again, but I am hoping for things to settle down someday".
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Trait: Guard, Vitality
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit, capable of evolving to a 6-star unit
Signature Skill: Starglow Escudo - May activate when attacked. Lance becomes an embodiment of nature, becoming immune to all forms of damage. When activated in the Coliseum, reduces damage taken by 25% instead. When Drevas is equipped, heals HP by 10 every time the skill activates.
Leader Skill: Terra Halcyon - +7 to all parameters for all allied Fire, Thunder, Wind, and Ice units.
EX Leader Skill (take note that this not in the game yet, this is just an idea if a unit gets a 6-star Evolution): Nature's Descendant - All allied units that are not Light and Dark Units gains +12 to all parameters (additional +2 if these units are wielding Spears. The stat increase will stack).
4. Ark (M)
Potential Background: As a disciple of Lucius, Ark is a formidable opponent to deal against. His Killium comes from both Belferius and Dimigriss, two sacred blades given to him by Lucius during his stay at Grand Gaia. His arrival in this world is a mystery, and many Killer Princes and Princesses are afraid to approach him due to his "malicious aura". Nevertheless, he doesn't care about that fact. For as long as he is fighting for something, or someone, he will do his best in the battlefield. He is having dreams of a certain girl praying for his safe return every night.
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Only released as Balanced
Stars: An automatic 4-star unit
Signature Skill: Abyssal Reave - May activate when attacking. Ark releases the full power of his blades, dealing 2 critical hits; regardless of his Crit chance. When the skill activates in the Coliseum, he deals two attacks with an additional fixed 30 damage instead. The fixed additional damage can't be mitigated.
Leader Skill: Eternal Request - All allied Dark units gains +10 Critical Chance
And that's about it. Here's hoping for another collaboration with Brave Frontier. So do you ever think of another Brave Frontier collaboration? Let us know your thoughts about this. Again, it is truly appreciated.
DISCLAIMER: The images used here are not mine. These images belong to their respective owners.
Oh well, it looks like I will do what I can not to miss out on their other collaborations. Anyways, I kind of find the Phantom of the Kill and Brave Frontier to be quite a let down for me, not because that I didn't get much from it (getting Selena is enough for me, I swear), but because it felt so short and lacking in some major characters.
That being said, if ever that Phantom of the Kill decides to make another collaboration with Brave Frontier, here are some of the characters from that game that I would like to expect to appear;
Again, here are the list of the things that needs to be considered when making these character ideas:
1. Potential Background (based on given gender)
2. Weapon Type
3. Preferred Trait
4. How many stars does this particular unit can evolve into?
5. Signature Skill
6. Leader Skill (now added)
1. Eze (M)
Potential Background: Reckless yet courageous, Eze is a knucklehead with a heart of gold. His Killium comes from Batootha, a sword that was said to be the embodiment of lightning itself. Hailing from the Atharva Republic, Eze always trains hard to become strong enough to handle things alone. Despite this, after seeing a young woman fighting monsters, Eze was amazed and found out that he has yet to improve a lot. That said, he train alongside different masters; hoping to unleash his true potential someday
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Force
Stars: 3-star unit that can evolve to a 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Supreme Bolt - May activate when attacking. Eze unleashes a bolt of lightning using his sword; striking down the enemy. If Batootha is equipped, the targeted enemy cannot attack until the next player turn.
Leader Skill: Fulgur Halcyon - +10%/15%/20% additional HP for all allied Thunder units
2. Magress (M)
Potential Background: Cold and ruthless, Magress is the strongest knight to ever serve his liege. His Killium comes from Leomurg, a spear that was once a normal spear later bathed by the blood of countless deities. When he was away from home, he trained hard to become the strongest knight of Bariura. Tragedy struck, however, as he found that his parents were killed upon his return. Filled with rage, Magress killed the people whom he thought responsible for their deaths, and from there, his quest for vengeance begins...
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Trait: Guard, Vitality
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit
Signature Skill: Judecca - May activate when attacking. Magress unleashes the darkness within him, instantly reducing the opponents HP to 1. When Leomurg is equipped , the skill also prevents that unit to recover their HP, not even through items or staves from other allied units.
Leader Skill: Umbra Halcyon: All allied Dark units receives -12 reduced damage from enemies
Potential Background: A young noble boy hailing from the Principality of Vriksha. Lance always do his best to level up every step of the way. Upon arrival in this desolated land, he receives Killium from Drevas, a cursed lance that possesses the power of nature. Lance seems a bit disappointed to see the world that he suddenly got transported to. He planted a seed as a symbol of hope for this world, however, he tells himself "I may not be able to see the world become normal again, but I am hoping for things to settle down someday".
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Trait: Guard, Vitality
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit, capable of evolving to a 6-star unit
Signature Skill: Starglow Escudo - May activate when attacked. Lance becomes an embodiment of nature, becoming immune to all forms of damage. When activated in the Coliseum, reduces damage taken by 25% instead. When Drevas is equipped, heals HP by 10 every time the skill activates.
Leader Skill: Terra Halcyon - +7 to all parameters for all allied Fire, Thunder, Wind, and Ice units.
EX Leader Skill (take note that this not in the game yet, this is just an idea if a unit gets a 6-star Evolution): Nature's Descendant - All allied units that are not Light and Dark Units gains +12 to all parameters (additional +2 if these units are wielding Spears. The stat increase will stack).
4. Ark (M)
Potential Background: As a disciple of Lucius, Ark is a formidable opponent to deal against. His Killium comes from both Belferius and Dimigriss, two sacred blades given to him by Lucius during his stay at Grand Gaia. His arrival in this world is a mystery, and many Killer Princes and Princesses are afraid to approach him due to his "malicious aura". Nevertheless, he doesn't care about that fact. For as long as he is fighting for something, or someone, he will do his best in the battlefield. He is having dreams of a certain girl praying for his safe return every night.
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Only released as Balanced
Stars: An automatic 4-star unit
Signature Skill: Abyssal Reave - May activate when attacking. Ark releases the full power of his blades, dealing 2 critical hits; regardless of his Crit chance. When the skill activates in the Coliseum, he deals two attacks with an additional fixed 30 damage instead. The fixed additional damage can't be mitigated.
Leader Skill: Eternal Request - All allied Dark units gains +10 Critical Chance
And that's about it. Here's hoping for another collaboration with Brave Frontier. So do you ever think of another Brave Frontier collaboration? Let us know your thoughts about this. Again, it is truly appreciated.
DISCLAIMER: The images used here are not mine. These images belong to their respective owners.
A clone that works well - Final Fantasy Explorers Reader's Review
Last January, when I was still waiting for Monster Hunter Generations, I stumbled upon games from my local game store and found this particular game of sorts.
Seeing this game kind of reminded me of the time when Monster Hunter decided to make a sudden switch to Nintendo, and the lack of hunting games that Sony users have been experiencing was becoming a worry-some feeling.
As years went by, people started moving on and decided to make a bold move for themselves; as they plan to create something that is similar to Monster Hunter... but not as the same as the Monster Hunter game itself.
While there are some titles that provides the same feeling that Monster Hunter provides, there's this one game that struck me fancy... and it was something made by Square Enix.
WHAAAAAAAT?! Will Square Enix even bother to make such a title? Yes! We know that Square Enix is a master when it comes in making grand adventures. Fortunately, for those who are yet to get familiar with Monster Hunter, while also being fans of the traditional JRPG genre, will surely get a load of this... if you find grinding to be enjoyable in the first place.
This is the Reader's Review of Final Fantasy Explorers! For those who may have already read my Monster Hunter Reader Reviews, then this may not be a no-brainer for you as certain similarities in gameplay may be covered here.
Title: Final Fantasy Explorers
Date released: December 18, 2014 in Japan, January 26, 2016 in North America, and 3 days later after the North American release in Europe.
Company: Square Enix, Racjin
Genre: Action RPG, Open-world exploration
Platform: Nintendo 3DS family of handhelds
ESRB Rating: E10+
Brief Background: The development of this title was led by Atsushi Hashimoto, the one who was also in charge of the Nintendo DS remake of Final Fantasy Legend II, At the time of development, Hashimoto decided that title is to be a Final Fantasy game that is designed to be played by multiple people. That said, certain inclusions were made such as battles between the player and classic Final Fantasy Eidolons (summoned creatures that are mostly found in the main Final Fantasy titles) and the job system (where Hashimoto feels that it is heavily beneficial for multiplayer diversity). The overall idea of the game focuses on the titular Explorers to investigate the land while also cleansing the land from an evil unspoken.
What do you do here?
The story revolves around you, an Explorer, as you travel throughout the island of Amostra to investigate the Crystal reserves that was recently discovered there. However, Amostra won't be a cakewalk for our brave Explorers as monsters roam around the land and they will attack anyone that stands in their way.
Explorers will stay at the town of Libertas as their base of operations, from there they will meet friends from far and wide to assist you in exploring this beautiful yet dangerous land of adventure, treasure, and trouble.
What makes the game interesting?
As the title suggests, it is a Final Fantasy title through and through. The main difference here, however, is that it has been given a Monster Hunter makeover; meaning that there are gameplay mechanics that you will be familiar with, such as the quest system. The quest and progression system is what you expect; you get quests, accomplish them, succeed, reap the rewards, make gear, rinse and repeat.
What makes the quest system special is that you can be able to spice up the difficulty of each mission by setting up certain rules such as item restrictions and increased damage taken from monsters. While it doesn't make any impact to the actual game-play (other than making things harder), it is worth it to finish missions with self-imposed challenges and leaves a breath of accomplishment in your part.
The attention to detail are quite evident in this game; from the mobs that you fight to the big baddies that will do what it takes to stop you. Also, there will be a chance that the mobs you defeated will become a part of your team upon extracting their souls. Each of these monsters has their own set of skills, providing diversity to your explorations.
Another interesting feature in this game is that the areas you explore are interconnected with one another, which makes that feeling that the entire island IS a battleground, culling the number of monsters left and right. Also, like Monster Hunter Tri, you are given the chance to exit Libertas without accepting any quests where you can just roam around at your own leisure with no particular penalties, while fending off monsters that comes in your way.
The Job System is present in the game; adding means of customization to your humble Explorer. You start first as a Freelancer, however as you proceed to the game, there are more job options that you can unlock and utilize; from the defensive Knights to the magical powerhouse Sages. Each job has their own advantages and disadvantages which can allow you to strategically plan ahead on what job to use before going out.
Also, you can learn different spells and skills which allow you to easily traverse the perils of Amostra. Certain spells like Firaga and Holy can only be used by specific jobs well, however.
Unlike traditional Final Fantasy titles, you don't level up here, but instead you power up through the weapons and gear you equip to your Explorer; increasing their statistics and gaining abilities such as increased critical hit rate and resistance to elemental attacks; allowing you to adapt in any given situation. You can also upgrade these weapons and armors using items that you get from exploring the field, which adds more ability options and perks to said pieces of equipment.
Replayability is quite decent; since that you'll be spending most time grinding for gear... if you find this feature to be fascinating, at least.
Another great feature here is that you can rename your abilities. Nothing special, but it's very nice to have a name of skills that you like to use.
Mutations are abilities that you can use to improve the effects of your attacks. It has its plus and minuses, but nevertheless, it is a sure-fire way to make your spells as devastating as possible.
What are the flaws that you find unpleasant?
Like I said, the game itself is a Final Fantasy game with a Monster Hunter face-lift. The problem, however, is that die-hard Monster Hunter fans will find little to no amusement when it comes to this game. Everything in this game; the combat, the monsters, the mechanics, everything in this game may seems odd for these fans.
The story, just like in every Monster Hunter game, is bland and ridiculously absurd (but at least Monster Hunter compensates it with rewarding game-play that keeps on giving). Everything from the NPCs to the guides that you interact in the game, they are just not really that lively; which is a shame since many Final Fantasy titles focuses on great and immersive stories that will put you at the edge of your seat for hours on end.
The missions become repetitive and tedious as you progress and even while there are multiple mission modes to choose from, it doesn't feel... rewarding.
Another disappointing factor is the amount of bosses that you fight; it's not quite that memorable; probably because Final Fantasy tries to make the boss intros as minimal as possible so that players would get in to the action as possible. However, this can be debatable as Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate provided this same method. The only difference here is that Capcom made these cut-scenes with the Hunter in mind; they made simply beautiful mini sequences that dictates your first encounter with a certain monster; an immersive and fun way to make fights interesting, which is partly missing in Explorers.
As mentioned a while ago, there are some skills that improve the potency of your skills through mutations; giving some effects like blinding enemies and reducing cool-down for abilities. While beneficial, using mutations is a bit tedious as you need a specific mutation to get the necessary effects that you want for your abilities, which means that you have to study these in advance in order to maximize its uses.
Finally, previous DLC's that were distributed separately in the Japanese version are already included in the English version and there will be NO DLC's to be distributed for the English version in the future; which actually kills the hype for the game in the first place. It reminded me a lot of Evolve, where the lack of future DLC's was the reason most people decided to drop the game early on.
Do you have any regrets in buying this game? If so, what are those regrets? If not, what was the one word that best describes Explorers?
I want to be a bit honest about this, after seeing the announcement for Monster Hunter Generations and after playing the game a bit, I am starting to have some regrets on ever getting one. I've seen people in one of the Facebook pages that I am in selling copies of Final Fantasy Explorers two months just after the game's release, which is a shame because it has so much potential, yet offers so little. Nevertheless, I still find it enjoyable, but only for small doses as even if you try to come back, there really isn't anything new to expect there.
Do you recommend this game?
Only if you are a dedicated Final Fantasy fan or someone who just want to be familiar with monster hunting games. Otherwise, spend your money on Monster Hunter games or Toukiden titles instead (I've heard great things about Toukiden, so it's worth the shot).
Overall Rating: 7/10
Surprising playable, Final Fantasy Explorers is an ambitious take on the series with a well-known reputation. While there are some liberties to be taken into consideration, it still plays like a Final Fantasy game. The monsters, the weapons, the combat is OK all in all, but seriously, Square Enix could have done better here. Who knows, they may be able to make further improvements for the sequel... if there is enough fan support, at the very least.
--END OF REVIEW--
Seeing this game kind of reminded me of the time when Monster Hunter decided to make a sudden switch to Nintendo, and the lack of hunting games that Sony users have been experiencing was becoming a worry-some feeling.
As years went by, people started moving on and decided to make a bold move for themselves; as they plan to create something that is similar to Monster Hunter... but not as the same as the Monster Hunter game itself.
While there are some titles that provides the same feeling that Monster Hunter provides, there's this one game that struck me fancy... and it was something made by Square Enix.
WHAAAAAAAT?! Will Square Enix even bother to make such a title? Yes! We know that Square Enix is a master when it comes in making grand adventures. Fortunately, for those who are yet to get familiar with Monster Hunter, while also being fans of the traditional JRPG genre, will surely get a load of this... if you find grinding to be enjoyable in the first place.
This is the Reader's Review of Final Fantasy Explorers! For those who may have already read my Monster Hunter Reader Reviews, then this may not be a no-brainer for you as certain similarities in gameplay may be covered here.
Title: Final Fantasy Explorers
Date released: December 18, 2014 in Japan, January 26, 2016 in North America, and 3 days later after the North American release in Europe.
Company: Square Enix, Racjin
Genre: Action RPG, Open-world exploration
Platform: Nintendo 3DS family of handhelds
ESRB Rating: E10+
Brief Background: The development of this title was led by Atsushi Hashimoto, the one who was also in charge of the Nintendo DS remake of Final Fantasy Legend II, At the time of development, Hashimoto decided that title is to be a Final Fantasy game that is designed to be played by multiple people. That said, certain inclusions were made such as battles between the player and classic Final Fantasy Eidolons (summoned creatures that are mostly found in the main Final Fantasy titles) and the job system (where Hashimoto feels that it is heavily beneficial for multiplayer diversity). The overall idea of the game focuses on the titular Explorers to investigate the land while also cleansing the land from an evil unspoken.
What do you do here?
The story revolves around you, an Explorer, as you travel throughout the island of Amostra to investigate the Crystal reserves that was recently discovered there. However, Amostra won't be a cakewalk for our brave Explorers as monsters roam around the land and they will attack anyone that stands in their way.
Explorers will stay at the town of Libertas as their base of operations, from there they will meet friends from far and wide to assist you in exploring this beautiful yet dangerous land of adventure, treasure, and trouble.
What makes the game interesting?
As the title suggests, it is a Final Fantasy title through and through. The main difference here, however, is that it has been given a Monster Hunter makeover; meaning that there are gameplay mechanics that you will be familiar with, such as the quest system. The quest and progression system is what you expect; you get quests, accomplish them, succeed, reap the rewards, make gear, rinse and repeat.
What makes the quest system special is that you can be able to spice up the difficulty of each mission by setting up certain rules such as item restrictions and increased damage taken from monsters. While it doesn't make any impact to the actual game-play (other than making things harder), it is worth it to finish missions with self-imposed challenges and leaves a breath of accomplishment in your part.
The attention to detail are quite evident in this game; from the mobs that you fight to the big baddies that will do what it takes to stop you. Also, there will be a chance that the mobs you defeated will become a part of your team upon extracting their souls. Each of these monsters has their own set of skills, providing diversity to your explorations.
Another interesting feature in this game is that the areas you explore are interconnected with one another, which makes that feeling that the entire island IS a battleground, culling the number of monsters left and right. Also, like Monster Hunter Tri, you are given the chance to exit Libertas without accepting any quests where you can just roam around at your own leisure with no particular penalties, while fending off monsters that comes in your way.
The Job System is present in the game; adding means of customization to your humble Explorer. You start first as a Freelancer, however as you proceed to the game, there are more job options that you can unlock and utilize; from the defensive Knights to the magical powerhouse Sages. Each job has their own advantages and disadvantages which can allow you to strategically plan ahead on what job to use before going out.
Also, you can learn different spells and skills which allow you to easily traverse the perils of Amostra. Certain spells like Firaga and Holy can only be used by specific jobs well, however.
Unlike traditional Final Fantasy titles, you don't level up here, but instead you power up through the weapons and gear you equip to your Explorer; increasing their statistics and gaining abilities such as increased critical hit rate and resistance to elemental attacks; allowing you to adapt in any given situation. You can also upgrade these weapons and armors using items that you get from exploring the field, which adds more ability options and perks to said pieces of equipment.
Replayability is quite decent; since that you'll be spending most time grinding for gear... if you find this feature to be fascinating, at least.
Another great feature here is that you can rename your abilities. Nothing special, but it's very nice to have a name of skills that you like to use.
Mutations are abilities that you can use to improve the effects of your attacks. It has its plus and minuses, but nevertheless, it is a sure-fire way to make your spells as devastating as possible.
What are the flaws that you find unpleasant?
Like I said, the game itself is a Final Fantasy game with a Monster Hunter face-lift. The problem, however, is that die-hard Monster Hunter fans will find little to no amusement when it comes to this game. Everything in this game; the combat, the monsters, the mechanics, everything in this game may seems odd for these fans.
The story, just like in every Monster Hunter game, is bland and ridiculously absurd (but at least Monster Hunter compensates it with rewarding game-play that keeps on giving). Everything from the NPCs to the guides that you interact in the game, they are just not really that lively; which is a shame since many Final Fantasy titles focuses on great and immersive stories that will put you at the edge of your seat for hours on end.
The missions become repetitive and tedious as you progress and even while there are multiple mission modes to choose from, it doesn't feel... rewarding.
Another disappointing factor is the amount of bosses that you fight; it's not quite that memorable; probably because Final Fantasy tries to make the boss intros as minimal as possible so that players would get in to the action as possible. However, this can be debatable as Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate provided this same method. The only difference here is that Capcom made these cut-scenes with the Hunter in mind; they made simply beautiful mini sequences that dictates your first encounter with a certain monster; an immersive and fun way to make fights interesting, which is partly missing in Explorers.
As mentioned a while ago, there are some skills that improve the potency of your skills through mutations; giving some effects like blinding enemies and reducing cool-down for abilities. While beneficial, using mutations is a bit tedious as you need a specific mutation to get the necessary effects that you want for your abilities, which means that you have to study these in advance in order to maximize its uses.
Finally, previous DLC's that were distributed separately in the Japanese version are already included in the English version and there will be NO DLC's to be distributed for the English version in the future; which actually kills the hype for the game in the first place. It reminded me a lot of Evolve, where the lack of future DLC's was the reason most people decided to drop the game early on.
Do you have any regrets in buying this game? If so, what are those regrets? If not, what was the one word that best describes Explorers?
I want to be a bit honest about this, after seeing the announcement for Monster Hunter Generations and after playing the game a bit, I am starting to have some regrets on ever getting one. I've seen people in one of the Facebook pages that I am in selling copies of Final Fantasy Explorers two months just after the game's release, which is a shame because it has so much potential, yet offers so little. Nevertheless, I still find it enjoyable, but only for small doses as even if you try to come back, there really isn't anything new to expect there.
Do you recommend this game?
Only if you are a dedicated Final Fantasy fan or someone who just want to be familiar with monster hunting games. Otherwise, spend your money on Monster Hunter games or Toukiden titles instead (I've heard great things about Toukiden, so it's worth the shot).
Overall Rating: 7/10
Surprising playable, Final Fantasy Explorers is an ambitious take on the series with a well-known reputation. While there are some liberties to be taken into consideration, it still plays like a Final Fantasy game. The monsters, the weapons, the combat is OK all in all, but seriously, Square Enix could have done better here. Who knows, they may be able to make further improvements for the sequel... if there is enough fan support, at the very least.
--END OF REVIEW--
Thursday, September 1, 2016
Character ideas for Phantom of the Kill - Part 2
After re-downloading Phantom of the Kill again, I must say that they are quite generous to players who came back to play the game again. I was like "Aw, shucks. You shouldn't have, Valyn".
That being said, I am back commanders and let us prepare to kick butt once more in Chapter 2. While I missed several events and collaborations due to Brave Frontier's awesome gameplay (another game published by Gumi), coming back to the game has never been this awesome.
Here's another set of ideas of characters to be put in Phantom of the Kill! This is part two!
Again, the list I would make here is not an official material from Gumi, but rather these are just character ideas that Gumi can potentially release in the future. Let's just say I am just making assumptions here and these may or may not likely to appear in future updates.
Here it is! Today's theme is Fire Emblem; as one of the primary inspirations for this game, it is likely that a collaboration such as this may happen.
Here are the things that would be included in the list:
1. Potential Background (based on given gender)
2. Weapon Type
3. Preferred Trait
4. How many stars does this particular unit can evolve into?
5. Signature Skill
1. Marth (M)
Potential Background: Known by many as the Hero-King of Archanea and a direct descendant of Anri, the kingdom's first king. A gifted leader and a skilled warrior, Marth was truly destined for greatness. Upon entering this strange land, he received Killium that comes from his legendary blade, Falchion, that was once forged by Naga, the Divine Dragon, as means of protection against dragons. Marth was once forced to exile from his homeland and train to become a better commander, and a better leader, so that one day he can reclaim his home and his people from the invaders that tarnished it.
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Force, Dexterity, Balanced
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit.
Signature Move: Heroic Flash - Marth unleashes a swift blow to an enemy, dealing massive damage. It has a low chance of dealing instant death against enemies. When Falchion is equipped, he gains +10 Attack, Speed, and Luck upon successfully executing the move.
2. Lyndis (F)
Potential Background: A young nomad raised from Sacae, she was the only survivor left of the Lorca tribe after a brutal attack from bandits. While living as a nomad for most of her life, she didn't realized that she is of royal blood. When she arrived in this "strange land", she receives Killium from both the Mani Katti and the Sol Katti, two blades that works in conjunction with one another; the latter being capable of slaying dragons. She has a strong sense of justice, which is why she despises people that tries to ruin the lives of many. A priest once told her that she is the true wielder of the Mani Katti after the spirits of the blade reacts as she touches the sword.
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Dexterity
Stars: 3-star unit, can evolve up to 5-stars
Signature Move: Gale Counter - Lyndis prepares a deadly counterattack stance that prevents the first damage from hitting her should it activates and counters it back to the attacker. When either the Manni Katti or the Sol Katti is equipped, she receives +20 Speed and +10 Accuracy upon successfully executing the move.
3. Hector (M)
Potential Background: Reckless and full of energy, Hector is an unusual prince that always goes into battle with nothing but his axe and sheer force of will. His Killium comes from Armads, one of the Legendary Weapons of Elibe which was known as the "Thunder Axe". Upon being chosen as the wielder of the legendary weapon, he received a grim prophecy that he will not die in peace, but he will die violently during battle. It doesn't matter for Hector, as he is ready to accept it for the greater good of his country... and the friends he fight with.
Weapon Type: Axe
Preferred Trait: Force, Guard, Vitality
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit
Signature Move: Cross Cleaver - Hector unleashes a wild axe swing towards his enemies, allowing him to deal a fixed 70 additional damage against enemies. When Armads is equipped, the additional fixed damage is raised to 100. The fixed additional damage cannot be mitigated.
4. Ephraim (M)
Potential Background: Ephraim is a crown prince that is well-liked for his good manners and sheer determination to lead. Upon arrival in this world, he receives Killium from his flaming lance Siegmund, one of the Sacred Twins of his homeland, Renais. He is the older brother of Eirika and while he discourages his younger sister to engage in war, he then realizes that her younger sister will eventually take up the sword one day, so he reluctantly teaches her how to fight. However, this doesn't mean that Ephraim will pull his punches on her during their time training.
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Type: Force, Dexterity, Balanced
Stars: 4-star unit capable of evolving to 5-stars.
Signature Move: Aegis Breaker - Ephraim unleashes a powerful spear attack; dealing massive damage while also ignoring any damage-reducing effects such as shields, barriers, and other skills that prevents the enemy from getting hit. After successfully activating this ability, when Siegmund is equipped, Ephraim's attacks cannot be affected by the Weapon Triangle or Elemental Affinities.
And that's all that I can think of the moment? So, do you think these ideas are good? Please feel free to let me know on what's your take on this. Any suggestions are appreciated.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that the images used here are not mine. These images belong to their respective owners.
That being said, I am back commanders and let us prepare to kick butt once more in Chapter 2. While I missed several events and collaborations due to Brave Frontier's awesome gameplay (another game published by Gumi), coming back to the game has never been this awesome.
Here's another set of ideas of characters to be put in Phantom of the Kill! This is part two!
Again, the list I would make here is not an official material from Gumi, but rather these are just character ideas that Gumi can potentially release in the future. Let's just say I am just making assumptions here and these may or may not likely to appear in future updates.
Here it is! Today's theme is Fire Emblem; as one of the primary inspirations for this game, it is likely that a collaboration such as this may happen.
Here are the things that would be included in the list:
1. Potential Background (based on given gender)
2. Weapon Type
3. Preferred Trait
4. How many stars does this particular unit can evolve into?
5. Signature Skill
1. Marth (M)
Potential Background: Known by many as the Hero-King of Archanea and a direct descendant of Anri, the kingdom's first king. A gifted leader and a skilled warrior, Marth was truly destined for greatness. Upon entering this strange land, he received Killium that comes from his legendary blade, Falchion, that was once forged by Naga, the Divine Dragon, as means of protection against dragons. Marth was once forced to exile from his homeland and train to become a better commander, and a better leader, so that one day he can reclaim his home and his people from the invaders that tarnished it.
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Force, Dexterity, Balanced
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit.
Signature Move: Heroic Flash - Marth unleashes a swift blow to an enemy, dealing massive damage. It has a low chance of dealing instant death against enemies. When Falchion is equipped, he gains +10 Attack, Speed, and Luck upon successfully executing the move.
2. Lyndis (F)
Potential Background: A young nomad raised from Sacae, she was the only survivor left of the Lorca tribe after a brutal attack from bandits. While living as a nomad for most of her life, she didn't realized that she is of royal blood. When she arrived in this "strange land", she receives Killium from both the Mani Katti and the Sol Katti, two blades that works in conjunction with one another; the latter being capable of slaying dragons. She has a strong sense of justice, which is why she despises people that tries to ruin the lives of many. A priest once told her that she is the true wielder of the Mani Katti after the spirits of the blade reacts as she touches the sword.
Weapon Type: Sword
Preferred Trait: Dexterity
Stars: 3-star unit, can evolve up to 5-stars
Signature Move: Gale Counter - Lyndis prepares a deadly counterattack stance that prevents the first damage from hitting her should it activates and counters it back to the attacker. When either the Manni Katti or the Sol Katti is equipped, she receives +20 Speed and +10 Accuracy upon successfully executing the move.
3. Hector (M)
Potential Background: Reckless and full of energy, Hector is an unusual prince that always goes into battle with nothing but his axe and sheer force of will. His Killium comes from Armads, one of the Legendary Weapons of Elibe which was known as the "Thunder Axe". Upon being chosen as the wielder of the legendary weapon, he received a grim prophecy that he will not die in peace, but he will die violently during battle. It doesn't matter for Hector, as he is ready to accept it for the greater good of his country... and the friends he fight with.
Weapon Type: Axe
Preferred Trait: Force, Guard, Vitality
Stars: An automatic 5-star unit
Signature Move: Cross Cleaver - Hector unleashes a wild axe swing towards his enemies, allowing him to deal a fixed 70 additional damage against enemies. When Armads is equipped, the additional fixed damage is raised to 100. The fixed additional damage cannot be mitigated.
4. Ephraim (M)
Potential Background: Ephraim is a crown prince that is well-liked for his good manners and sheer determination to lead. Upon arrival in this world, he receives Killium from his flaming lance Siegmund, one of the Sacred Twins of his homeland, Renais. He is the older brother of Eirika and while he discourages his younger sister to engage in war, he then realizes that her younger sister will eventually take up the sword one day, so he reluctantly teaches her how to fight. However, this doesn't mean that Ephraim will pull his punches on her during their time training.
Weapon Type: Spear
Preferred Type: Force, Dexterity, Balanced
Stars: 4-star unit capable of evolving to 5-stars.
Signature Move: Aegis Breaker - Ephraim unleashes a powerful spear attack; dealing massive damage while also ignoring any damage-reducing effects such as shields, barriers, and other skills that prevents the enemy from getting hit. After successfully activating this ability, when Siegmund is equipped, Ephraim's attacks cannot be affected by the Weapon Triangle or Elemental Affinities.
And that's all that I can think of the moment? So, do you think these ideas are good? Please feel free to let me know on what's your take on this. Any suggestions are appreciated.
DISCLAIMER: Please note that the images used here are not mine. These images belong to their respective owners.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
A hunt of the ages - Monster Hunter Generations Reader's Review
First released for the PlayStation 2 in 2004, the Monster Hunter series has introduced a unique gaming experience to players which creates a satisfying vibe to the RPG genre. It was a sleeper hit for some people to the point that it moved on to other consoles like the PlayStation Portable and then to the Nintendo Wii (Monster Hunter Tri), WiiU (Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate) and then recently the Nintendo 3DS (MH3U port and Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate).
Almost over 40 million copies has already been sold worldwide, the Monster Hunter franchise has grown significantly and it became one of Capcom's most prolific titles to date. However, in the past, not all Western players are as receptive to the first few Monster Hunter games; which is probably why there are only a few of them being distributed in the US.
Fortunately, as time goes by, Capcom continues to find new and innovative ways to make the series interesting and with the monumental success of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, selling over a million copies in the West, Capcom has started to find renewed interest from Western players.
OK! Enough of the background check and its time for another Reader's Review. This review is all about the "definitive" hunting game; Monster Hunter Generations!
Title: Monster Hunter Generations
Date Released: July 15, 2016 in the United States and in Europe (November 28, 2015 in Japan and a day later after the US and European release in Australia)
Company: Capcom
Genre: Action, RPG, Open world exploration
Platform: Nintendo 3DS family of consoles
ESRB Rating: Teen
Brief Background: As mentioned in my previous Reader's Review of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, the series as a whole sold more than 30 million copies and counting; making this title as prolific as their other games like Street Fighter and Mega Man.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has sold over a million copies in the West, which was a safe thing to assume that Capcom has finally been able to make the Westerners embrace the game fully. The secret is that it is actually the first Monster Hunter on a handheld console to feature a fully-integrated online multiplayer mode; increasing the flexibility and interactivity of the game exponentially.
There are many people who have anticipated for the release of Monster Hunter Generations in the West after finding out that about 1.5 million copies has been sold in Japan for its very first week after release, which is a strong reason for these Western gamers to be excited in the game.
Time has gone by and while Monster Hunter Generations may no longer be the top best-selling game out there due to the release of other popular titles in varying consoles, the positive reception of players has lead to the rise of the popularity of the title and the sales of the Nintendo 3DS line of handhelds.
What do you do here?
You play the role of a Hunter (which you can customize upon making a new save file) hired by the Wycademy in Bherna Village to investigate the newly-found lands of the Jurassic Frontier. You are also given the opportunity to visit other villages in previous titles to provide additional assistance and to make the Wycademy known for a lot of people there... or so I would assume that's the plot.
However, as you investigate and explore the different Hunting Grounds, you are also forced to fight monstrosities, both old and new, in order to find out more about the unknown lands you are exploring. So it's best that you prepare your best gear to hunt them down; for better or for worse...
What makes the game interesting?
The game itself is considered a celebration to commemorate the past achievements of the franchise; which is quite evident to the places that you explore. You visit familiar places of Kokoto, Pokke, and Yukumo along with their respective hunting grounds; the Verdant Hills together with the Marshlands (known previously as simply Forest and Hills and Swamp respectively), the Arctic Ridge and Volcano (the former being a revamped version of the Snowy Mountains map), and finally, the tandem of Deserted Island and Misty Peaks.
The main village you are staying with is Bherna, where the Wycademy is stationed. The features in the game are quite different from Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, all of which were either heavily reworked (such as the canteen and Meownster Hunter system) or removed entirely (including weapon honing and Guild Quests) in order to introduce unique elements in the game.
Each town provide specific quests and allows you to earn Village Points (?) which will either provide useful items or perhaps recipes in making specific pieces of equipment. There are specific quests, however, that are not worth checking out (Yeah, I am talking to you egg delivery quests!).
Another mode that was added that significantly increased the player experience was the Prowler Mode. In the past, Palicoes (cat-like beings found in previous titles until today) were specifically known to be AI-controlled units, but in this game, you can play as one; which is a lot of fun!
Being a Prowler has its advantages and here are some of them;
1. Palicoes doesn't require stamina to dash, dodge, etc,
2. Prowlers don't actually need Pickaxes and Bug Nets to gather
3. Palicoes have unique skills to boot; making the experience differ depending on what type of Palico your Prowler is.
4. Palicoes are not affected by weather conditions
5. Weapons that Palicoes use don't go dull
6. It takes 3 tries before Palicoes get carted back, among others.
However, there are also certain disadvantages when using them:
1. They have generally lower defense than Hunters
2. They don't have Armor Skills
3. Their attacks are generally weaker, even with great gear equipped
4. Skills needed are only limited based on the number of slots
5. Only a few quests are dedicated to Prowlers (quests that is specifically catered for Prowlers), among others
Another important factor that made the game even more convenient is that the Advance Quests no longer need to appear and disappear; allowing you to gain access to certain missions with ease and to collect hard-to-earn parts.
With so many changes that has been implemented in this game, there will be a chance that I may not be able to cover them up, but the most important feature that is exclusive in this version is the inclusion of the Hunter Arts; extremely powerful techniques that can allow you to deal massive damage against monsters or provide extremely useful buffs for your fellow Hunters.
While there are some features in the quest system that has been removed (such as the Guild Quests), there is another system that has been introduced called "Special Permit" quests. Special Permit quests allow you to hunt special monsters known as "Deviants" which are considerably more powerful versions of certain monsters like Rathalos and Tigrex, but these are not to be confused with Subspecies and Variants that are majorly absent in this game. There are 12 of them and you can only access these quests once certain conditions are met. Each of these quests asks you to provide a certain amount of Special Permits in order to take the quests (with varying amounts depending on the difficulty and quest type). You can replenish these Special Permits by meeting other Hunters via StreetPass or to buy them from the trader worth 500 Wycademy Points (1000 points in the Japanese version).
What are the flaws that I found unpleasant in this game?
There have been a lot of complaints from some Monster Hunter fans; one of which is the exclusion of the G-Rank difficulty; a more difficult set of missions that was previously included in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Veterans, to be specific, are quite critical about it since Monster Hunter was meant to be a game of memorization and timing.
Nevertheless, the absence of G-Rank was alleviated in the form of the Special Permit quests, however, with only 10 levels for each Deviant (120 quests in total), the amount of challenge was a bit shorter than the previous one (where each monster's HP in the Gathering Hall was optimized to be hunted by 4 Hunters).
Certain tweaks in the game are deemed unnecessary such as the removal of music to animated sequences when the music is turned off in the Options menu, the zoomed-in perspective where it can be pretty awkward especially when fighting tall monsters like Glavenus or Gammoth, and the removal of the arm-wrestling feature (I know that some of them may be irrelevant for others but these key features allows the players to have a nice experience, both in and out of the Hunting Grounds).
However, the worst one is got to be the removal of those immersive monster introductions. There is this odd yet satisfying feeling of seeing your actual Hunter in action; whether it is just gathering mushrooms and other irrelevant items like honey and herbs, or battling dangerous monsters that can either spell doom to that monster... or to yourself. The adrenaline rush of every hunt can be seen in those particular intros, which was toned down into brief CGI cut-scenes in Generations (which is a complete bummer).
If you were to play a Monster Hunter clone, what game would it be and why?
I have to be honest, there is no clone that can ever top Monster Hunter's unique formula. Nevertheless, there are some games that I can see the same promise that MonHun provides. That being said, if I were to play a game that looks like Monster Hunter, I would say either between God Eater or Toukiden; both good games with their own theme and style.
God Eater is set in a post-apocalyptic world where monsters rule around the lands, and you play as a character with the titular role of a God Eater to battle monsters. While the title can be misleading for most people, the game itself doesn't even actually involved about gods at all... or so I would like to assume. Toukiden, on the other hand, is set in a fantasy-like realm where you take the role of a Slayer to battle Oni (which is like the Japanese mythology equivalent of the large monsters seen in THAT hunting game) in order to prevent the Onis in taking over the world.
Again, the reason I would like to play either of them because they have their own style and unique mechanics that made them distinct from Monster Hunter games. God Eater has this particular mechanic where you "devour" monsters to gain useful abilities, while Toukiden has a Mitama system, which acts as spells that can heal your party or bolster your parameters, among other things.
EDIT: Oh, I forgot Final Fantasy Explorers, which also made a nice take on the Monster Hunter formula while also slapping in some memorable Final Fantasy game-play elements, which is nice.
Overall Rating: 9.4/10
Monster Hunter Generations is a celebration of everything that is Monster Hunter for the past 12 years of its existence. The combat is more dynamic while remaining to be exhilarating and fun. Also, with the additional features that made the game even more interesting, there really isn't any reason not to play this game at all. Truly, Monster Hunter Generations is the pound-for-pound king of monster hunting games!
--END OF REVIEW--
Almost over 40 million copies has already been sold worldwide, the Monster Hunter franchise has grown significantly and it became one of Capcom's most prolific titles to date. However, in the past, not all Western players are as receptive to the first few Monster Hunter games; which is probably why there are only a few of them being distributed in the US.
Fortunately, as time goes by, Capcom continues to find new and innovative ways to make the series interesting and with the monumental success of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, selling over a million copies in the West, Capcom has started to find renewed interest from Western players.
OK! Enough of the background check and its time for another Reader's Review. This review is all about the "definitive" hunting game; Monster Hunter Generations!
Title: Monster Hunter Generations
Date Released: July 15, 2016 in the United States and in Europe (November 28, 2015 in Japan and a day later after the US and European release in Australia)
Company: Capcom
Genre: Action, RPG, Open world exploration
Platform: Nintendo 3DS family of consoles
ESRB Rating: Teen
Brief Background: As mentioned in my previous Reader's Review of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, the series as a whole sold more than 30 million copies and counting; making this title as prolific as their other games like Street Fighter and Mega Man.
Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate has sold over a million copies in the West, which was a safe thing to assume that Capcom has finally been able to make the Westerners embrace the game fully. The secret is that it is actually the first Monster Hunter on a handheld console to feature a fully-integrated online multiplayer mode; increasing the flexibility and interactivity of the game exponentially.
There are many people who have anticipated for the release of Monster Hunter Generations in the West after finding out that about 1.5 million copies has been sold in Japan for its very first week after release, which is a strong reason for these Western gamers to be excited in the game.
Time has gone by and while Monster Hunter Generations may no longer be the top best-selling game out there due to the release of other popular titles in varying consoles, the positive reception of players has lead to the rise of the popularity of the title and the sales of the Nintendo 3DS line of handhelds.
What do you do here?
You play the role of a Hunter (which you can customize upon making a new save file) hired by the Wycademy in Bherna Village to investigate the newly-found lands of the Jurassic Frontier. You are also given the opportunity to visit other villages in previous titles to provide additional assistance and to make the Wycademy known for a lot of people there... or so I would assume that's the plot.
However, as you investigate and explore the different Hunting Grounds, you are also forced to fight monstrosities, both old and new, in order to find out more about the unknown lands you are exploring. So it's best that you prepare your best gear to hunt them down; for better or for worse...
What makes the game interesting?
The game itself is considered a celebration to commemorate the past achievements of the franchise; which is quite evident to the places that you explore. You visit familiar places of Kokoto, Pokke, and Yukumo along with their respective hunting grounds; the Verdant Hills together with the Marshlands (known previously as simply Forest and Hills and Swamp respectively), the Arctic Ridge and Volcano (the former being a revamped version of the Snowy Mountains map), and finally, the tandem of Deserted Island and Misty Peaks.
The main village you are staying with is Bherna, where the Wycademy is stationed. The features in the game are quite different from Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, all of which were either heavily reworked (such as the canteen and Meownster Hunter system) or removed entirely (including weapon honing and Guild Quests) in order to introduce unique elements in the game.
Each town provide specific quests and allows you to earn Village Points (?) which will either provide useful items or perhaps recipes in making specific pieces of equipment. There are specific quests, however, that are not worth checking out (Yeah, I am talking to you egg delivery quests!).
Another mode that was added that significantly increased the player experience was the Prowler Mode. In the past, Palicoes (cat-like beings found in previous titles until today) were specifically known to be AI-controlled units, but in this game, you can play as one; which is a lot of fun!
Being a Prowler has its advantages and here are some of them;
1. Palicoes doesn't require stamina to dash, dodge, etc,
2. Prowlers don't actually need Pickaxes and Bug Nets to gather
3. Palicoes have unique skills to boot; making the experience differ depending on what type of Palico your Prowler is.
4. Palicoes are not affected by weather conditions
5. Weapons that Palicoes use don't go dull
6. It takes 3 tries before Palicoes get carted back, among others.
However, there are also certain disadvantages when using them:
1. They have generally lower defense than Hunters
2. They don't have Armor Skills
3. Their attacks are generally weaker, even with great gear equipped
4. Skills needed are only limited based on the number of slots
5. Only a few quests are dedicated to Prowlers (quests that is specifically catered for Prowlers), among others
Another important factor that made the game even more convenient is that the Advance Quests no longer need to appear and disappear; allowing you to gain access to certain missions with ease and to collect hard-to-earn parts.
With so many changes that has been implemented in this game, there will be a chance that I may not be able to cover them up, but the most important feature that is exclusive in this version is the inclusion of the Hunter Arts; extremely powerful techniques that can allow you to deal massive damage against monsters or provide extremely useful buffs for your fellow Hunters.
While there are some features in the quest system that has been removed (such as the Guild Quests), there is another system that has been introduced called "Special Permit" quests. Special Permit quests allow you to hunt special monsters known as "Deviants" which are considerably more powerful versions of certain monsters like Rathalos and Tigrex, but these are not to be confused with Subspecies and Variants that are majorly absent in this game. There are 12 of them and you can only access these quests once certain conditions are met. Each of these quests asks you to provide a certain amount of Special Permits in order to take the quests (with varying amounts depending on the difficulty and quest type). You can replenish these Special Permits by meeting other Hunters via StreetPass or to buy them from the trader worth 500 Wycademy Points (1000 points in the Japanese version).
What are the flaws that I found unpleasant in this game?
There have been a lot of complaints from some Monster Hunter fans; one of which is the exclusion of the G-Rank difficulty; a more difficult set of missions that was previously included in Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate. Veterans, to be specific, are quite critical about it since Monster Hunter was meant to be a game of memorization and timing.
Nevertheless, the absence of G-Rank was alleviated in the form of the Special Permit quests, however, with only 10 levels for each Deviant (120 quests in total), the amount of challenge was a bit shorter than the previous one (where each monster's HP in the Gathering Hall was optimized to be hunted by 4 Hunters).
Certain tweaks in the game are deemed unnecessary such as the removal of music to animated sequences when the music is turned off in the Options menu, the zoomed-in perspective where it can be pretty awkward especially when fighting tall monsters like Glavenus or Gammoth, and the removal of the arm-wrestling feature (I know that some of them may be irrelevant for others but these key features allows the players to have a nice experience, both in and out of the Hunting Grounds).
However, the worst one is got to be the removal of those immersive monster introductions. There is this odd yet satisfying feeling of seeing your actual Hunter in action; whether it is just gathering mushrooms and other irrelevant items like honey and herbs, or battling dangerous monsters that can either spell doom to that monster... or to yourself. The adrenaline rush of every hunt can be seen in those particular intros, which was toned down into brief CGI cut-scenes in Generations (which is a complete bummer).
If you were to play a Monster Hunter clone, what game would it be and why?
I have to be honest, there is no clone that can ever top Monster Hunter's unique formula. Nevertheless, there are some games that I can see the same promise that MonHun provides. That being said, if I were to play a game that looks like Monster Hunter, I would say either between God Eater or Toukiden; both good games with their own theme and style.
God Eater is set in a post-apocalyptic world where monsters rule around the lands, and you play as a character with the titular role of a God Eater to battle monsters. While the title can be misleading for most people, the game itself doesn't even actually involved about gods at all... or so I would like to assume. Toukiden, on the other hand, is set in a fantasy-like realm where you take the role of a Slayer to battle Oni (which is like the Japanese mythology equivalent of the large monsters seen in THAT hunting game) in order to prevent the Onis in taking over the world.
Again, the reason I would like to play either of them because they have their own style and unique mechanics that made them distinct from Monster Hunter games. God Eater has this particular mechanic where you "devour" monsters to gain useful abilities, while Toukiden has a Mitama system, which acts as spells that can heal your party or bolster your parameters, among other things.
EDIT: Oh, I forgot Final Fantasy Explorers, which also made a nice take on the Monster Hunter formula while also slapping in some memorable Final Fantasy game-play elements, which is nice.
Overall Rating: 9.4/10
Monster Hunter Generations is a celebration of everything that is Monster Hunter for the past 12 years of its existence. The combat is more dynamic while remaining to be exhilarating and fun. Also, with the additional features that made the game even more interesting, there really isn't any reason not to play this game at all. Truly, Monster Hunter Generations is the pound-for-pound king of monster hunting games!
--END OF REVIEW--
Monday, August 15, 2016
Top 10 Favorite Monster Hunter Monsters
In celebration for the release of Monster Hunter Generations, I have decided to make a list of my Top 10 favorite monsters in the Monster Hunter franchise. With a copious amounts of monsters in the franchise, it really is difficult to choose ten from these bad boys. Nevertheless, I find some of them to be very interesting while there are others are trying hard as much.
So here it is, my Top 10 Favorite Monster Hunter Monsters!
As mentioned, there are tons of monsters which can definitely make on this list, however, I will only consider large monsters found in this game, which means there are no small monsters or Elder Dragons to be found here as they can have a list on their own. Subspecies, Variants, Frenzied monsters, and the newly-introduced Deviants and Hyper monsters won't be included here as well.
That being said, let us begin!!!
10. Tetsucabra
One of the new monsters to be introduced in Monster Hunter 4, Tetsucabra is considered to be a beginner monster and one of the newer Amphibians in the game. Tetsucabra is very tough, even as a beginner monster. These beasts can dig big chunk of rocks to smash and they use their weights to create small tremors that will put hunters into a disadvantage. They also spit out a stamina-draining acid that will tire out Hunters if not careful. The reason why I like this monster so much because first of all, I am quite curious to know what frogs taste like, but besides that, it is one of those few monsters that defines "annoying but fair". Also, its moves are predictable and it can be good training for the more difficult fights.
9. Lagiacrus
This thunderous Leviathan is the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Tri, where underwater battles are introduced. I got to admit that I have yet to play Monster Hunter Tri and its enhanced iterations, but after finding out from a lot of people (from the Internet and even to my brother) that underwater battles are very primitive and clunky, I have made second thoughts on whether to play them or not. Gladly, this monster has re-appeared in the latest Monster Hunter Generations, and as a monster, I got to say that it provides decent challenge. It's lightning attacks are quite annoying and most of its movements are fluid yet manageable. The only thing going for this monster, however, is the nostalgia factor, especially for the people who played Tri, and I am glad that I am one of those people who considered this monster to be a nice addition to the new game; while also getting some updated move sets to match the new game's mechanics.
8. Zamtrios
First introduced in Monster Hunter 4, Zamtrios is... an odd ball of sorts. It's quite likable but there is also this kind of feeling that makes me despise this fellow. Probably because that it can burrow itself on solid ice while trying to surprise you with deadly Ice attacks, which is why it is kinda low on the list. However, the armor you make from this beast is quite cool. You also get the effect of Mega Dash Juices when eating a Well-Done Steak, which is very essential for Dual Blades and Lance users who rely on Stamina for some of their key attacks.
7. Rathian
One of the classic monsters that never gets tired to age. First introduced in the very first Monster Hunter along with Rathalos, Rathian is considered to be a veteran monster and one of the most difficult monsters early in the game. With a combination of deadly Fire and Poison attacks, Rathians are quite the challenging enemies and rewards players with a tough monster that never disappoints. Also, the weapons you make from this ferocious queen are very nice, as Poison weapons are quite difficult to come by early in the game and it's a very essential status to make hunts faster, along with Blastblight.
6. Deebil Joe (aka Deviljho)
The hunger of this beast knows no bounds, Deebil Joe, errr I mean Deviljho, is a savage like no other. Making its debut in Monster Hunter Tri, this monster was being heavily reviled for its difficult AI. Ranging from spamming Dragon Breaths to ridiculous physical damage, Deviljhos are approached with caution and only the most prepared of hunters can be able to conquer the Violent Wyvern. Also, it is highly adaptable to a lot of locations and you can see these monstrosities EVERYWHERE you go! The reason why I put him on this list? Well, it eats a lot and I eat a lot too so... :3
5. Tigrex
Fierce and savage, this Flying Wyvern shows no mercy to anything, or anyone, that stands in its way. As the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Freedom 2, many people have many terrible memories with this thing because on how difficult this monster is. Despite the lack of any form of elemental attacks, Capcom compensates it by giving Tigrex brute force and enormous coverage, allowing this monster to create devastating attacks, from a 360 degree spin attacks to its infamous charge attack. The reason why I put this guy on the list is because of its very nice ability to adapt with the environment. Like Deviljho, it can go from a wide range of places like hot surfaces like the Dunes and even snowy regions like the Frozen Seaway.
4. Nargacuga
One of the most memorable and the most nostalgic monster to ever exist in a Monster Hunter game, the Nargacuga is just cool in design and game play. First appeared as the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, this monster has a lot of things going for and it is considered to be a fan favorite for many years. In terms in making it playable, however, took the developers a lot of time to make it work. Capcom also admitted in one of their interviews that designing the Nargacuga's movement in the game was one of the most difficult ones to program back in the PSP... and succeeded. From there, the players are quite impressed with the monster ever since its conception. The reason I put this baby on the list because of its armor sets focusing on evasion; which is useful in many hunts.
3. Rathalos and Glavenus
The third spot comes to a tie between Rathalos, the King of the Skies, and Glavenus, the Scorching Blade. Both of these monsters are the master of the Fire element, doing the best they can to burn their enemies to crisp. Rathalos was first introduced in the first Monster Hunter while Glavenus was introduced, along with 3 other monsters, in Monster Hunter Generations; both of which are tough and both of them capable of shooting fireballs. But if you are going to ask me on who is my favorite among the two, I would say Rathalos because Glavenus wouldn't have been existed if it wasn't for the burning wyvern with an attitude. Nevertheless, the armor you make from a Glavenus has a neat armor skill called "Heavy Polish" which increases the attack power of your weapon temporarily while also preventing your Sharpness from depleting for a brief moment.
2. Brachydios and Seregios
Another tie and this time between the exploding giant and the sharp-scaled wyvern. Brachydios and Seregios are both excellent monsters in terms of challenge and the weapons that you can make from these bad boys. For those who are not familiar in the franchise, Brachydios is the main flagship monster of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on whose weapons are considered to be extremely powerful through the use of Slimeblight; a powerful component capable of dealing damage based on the max HP of the monster after being hit several times with slime-based weapons. Seregios, on the other hand, was introduced as the flagship monster of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (an enhanced version of Monster Hunter 4 that was also known as Monster Hunter 4G in Japan) and the weapons based on this wyvern was praised for its versatility and the ability to sharpen weapons without the need of Whetstones. Both equipment based on these monsters were later tweaked and adjusted in future titles, but nevertheless, hunting these monsters and getting their parts to make sweet equipment out of them is a satisfying feat.
1. Zinogre
And here it is, my favorite monster in the franchise. Back when my brother was playing MH3U, I kept hearing about this "Zinogre" guy, and my brother was so hyped about this beast. Obviously the oblivious me is not even familiar with this gem of a monster back in the day, but when I played Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate the first time and the theme of this beast kicked in, then I realized that it was LIKE AT FIRST HUNT! The energy, the majesty, the theme that this awesome monster possess, is exhilarating and powerful; it feels that you are actually hunting a menace that will do what it takes to destroy you. Additionally, as the flagship monster of the Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (which was also known as the best-selling PSP game in Japan), the hype factor around this monster was second to none. The armor you make from this thing is not clearly the best out there in terms of its effects (screw you Latent Power) but its regal design screams awesomeness wherever you go! :)
Well, that's it for my list. What is your favorite monster that didn't appear here? Let us know what your thoughts about it by commenting them. Your kind suggestions will be appreciated.
Until then, savor the hunt and don't get left behind!
So here it is, my Top 10 Favorite Monster Hunter Monsters!
As mentioned, there are tons of monsters which can definitely make on this list, however, I will only consider large monsters found in this game, which means there are no small monsters or Elder Dragons to be found here as they can have a list on their own. Subspecies, Variants, Frenzied monsters, and the newly-introduced Deviants and Hyper monsters won't be included here as well.
That being said, let us begin!!!
10. Tetsucabra
One of the new monsters to be introduced in Monster Hunter 4, Tetsucabra is considered to be a beginner monster and one of the newer Amphibians in the game. Tetsucabra is very tough, even as a beginner monster. These beasts can dig big chunk of rocks to smash and they use their weights to create small tremors that will put hunters into a disadvantage. They also spit out a stamina-draining acid that will tire out Hunters if not careful. The reason why I like this monster so much because first of all, I am quite curious to know what frogs taste like, but besides that, it is one of those few monsters that defines "annoying but fair". Also, its moves are predictable and it can be good training for the more difficult fights.
9. Lagiacrus
This thunderous Leviathan is the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Tri, where underwater battles are introduced. I got to admit that I have yet to play Monster Hunter Tri and its enhanced iterations, but after finding out from a lot of people (from the Internet and even to my brother) that underwater battles are very primitive and clunky, I have made second thoughts on whether to play them or not. Gladly, this monster has re-appeared in the latest Monster Hunter Generations, and as a monster, I got to say that it provides decent challenge. It's lightning attacks are quite annoying and most of its movements are fluid yet manageable. The only thing going for this monster, however, is the nostalgia factor, especially for the people who played Tri, and I am glad that I am one of those people who considered this monster to be a nice addition to the new game; while also getting some updated move sets to match the new game's mechanics.
First introduced in Monster Hunter 4, Zamtrios is... an odd ball of sorts. It's quite likable but there is also this kind of feeling that makes me despise this fellow. Probably because that it can burrow itself on solid ice while trying to surprise you with deadly Ice attacks, which is why it is kinda low on the list. However, the armor you make from this beast is quite cool. You also get the effect of Mega Dash Juices when eating a Well-Done Steak, which is very essential for Dual Blades and Lance users who rely on Stamina for some of their key attacks.
7. Rathian
One of the classic monsters that never gets tired to age. First introduced in the very first Monster Hunter along with Rathalos, Rathian is considered to be a veteran monster and one of the most difficult monsters early in the game. With a combination of deadly Fire and Poison attacks, Rathians are quite the challenging enemies and rewards players with a tough monster that never disappoints. Also, the weapons you make from this ferocious queen are very nice, as Poison weapons are quite difficult to come by early in the game and it's a very essential status to make hunts faster, along with Blastblight.
6. Deebil Joe (aka Deviljho)
The hunger of this beast knows no bounds, Deebil Joe, errr I mean Deviljho, is a savage like no other. Making its debut in Monster Hunter Tri, this monster was being heavily reviled for its difficult AI. Ranging from spamming Dragon Breaths to ridiculous physical damage, Deviljhos are approached with caution and only the most prepared of hunters can be able to conquer the Violent Wyvern. Also, it is highly adaptable to a lot of locations and you can see these monstrosities EVERYWHERE you go! The reason why I put him on this list? Well, it eats a lot and I eat a lot too so... :3
5. Tigrex
Fierce and savage, this Flying Wyvern shows no mercy to anything, or anyone, that stands in its way. As the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Freedom 2, many people have many terrible memories with this thing because on how difficult this monster is. Despite the lack of any form of elemental attacks, Capcom compensates it by giving Tigrex brute force and enormous coverage, allowing this monster to create devastating attacks, from a 360 degree spin attacks to its infamous charge attack. The reason why I put this guy on the list is because of its very nice ability to adapt with the environment. Like Deviljho, it can go from a wide range of places like hot surfaces like the Dunes and even snowy regions like the Frozen Seaway.
4. Nargacuga
One of the most memorable and the most nostalgic monster to ever exist in a Monster Hunter game, the Nargacuga is just cool in design and game play. First appeared as the flagship monster of Monster Hunter Freedom Unite, this monster has a lot of things going for and it is considered to be a fan favorite for many years. In terms in making it playable, however, took the developers a lot of time to make it work. Capcom also admitted in one of their interviews that designing the Nargacuga's movement in the game was one of the most difficult ones to program back in the PSP... and succeeded. From there, the players are quite impressed with the monster ever since its conception. The reason I put this baby on the list because of its armor sets focusing on evasion; which is useful in many hunts.
3. Rathalos and Glavenus
The third spot comes to a tie between Rathalos, the King of the Skies, and Glavenus, the Scorching Blade. Both of these monsters are the master of the Fire element, doing the best they can to burn their enemies to crisp. Rathalos was first introduced in the first Monster Hunter while Glavenus was introduced, along with 3 other monsters, in Monster Hunter Generations; both of which are tough and both of them capable of shooting fireballs. But if you are going to ask me on who is my favorite among the two, I would say Rathalos because Glavenus wouldn't have been existed if it wasn't for the burning wyvern with an attitude. Nevertheless, the armor you make from a Glavenus has a neat armor skill called "Heavy Polish" which increases the attack power of your weapon temporarily while also preventing your Sharpness from depleting for a brief moment.
2. Brachydios and Seregios
Another tie and this time between the exploding giant and the sharp-scaled wyvern. Brachydios and Seregios are both excellent monsters in terms of challenge and the weapons that you can make from these bad boys. For those who are not familiar in the franchise, Brachydios is the main flagship monster of Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate on whose weapons are considered to be extremely powerful through the use of Slimeblight; a powerful component capable of dealing damage based on the max HP of the monster after being hit several times with slime-based weapons. Seregios, on the other hand, was introduced as the flagship monster of Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate (an enhanced version of Monster Hunter 4 that was also known as Monster Hunter 4G in Japan) and the weapons based on this wyvern was praised for its versatility and the ability to sharpen weapons without the need of Whetstones. Both equipment based on these monsters were later tweaked and adjusted in future titles, but nevertheless, hunting these monsters and getting their parts to make sweet equipment out of them is a satisfying feat.
1. Zinogre
And here it is, my favorite monster in the franchise. Back when my brother was playing MH3U, I kept hearing about this "Zinogre" guy, and my brother was so hyped about this beast. Obviously the oblivious me is not even familiar with this gem of a monster back in the day, but when I played Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate the first time and the theme of this beast kicked in, then I realized that it was LIKE AT FIRST HUNT! The energy, the majesty, the theme that this awesome monster possess, is exhilarating and powerful; it feels that you are actually hunting a menace that will do what it takes to destroy you. Additionally, as the flagship monster of the Japan-exclusive Monster Hunter Portable 3rd (which was also known as the best-selling PSP game in Japan), the hype factor around this monster was second to none. The armor you make from this thing is not clearly the best out there in terms of its effects (screw you Latent Power) but its regal design screams awesomeness wherever you go! :)
Well, that's it for my list. What is your favorite monster that didn't appear here? Let us know what your thoughts about it by commenting them. Your kind suggestions will be appreciated.
Until then, savor the hunt and don't get left behind!
Thursday, August 11, 2016
A new frontier awaits - Brave Frontier Reader's Review
Does anyone remember Valkyrie Profile? An RPG from Square Enix (previously known as Squaresoft) which introduced one of the most unique kind of combat system known to man. You simply press in the button of the assigned character, and then the character will perform a unique attack; while pressing buttons in quick succession can allow you to perform a chain of combos to create devastating attacks!
Evidently, while the game itself wasn't that memorable for most people, the combat system was a remarkable feat for its time to the point that it was adopted by other games throughout the years.
This game, however, is one of them. This is Brave Frontier for the mobile, and I am going to make a Reader's Review about it.
Title: Brave Frontier
Date released: December 13, 2013 (July 3, 2013 in Japan, 2014 for Kindle Fire users and 2015 for Windows users)
Company: A-Lim (published by gumi overseas)
Genre: Action RPG
Platform: Mobile
ESRB Rating: None (but it will be either E10+ or Teen if given such)
The picture seen here is Vargas, one of the Six Heroes featured in this game.
Brief Background: gumi, founded in June 13, 2007, is the worldwide distributor of the game. The game itself has spanned from multiple mobile devices including Amazon, Apple, and even mobile phones that handles the Windows OS. The game itself received positive reviews from Western critics due to its simple mechanics and innovative take to the RPG genre.
What do you do here?
This is basically a "chosen hero" kind of story where you, taking the role of a Summoner, is chosen by Lucius, god of the gate, as the champion to save Grand Gaia from total destruction. You travel from various locales, meet people, and unravel the secrets that befell upon the land, for better or for worse.
What makes this game interesting?
The most interesting about Brave Frontier is its simple game-play mechanics; you simply tap the character bar to attack enemies. You can also swipe the character bar in order to perform other actions such as blocking attacks and even unleashing super moves; all of which are extremely useful in battle.
Other than the Quest Mode which you'll be doing for the most part, where you travel the world of Grand Gaia and stuff, you can also gain access to some other modes like the Vortex, Arena, the Guild, and even Imperial Capital Randall.
The Vortex is basically a mysterious dimensional gate where you gain access to special dungeons; some of which are only there for a limited time. From these dungeons you can get neat goodies like materials used for item creation and unit evolution, some Zel (in-game currency), Karma (another commodity found in Grand Gaia used for unit evolution as well as upgrading facilities in your Town), and special Units not found in the game.
There are other things that you can do in this game; such as Raids, where you tag with 3 other players to beat a powerful set of monsters that will try to beat the living daylights out of your characters if left unattended, and Arena Mode, where you test your powerful units to defeat other players (both parties use CPUs to decide the action of each of your units).
There is a particular portion in the Quest mode known as Grand Quests, where you access special levels that can only be unlocked after completing the first map. This is actually a good place to get rare gear, as well as to learn a lot regarding the NPC's backstories and what-not.
Every occasion, there are some featured units to recruit, allowing you to bolster your roster with powerful units. With a copious amount of gems to be given away frequently, there really is no reason for you to miss out these powerful units unless you want to save the gems for some powerful units later on.
The game is also generous in providing useful items, whether healing items or Crystal Gods to boost your characters' EXP, which can give you a very nice advantage early on in the game and to make you get hooked on it.
Finally, there are tons of characters to power-up and collect, making you confused and lost on whom to power-up first. Nevertheless, once you got enough materials and experience in playing the game, it is easy to get in touch with those features.
What are the flaws you found in this game?
Being a very BIG game, despite being on the mobile, bugs and glitches are expected in this game like 90% of the time; ranging from text errors to game-breaking issues that can cause major inconveniences to all players. Other than that, there really is nothing much to complain other than the game itself will force you to pay money so that you can be able to get those envied units, which is dangerous if you are working on a short budget.
Should I recommend this game?
Not to all, especially to those who are fond of consoles and to those who find mobile games to be much of a hassle. The good thing is that if you have a smartphone with a large memory capacity, it is highly accessible and it is very easy to get hooked in this game for a long, long time.
Overall Rating: 7.2/10
While there are a lot of things to go for, Brave Frontier is not your typical Triple-A title that will create a solid experience. Nevertheless, it is a game full of potential and it is something that is truly worth playing, especially if you are the type of person who likes to collect a lot of things.
--END OF REVIEW--
Evidently, while the game itself wasn't that memorable for most people, the combat system was a remarkable feat for its time to the point that it was adopted by other games throughout the years.
This game, however, is one of them. This is Brave Frontier for the mobile, and I am going to make a Reader's Review about it.
Title: Brave Frontier
Date released: December 13, 2013 (July 3, 2013 in Japan, 2014 for Kindle Fire users and 2015 for Windows users)
Company: A-Lim (published by gumi overseas)
Genre: Action RPG
Platform: Mobile
ESRB Rating: None (but it will be either E10+ or Teen if given such)
The picture seen here is Vargas, one of the Six Heroes featured in this game.
Brief Background: gumi, founded in June 13, 2007, is the worldwide distributor of the game. The game itself has spanned from multiple mobile devices including Amazon, Apple, and even mobile phones that handles the Windows OS. The game itself received positive reviews from Western critics due to its simple mechanics and innovative take to the RPG genre.
What do you do here?
This is basically a "chosen hero" kind of story where you, taking the role of a Summoner, is chosen by Lucius, god of the gate, as the champion to save Grand Gaia from total destruction. You travel from various locales, meet people, and unravel the secrets that befell upon the land, for better or for worse.
What makes this game interesting?
The most interesting about Brave Frontier is its simple game-play mechanics; you simply tap the character bar to attack enemies. You can also swipe the character bar in order to perform other actions such as blocking attacks and even unleashing super moves; all of which are extremely useful in battle.
Other than the Quest Mode which you'll be doing for the most part, where you travel the world of Grand Gaia and stuff, you can also gain access to some other modes like the Vortex, Arena, the Guild, and even Imperial Capital Randall.
The Vortex is basically a mysterious dimensional gate where you gain access to special dungeons; some of which are only there for a limited time. From these dungeons you can get neat goodies like materials used for item creation and unit evolution, some Zel (in-game currency), Karma (another commodity found in Grand Gaia used for unit evolution as well as upgrading facilities in your Town), and special Units not found in the game.
There are other things that you can do in this game; such as Raids, where you tag with 3 other players to beat a powerful set of monsters that will try to beat the living daylights out of your characters if left unattended, and Arena Mode, where you test your powerful units to defeat other players (both parties use CPUs to decide the action of each of your units).
There is a particular portion in the Quest mode known as Grand Quests, where you access special levels that can only be unlocked after completing the first map. This is actually a good place to get rare gear, as well as to learn a lot regarding the NPC's backstories and what-not.
Every occasion, there are some featured units to recruit, allowing you to bolster your roster with powerful units. With a copious amount of gems to be given away frequently, there really is no reason for you to miss out these powerful units unless you want to save the gems for some powerful units later on.
The game is also generous in providing useful items, whether healing items or Crystal Gods to boost your characters' EXP, which can give you a very nice advantage early on in the game and to make you get hooked on it.
Finally, there are tons of characters to power-up and collect, making you confused and lost on whom to power-up first. Nevertheless, once you got enough materials and experience in playing the game, it is easy to get in touch with those features.
What are the flaws you found in this game?
Being a very BIG game, despite being on the mobile, bugs and glitches are expected in this game like 90% of the time; ranging from text errors to game-breaking issues that can cause major inconveniences to all players. Other than that, there really is nothing much to complain other than the game itself will force you to pay money so that you can be able to get those envied units, which is dangerous if you are working on a short budget.
Should I recommend this game?
Not to all, especially to those who are fond of consoles and to those who find mobile games to be much of a hassle. The good thing is that if you have a smartphone with a large memory capacity, it is highly accessible and it is very easy to get hooked in this game for a long, long time.
Overall Rating: 7.2/10
While there are a lot of things to go for, Brave Frontier is not your typical Triple-A title that will create a solid experience. Nevertheless, it is a game full of potential and it is something that is truly worth playing, especially if you are the type of person who likes to collect a lot of things.
--END OF REVIEW--
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