Thoughts about the Nintendo Switch (aka the Nintendo NX): Short Impressions

A few days ago, Nintendo has made an announcement that the Nintendo Switch (previously codenamed the NX) will have a March 2017 release while also releasing a video regarding the game console's first few glances.

First of all, I would like to say that, as a Nintendo fanboy, I am very pleased to find out that Nintendo is starting to learn from their mistakes and it seems that they are applying what they have learned from the past couple of years in order to make a whole new gaming experience.

And second, the video made my jaw dropped out of my system to the point that I am stunned for a moment just to see what Nintendo has done throughout the years.

Thirdly, after watching a little biography of the late Satoru Iwata, this reignites my interest regarding console gaming; as I've never thought that he was also responsible for making Super Smash Bros. a reality. :D

Anyways, for those who are interested with the video, here's the YouTube link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f5uik5fgIaI

NOTE: The video link is not a property of mine, but a property of Nintendo.

So what was the overall gist of the video?
Basically,in my opinion, the main gist of this video is all about the portability and the accessibility of the console itself. First, it shows itself being played by people as a typical console, but the most interesting part of it is on how you turn the awesome console into a handheld powerhouse! You just simply slide off the controller buttons on the main control, slide it in to the console itself, and from there, the console then acts a handheld device akin to a tablet! Additionally, it also acts as a PC gaming device by using the Joy-Con (probably stands for Joystick Controller) as a wireless controller while the console itself acts as your monitor. It also has a very nice logo!



Talk about an innovative design! It boggles my mind just visualizing the console being in my hands.

Also, there are many people from different walks of life are seen playing the console with certain games including the upcoming Legend of Zelda; Breath of the Wild, a Super Mario game, an NBA 2K title, Splatoon, and to my surprise, an amazing port of The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim!

The trailer is showing that the people are having fun with the new console and I must say that it makes me feel a bit jealous. Oh well, it looks like I have to wait for next year to find out if it is worth buying one.

Do you have any complaints about the Switch?
Well, if there is one thing I have observed in the device itself is that it feels a bit fragile, as if the entire console was made of a very strong plastic. Honestly though, I am hoping that it isn't the case since the console itself has promise, and an easily-breakable material that you use for their console is the last thing I want to hear from Nintendo.

Also, the concept of console-to-handheld gaming doesn't feel original. I mean the Sega Nomad (a gaming handheld that plays Sega Genesis and Mega Drive games) did it first, among other handhelds that provide such an experience. The good thing is that it doesn't feel as bulky up-close, unlike the aforementioned Nomad.

What do you want to expect from the Switch?
There are a lot of things that I am expecting for this wonderful console. However, as of the time of this writing, please keep in mind that these may or may not appear in the final product. So without further ado; here are some of the things that I will like for the Switch:

1. Backwards compatibility - Nintendo has a very wide history of providing a diverse gaming experience by allowing players to play their favorite games from previous generation of gaming devices (e.g. Nintendo DS allowing you to play GBA games). I am hoping that they allow players to play some, if not all, 3DS games or even older DS games. Although I doubt that would be the case, it is still too early to judge either.

2. Social media connectivity - while this particular has already been featured by other consoles, it doesn't prevent me to expect on such a feature. In fact, there is a certain button that can be found on the lower left portion of the main controller that somehow akin to a "Record" symbol. Hopefully, you can be able to properly edit these "videos" which is very essential for the gaming demographic today; focusing on "let's plays" and "tricks" on playing certain games. I am also hoping that the console can also connect to other social media with all the benefits intact that you can get from using them via PC and mobile.

3. Affordability - it is basically a no-brainer; many people wanted a gaming device that can deliver to their tastes while also ensuring that their wallets won't suffer a concussion or something. Competing consoles would basically cost about $300 (which is almost equivalent to about PHP 14,400) which is already cheap enough for those having sources of income. However, certain considerations must be maintained when determining the overall price of a certain device, such as specifications.

4. Durability - for someone with heavy hands as myself, I cannot help but wonder; is this gaming device built to last? From what I've seen in the teaser, as what I've also mentioned as a complaint of mine, the materials used for the device itself looks cheap and easy to break. While I like to have my trusty New 3DS anywhere with me, it tends to show some signs of wear and tear as time goes by such as the peeling of the coatings as well as malfunctioning buttons.

5. Software line-up - as seen in the video, potential titles like NBA 2K, Super Mario, as well as the shocker that is Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim have put me in the edge of my seat. I just cannot help but wonder; "what Nintendo is exactly doing in terms of its lineup of games?! Is Nintendo opening up to other game developers?! Oh wow! I cannot wait". Nevertheless, it is still early to actually judge on what games to come out for the Switch. We just cannot help but speculate.

Well that's all I can say about these things for now. Nevertheless, I am so excited for the system to launch. So what are your thoughts about the Nintendo Switch? Are you excited for it? What are the games are you looking forward for the Switch? Let us know your thoughts by leaving a comment.

Until then, have a nice day! :)

Disclaimer: The picture I posted in this article is not my property, but it belongs to Nintendo.

Big dinosaurs, big adventure - Fossil Fighters Frontier Reader's Review

Nintendo has been known for their prolific titles like Pokemon, Mario, Metroid... Wait! I think I have already said this before.

Nevertheless, the fact that Nintendo always provides grand adventures never fails to impress me so. This game, however, provides something more than an adventure; it's more of an experience that I can never imagine would be possible. 

Anyways, here is a Reader's Review of Fossil Fighters Frontier. Playing with dinosaurs have never been this fun... I guess.

Title: Fossil Fighters Frontier
Date Released:  February 27, 2014 (initial release in Japan), March 20, 2015 in the US, May 29, 2015 in Europe and a day later in Australia
Company: Nintendo
Genre:Adventure, Racing, RPG
Platform: Nintendo 3DS family of consoles
ESRB Rating: E10+




Brief Background: The Fossil Fighters series was originally developed for the Nintendo DS family of consoles. The first game in the series was released in 2008 and it has become one of Nintendo's flagship titles... albeit less known. The game has received mixed reception in the West due to the fact that most game review websites (like IGN and Gamespot) cited the game as somehow similar to Pokemon, another popular Nintendo title.

What do you do here?
Fossil Fighters Frontier features a story where INTERFOL (International Fossil Police) is intercepting a criminal organization that was allegedly said to illegally manufacturing Vivosaurs that surpasses ordinary ones in terms of power and ferocity. You, the player, is assigned by INTERFOL as a Warden to intercept the criminals while also travelling across the globe in search of powerful Vivosaurs and to protect the Fossil Parks from the imminent danger these criminals are plotting.

What makes the game interesting?
Simply put, Fossil Fighters Frontier is about finding fossils, reviving them, and using them to battle other Vivosaurs. It is not as easy as you think it is, however. You have to find a piece of the fossil first before you revive a Vivosaur (these are Nintendo's fictional take to the dinosaurs), clean it up using the tools provided to you, and ensure that the fossil is in good condition. You are given a time limit to clean the fossil as well as a certain quality quota (indicated on the upper screen of the 3DS) that you need to meet in order for the cleaning process to be successful. The more careful you are in cleaning the fossil, the better the score you can receive. This feature is surprisingly great as this is one of the few ways to utilize the function of the 3DS' touch screen capabilities.

There are several places where you can gather fossils, known as Fossil Parks. However, the types of fossils you can get here differ from each region.

In the past installments, the head fossil of a specific Vivosaur is required to completely revive it. However, in this game, the revival process will proceed even without the head fossil, which is nice since that you can be able to amass your collection early on. Collecting them isn't easy though, but it is a rewarding experience if you manage to do so.

Speaking of collecting fossils, amassing different parts of the same species of Vivosaur can allow you to power it up further; increasing its combat parameters and granting access to other skills.

Another feature that was added in this installment are the Bone Buggies, vehicles that you use to explore Fossil Parks, which can be further customized to either improve the performance of your vehicle or make fossil cleaning easier. There are a lot of optional missions that you can do involving Bone Buggies, so always pick the best type of Buggy to match the needs of the mission.

A new addition to this installment is the Time Trials which is some sort of a racing-esque mini game where there is a fossil that you need to clean before the Vivosaur guarding said fossil devours it. The faster you defeat the Vivosaur, the better condition the fossil that you are going to clean... and much harder to take out.

The battle system in this game has been given a major overhaul; making it more strategic in a way. Battles are still 3-on-3, however, you can only use 1 of your Vivosaurs while the 2 other slots are occupied by Vivosaurs of NPCs (known as Paleo Pals) that you can encounter throughout the story.

The NPCs that you can ally with have specific Vivosaurs which covers a specific role for your party. Some of them deals a great amount of damage while others provide buffs to bolster your party. While they have their strengths, they also have weaknesses, so always make sure to strategically pick your allies wisely, as you can't be able to edit them out while traversing Fossil Parks.

An important addition for the battle system is the buff ammunition that your Bone Buggies can use, known as Support Shots, to either bolster your Vivosaurs' attack strength or mitigate incoming damage. There are also other forms of ammunition that you can use such as healing your HP; thus making battles pretty interesting if you ask me.

There are tournaments that you can participate which can allow you to receive certain rewards such as rare fossils and other goodies which can aid you in traversing Fossil Parks. You can also gain fossils daily at the Fossil Museum; which encourages players to play the game at a daily basis to find out which fossils they will receive. Please keep in mind that the fossil you can receive is randomized so don't rely on it too much.

The most interesting part of this game, for me, is Nibblesaurus; a unique Vivosaur that is only exclusive in the Story Mode which powers up as the story progresses. It is also extremely powerful.

In terms of difficulty, I can say that it progresses relatively well and it has that nice balance between easy-to-pick fights to just downright challenging. Pro Tip: be prepared for the final boss as that packs a SERIOUS punch.

What are the flaws that I found in this game?
The game itself is not that big and while there are many fossils to collect, it gets a bit repetitive. Also, cleaning them can be a bit annoying since that tapping the soil recklessly can damage the fossil and if enough damage is done to the fossil, the cleaning process will be considered to be a failure.

While the party system has a strategic depth to it, you also lose a lot of freedom in team selection. In the previous Fossil Fighter games, you are allowed to set up 3 Vivosaurs at a time, but it was then limited to 1 (the 2 other Vivosaurs are being controlled by the computer) which is a bummer for someone like me who likes to use my own set of Vivosaurs in combat.

Also, there are many NPCs whose Vivosaurs are useless early in the game. While they can get another Vivosaur after fulfilling a certain quest, it isn't really that fulfilling. Also, certain NPCs are a bit overpowered than the other, which can allow you to over-power your foes (especially in multiplayer).

Multiplayer in this game is almost non-existent and it can be unstable most of the time. With a small player-base, expect to have difficulty in finding foes online.

Certain attacks also affect a Vivosaur's facing; giving them either an advantage (i,e increased damage inflicted) or disadvantage (i.e increased damage taken) against enemies. I kind of find it to be annoying and unnecessary because Support Shots can easily help you in providing boosts either way. Also, a Tricera facing upwards doesn't make any sense at all.

Nibblesaurus is a powerful Vivosaur; TOO powerful in fact which makes battles boring at best. If it is pitted in Multiplayer against another Nibblesaurus, however... Nah screw it! It's STILL boring.

Do you consider Fossil Fighters a sleeper hit?
In terms of game-play and theme (fossil collecting and a game based on dinosaurs), then yes. However, there are also other monster-collecting games that are not Pokemon that catches my attention, although I haven't played most of them though (such as Yo-kai Watch and my favorite, Shin Megami Tensei IV),

Do you recommend this game?
If you are a fan of Pokemon clones (yes, it is a clone with pride), then this game is a no-brainer for you. Otherwise, just pick something else. Besides, the game, despite of its fun story and interesting concepts, is relatively short in my opinion.

Overall Rating: 6.9/10
It is quite disappointing but not totally awful, Fossil Fighters Frontier is a game that suffers from the conventions of pushing the title's limit in terms of game-play. The graphics are passable and the mechanics remains intact; but the overall experience seems lacking for long-time fans of the series and it is just down-right repetitive for the casual players. Nevertheless, it is still a nice pick for any Nintendo fan out there.

--END OF REVIEW--

Disclaimer: The picture used here is not my property, but it belongs to their proper owners.

Character ideas for Phantom of the Kill - Part 4

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. :)

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.

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--

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.

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--