Suikoden IV

That's the game I have been playing within the past week.

It's an awesome game. I completely changed my view about Suikoden once I played this. The bad impression I had gotten was from the previous game in this series, Suikoden III, because in my opinion, it was bad. I regretted buying it.

Now, with 108 characters you can recruit, one can't complain about the lack of characters. (Although, in actual fact, only about 56 can be used in battle.) The only probelm with having so many characters, is that it's hard to make everyone fit well into the story. Some join because someone else they know is on board the ship. Still, I think that's quite a minor problem.

Story wise, it's okay. Nothing too simple or complicated. Gameplay is good. You're sure to be kept busy if you're trying to level them all to 99. Most characters join by just talking to them through the course of the game, while you fight bosses and need to meet certain requirements for others. This, overall, balances out so you won't find recruiting characters boring or a chore. But then again, you only need to use a few of the lot to successfully complete the game.

Definitely one of the better RPGs I've played so far. Planing on trying out Radiata Stories next. Hopefully it'll be good.

Fire... On Fire

Watched Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire today. Well, it's yesterday now, seeing it's already 1A.M. About time.

Best of the 4 so far?

Maybe... It's just too bad many they cut out many parts from the book. Like the Quidditch World Cup, all we see is the entrance of the players, and that's it. It jumped straight to the Dark Mark part. What about the part where Rita was turned into a beetle? Well anyway, she isn't too important a character. Just that the book could bring out much much more of her obnoxious ways. More like the Quick Quotes Quill, actually.

Damn. Lot's of nice movies coming up this holidays. Gotta catch 'em all! Ugh... the phrase from Pokemon. And games too. Loads of RPGs going to be released.

Honestly, holidays...

Is there anything else to talk about?

Nope.

Finally Getting Somewhere

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire opens today. Haven't received any messages from friends about watching the movie. Well then, it looks like I'll be going alone, if need be.

Finally got back to leveling bard after months. And thanks to the frequent deaths, white mage sub will be gimped very soon. Now halfway to 71, and luckily I had done genkai 5 earlier.

Ligerzero, did you quit again? That would probably be a yes, considering that he sent me all his gil and some crystals and equipment. But what nice timing! I desperately need the gil for all the expensive bard JSE in another 2 levels.

Rickimaru, Jakal and me went about to do Zilart Mission 5, the parts which required killing mobs. We did the ones in Behemoth's Dominion and through Ifrit's Cauldron. And yes, it was just us three. Something called the "kiting" method, where you cast gravity on the mob, run a distance ahead and nuke, while throwing in the occasional bind. I am the one keeping them refreshed with ballad.

For the ones in Cape Terriggan and Sanctuary of Zitah, we had additional help. A paladin, a monk and a black mage. We handled the mobs perfectly well, despite websites saying that you need a ninja tank.

Time to do the other parts, solo.

Sayonara

I've decided to give up on Promyvion-Holla. I'm tired of failing loads of times, of gathering all the people with suitable jobs. I don't want to touble those whom I know. They've done them all, and they don't want to go through all of this again. I understand how they feel. I would rather realize that it is my loss, for not having enough luck or whatsoever, than to make people feel as though I'm so desperate that I forced them to help me.

Went to the airport to send someone off this morning. I guess seeing them leave with a smile doesn't make me feel all that sad. I couldn't cry; tears just wouldn't come out. Not to say that I was happy to see her go, but this sense of joy just came over me, because of, well, some problematic situations going on here. Nothing beats being able to be free of it. Well, Yuni, good luck. Even if I forget you someday, the memory won't be lost, ever. It's deep within your heart; you just have to find it, as Sora of Kingdom Hearts had said.

I returned home in less-than-high spirits.

I just realized. I'm the only asian in the linkshell. You know, maybe I shouldn't be there. If only it wasn't for my first mentor...

You don't need to know.

Nuances

Okay. So we're supoosed to go to this website stated on the math worksheet, and do whatever's inside? Apparantly, it's not working. It says here... it's being hosted in a different location, and they need... donations? That's the most I make out of it. But it comes down to this - I'm not going to do it. Not when you gave us a faulty address to begin with!

So that's one task down. Now I have to type two letters explaining for the day that I was absent for Conquer 'O'. Formal letter format, with parent to initial on it. And the content is just going to be like, two lines.

Feeling kind of depressed today. What is wrong with me? It's not like anything happened.

Logged on to FFXI for a minute or so, noticed how everyone else was perfectly blended in through the chat log. Uh huh, I'm Asian, Singaporean to be more exact. I speak Chinese, and for whatever reason, people in the game have such fear of chinese-speakers. Or loathe them, as a matter of fact. Why indeed? Because, the moment they see Chinese, they associate it with gil-sellers, and gil-sellers are widely hated by people all around. Why again? Because they sell gil, and make the game unfair for everyone else.

Look at all those people with "perfect" gear. Whether they really went through infinite hours of farming or through HNMs, or merely bought the gil, I don't know. No one will know, unless they tell us. But you can be quite sure that someone who completely doesn't know what he is doing, but surprisingly decked out in stuff like Leaping Boots, Emperor Hairpin and such, has most possibly earned them through buying gil. Doesn't mean that just because you have the best gear, you're a good player. That's just wrong.

So I have controlled myself not to speak chinese much outside of the linkshell or tells. In fact, why the hell am I even speaking chinese in the linkshells? No one in there understands chinese. People raise eyebrows when I'm seen PLing chinese players, because the same old thought is in their minds. "That, is a gil-seller. Stay away." Was I wrong in PLing them? Maybe I was, but it never occured to me that they were gil-sellers. I had asked them what was the main reason they play the game, and all they say is because a friend had introduced it to them.

Once I had the chance to meet several chinese players in Valkurm Dunes. And that was when I chanced upon this all Asian Linkshell, a mixture of Singaporeans and other chinese in whatever place. I was rather surprised when I saw the people in there; some of them were notoriously referred to as none other than gil-sellers prior to that, and this is where most of them had gathered.

The most ironic thing was that a fellow chinese player had told me that the Linkshell was "bad". She told me to toss it away. Okay... so unless you're a gil-seller, you will say that it is bad. Thus, the conclusion is that not all chinese players are gil-sellers. (Right. Duh, you might think.)

Enough about that. Now that I've finally taken the chance to just spill everything out, I don't feel that bad inside anymore.

Quote: Tarfur - "We will eat like kings... and there will be cake."

Still laughing to that this very moment. I thank you for your very entertaining statements. Haha.

Hempishere

Really busy for the past few days. Busy playing, heh.

Yes. Soul Calibur III was really worth the money. It's probably the best I've played since SCII.

Right now I've completed "Chronicles of the Sword" once, and going through it a second time with an army of sword master classes. Also unlocked most of the stuff, except maybe some stage arenas and the character, Amy, who is... Raphael's foster daughter?

Haven't really specialized myself with any character, but I guess I'm fairly okay with Killik. Still learning the ropes. Needed more human opponents to practice with, so two of my friends and me did just that. But my friend here was merely button-mashing! And that, I tell you, earns you an easy victory, unless you guard impact ALL of the attacks, which of course, I couldn't manage.

My life seems to dim down quite a bit. Despite it being the holidays, and when I have an online game to keep myself sane and even lower the chances of me talking to myself. Yeah, I'm wierd. But, the maid is going back this weekend, and my father is on frequent business trips overseas, which leaves just three people remaining in the house. No prizes for guessing who. Heh. It's going to be really quiet, or so I think.

FFXI? I don't know what my aim is now. I'm wandering around aimlessly as a rather useless white mage. I stand in front of the Auction House for hours. I teleport people who shout for Holla randomly. I try to chat with people in both Linkshells. I attempt to solo for experience, only to fail miserably. I can't switch back to bard because I have no mood to transfer a massive amount of stuff over from mule. I never get in the mood to party. I reject all invites when I get them.

I shall not rant on. Keep them for another day. Eh heh heh.

Soul Calibur III

I got hold of my copy of the game yesterday.

Hurried to set up my PS2, which involved bringing all the wires, controllers and the console itself from my room out into the hall. Not that I would complain, but I had always left them all in the hall. Ever since my brother was born though, leaving such expensive items lying around is definitely not a wise option. Sometimes I can't even play in peace. He's dying to snatch the controller out of my hands. He's attracted to the lights of the reset button on the console, so much that he's always attempting to press it.

Now that's another thing. So, barely minutes into viewing the new features of the game, I was momentarily distracted by a sharp crackling sound, or at least that's how it sounded like. I didn't know what it was, and resumed with my game. Then it came again. And again for a third time. I looked around, only to catch, in the corner of my eye, the main powerpoint where my PS2 adaptor was connected to, spurting out wisps of black smoke. I was stunned. Then the screen went blank, and at once I rushed over to turn the switch off.

Whoa. That could have resulted in an electric fire! I let everything cool down, before I unplugged the two-pin plug. The plastic of the plug had melted, and one part of it broke off. Oh damn.

Well, at least I managed to get it replaced with a new one this afternoon. $25 for one. Ah, I'm broke. But I must say, the game is really good. Quite the step up from the previous (SCII). The most interesting thing would be the character custamization feature. Pick the gender, job and outfit them with anything you want. Of course, the items are gained through buying and unlocking, only if you have money, which is in turn obtained by fighting through the charaters' story mode. Haven't tried everything yet, so I don't really know about the other stuff in there.

Oh, and failed Promyvion-Holla again. 7 wonderful losses. Hope 8th's time the charm? It is considered a lucky number here at least, right? Luck is so not on my side. And I only did it because whoever didn't invite me for genkai 2. They all asked me to go- no wait, in fact only Schinn and Tarfur asked me to go. So I stood there like an idiot, waiting, waiting and waiting. No invite whatsoever. Basically I got the impression that I wasn't wanted, and there were already 6 people, or so I counted. Someone shouted for holla then, so I jumped in on the chance. It's not my fault, I hope? I was so damn bored...

Well anyway, looks like I'll be waiting, once again. Tomorrow, the day after, and more. With the Conquer 'O' programme ending as late as 1:30pm, it's largely affecting my gaming schedule! "We need to cover the syllabus" is what the teachers say. Okay, okay, I understand. My soft side is giving in.

Lastly, Selemat Hari Raya to everyone out there. Have a nice day... no, night. Heh.

[Edit: It's "calibur" and not "caliber". Sorry.]

Holidays...?

Today I learned that jack o'lanturns originated from Ireland, and was actually first made out of turnips, not pumpkins!

So while the people in the other parts of the world were probably celebrating Halloween, I was sitting in my room, and confined in there for nearly 12 hours, playing, of course. Well, not really playing, considering that half the time my character was just standing there, in front of the Auction House, with massive amounts of text in linkshell chat, and Jeuno shouts.

Managed to get my white mage up to level 37. Apart from finally being able to teleport, I can really "dump" it off after getting all the crap done. It's just a sub-job for my bard.

School tomorrow, thanks to the whatever conquer 'O' programme they have for us. Having holidays... is like not having it at all.

Baka? Sou dane!

Third Match Loss

The title says as much; we lost the third match of Ballista Royale, against the very, and I mean VERY experienced and skilled players from the team, Darkside.

Well, here I have a screenshot of our team members, which I think is the best taken yet.



The final score was 6-25. And wow, I didn't at all get a chance to score any petras. They were able to suppress us so well that even when I managed to approach the rook, the "event skipped" occurred due to them hitting me. I was bound countless times, one shoted by Guillotine. The dark knight came after me more often than not. Lullaby, of course, didn't work well enough.

Well, we lost, but at least it's good to see that at least such a strong team exists on Lakshmi. We're all on the same server after all, so all I can say is good luck to them. Lakshmi for the win!

After the match, and after we settled down from the loss, attempted to help Steini with his rank 6-2 mission, which had a rather hilarious result. Turned out that only Windurstians could enter the Burning Circle, and thus only him and Jakal managed to get in. As like anyone else would do, they escaped the place, of course. Death is not an option, with such unfair conditions.

Then, we set up a Promyvion-Dem party, for all those who hadn't completed it. I, of course had done it months back, but I offered to help anyway. It's really fun. After what seemed like a million hours, due to me being unable to teleport, and Jakal falling asleep, we finally got going in the promyvion. First time I ever entered without a summoner. But we didn't really need it anyway.

So we proceeded, only to die on the third floor, due to a stupid aggro from an incredibly tough mob, and a link by another Weeper. The tanks fell fast, and us mages bolted for the exit zone. None of us made it, all except for Tarfur.



You see, the zone is that glowing circle thing, and we died right on it. Duh.

We regrouped in Jeuno, got back to the promyvion, and this time we were lucky to meet another party doing it as well, so we formed an alliance for the way up to the boss fight. Everything went smoothly then. So was the boss fight. We were slow and steady in taking it down. Didn't have to use Bendiction, which was lucky, considering we didn't have a paladin. Now I see why some parties bring along paladins.

Much fun indeed, but very drained for the entire day, lasting from morning to late afternoon. Thank you everyone.

Bite Me

Today was the first time I ever bowled. And I can be quite sure, I'm not good at it either. Still, it was fun.

My mom's over-reacting over my younger brother. She's keeping a close watch on every of the maid's actions to make sure he's not being treated in a way he should not. I mean, come on! Of all times, now? Just because the maid pulled his ears the other day, she's now completely switched to alert mode.

Had sort of an argument with my dad upon his return from his business trip. I shall not go into details, but you can see how... how fucked up my family is. Yes, I can't believe I'm saying this, but there's no better way to put it.

The sky is falling. Turmoil, catastrophe, chaos, calamity, whatever words, they all fit.

Well, this is me. And there's no getting off this train I'm on.

Full Metal Panic!

Finally done watching Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid.



With just 13 episodes, the ending seems to be too rushed. Yet somehow everything falls into place nicely in the end, or at least that's what I think.

So in the end, Amalgam was destroyed, when Sousuke made a surprise comeback in the Arbalest after Chidori made him return to his senses. Both the twins and their sensei died, with one being killed by Leonard's A.S., and the other losing her life in the battle with Mr Gates. As for Gaulun, Sousuke shot him to death. Sousuke, of course, got rid of Mr Gates by use of the Lambda Driver.

Sousuke finally realized what was most important to him. He didn't recognize himself as a sergeant anymore, but rather, a mercenery. He requested for him to be posted back to the school with Chidori. So basically it's a happy ending, but Chidori did not manage to express her love for Sousuke even at the end of the episode.

As for my exam results, I've nothing much to say. So far I've failed A Math and Social Studies, which is well, expected. Heh.

Whence Blows the Wind

Congratulations to Heavensfury! We've won the second match of the Ballista Royale, meaning that 2 more victories and we'll be representing Lakshmi!

The match didn't start out quite well, considering that I was the first to die (sob), and the opposing team scored 8 petras right at the start. But, the tide of battle changed, and we were almost always in the lead for the remaining of the match.

Really good teamwork, and according to Sotori, we didn't even have to communicate much. That can't be more true. Later we came up with a tactic, for the white mage to cast invisible on himself and stealthily sneak up to the rook to score once we obtained gate breach status. That worked perfectly. In fact, Raskin, our white mage was the high scorer! Cool stuff.

When I saw that there was 1 minute remaining to the end of the match, I knew that we were going to win for sure. Final score was 35-17. Haha, totally owned, all thanks to our wonderful teamwork, and skill this time round.

At least the opposing team members were sporting losers. So unlike the previous match's losers, where they continued ranting on about how we had won because of luck. Sure, it may be luck, but that just means we were luckier. Hah.

I couldn't help smiling when the match ended. Was in really high spirits, and lost for words. Didn't care that I was going to miss lunch. Our victory ceased my hunger.

I helped out a friend after that for his paladin AF2, which, at first, he died miserably from the pugil's Screwdriver attack. So he zoned back to Jeuno, called for additional help, a 75 thief, and we proceed to whoop the mob easily.

Ligerzero, or Willis, for that matter, has gotten back to play FFXI once again. Full of surprises. He's now an Elvaan warrior. I'm not used to see him as that. Ah, but it's good to have someone that I know play the game. At least, it feels different.

Let's win again next week. Although Raskin said he couldn't make it, we do hope that he could take a half day leave or something. He's the best white mage one could ever meet. And so is everyone else in the team, including the backups for giving their fullest support, heh.

Tomorrow, some concert performance we have to watch, as part of our school's post exams activities. Doesn't seem appealing, but honestly, anywhere outside the school is fine with me.

Guess I'm done with my rants. Until then... see ya.

Rank 5 - Have Wings, Will Fly

When I logged on to FFXI, it felt like I had just started all over again. I didn't know anyone, and I didn't know why I was there. Didn't know the people in the Linkshell, and when I made an attempt in making a remark, there wasn't any response. Friends on my friend list weren't in there, and at least more than half are "dead".

I unequipped it, as I ran around Jeuno, wandering aimlessly. I received plenty of invites, all of which I turned down. I had no mood.

Logged and returned in an hour or so. As I was farming a little with my NPC, Tarfur asked me to go meet him at Windurst. So, after my NPC took his leave, I boarded the airship, forgetting the fact that he could have easily warped to Jeuno.

He traded to me the pearl for Orestia's LS, which is the one almost everyone else I know have been in, since the "conflict". With nothing else to do, we sat around the fountain in Windurst Woods, and just chatted. Here's a screenshot.



After my quick lunch, I hinted to him about rank 5. I told him that I knew the way, and thus we set off to do it. That really killed my boredom. I never get more joy from doing anything else other than helping people. Rank 5, genkai 3, PLing, you know.

Everything went smoothly. After all, I've done these countless number of times. Maybe I should start working as a guide, lol. But then again, no, I don't want gil involved. It's free! Rid me of my boredom and I offer you any help you need. Within my abilities, of course.

When we finished everything it was like 4:30 A.M. for him. I honestly wouldn't stay up till that time if I have school that morning. But, rank 5, pretty exciting, eh? An airship pass! Who would resist?

Ah, really looking forward to all the new games. Shadow Hearts: From the New World, Grandia 3, Tales of the Abyss, Kingdom Hearts II, Final Fantasy XII, Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, just to name a few. And also, Final Fantasy IV, V and VI for the GameBoy Advance. Can't wait to see how's Full Metal Panic: The Second Raid is going to end, too.

Oh, and I received the codex for Ballista Royale from the NPC. Next scheduled match is on 22 December, 21:00 PDT. Should be correct, considering it appeared as 23 December, 12 noon, Singapore time.

Over and Done With

End of year exams finally ended today. And to think that I wished it never came. At least, it's over now. But the holidays doesn't really start until all the extra lessons are done with. Sigh.

What can I say... Time to kick back, relax and probably return to FFXI full time, if there's even anything to do. Just so happens that the track from Chains of Promathia OST, "Faded Memories-Promyvion" is playing right now. And that reminds me, I've yet to beat the boss in Promyvion-Holla. Four losses so far; kinda gave up already.

I'm tired, but I dont want to sleep. Ah, the irony. Considering how there's no school tomorrow, I might just end up not sleeping... Well, you never know.

Ballista Royale - First Match

For anyone who still doesn't know what this event is about, learn more about it here.

Well, our team, Heavensfury was up against Koden for the very first match. As luck would have it, we won. Barely, I might add. Thanks to Raskin's final petra right at the last second, making us beat them by 1 point. Other than that, it was a fine display of skill from the other usual "ballista"ers. Me? I don't take part in these often.

Felt kind of useless in there without a sub job. Being a bard, I couldn't heal, stoneskin, blink and all that. But I guess that made me realize that ultimately I'm just casting Lullaby over and over. And I scored 4 petras. Not too bad, I guess. Highest scorer was Eneco, with 7 petras. Woot.

And here's a screenshot taken before the match started. Don't blame me for cutting out the other members; I wasn't standing in the centre of the lot and therefore couldn't get everyone in view.



Only managed to take one, as during the match it was so hectic I couldn't afford to direct my attention somewhere else.

Died twice, the second highest number of deaths next to Raskin. They always go for us mages first. Sigh. I was "Dancing Edge"d, and "Penta Trust"ed if I remember correctly.

Still, we won. And that, is of course a good thing. Oh, and did I mention that I was only a backup team member, only replacing Rick because, because... I don't know. Whatever the reason is. The others weren't too happy about it, of course.

Next week would be the 2nd match, since all the first rounds finishes today. Let's hope we make it all the way to represent Lakshmi server. Tough, but we rock. =P

Peace out.

Midst of Exams

Ah, finally. More than a third of the examintion is over. Just three more subjects, two more days. I can't wait.

Watched Final Fantasy VII: Last Order, the video animation which came with the boxed set of Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children released only in Japan, and is also part of the Complilation of FFVII.

Basically it's about the flashbacks of the events with Sephiroth in Nibelheim and also about Zack's and Cloud escape from Shinra. If you played the game, you'll already know the gist of it.
You don't get to see Zack being shot to death, though. It's the final scene where the screen goes black and all you hear is a gunshot. Bang.

And, Ballista Royale. 18:00 PDT, 15 October. Finally got the time right, I guess, after some calculations.

Gonna go sleep, soon.

Accident Aftermath

My younger brother hit his head while running too fast just awhile back. His forehead is so damn swollen. This is the second time this has happened. The last time, an arguement broke out between my parents. A long one, at that. It lasted all the way to the hospital.

And me? I'm stuck in between.

My father kept asking how he had knocked his head. My mother didn't really see what happened then, as she was behind him while my brother ran into my room. Picture this: someone who keeps asking someone about something she doesn't exactly know. You get a never-ending chain of arguements.

I really don't understand them. Then they're ranting about how they want to leave the house. My father mumbling about how he wants to go on business trips and not be in this house. My mother, has always been saying how she can't take it anymore and wants to leave the house. By this time, I knew I had to do something.

I shouted, in chinese, "Won't you two stop it already! Don't keep pushing the blame all over, the child belongs to both of you!"

That shut them up. And mind you, I was having my dinner at that time. Now I'm drowning myself in music, to get them out of my mind.

Sick, Tired, Dying

I can't find a better day to be sick.

My nose was twitchy this morning. I knew it was acting up, so I brought extra tissue, lol. So there you have it, down with cold the whole day, with a slight fever towards noon. And I couldn't think. My mind was blank one moment, then filled with wierd thoughts the next. Still, really glad that I had anticipated it and got prepared. Well, in a way. There's nothing I can do to stop it anyway. Sigh.

After lunch, I was just too tired. Fell asleep with heaps of tissue at my feet. I wonder where the hell my dustbin went! It isn't there when I need it most.

Well I just woke up, and I don't know whether I even have the appetite for dinner. And there's still my chinese composition and math papers to do by tomorrow. How can I... possibly finish them all in my current state?

Ugh. Feel my pain.

Hmph

Awoke at 7:30 A.M., but turned out that there wasn't any ballista practice. So me sleeping early had all come down to nothing. Well I ended up PLing Raskin's party at Yuhtunga Jungle. Besides the usual healing, I saved lots of lives from a large number of Goblin Smithys being zoned. Heh.

Math tuition prevented me from staying longer, though. Argh, that's why I hate it, my Sundays are entirely occupied by tuition. I'm glad this year is coming to an end.

Exams in a week. Yikes.

Just finished dinner(yes, at 11:30P.M.) and I'm about to turn in for the night.

Later.

Ballista Royale? Warau

So, in preperation for the upcoming Ballista Royale, our LS is holding practices in Diorama Abdhaljs-Ghelsba. But me, being here in Singapore, and them in America, the timing doesn't ever work out. It's either too late or too early. And that's also the reason I'm unable to join any HNM LS. What I can join are the Japanese ones, but then, I don't understand Japanese well enough.

Did I piss someone off when I said "Don't care about me, you all go on ahead"? Because my name is on the team list, I'm being treated with importance as much as everyone else. But no, I don't want to affect everyone else and delay the practices to a time which becomes inconvenient for them instead. Besides, I only signed up to be a backup. I was on the verge of saying "well then, kick me out". Then again, we don't even know if we're chosen yet, why worry so much?

As much as I know I'm not going to make it though, I'm going to try. I always have problems waking up early. Two, or even three alarm clocks won't work. Which is why, I'm going to bed extremely early tonight, or at least it's early for me. I'm aiming for 9:30 P.M.

Heh. And I haven't even bathed or taken dinner yet. Better get on to it.