slimequest: (Dragons are over-rated)
Kirishawnie Marisa ([personal profile] slimequest) wrote2005-12-09 09:39 pm

*Multithrust*

Well, I finished Dragon Quest VIII last night, logging in around 80 hours. Of course, I had to leave the game on when I was in the middle of some late-game DRAMA to go to a doctor appointment, which added in about three extra hours, not to mention all the random running around for no reason I did while playing. I'm having fun with the post-game dungeons at the moment.

But, I honestly have to say, if you're looking for a solid, classic RPG to play, you really can't beat this game. WHOAMG IT HAS A WORLD MAP YOU GUYS! It's as if RPGs lately have forgotten all about them. There's really nothing greater than exploring a vast world map, and Dragon Quest VIII's fully 3-D map is especially lovely.

And I don't know, I'm sure some people object to anything Akira Toriyama does, but the character designs were refreshing, too. I know bishie girly boys are all the rage in Final Fantasy land, but it's nice to have male characters that I can easily identify as so without having to look it up online.

Finally, the game actually has a decent challenge to it, something I can always appreciate. It's not that you have to level yourself for hours or anything, but the bosses always give you a run for your money, and you have to be careful in normal battles, too.

Overall, it's one of the most satisfying playthroughs of a game I've had in a long time. Even if you've never played a Dragon Quest/Warrior game ever, I think it would please just about any RPG fan.

/end infomercial

All right, I know I've been in DQ-land for the past few weeks, so I'll talk about other things now!

I've gotten 99% of my Christmas shopping done, almost all of it online, so I've avoided the holiday rush. Amusingly, one of the Christmas presents I got for [livejournal.com profile] krile came with a tissue pack with Brave Soul on the front. (For those of you who are unaware, Brave Soul is basically an RPG/Hentai game. You may have to use these~!)

Additonally both Krile and I are now addicted to the anime Pani Poni Dash with no end in sight. It's kind of like Azumanga + crack + a million game/anime references thrown into a cup of diseased ramen. We've actually watched two episodes in a row of it sometimes, which is unheard of with our fickle anime watching habits.

Watched Xenosaga Episode III trailer, the graphics look pretty. I hope the traditional sci-fi blasphemous storyline is intact as well :D

Also, Valkyrie Profile 2, I came~ :o Prequel with Silmeria starring. I always did like her design, even if she did basically nothing in the game, the poor thing. Also rumors of a VP1 remake for the PSP. You know, if they actually release Suikoden I + II here too, I'll have to buy one of the darn things.

It is also beginning to look a lot like THE ICY DEPTHS OF HELL around here. I am still not used to New England at all. Every time I see one snowflake hit the ground I assume they're going to close down the entire state like they did back home. I am disappointed every time ;_;