case 020 - he ain't laughing no more

case 019 - fendick

Well, it's certainly been a long time since I've written in here. Once I stopped working at GameStop, I sort of fell out of my gaming obsession. But, let me tell you, this doesn't mean that I don't play games anymore. Because I do, just not obsessively. For example: I bought Disgaea 4 in 2011 when it came out. And I didn't start playing it until a week ago.

Yeeeeeeep.

Anyway, since then, I have immersed myself in the game, and I'd like to start spouting out my thoughts. I don't think people follow this blog, or anything, but I'm going to speak anyway, and it's not going to be pretty.

I love the Disgaea games. More for the stories, rather than the gameplay. So this is where the huge disappointment lies for me. Please remember, I have NOT beaten the game yet, and I have not spoiled myself, but up to this far? I'm not a fan of the storyline. Valvatorez is... Well, I like him, but I don't LOVE him the way I loved Adell and Laharl, and even Mao (Mao is not my favorite character, but I appreciate his growth throughout his game, and I love his interactions with everyone). With Val... I want to punch him many times in the face because of how he follows Fenrich. And here's something I know a million fangirls will hate me for.

I absolutely despise Fenrich. And you know what? I had a feeling I would, when I first saw his character design. He's an asshole, but not in the redeeming way where you want to see why he acts the way he does and sympathize for him. Because I don't at this point. The way he treats Fuka and Vulcanus, the way he manipulates Val into doing what he wants for 'his own good.' ...I can't stand him. I have never hated a Disgaea character the way I hate Fenrich. I think I like Etna more than Fenrich. /dodges bricks

That being said, I am obviously not into the whole FenVal stuff. Then again, I have never shipped yaoi in any of the Disgaea games, which is surprising because I am a male-slash fiend. But I've always enjoyed the 'canon' couples more... Laharl and Flonne, Adell and Rozy, Almaz and Sapphire, Mao and Beryl. And I am ValVul all the way. I am eagerly awaiting to see how it unfolds right along with the children. Hehe. I think that's partially the only reason I'm still plugging along in story mode. For days I was so annoyed with Fenrich I just worked on strengthening my own humanoid and monster cast. Ugh.

But even more than Fenrich, there is another matter that I dislike even more. And that is the role of Axel. The Dark Hero has been my favorite Disgaea character ever since he waltzed his arrogant self into Disgaea 2. At that time, his role was perfect. I was used to seeing a silly rival/mid-boss thanks to the previous game. He also fit into Disgaea 3, because his role was small. He was a side-character and therefore his silliness was appropriate. And then Dark Hero Days came out and I was beside myself with joy...! For a little while. He was still comic-relief, but at least I got to play with him and get him fans who actually wanted to help him. A wonderful band of misfits!

Here's where D4 made its mistake, with me, at least; they gave Axel a big spot in the opening video and put him on the promo poster up with the other main characters. Imagine my excitement to learn that Axel was going to be a main character and I would be able to play him without searching for treasure maps in the item world or needing to level up to five million just to add him to a side-story...

Now imagine me hearing that he is a warden. A WARDEN OMG SO COOL HE MUST BE POWERFUL NOW AND oh wait. no. Apparently he's so weak he can't even be in my party. Oh, and now he's getting walked all over again. No character development? Wait what is this world of Axels...

One. Giant. OTL.

Seriously, this was the biggest let-down of the game. So I started the game angrily, thanks to that. And then came Fenrich and a lukewarm hero Valvatorez. And... yes, my experience with the game so far has been the worst out of all the Disgaea games. Like I said, the only redemption the game holds for me now is the probability of Val and Vul falling in love, or even just that Flonne is here and she is powerful. Otherwise, the game is just the same mass leveling-up and trying to unlock classes. And that's not really why I play the game. I like opening new classes, and I've been very diligent this time around (only because I'm upset at the storymode), but I want the story.

I do enjoy Fuka a lot more than I thought I would. And even Emizel is growing on me... but maybe that's just because his VA played Jim Hawking (Outlaw Star) and Zazu Torque (Magic Knights Rayearth) and JIM WAS MY BABY. Emizel sounds exactly like them.........

Speaking of VA's... Fenrich's VA is Germany from the Hetalia dub. AUGH AND I LOVE GERMANY.

let's let him play Val's werewolf.

case 018 - shadow dragon

I suppose this is old news, but it's new to me! The new Fire Emblem is coming to Europe in time for Christmas. I wonder if I should go to France?

Does this mean that it'll come to the US soon? We can only hope...

case 017 - i'll finish this!

I have been playing Disgaea 3. It's rather enchanting so far, even though I haven't beaten the first chapter yet. This is because I've been working on unlocking the characters. This is very tedious without the use of Item World. But the leveling up is made easier since there are two stages in the first chapter that give extra experience. THAT HELPS.

I finally unlocked the Beast Master class. I really like Beast Masters, and I think her English voice is ten times more adorable than it was in Disgaea 2. I like a lot of the voices, actually. Every time the Hell Kitten says 'Meow!' I just die. ♥ Must... unlock... Ranger...

I'm also in love with the school setting. I rearrange desks and have Mao go talk to everyone. It's a lot of fun. Almaz is the biggest dork ever. 'They stole my lunch money! ;;;' Looking forward to Princess Sapphire. I... need to make a bigger classroom...

The graphics aren't amazing, no. There are some things that look a lot smoother, or attacks are bigger, and such. But I'm slightly disappointed. I like the cartoony Disgaea style, but... I'm not sure. There is only a minor improvement. But I like the story and characters enough to ignore this, and the music is, as always, catchy. Gameplay is virtually the same, so those who have played the game before can just jump right in.

I'm looking forward to the downloadable content!

case 016 - would you like some prinnies with that?

In just a few days, Disgaea 3 hits the United States... Now that I have my very own PlayStation 3, this game seems more real. Yes. I'm excited. I went ahead and purchased the Delinquent Pride Set from Rosenqueen. I actually wanted the original Japanese soundtrack, but even if I had gotten the higher priced set (which is now sold out anyway), I might not have gotten it, since the soundtrack was given out at random. Meh. I have it on the computer, anyway!

FE11 is also here, though it's currently sitting at my friend's house (since she ordered it). I must get to her immediately! Though I'll probably flounder through that game... You need to read a lot to play FE games. Bah. Japanese is the bane of my existence. There are FAQs online, right?

Continuing my BRAWL research, I've been looking into a lot of new Nintendo games. I just finished my first Kirby game ever, Squeak Squad for the DS. It was fun and silly and just... relaxing? Once you play really hard games like FE, having a stupid platformer game where your goal is to fight bosses for CAKE is such a blessing. I liked it a lot.

Meta Knight is so cool...

I also found a rom+emulator and started playing Earthbound. Haven't gotten far in that, but it cracks me up to no end.

Ness is so cool...

More reviewing later, as I need to do things that doesn't require gaming.