Sunday, January 26, 2014

Rare's Sage Advice: You're Not Alone

There's always a time in the year where we aren't at our greatest. When it happens we fall into our own form of darkness. Some try their hardest to reach through the murk and merge victorious to move on. Some aren't so lucky and inevitably lose themselves to that.



One of the main causes of that feeling is Depression and thoughts of Suicide. Remember this, you aren't alone.

Your life is more precious than you will ever know, don't forget that. You have a purpose in this world and what you do is extraordinary even if people don't show it. Everything you do for others will be remembered for as long as people remember you. It's always good to have a feeling of happiness in knowing you touched someone dear to you no matter where they are.

I and many people suffer from depression and a feeling of being lost. We are always seeking that truth that we need to know. And though we're always told to keep a smile on our faces and stay positive there'll be those Shadows that we lose the fight to.

Anyway, to prevent suicide there's plenty of help out there to get through those tough times:
* Talk to a counselor. Though sometimes what they say won't get through to you, but they will listen to you regardless.

* If you are a religious man talk to a pastor about what you're going through. You may not know it but having faith can really help you out in your time of need.

* Most importantly the ones who care for you the most are those who you left a big impact on. As we progress further into the future of our own lives it helps to stop and get in contact with someone you haven't seen in a long time.

* There are also hotlines that will help you if you feel you've reached your limits.

We are human, we have our strengths and weaknesses, we have our selves and our Shadows. Never forget that we can't fight our own Shadows alone. You may seem like the stern rough and tough "grr I'm a man I can take them on" attitude, but we are also prone to our own flaws and there are people to talk to about those.

Lastly, this one hits me really hard but the best thing I can say is not from my own mouth but from his. "You're not stupid." We do silly things sure, but if we embrace our own silliness we accept ourselves more than ever.



In any case we must stand together and Live with Determination. Your battle is not yours alone to tackle on. Never forget that you are you and I am me. And together we are one. Never give in to your own Shadows. Trust me, that's all I can say to help you from my and your own experience.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

In Memoriam: Justin "JewWario" Carmical

Today I and many others are standing together in sadness for a fallen friend.

April 11, 1971 - January 23rd, 2014


Just now I was informed that Justin "JewWario" Carmical passed away on Thursday January 23rd. He was 42 years old.

Justin was known for his love and knowledge of import games and the like. He had a fun loving and bubbly personality that many found to be quite charming. He was fond of kittens and squeed at the very sound or image of the word. Justin was also like a brother, a father figure and a wonderful husband to his wife Jen.

I remember seeing you for the first time in a stream with Jonathan Mann when he was known as Gamejew. Then you joined ThatGuywithTheGlasses and I instantly became fascinated with your videos and love for classic enka and jpop. If I were to find out about your Arcana you would have been the Lovers. It made sense because you had this loving person about you that stood out as one who everyone would look up to as the nicest sweetest person ever met. Now, we stand as one in knowing, that love we (fans, friends and family) shared will be forever.

Justin, though you may know it or not but everyone loved you, man. You were the gentle giant that everyone wanted to hug. And you did so with gravitas and we enjoyed the time spent with you either at conventions or locally. I will always appreciate and cherish the time you, Jen, Sam and Mark came over to Fanime for the first time. Through the somewhat brief friendship you and I had I always had a smile on my face when you received my post cards and for the time Japanese Kit Kats. Thanks for your time on my paltry college radio show. It was fun and wished I had you on again sooner. You put the fun in funny, the friend in family, and the EEEEE in your squee.

Jen, I and many others would like to extend our condolences and arms for you in your time of need. Though we are only limited to only a screen to express our sadness, in spirit everyone is there for you.

Everyone will mourn on their own and soon move on from there, but remember those times that you met Justin in person and online and cherish them as much as you can.

Farewell JewWario. Remember, you were never alone. It's been real.



See ya Space Cowboy


Bang

Monday, January 20, 2014

Rare's Games of 2013

Time passes on, another year wanes, time to reflect on what has been seen.

Ok that was a bad rhyme, but it almost makes sense.

It's that time again where I give you my thoughts on the best of 2013. Why not worst? Haven't really given thought about playing a bad game. Besides, if you want to talk about bad games, ask AngryJoe.

First some guidelines: I'm only giving my thoughts on what was released this year. AAA titles, digital downloads, re-releases, anyone's game. Speaking of games, let's get started.

Ni no Kuni Wrath of the White Witch (PS3) Level_5, Studio Ghibli

The most anticipated RPG of the year didn't disappoint... wait, a JRPG?!!! That's right folks, the RPG of the year which won worldwide praise from everyone was a JRPG and well worth it. Vibrant visual, stellar animation no less expected from Studio Ghibli and game play and mechanics easily intuitive, but deep in it's own right. The battle system is in real time and menu based, so helps quite a bit to avoid any hard hitters. The bosses escalated from minor to holy shit this guy is epic! I have had no problems.

There are some balancing issues such as some of your party members burn MP rather quickly and once it's depleted, they're sitting ducks. Also, your party's stats never increase when they need it the most. Esther's physical defense and attack never change and attack with just a harp for 1 HP of damage never changes and it considered the weakest of the group. And at first you might not like Mr. Drippy and his natural welsh accent, but you get used to it the all the more.

The other minor quip that I had was the ending was somewhat weak and when Ni no Kuni was first released, there was a bit of controversy regarding preorders and how Namco Bandai didn't helps matters to it. When the game was first released there were 3 versions of the game: Standard, a version with a steelbook case but still the same game and finally the Wizard's Edition which came with a soundtrack, the Wizard's Compendium, a plushy of Mr. Drippy and more. Preorders for the Wizard's Edition were strangely low to out of stock. Turns out there was a "bug" on Nambo Camdai's store front and turns out someone in Canada bought alot of the Wizard's Edition and to this day goes for a pretty high penny. Worst part was it was all 100% legal. Good Lord, my minor quip with Gamestop and Persona 4 Golden wasn't this bad in comparison.

Regardless of the minor controversy, this game is well worth the journey and will give you at least 60 to 80 hours of gameplay plus a lengthy sidequests involving a mysterious figure known only as Mr. Conductor. I'm kidding, but he is a rabbit in a top hat so it counts damn it! The prize at the end which I won't tell is... not up to what I thought, in fact I would call it lame. If you are an RPG fan and need something to pass the time before another Miyazaki marathon, this will fill the void quite nicely.

The Last of Us (PS3) Naughty Dog

Yes, the second most anticipated game second only to Ni no Kuni (Bioshock Infinite? What?), The Last of Us brought what would be atypical zombie apocalypse 3rd person adventure and made it into something extraordinary. Ok ok so it isn't exactly zombies, they're Infected, that doesn't matter at this point. It was a fantastic game that brought story telling, graphics, voice acting, and gameplay into a world that seemed to be a revolutionary for video games. Many claim that The Last of Us is the Citizen Kane of games. I'll go with it. It certainly was an interesting story.

There were quite a few frustrations that I encountered in the game. Such as if you try to use close combat on certain infected, you instantly die. That includes some parts where I encountered a Clicker and tried using a shiv as the only means to dispatch them, but ended up dying as a result. Plus to be honest, I didn't feel sympathetic for some of the characters. Yeah it's supposed to be immersing, but if I don't have any for lack of a better term "feels" for that person it just seems flat.

Regardless, The Last of Us was an incredible game that brought me into the world where the real monsters weren't the Infected, but the people. "It's the people that scare me." - Bill

Persona 2 Eternal Punishment (PS, PSP, PS3, PSVita) - Atlus

Refrain from thy tyrannical whims and hear my decree: This was re-released on the PSN this year, so it counts. Persona 2 Eternal Punishment is the second in the Duology of the Persona 2 storyline. Unlike the successful and beloved Persona 3 and Persona 4, Innocent Sin and Eternal Punishment have a different battle system. Back then before Social Links and leveling up through fusions, Persona relied on rumors and the number of tarot cards needed to summon. Battles were strategy turn based and slow as molasses. You relied heavily on fusion spells and spells in general to level up your Personas and that cost a lot of SP. Then you use those leveled up Personas to mutate them into stronger Personas. Plus, the H.E.R. (High Encounter Rate) was too damn high.

Eternal Punishment had a PSP remake not too long ago, but unfortunately it was Japan only since we already got the remake of Innocent Sin. Plus this was released 13 years ago, so take what you can get. If you are one of people who can stomach the slow but steady turn based strategy and don't mind confusing controls, then Eternal Punishment is a good counter balance to Innocent Sin. Besides, it took me 13 years to beat Joker Noriko. Stupid bitch!

Time and Eternity (PS3) - NIS

Oh boy. Where to start? It's an RPG with a dating sim and 2D anime in a 3D background. The story is comically silly, the voices are... bearable, and the music is decent. I have no idea why I got it. I'm a sucker for RPGs and I wanted something to fill the void after completing Paper Mario 2. And what better way to increase my anger after being defeated by a Kaizo trap at the fight of the Shadow Queen thereby losing 12 hours of game time than to play a polarizing game. I sure pick the strange ones. But it was 20 bucks, came with a soundtrack, can't complain...wait.

Papers Please (Steam) - Lucas Pope

Say, you ever wanted to play a game based on border patrol? Well your wish has been granted. What's that? You wanted to play a simulation of shooting people who try to cross the fence and defend that land from foreigners without diplomatic means? No? Sorry. Your patriotic thoughts of "freedom" aren't here in this game.

Papers Please is a unique indie title where you are playing the different kind of border patrol. Each person that passes your booth has to give you documentations based on certain criteria. Some may try to weasel their way in and smuggle stuff, but with your keen eye to detail and moral choices about what's right is wrong, it's up to you on how you will play out this game.

There are a few instances where you might get upset. First off Arstotzka is a communist country and people are trying to enter it. It's your job to find discrepancies in each of the people's documentations. IDs, passports, work permits, disease control, anything can be forged and you'll get in trouble for letting even the most saddest of sob stories in. That's why I like it. It's fresh, new, and unique. It's not about saving the world or helping a damsel. You're just an ordinary guy doing his job earning money to keep his family and him alive. Try it out.

Ducktales Remastered (PSN, Wii-U, XBLA, PC) Capcom/Disney

Ducktales was a beloved TV show in the 90s and the game for the NES is a loved gem for it's fun, but difficult game play. I guess it got a sort of cult following back into popularity with Brentalfloss. I could be wrong. Anyway, WayForward who brought us Shantae (rare and expensive) came to the call and remastered Ducktales for modern (7th gen) consoles. It's fine. I myself was too stupid and broke to buy Ducktales back in the day (I was 7 damn it!), but I understand why people loved this game. It sticks to the formula it knows and it plays well. Plus as an added bonus they got the original voice actors from the show to lend their voice in the cutscenes. That's pretty awesome. There's also a retail version of the game for about 20 bucks. Go get it, it's pretty damn good. There, I said one nice thing to Disney. Next game!

Hatsune Miku Project Diva F (PS3, PSVita soon) Sega

I already did a review on the game. It's pretty fun. Although for some strange reason all the modules I bought have to be rebought even though I already did that. Weird. Plus they are expensive as hell. 393939 for a piece of headgear? Grr... you tempt me game! Plus some songs are hit or miss, but fine in their own right. I was lucky to get it at half price and regardless how much it is right now, you owe to yourself as a rhythm game fan and if you like Luka (SirLionHart) you owe it to yourself to pick it up. Which is great because it was announced that Sega will bring the Vita version sometime in Spring 2014. Digital download, but hey, better than nothing.

Aquapazza Aquaplus Dream Match (PS3) Atlus

What the hell is this you may ask. It's a fighting game with lots of characters from Aquaplus and Leaf. Two very known, but unknown developers of Visual Novels and other things in Japan. What's a visual novel you may also ask. Think Phoenix Wright. Anyway, it's a fighting game that consists of 13 fighters and 13 supporters from various series including Utawarerumono, Comic Party, White Album, Tear to Tiara, To Heart, Kizuato, and Routes. There's this mind control potion and everyone has to beat the sense into each other and stop some evil plan before it's too late. Hello collect? I like to place a call to Where's, last name Plot. Yes I'll hold.

One minor thing to mention is some of the names are somewhat mispelled. For those familiar with Utawarerumono, I don't know about you but I think Hakuowlo is supposed to sound like Hakuoro right? Also, Karura which is mouthful I admit to the Japanese, but Karulau? Unless Karla is hard to say in other languages I think this is a mispelling. The same goes for any other character (Urutori) that has their name spelled wrong.

Aquapazza has a deep fighting system that is on par with other fighters out there. There's an emotion system where the bigger your emotions are the more you can unleash hell with your characters specials. At least that's what I got out of the initial first impressions. The only crux of this game is that not everyone knows who the hell these people are unless A) You watched the anime in connection to the character, or B) You played the visual novel related to said characters. For the latter I only know of Utawarerumono which had a decent beat em up and strategy game with a few sex scenes. I saw Comic Party a long time ago, but haven't played the Visual Novel. I briefly remember To Heart and how Multi was a popular character I sort of had a crush on even though I never knew her name (I was young and stupid ok?) Finally I lost out on Tears to Tiara. I should watch that and White Album.

A recommendation for the initial Who-are-these-characters? is to get to know them. A little research doesn't hurt. I mean when Tasunoko vs Capcom first came out, people didn't know anyone from the Tasunoko side. But after playing a few rounds and routes, people got to know them more through the game. Too bad it's not played as much anymore. Sadly as well Aquapazza came out near the tail end of the year and before the holiday rush so it went unnoticed. If you like fighters and are looking for something new, Aquapazza should be able to fix that itch. And who knows, maybe it'll appear at Evo this year. Heck, Persona 4 Arena did the year before.

And those are my thoughts on the games I played this past year. If there were some that weren't mentioned here I probably haven't had a chance to check it out. Shin Megami Tensei IV, I will get you soon since I just got a 3DS. All of these games are readily available at stores near you.