Another Weekend at Home.

Maybe I should curl up in my bed and get some rest?
Maybe I should curl up in my bed and get some rest?

Heyos Everyones!!

It’s been a rough week, and I’m still coping with everything. It wouldn’t be so bad, but waking up at 5:00 in the morning isn’t something I’m used to, so I’m usually tired immediately after work, and my schedule gets all messed up. Anyways, it’s a new week, and a new song has been added to the sidebar. The last song was Tori no Uta by Lia, the OP for the visual novel AIR. I rather enjoy this week’s tune, although I really didn’t know that this song existed as an actual song until recently.

Two reviews will be up before the end of this week, as I really don’t care about timing and whatnot. I should have a new game review, and an anime review from a series I’ve seen in the past. I hope it’ll add a spin on reviews that you’ll all enjoy. On another note, there haven’t been any new tracks for MapleStory, but I do need to fix some links as they aren’t working at the moment. In addition, the full pack will be updated soon enough.

You won’t find any new videos on my youtube account because my soundcard decided to die on me recently. Onboard Audio just doesn’t compare to the quality of an actual soundcard. Yet again, I don’t know how good my onboard audio is, but whatever. I hope you all enjoy this wonderful Saturday! Sleep in if you can, as it’s very enjoyable!

-Ace

October? No wai!

Assistroids seems to act like droids in "Star Wars"
Assistroids seems to act like droids in "Star Wars"

Heyos Everyones!

Yeah yeah, it’s finally (or already) October! Hard to believe time’s been going by so fast, but I guess that happens when you have work and school together. I’ve been spending my spare time watching anime and playing Pokemon Black, but I’ve really been taking my time with both of those, as school has gotten the better of me. I think I may slack off a little too much when I really shouldn’t. But, what can you do, you know?

Anyways, I’m working on the forum a little bit, as well as developing the Dowase Games portion of the site a bit more. But really, I’m not doing too much. I can’t seem to get my recording process to work, disabling me from finishing AIR Flight, and so I’ve just spent time with my family, games and anime. I’ve finished K-On!!, and Asobi ni Iku yo!, both decent series that I can finally put to rest. Well, K-On! just had to announce a movie, as if the series wasn’t milked enough. I’ll be honest, I loved K-On!, but now KyoAni needs to move toward something new, preferably something that isn’t Slice of Life, but alas, it seems their new series involves yet another manga, one that reminds me of Lucky Star. I don’t hate these series, but I greatly preferred Clannad, AIR, and Kanon to these series. Maybe it was because the story was written by Key?

I may post my impressions on the fall season, but that’ll have to wait until tomorrow. I’m getting ready for bed, as I have work at 6AM in the morning, and I really don’t want to be caught slacking. Seeya’s Everyones!

-Ace

Another Week Ends.

Although not in HG/SS, she will be missed.
Although not in HG/SS, she will be missed.
Heyos Everyones!

I know, it’s been awhile since I was able to post again, and my videos kinda stopped. Two reasons for that. One, school has been hell this week, and two, POKEMON BLACK. It’s an awesome game, and most definitely worth the money to get it. I’m close to beating it, and my friend who has White completely beat the game yesterday. I’ve been working hard to figure out the story more so than progress in the game, so I’ve been taking my time with it.

The song of the week has changed. Last weeks (1) was the Title Screen of the popular MMO Survival Project. Of course, it wasn’t popular enough to still be alive. I really wish I had the opportunity to purchase the rights to publish the game in the United States, but I don’t really have a representative to work with me on it. So, that goes down the drain. This weeks song will be revealed next week, so try your best to figure out the tune!

I don’t really have too much to talk about now. I’ve also been playing the SA1 port for Xbox 360 alongside Pokemon, as well has spending my mornings working. There also won’t be a post or video tomorrow, because I’m going to the Waterpark. Yeah, in AZ, we can still go until the beginning of November. It really doesn’t get that cold in this part of Arizona, which I hope to get away from in the near future. Anyways, have fun, and I hope to begin my anime reviews in the near future, because the new season starts before you know it!

-Ace

Weekend Excitement

I didn't post this just because it's Sunday...
I didn't post this just because it's Sunday...
Heyos Everyones!

I’ve been busy at work, both at my actual workplace and at home, working on various projects for the site and whatnot. In addition, I’ve continued to post videos on my youtube account, due to most of my technical problems being fixed. However, I’m also waiting anxiously for my Pokemon Black game to come in the mail, as it’s been shipped from Play-Asia. If you want to play one of the new Pokemon Games, although in Japanese, it’s a great site to do so. I pre-ordered Pokemon HeartGold from them a year ago, and it was truly a great experience playing the game before anyone else in my area. A great way to work on your Japanese as well, if you so wish to learn it.

I plan on working more on the Dowase forum and Doujin Game page, adding more games and working on more visual aspects, to really make the site flow with the blog and whatnot. I hope the changes will find you well, as it’s difficult managing two different applications and merging them into one. I also plan to have the Dowase contact page working soon, as I believe it may have been causing errors before.

I don’t really have much to explain for the weekend. My friend ordered Pokemon White to accompany me in the game, and we’ll be getting it the same day (Tomorrow). With that anticipation and my work toward the site, I didn’t really do too much over the weekend. If you’re bored, or have some time, feel free to check out my newest Let’s Play, and if you enjoy it, please subscribe and watch my other videos!

(Part Two)

Thanks,
Ace

-AIR- Flight : Review

-AIR- Flight : A doujin game resembling Flicky for the SEGA Master System.
-AIR- Flight : A doujin game resembling Flicky for the SEGA Master System.

As a Sega fanatic growing up, I had many opportunities to play the wonderful game known as Flicky, a wonky silly game that involved a bird saving other birds. A fun arcade-esque game for the Master System, made for those nights you had nothing better to do than beat your old high score. Although most newer games seem to forget those youthful days, there are still a handful of games (including “doujin” games) that remain faithful to the unlimited replay value in arcade games.

-AIR- Flight takes gameplay from Flicky, and adds the “anime” style from AIR to make a wonderful game filled with nostalgia,  yet fresh enough to feel like a different game. Before I go any further into the review, I’ll explain what a Doujin Game really is. A Doujin Game defines as a “self-published work” based on other creations or ideas. -AIR- Flight defines itself as a Doujin Game in two ways: It plays like the classic game Flicky, and it borrows the characters, settings, and ideas from the graphic novel, AIR. (Which I also would recommend checking out, as it’s a fantastic VN with an outstanding story.)

Misuzu has to be my absolute favorite character ever. EVER.

Gameplay
-AIR- Flight plays much like the old game Flicky, as can be told by the mechanics of the game. Basically, you’re saving your companions from silly enemies ranging from cats, stuffed dinosaurs, and chickens, just to name a few. Luckily, you have various items (Cups, stars, etc) you can toss at those “enemies” to stop them dead in their tracks. In addition, if any “enemy” touches you, you lose a life. If they touch your friends while they are following you, then they run away and you have to gather them again. The goal of the game is to take all of your friends, and bring them back to the door (Exit), as fast as you can, with as many as you can at a time, while still “killing” the “enemies” and gaining bonus items like invincibility, 2x bonus, and extra lives. Unlike Flicky, -AIR- Flight gives the option of three players: Misuzu Kamio, Kano Kirishima, or Minagi Tohno. Each character, surprisingly, utilizes different physics than the others. Misuzu and Kano seem to be more agile, whereas Minagi has more force and momentum when moving. It truly provides a unique playthough with each character. -AIR- Flight also contains a bonus round at each of the rounds ending in five (5, 15, 25, etc.). These bonus rounds have been adapted almost exactly from the original Flicky, with little to no changes from the original. However, at each round ending with zero (10, 20, 30, etc.), there contains a special boss that you must defeat. The bosses seem simple at first, and later begin to get irritating and annoying, yet aren’t unfair enough to cause reason to blame the game.

Boss time with Haruko!
Boss time with Haruko!

Music
The game takes the fantastic AIR soundtrack and amplifies it into music suitable for gaming. I absolutely love the boss theme and the remix of “Tori no Uta”, which by itself is a fantastic song. If you loved the original soundtrack for the game, then you will love this. I would provide samples for the soundtrack, but I can’t extract the songs from the data file. Sorry. =(

Re-playability
-AIR- Flight shines as an arcade “time wasting” game, where the main objective is to beat the top score. Countless methods to rack up your score exist in the game, from the bonus rounds to combo chains. The game contains three levels of difficulty, yet on normal difficulty the game proves to be very difficult during the later half of the game. You can easily find yourself racking up continues attempting one simple boss. However, score attack mode proves to be the more re-playable, as it consists of bringing as many of your “friends” back to the exit in huge chains, without dying and destroying the “enemies”. Score attack doesn’t end until you die, allowing points to reach high, high numbers, and challenges between friends.

Doggie Train!!
Doggie Train!!

Presentation
-AIR- Flight consists of 50 levels in the Story mode, and three different levels to choose from in Score Attack mode. For a doujin game, -AIR- Flight covers so many little details that it’s hard to tell that the game was created by a small team. Little additions to each characters Game Over pose, to the door they enter the room in. In addition, visual changes are included with each character. For example, Misuzu collects crows (If you have seen AIR, you can relate the crows to Sora, a main character in the later half of the series), Kano collects Potato (Her pet dog), and Minagi collects her “friend”, Michiru. The designer polished the game so well, and as a result the game definitely shines.

Overall Rating
-AIR- Flight excels as a tribute game to Flicky, and as a doujin game for AIR. The gameplay leaves the player attempting multiple times to beat their score, beat the boss, or even passing a simple level. The game, although hard, generously gives players many attempts to beat levels or bosses (You have unlimited continues), and sends off a vibe you wouldn’t expect from a doujin game, in a good way. I love AIR, and this game just made me love it even more. If you enjoyed Flicky or the Visual Novel (or Anime) AIR, then you should definitely check this out.

The game adds humor to the game, even in Game Over!
The game adds humor to the game, even in Game Over!

Download is available here.

-Ace

Long Day to do nothing.

*Munch* *Munch*

Heyos Everyones!!

I intended to post it yesterday, but when you finish with introductions, it’s actually decently hard to find things to write about, especially when all you do is travel to work. At least today I traveled to school as well, so it was a little more exciting. But nothing really to write about. I do plan on writing some reviews later today, so look forward to those. I plan on doing Video Game reviews, followed by anime reviews, once the next season starts and I get in a better position to write things like that.

The MapleStory soundtrack may be missing one or two songs, but that’s it. It’s up to date. Feel free to download the tracks as you like.

-Ace

Mixed Schedules

I don't play hard enough in Super Smash Bros. Brawl.

Heyos Everyones!

I tried sticking to a post per day schedule, but it seems to get messed up real easy. The best times for me to post are in the morning, but I end up working at 6 A.M most mornings, so it really messes me up on when I should post and whatnot. Anyways, I’ve updated the MapleStory Soundtrack with new songs, such as the new Lionheart Castle just released in kMS. Check it out if you want the new musics, as there are no restrictions on downloading songs from Dowase Games anymore.

Wednesday, I only have one class, Japanese, so it isn’t much of a big day. I went with my friends and we ended up playing more Super Smash Bros, with me being the loser as usual. The sad thing is the fact I used to be the best at the game, but now it seems I can’t even beat my friends anymore. T.T Yesterday was pretty unproductive though, so not much to say there.

I just now watched the 11th episode of Okami-san, and I must say, it ended a bit earlier than I expected. I wanted the fight to drag on longer, as the way it finished was lame as hell. HotD was decent, but didn’t beat last weeks amazing performance. I still haven’t watched this weeks K-On!!, so I have nothing to say in regards to that.

Next week I’ll start writing reviews for anime and games, so hopefully that’ll add more readability to the site. Other than that, enjoy this Thursday, and have a great day!
-Ace

Time for another week!

Hinagiku!!

Heyos Everyones!

How was everyone’s Labor Day? Did you enjoy it as much as I did? I unfortunately worked for a mere four hours, but other than that it was excellent! Playing some Grand Theft Auto IV with my best friend, playing Family Feud for the Wii with my family and friends, and even simple things as going to get food were fun and exciting.

When my friend comes over to play some games and such, we usually end up playing some GTA IV, Mario Kart, or Brawl. We ended up playing Brawl and GTA IV, so it was all good. Some fun moments were had, and we quickly finished our GTA session. Easy way to vent out anger, and trust me when I say, we really vent our anger out in this game. But then again, isn’t the game best when you do stupid shit and deal as much mayhem as possible before getting killed or arrested?

We later then went to Taco Bell, which later ended up a disaster because we forgot our debit cards, and ended up having to leave empty handed. Mine was really at the house, where as his was under the car seat the whole time. >.>. Not to mention the Chicken Burrito isn’t in the $.99 menu anymore, which caused much disappointment. Due to that predicament, we traveled to DQ to get something sweet with our debit cards. The ride home ended up being about how my blizzard contained more ice cream than his, because it was spilling over in my car as I was driving back. =/

Family Feud for the Wii isn’t necessarily a bad game. It isn’t the best family game around, but it is fun to play. I don’t know why they didn’t program the use of Mii’s into the game, and make you use the lame characters they created for the game. It’s made the same way as Press your Luck or Price is Right, but it’s not too bad. We had a lot of fun, although the survey’s were a bit difficult to find the top answers for the questions. All in all, it was fun.

The day ended with a Brawl session, with me losing the first tournament. We later attempted 100 man melee, which we beat with ease. Unfortunately, the 15-minute brawl wasn’t an accomplishment achieved this time, but we did get 9 minutes in without dying. Cruel Brawl took the rest of the night, with our top co-op score being 3. O.o

In the end, it was a great day yesterday. Unfortunately, I have a Hiragana quiz today, and I can’t say I remember the look of the one’s I’m supposed to remember. Regardless, I’ll try my best. =) Have a good Tuesday!
-Ace

Long Weekend, that it was.

Who doesn't love Judith?

Heyos!

It’s been a hell of a weekend, but I’m done with my weekend work! Now it’s time to sit back and relax for some anime and games! I don’t have anything to watch at the moment, as I believe I’m caught up, but I do plan on playing some games with my friends. I’m also working on my youtube channel, trying to get some new Let’s Play videos up. It really depends on how I work things out. Regarding the site, I believe the soundtrack will be 100% up to day bu this Tuesday, depending on how much I study for my Hiragana test in Japanese.

Nothing really noteworthy between these last few days. We’ve been having a Labor Day sidewalk sale at Fry’s, and grilling some baby back ribs for the occasion. We’ve also been working on multiple fruit trays, so I’ve been busy all around. Hard to believe it’s already September though, time really does fly like crazy.

Hopefully I’ll have more to talk about tomorrow, but with work and all, it’s been really mellow and such. School is really when I get my energy back, so my posts will be more lively during the week. Hell, if I can get some videos up, they’ll be more lively than my posts (At least, until I perhaps start writing reviews, which I may just start doing next season.)

Stay cool,
Acev