Wow. Where has the time been going? May seemed to have ended so quickly that I did not realize that we are in June now. I try to have these done by the first of each month, but yeah.

Games Finished

Continuing my trend from last month, I have found some success in finishing some games. There were a ton of games that I started playing this month, and that is where most of my time was spent. I am happy to say that the first game that I finished this month was one of the first four games that I got for my Nintendo 3DS back in 2013.

Shin Megami Tensei IV was a beast of a game for me at the time. I had played Person 3 and 4 at the time, and I got far in Strange Journey and Devil Survivor 2 before this game. Mainline Shin Megami Tensei games are known for their difficulty and interesting themes of law and chaos. My biggest difficulty in the game was getting lost all the time. I am terrible with geography and at the time, I refused to use a guide to help me through the game. What made things even more difficult was me landing the neutral ending on my first playthrough. Throughout the game, you have to answer questions and do actions that affect your alignment rating. You never see this rating throughout the game and you only get a hint to where it is from a guy at each Hunter’s Association. My alignment was toward the Chaos route during the last chapter before the lock. I based my choices and decisions toward Law during that chapter, and I was surprised that I landed the Neutral route. Unless you are using a guide, there about an 8% chance to get it. That is when the game really got hard, as I had to run around Tokyo and find random quest to fulfill the requirements for the main story. After all these years, I finally gave in and used a guide to get me through the side quest and put this game to rest. I highly recommend playing this game as the combat is satisfying and the amount of customization makes each playthrough unique (and you know since Shin Megami Tensei V is never coming out you might as well play the last good one).

The last game that I finished this month was Final Fantasy VII: Remake. I had thought about writing a separate post about this game, and I might eventually. I really enjoyed this game. I know that there is a lot of backlash from fans of the original game, but I knew from the start that this was not going to be a one-for-one remake of the original. The advertisements and interviews proved that, so I don’t understand why people say they were deceived by it. Anyhow, that is the topic for another post.

I really enjoyed atmosphere and music of the game. I played the original beforehand, but most of the beginning stuff faded with my terrible memory. I never really got the full atmosphere of Midgar in the original, but this game gave me a full understanding of the city and its people. I enjoyed all the little character moments and made a drinking game with Kat every time someone said the word “shit.” While some scenes felt campy, the original was weird and awkward at the same time. My favorite moment was have to be the Honey Bee Inn scene. Perfection.

I knew I was going to like the combat and I’m glad I was not disappointed for the most part. With a few more tweaks, I could see this as one of the best action RPG battle systems. I was worried that it was going to be a hack and slash feast, but there is a surprising amount of strategy that goes into each fight. Understanding enemy weaknesses plays a big role as bosses in this game do not play around like they did in the original. The different phases that they go into to protect weak spots and change tactics prevented me from shutting my brain off. I liked controlling Cloud most of the game, but I was surprise by Aerith’s gameplay that I found her enjoyable as well. I wanted to enjoy playing as Tifa and Barret, but for me at least, they felt situational and I avoided using them if I had to. The only other big complaint I have about the battle system is the camera. I already have a big problem with controlling the camera in most games, but I felt like the camera was not helping me during some fights. I tried adjusting them in the options, but I could not find a happy medium for me. Hopefully they fix this issue in the next game.

I am really looking forward to the next game in this side series. I did find things at the end to be weird and could have gone a different route to still reach the same conclusion. For someone who has no attachment whatsoever to the original Final Fantasy VII, I liked what I played and I’m looking forward to more of it.

Currently Playing

I have been in a Dark Souls mood lately. I have been playing DS2 by myself and DS1 with one of my good friends. Co-op Dark Souls is so much fun and getting through the game feels like a breeze. I will probably eat my words later, but DS2 feels easier than the previous. Maybe I have just grown as a player, but minus a few areas, this game has not been a problem for me.

Outside of Dark Souls, Me, Kat, and a friend of ours have gotten back into Overwatch. This is one of those games that I just enjoy playing with or without friends. The team aspect and the fact that I can play support is enough to make me keep playing.

Lastly, I started playing the first game in The Legend of Heroes: Kiseki series; Trials in the Sky. Trails in the Sky is charming and I feel in love quick. Since my computer was still out of commission, I bought the PSP version on my Vita. It…played. Something about PSP games on the Vita slows things down and add blurry resolutions. The PC version runs like a dream and has a turbo mode to speed things up. I’m normally not one to complain about graphics and whatnot, but if you decide to play these games, get the PC version.

New Additions

After playing heavy RPG games, I needed a break and branched out to other genres. I had the urge to play a shooter for once. Since my PC was under repairs, I bought Star Wars Battlefront II for the PS4. I enjoy it now that the pay to win stuff is out, but veteran players have a big advantage over newcomers. The game is free for PS Plus members for the month of June (of course something goes free after I buy it). A fun indie game that I bought was What the Golf? Developed by Triband, this is a fun game that uses golf physics (if golf physics is even a thing). You are given different objectives to get your “ball” to the goal. It is really fun and I have been enjoying it. The last game I acquired this month was Code Vein. I wanted to pick this up last year, but I am a cheapskate and like to wait for sales. Take Dark Souls and make them anime vampires. That is the vibe I get from it and I like it.

Plans For Next Month

I have no real big plans for this month. I have been doing secret Monster Hunter streams just so I can get comfortable with streaming. I’m lacking in the conversation department, but I hope the gameplay in Monster Hunter is entertaining enough for me to start small conversations. I normally will post on my Twitter when I go live. Other than that, I have a good feeling that I can finish one or two games this month. Nothing is really stopping me from doing so, although my mood plays a big part in that.

Numbers and Stats

May 2020
Games Finished: 2
Games Added: 3
Finish Total: 199
Total Collection: 684

Achievements Earned:
Steam: 8
PlayStation: 41

Most Played Game: Final Fantasy VII: Remake
Most Played Console: PlayStation 4

Current Games in Progress:
Dark Souls Remastered
Dark Souls 2
The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky
Monster Hunter World: Iceborne

Thanks for reading,

DanamesX

Since 2017, it feels like gaming has gotten bigger and more and more big titles have been released. 2020 doesn’t look different with people anticipating several big titles coming out this year. While there are some titles that I am drooling to get my hands on, I can’t help but also wonder what surprises are waiting for is. So with this short list, I want to let you know what I’m looking forward to and games I would like to be announced or released this year. I have no insight if any of my predictions will come true or not, but if so I would like to take credit for calling it first.

Game #1: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles Remastered

I admit I was upset when I heard that this was being pushed back later this year, but I am still excited to revisit this game. Crystal Chronicles is such a unique game that felt limited due to multiplayer setup. With the ability to play wireless and cross play with PS4 and mobile devices, this will bring the series back to the public eye.

Game #2: Persona 5 Royal

Going into Persona 5 the first time, I was blown away by the presentation and aesthetic of the game. However, after finishing it I felt that the enhanced version would suit my taste better than the original. While I still have no idea what new story elements and dungeons the game will add, I am excited to journey with the Phantom Thieves again (my wife will probably finish this game twice before I get the chance to…again).

Game #3: Animal Crossing New Horizons

I have a feeling that a lot of people will be lost on their own deserted island once this game comes out. All of the new customization tools look amazing and new elements like enhanced graphic details and tools will make this Animal Crossing the greatest yet.

Game #4: Final Fantasy VII Remake

I told myself that I was not going to get this until all the parts were released. But after watching the trailers and gameplay, I got to have it. This may cause blasphemy among my peers, but I have never beaten the original game (Sephiroth intimidated the hell out of me the first time). I want to play through the original before this comes out, so I will tell myself good luck with that.

Game #5: Persona 5 Scramble

I think I am more excited for this title than Royal at the moment. I enjoy a good mindless hack and slash game, and a Persona themed one sounds delightful.

Game #6: Ghost of Tsushima

I originally got Sekiro mix-up with this title and I really enjoyed Sekiro. I know the two games are not related, but playing another game that makes me feel like an unstoppable shinobi is all good with me!

Game #7: Tales of Arise

The Tales of series has always been one of my favorites, and it looks like they are pulling all the stunts for this game. I thought Zestiria and Berseria had beautiful graphics, but this makes them feel like early PS3 games. While we still know little about the game, it is a definite day one purchase for me.

Dream Announcement #1: Breath of the Wild 2 releasing Summer 2020

We first learned about Breath of the Wild 2 during Nintendo’s E3 presentation last June. While nothing about the story, gameplay, or anything else has come out since, we are all looking toward this game fixing some issues that we had with the first. Ah who am I kidding, this is Zelda! We will still love it anyway 🙂

Dream Announcement #2: Tales of Collection 1

Last year I completed my task of acquiring every Tales game that was released here in the states. So what better time than after I went through all of that work for Bandai Namco to announce a collection of the first four titles: Phantasia, Destiny, Eternia, and for the first time in the states, Destiny 2 (Eternia was renamed Destiny 2 in the states). This would make me stop everything that I was working on just to play though all of these again (hopefully the definitive versions of each).

Dream Announcement #3: Fire Emblem Echoes: The Blazing Saga

With the success of Three Houses, Nintendo could revisit their Echoes sub genre by remaking the the Gameboy Advance titles. Either bundle both Blazing Sword and Binding Blade together for one long epic title, or start with one and release the other down the road.

Dream Announcement #4: Dragon Quest IX DX

I remember last year that the developer of DQ9 were talking about the success of the game and everyone was like “GIVE US A REMAKE AKLSDFJAOGHOAKLFJ!” I was among those that screamed this and I want to believe that they were viewing the interest of a potential remastered version. This would make my younger brother happy as he adore that game and we had good times playing together. If any developer is reading this, please please please please please!

Dream Announcement #5: Super Jump Ultimate All-Stars Shippuden Gaiden

“ERROR 403: IMAGE WILL NEVER EXIST
Don’t stop believing

Bandai Namco apologizes for Jump Force by releasing the DS version of Jump Ultimate Stars to the Switch. There are no new features and the only added character is Minoru Mineta from My Hero Academia.

Dream Announcement #6: Golden Sun: Golden Dusk

Did anyone play Dark Dawn and remember the ending? When I first finished it I did not realize that I had reached the end. Then the credits rolled and I was like dafaq? Maybe one day we will see the release of all the games that have been lost emerge surprisingly this year and we return to our message board theories.

So what are some games that you are looking forward to this year? We are still in the beginning of this new year and decade so who knows what is in stored for us. Chances are after this post goes up, something amazing will be announced that will get me hyped (like Pokemon DLC).

Thanks for reading,

DanamesX