What a busy week...
Busy week. The Collab get together on Wednesday at the Log Cabin was really very nice. I thought I'd stay for an hour, be home by 7:30 in time to watch House but I ended up hanging out with the performance art students till 10:30 at night. That was really cool. The day had been smokey but it cleared up and at 6:30 a change came, which was very pleasant. And the view over the Nepean River was really very beautiful. I'd never seen it from that angel before.
I really enjoyed myself and I am glad I was saddled with such genuinely nice and interesting people for my collab project.
On Thursday I lived one of my dreams and did Archery. I've been wanting to get into it since I was 11. This is why I am glad I have friends. I lack motivation. I like doing things with people. Rowena took up Archery week before last, after having found a love for it at the same time as I, if not earlier even. I went with Ro, Mark and my cousin, Christiane. We had rather a lot of fun once we got the hang of it. Except for Ro who was already a pro :p
I loved learning it. I love the satisfaction of putting all of Nick's (our teacher) advice and guidance into practice. At the end of it all I was hitting the center of the target several times. I even managed to pop a baloon thatw as attached later on. It is nice, it is beautiful. I don't know what drew me to it in the first place. Maybe it's something primal? It does feel elegant and graceful though. Peaceful and the technical side of it interests me. It really is strange how the position of your hand that you draw back with has such a huge impact on where the arrow lands. Before we were half way through though my fingers were killing me. Nick gave us some finger tabs, which I was more than greatful for. It's amazing how much strength you need in your arms, how much you have to think about your posture, placing everything in the right position and do it all quickly, aligning yourself, so that you can hit the target properly. It takes a considerable amount of arm strength. And my arms did hurt afterward. My right shoulder feels funny too. Next time Ili will do warm ups.
Because, yes... there shall be a next time :)
Friday was eventful in a not very eventful day. My counsin left for Austria again. She didn't want to go back there at all, poor thing. The main big news though is that that morning something very special arrived in the main.
Oh yeah baby. Ili got Final Fantasy 12. Many thanks to
arklan who is somethign like my drug smugler now. Only without the smuggling, as it's all very legal. I have the special edition which comes in this spiffy tin and is a double disc with a DVD full of bonus material. He knows how much appreciate him doing this for me ^^
Of course I jumped straight onto the game, with much glee. I've clocked 11 hours on the game now so my impressions have something to really draw from now. The game is of course visually stunning.
Look at the detail... um, click on the pictures to view the larger version. That's a Bangaa by the way :D
Look at the detail! GAAH! Detail! Drooble! (that's an old King man, btw :p ) It's come a long way since FFX. Amazing what 5 years can do. But anywho... 12 has a real epic and grand feel to it. There is something exciting about the fact that it is set in a definative world. The world of Ivalice. Home of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Advanced. I've only played a wee bit of Tactics Advanced... it was in fact my first ever Final Fantasy game I do think. I remember because I didn't know what the hell things like Esuna and a Pheonix Down was. Anyway... point being... Ivalice is great. I think there is a real strength in having a set out world. It creates history and nostalgia. There are creative peremetres to work within.
The world of Ivalice is one steeped in war. Two waring countries, the Archadian Empire and Rozzaria are fighting it out between each other. The kingdom of Dalmasca is stuck in the middle of it and soon gets subjucated by Archadia. This is the story of the powers who fight this war, and why.
This is a view of Archadia.
Purdy, in' she?! So yes... you follow Vaan around, who is living on the streets of Rabanastre, after he and everyone else was displaced from their homes in Dalmasca. Vaan wants to become a Sky Pirate. He's very big on taking back what is rightfully his peoples stuff. He's got some weird logic that basically allows him to steal from rich people without the guilt :D
That's Vaan up there. Yeah... I know. Tidus look-a-like much? But he's actualy way cooler than Tidus, which is good coming from me, coz I actually did like Tidus. Vaan is less annoying and whiney. He knows all the street kids and is friends with Penelo, whom I know next to nothing about, except that she lives on the streets with Vaan and that she can take care of herself. Good thing is... she isn't hyperactive or super cute. She seems down to earth and not very quirky. What's wrong? A non hyper cute girl in a Japanese game? WOAH!
And Penelo is the same age as Vaan, 17. Maybe that's it. She's mature and such. Also quite useful in battles. I do encourage you all to click on the images for larger quality, because the details are really great to look at.
Your other maiin characters are Basch:
A loyal knight of Dalmasca who... is a bit shadey.
Ashe:
That's Ashe in the veil by the way. Her wedding. How bootiful!
Balthier and Fran:
Do click on this for full size. It's awesome.
Fran is a Viera and sex on legs in a beasty form. What I love most about her is her voice. I can't explain it well. It's... so awesome. Really strange and a bit creepy. I'm so glad she doesn't sound like a normal human, since.. well she isn't even human :D
And that there is Balthier, he's a Sky Pirate and has such hot pants. Not actual hot-pants. But hot pants. Because he is sex on legs in a man form. And just to show my devotion...
"Come Hither" *fawns and licks his pinkie*
No.. I didn't actually screencap or do anything to that picture. That's just how I found it online. My devotion lies in spamming my LJ with pictures of his sexy self. Balthier is hot *giggles like a school girl* He's so ... can't explain. He's really charming, has a british accent, is all... he's a sky pirate! That's all I can and will say.
Here's a group photo of Balthier, Ashe and Fran, all on one hell of a cool bike.
Click to enlarge.
Other impressions of the game besides a pretty nifty set of main characters... well this game feels like an MMORPG. If anyone has ever glimpes FFXI it's like that. It has this feel because the enemies are all visible. You run around and just attack as you go past the creatures. What's also cool is that when you have party members you have them running behind you. Makes me instantly feel less alone, especially when in dark dungeons.
This all comes into play when you consider this dreaded Gambit system. It's not that difficult to get your head around it when you can actually see how it works. If anyone here has played Kingdom Hearts it's a fair comparison. You could set Goofy and Donalds actions to determin how much they wouldf attack, use magic or how often they would heal. The Gambit system is just a very complicated version of that. One way to think about it is in the way of a normal ATB battles of previous FF games. You select your attack and then the target. With the Gambit you merely bypass having to imput the same moves over and over again. You can set a gambit so your character, upon seeing an enemy will attack it, steal from it, cast a spell on it from the very start without you having to do much of anything. You can also set the prioritys of gambits. So for example, if you're fighting something all your party attacks, but if someones HP falls below 70% someone with a set gambit for healing will then heal the dying character once they finished their current move, if you set healing as the biggest priority. You get a lot of custimasation form the Gambit system because... well you have to see it to believe it. The menu for customisation is huge. You can buy all sorts of gambits. Of course you don't start off with all of them, they gradually build up as the story progresses. I'm still not sure how I feel about this system. I'm struggling with the fast pace of it all and the fact that earlier today I was running around a dungeon where the enemies made consecutive group attacks, so my entire party was dying and I coudln't generate MP quick enough. WHich brings me to the fact that when you run around your MP restocks, which is a god send, as ethers are always such a rarity.
Levelling up is also alright. They introduced a 'license' system which basically acts as your skills accquisition. It's only a bit crap because if you want to use a specific weapon you need to have the weapon in your inventory but then you have to get the license before you can actually equip it. Same goes for magick. You need to buy the magick first and even then you can't use it till you have found where the license for it is on this infernal chess board layout.
The game play is fun. The characters interesting, the surroundings visually pleasing, the music quite good and the plot... well it's thickening. I am very excited about this game because
arklan who normally finished these games in 30 or so hours is now clocking up to 60 hours and still hasn't reached the end. Finally... a game that seems to promisingly be long. All the games I have played I've managed to finish within 50 hours tops, with the exception of FFX. 101 glorious hours in the world of Spira, ahhhh those were the days!
So I am enjoying and also looking forward to playing this game. And look how cute the Moogles are!
The camping trip for Ro's party was a blast. Really, it was. We sang lots of songs and were being stupid. Kylie and I collected firewood. We had a bonfire, roasted marshmellows over it. There were many a lame jokes being told. Then one of Ro's friends, Heather, pulled out some drums and firetwirling materials and the party was really on. I happily bashed away at the drums while people did firetwirling and swinging around these neon coloured balls that changed colour. Ro danced around and it was all good. We saw a baby snake and played Spotlight for a bit in the dark of night. The sky was clear, the fire burnt, there were other campers, but we felt like we were the only ones there. It was beautiful and magical and peaceful. There was good company. It was a special night. We slept in tents, the floor was hard, the sleepingbag hot. I woke up and was wide awake but a few hours later I took an hour long nap. We packed up and then left for our respective homes.
It was really nice. It's good to be in good company. I also didn't get a sunburn and no mossy bites. I applied my creams good :D
Tomorrow I'm going into the city in the arvo to meet up with some people from Supanova and we're gonna go to the movies for free. Yeay!
Ja Ne!
I really enjoyed myself and I am glad I was saddled with such genuinely nice and interesting people for my collab project.
On Thursday I lived one of my dreams and did Archery. I've been wanting to get into it since I was 11. This is why I am glad I have friends. I lack motivation. I like doing things with people. Rowena took up Archery week before last, after having found a love for it at the same time as I, if not earlier even. I went with Ro, Mark and my cousin, Christiane. We had rather a lot of fun once we got the hang of it. Except for Ro who was already a pro :p
I loved learning it. I love the satisfaction of putting all of Nick's (our teacher) advice and guidance into practice. At the end of it all I was hitting the center of the target several times. I even managed to pop a baloon thatw as attached later on. It is nice, it is beautiful. I don't know what drew me to it in the first place. Maybe it's something primal? It does feel elegant and graceful though. Peaceful and the technical side of it interests me. It really is strange how the position of your hand that you draw back with has such a huge impact on where the arrow lands. Before we were half way through though my fingers were killing me. Nick gave us some finger tabs, which I was more than greatful for. It's amazing how much strength you need in your arms, how much you have to think about your posture, placing everything in the right position and do it all quickly, aligning yourself, so that you can hit the target properly. It takes a considerable amount of arm strength. And my arms did hurt afterward. My right shoulder feels funny too. Next time Ili will do warm ups.
Because, yes... there shall be a next time :)
Friday was eventful in a not very eventful day. My counsin left for Austria again. She didn't want to go back there at all, poor thing. The main big news though is that that morning something very special arrived in the main.
Oh yeah baby. Ili got Final Fantasy 12. Many thanks to
arklan who is somethign like my drug smugler now. Only without the smuggling, as it's all very legal. I have the special edition which comes in this spiffy tin and is a double disc with a DVD full of bonus material. He knows how much appreciate him doing this for me ^^
Of course I jumped straight onto the game, with much glee. I've clocked 11 hours on the game now so my impressions have something to really draw from now. The game is of course visually stunning.
Look at the detail... um, click on the pictures to view the larger version. That's a Bangaa by the way :D
Look at the detail! GAAH! Detail! Drooble! (that's an old King man, btw :p ) It's come a long way since FFX. Amazing what 5 years can do. But anywho... 12 has a real epic and grand feel to it. There is something exciting about the fact that it is set in a definative world. The world of Ivalice. Home of Final Fantasy Tactics and Tactics Advanced. I've only played a wee bit of Tactics Advanced... it was in fact my first ever Final Fantasy game I do think. I remember because I didn't know what the hell things like Esuna and a Pheonix Down was. Anyway... point being... Ivalice is great. I think there is a real strength in having a set out world. It creates history and nostalgia. There are creative peremetres to work within.
The world of Ivalice is one steeped in war. Two waring countries, the Archadian Empire and Rozzaria are fighting it out between each other. The kingdom of Dalmasca is stuck in the middle of it and soon gets subjucated by Archadia. This is the story of the powers who fight this war, and why.
This is a view of Archadia.
Purdy, in' she?! So yes... you follow Vaan around, who is living on the streets of Rabanastre, after he and everyone else was displaced from their homes in Dalmasca. Vaan wants to become a Sky Pirate. He's very big on taking back what is rightfully his peoples stuff. He's got some weird logic that basically allows him to steal from rich people without the guilt :D
That's Vaan up there. Yeah... I know. Tidus look-a-like much? But he's actualy way cooler than Tidus, which is good coming from me, coz I actually did like Tidus. Vaan is less annoying and whiney. He knows all the street kids and is friends with Penelo, whom I know next to nothing about, except that she lives on the streets with Vaan and that she can take care of herself. Good thing is... she isn't hyperactive or super cute. She seems down to earth and not very quirky. What's wrong? A non hyper cute girl in a Japanese game? WOAH!
And Penelo is the same age as Vaan, 17. Maybe that's it. She's mature and such. Also quite useful in battles. I do encourage you all to click on the images for larger quality, because the details are really great to look at.
Your other maiin characters are Basch:
A loyal knight of Dalmasca who... is a bit shadey.
Ashe:
That's Ashe in the veil by the way. Her wedding. How bootiful!
Balthier and Fran:
Do click on this for full size. It's awesome.
Fran is a Viera and sex on legs in a beasty form. What I love most about her is her voice. I can't explain it well. It's... so awesome. Really strange and a bit creepy. I'm so glad she doesn't sound like a normal human, since.. well she isn't even human :D
And that there is Balthier, he's a Sky Pirate and has such hot pants. Not actual hot-pants. But hot pants. Because he is sex on legs in a man form. And just to show my devotion...
"Come Hither" *fawns and licks his pinkie*
No.. I didn't actually screencap or do anything to that picture. That's just how I found it online. My devotion lies in spamming my LJ with pictures of his sexy self. Balthier is hot *giggles like a school girl* He's so ... can't explain. He's really charming, has a british accent, is all... he's a sky pirate! That's all I can and will say.
Here's a group photo of Balthier, Ashe and Fran, all on one hell of a cool bike.
Click to enlarge.
Other impressions of the game besides a pretty nifty set of main characters... well this game feels like an MMORPG. If anyone has ever glimpes FFXI it's like that. It has this feel because the enemies are all visible. You run around and just attack as you go past the creatures. What's also cool is that when you have party members you have them running behind you. Makes me instantly feel less alone, especially when in dark dungeons.
This all comes into play when you consider this dreaded Gambit system. It's not that difficult to get your head around it when you can actually see how it works. If anyone here has played Kingdom Hearts it's a fair comparison. You could set Goofy and Donalds actions to determin how much they wouldf attack, use magic or how often they would heal. The Gambit system is just a very complicated version of that. One way to think about it is in the way of a normal ATB battles of previous FF games. You select your attack and then the target. With the Gambit you merely bypass having to imput the same moves over and over again. You can set a gambit so your character, upon seeing an enemy will attack it, steal from it, cast a spell on it from the very start without you having to do much of anything. You can also set the prioritys of gambits. So for example, if you're fighting something all your party attacks, but if someones HP falls below 70% someone with a set gambit for healing will then heal the dying character once they finished their current move, if you set healing as the biggest priority. You get a lot of custimasation form the Gambit system because... well you have to see it to believe it. The menu for customisation is huge. You can buy all sorts of gambits. Of course you don't start off with all of them, they gradually build up as the story progresses. I'm still not sure how I feel about this system. I'm struggling with the fast pace of it all and the fact that earlier today I was running around a dungeon where the enemies made consecutive group attacks, so my entire party was dying and I coudln't generate MP quick enough. WHich brings me to the fact that when you run around your MP restocks, which is a god send, as ethers are always such a rarity.
Levelling up is also alright. They introduced a 'license' system which basically acts as your skills accquisition. It's only a bit crap because if you want to use a specific weapon you need to have the weapon in your inventory but then you have to get the license before you can actually equip it. Same goes for magick. You need to buy the magick first and even then you can't use it till you have found where the license for it is on this infernal chess board layout.
The game play is fun. The characters interesting, the surroundings visually pleasing, the music quite good and the plot... well it's thickening. I am very excited about this game because
arklan who normally finished these games in 30 or so hours is now clocking up to 60 hours and still hasn't reached the end. Finally... a game that seems to promisingly be long. All the games I have played I've managed to finish within 50 hours tops, with the exception of FFX. 101 glorious hours in the world of Spira, ahhhh those were the days!
So I am enjoying and also looking forward to playing this game. And look how cute the Moogles are!
The camping trip for Ro's party was a blast. Really, it was. We sang lots of songs and were being stupid. Kylie and I collected firewood. We had a bonfire, roasted marshmellows over it. There were many a lame jokes being told. Then one of Ro's friends, Heather, pulled out some drums and firetwirling materials and the party was really on. I happily bashed away at the drums while people did firetwirling and swinging around these neon coloured balls that changed colour. Ro danced around and it was all good. We saw a baby snake and played Spotlight for a bit in the dark of night. The sky was clear, the fire burnt, there were other campers, but we felt like we were the only ones there. It was beautiful and magical and peaceful. There was good company. It was a special night. We slept in tents, the floor was hard, the sleepingbag hot. I woke up and was wide awake but a few hours later I took an hour long nap. We packed up and then left for our respective homes.
It was really nice. It's good to be in good company. I also didn't get a sunburn and no mossy bites. I applied my creams good :D
Tomorrow I'm going into the city in the arvo to meet up with some people from Supanova and we're gonna go to the movies for free. Yeay!
Ja Ne!