gamblyseltzer

I can’t kill the Golem, Kupo! Run, Kupo! NOPE. Look, Kurasame even came in to help because I was winning!

Oh shit, here we go again… (There was a casualty, I accidentally summoned Ifrit on Ace, so I handled the rest of the mission as Trey! But I killed the second Golem.)

Phantasy Star Online 2 was announced for a US release, via PC and XBox One!

This has always been my favorite MMORPG series, probably because the story doesn’t drone out, and is paced nicely. Plus the games are very action and gear oriented, so I don’t feel like I’m being put on a pedestal for being at a good level, with a fantastic skill tree. Your efforts generally pay off from being a good treasure hunter in Phantasy Star Online games, and what you choose to actually do with your gear (you don’t have to be super high level with a great skill tree if you’ve made some great gear)! Also I love it that the game isn’t too much of a time consumer – it is paced well, so if you want a healthy lifestyle outside of the MMORPG, you’re free to have that.

Trust me I’ve tried Final Fantasy MMORPG, World of Warcraft, Ragnarok Online, Warhammer Online, Tree of Savior, and some free JMMORPG. But I always felt there was something lacking about the games, and I couldn’t really stay interested for more than a month. I’ll admit Warhammer managed to keep my interest the longest, because the story, quests, and bad guy classes were extraordinarily fun for me to play as – they didn’t give this unexplainable generic vibe that World of Warcraft classes gave me. Tree of Savior kept me engaged because it was open world and action based (made me think of Legend of Mana fused with Diablo)! But nothing has kept me engaged quite like Phantasy Star Online.

So I’m watching School Days. I have seen the ending episode before I started watching from the beginning! Also, I have never played the games and don’t intend on it. However, I was curious to see why this show was either said to be one of the best or worst anime ever made in the harem genre. Many will say it’s because of the ending, but if something gets a lot of hate, it really makes me want to look in to it. I’m the type of person once there’s a hype, I get tired of hearing about it, and that can affect something I really like. This anime just gets a lot of hate, so of course I need to know why.

I am not done watching the show yet. It is awfully dubbed and is definitely lost in translation. Also, the characters are in school so obviously they’re growing and don’t know what they want. I think the characters were made to be basic bitches in general, which might throw people off looking for cool characters, but that’s the point of the show – besides, most of us are basic bitches in some areas of life wether we like it or not (unless you’re a snowflake who fails to realize they are a basic bitch in areas of life). I would like to put emphasis on characters “don’t know what they want”.

I see Sekai getting a lot of hate all over the internet, but she’s the character I actually don’t mind. My reason is she is trying to set up Makoto and watch what love is really like, because she herself doesn’t trust it and doesn’t want to be vulnerable. Sekai does kiss Makoto very early in the show and I honestly took it as a test to see if he’s a good kisser, and to test her own kissing abilities. Yes, there are annoying things about her like she never stops talking for the life of her, and is very unaware of how she feels due to focusing on everyone else all the time. Also I don’t think she’s a psycho pushing herself in to other people’s lives like others think – I’m pretty sure Sekai is just trying to put herself out there and get to know people, because it’s high school, and she wants to build connections to help her out in life. Sekai is definitely a Tsundere, but I’ve found myself actually enjoying Tsundere archetypes over time, simply because they have stances on what they will/won’t take from other people’s behavior, and I respect that. Also I may be making a sweeping generalization here, but Tsundere actually have a lot of depth to who they are as characters (sometimes) – I prefer this over the shy, sweet character archetype because sometimes you never get to know them (and to be honest I have a personal bias, I like to befriend people who are nicer, louder than me, and have good social skills, because I personally grow being around these types of people). And this is where I want to talk about Makoto!

Yes, Makoto has no idea what he wants, he seems to be stuck in a void. He lacks social graces, tact, yet he is trying – he’s reading all the books he can get regarding dating, and talks to Sekai regularly because they sit next to one another in school. Makoto in general is a forward person and I think needs people to speak their mind to him, or he gets bored trying to figure out what they’re really thinking. Also Makoto really likes boobs, and the idea of having sex. I just want to say again, Makoto is in high school and doesn’t know what he wants either. This is why he’s trying to date in the first place. Now, the story does take you on a path where you are supposed to hate Makoto, and does a pretty good job at doing this, but I wouldn’t say this is anything out of the ordinary for someone constantly getting “mixed signals” from the person he is trying to date.

Kotonoha is the shy, quiet, sweet, yet awkward girl. She is great at giving mixed signals and not speaking her thoughts. Kotonoha also suspected Makoto of liking Sekai from the very beginning, now this is where I would say drop him and let him figure it out himself, if it’s too obvious (which is kind of is to most of the characters in the show). However, Makoto is good at making it seem like he will go out of his way for Kotonoha and spending time with her, noting he only spends a lot of time with Sekai because they sit next to one another in class. I would like to note sometimes guys choose the shy, quiet, sweet girl because she supposedly seems like she will not give him any shit down the line.

I would like to note, in long-term relationships, I’ve noticed men and sometimes women becoming too comfortable in the relationship to the point they stop initiating things, initiating contact as much, or making as much time for one another, until out of no-where their partner blows up that they don’t feel cared for anymore. If this isn’t expressed, this is when things go south, or the partner breaks up with the other for watching porn and not bringing it up for whatever reason, hanging out with friends during their free time and not making time for the other, etc. Or maybe there is a legitimate lack of appreciation for certain things in the relationship, and it doesn’t get discussed, or someone is ignorant and refuses to believe that’s the case because they’re too in their comfort zone.

I want to note that Makoto is a bit too brazen in making things happen, and Kotonoha is queen of giving mixed signals (Sekai can do this as well). However, I’d like to end this here, and so far call the “mixed signals” on the characters being young and not fully aware of who they are yet. I need to finish watching School Days before I do any sort of review. I fall under the category, this show is so bad that it’s good in a bad way, and I definitely won’t be watching the show a second time once I am finished.

Persona 5 Thoughts:

Story: 10 out of 10

Gameplay: 10 out of 10

Graphics: 10 out of 10

Aesthetics Interaction: 10 out of 10

Music: 10 out of 10

Characters: I like them – The characters feel like interacting with real people to me, so I have my personal favoritism deep down!

So, I feel as though I can compare the past Persona games with these thoughts, because all of the areas are connected. For instance, you see the characters in Persona 3 visit Inaba, where Persona 4 takes place. There is also reference in Persona 5 that some of the characters from past Persona games have been in the area (though I’m personally miffed at no Akihiko reference at Protein Lovers Gym – that’s Hallmark Akihiko right there, unless it is reference to him but doesn’t bring him up). So take in mind when I make a cross-game comparison, it’s because it could have been a thing considering the past Persona characters could just take a train in to Persona 5 locations.

The story did re-use many themes from past games and I guess you could say “paraphrased” the situation with a similar concept. Past Persona games were filled with corrupted corporations, schools, yakuza, leaders, murderers, etc – just implemented differently in the other games. As far as I’m personally aware, the various Persona you can obtain have existed since Shin Megami Tensei and earlier Persona games. Social Links changed a bit – there were also different social links in past Persona games. There are still similarities with Social Links too, though, like being able to take a mortal blow for the main character, certain advantages over monsters, items, character playstyle, etc.

That aside, I submit that Persona 5 dove right in to the third eye concept – past games have always hinted at spirituality behind chakras and meditative/spiritual states of being. This combined with the fact you literally rely on the main character’s third eye makes the game all the more interesting! Atlus hung out in real areas of Japan and re-created them – people on Reddit have posted photos of these re-created areas. Taking the train is pretty much the same as taking the train if you were in Japan (I missed mine quite a few times due to being lost). The fact you can open up the Metaverse app in areas outside of dungeons is very third eye symbolism-heavy! You don’t need to go TV hopping in order to see Inaba in another multiverse, either, just rely on your third eye and Metaverse app, and boom! You see the truth happening around you via abstractions. So. recreating Japan and then making a Metaverse version of the areas you were in made the game stand out!

Persona 5’s battle system ended up being comprised of what everyone loved about the battle systems from the previous games. Lo and behold, you can start talking to monsters again to recruit them, or get something out of them. The only downside is it isn’t like older Persona characters where different characters in specific would have a different outcome talking to the monsters. I can’t recall Joker trying to teach anyone the art of manliness, but regardless, it was fun being able to interact with monsters more! I don’t think guns were really needed to exploit certain weaknesses unless a battle called for guns. Besides you had gun users in past games, but now everyone is entitled to a gun in this game which is perfectly fine.

Gameplay is much more interactive in Persona 5 – you aren’t for the most part wandering around what seems to be a cubicle maze, or a dungeon crawler. In fact, you now get to jump around in a fully decorated room, aside from just running through halls. You can also sneak around and stealth in your environment, which is a lot of fun! Since you are a Phantom Thief, there is also the chance of getting caught too many times, which is a nice feature added to a Persona game. While Persona 3 and 4 had potential for this kind of game play, I don’t think the Playstation 2 could have handled how graphics-heavy stealth is in addition to the environment.

Persona 5 has great music, with the soundtrack this time around focusing more on disco. Persona 4 had more of a pop vibe, Persona 3 rap, Persona 2 metal, and the original Persona focusing on techno. I can’t say a Persona game has ever had bad music – but music is such a subjective topic that I don’t want to dive into that too much. While I was a bit saddened that I didn’t see Shoji Meguro anywhere, I know he will be doing music for Persona 5 Royal, and he also did music for Persona 5: The Animation. Shoji Meguro is one of my favorite video game musicians, so to me not hearing Shoji Meguro is like hearing a Yoko Taro story re-told by someone that isn’t Yoko Taro. However, the music in Persona 5 is still fantastic and gets stuck in my head all the time!

I am going to dive too deeply into the characters here. This is because Waifu Wars is what really turned me off from Persona 5, which is why I like to say Yusuke is my Waifu. There was too much emphasis on ‘Waifu’ in general, because what kind of girl wouldn’t want to jump Joker’s D after hearing why he’s on probation? I personally wouldn’t just for that reason alone – I would need to also take in mind what Joker’s real personality is like ‘behind the mask.’ I have read that the third option in all dialogue is what Joker would actually say, so you can get a hint at what his personality is like through the events of the story. Keep in mind I read this somewhere on the internet from a fan so I’m not sure if it is 100% a legit fact or not. But I do want to say even though I’m female, Naoto is my all-time Persona Waifu, so Makoto obsessed nerds BRING IT ON hehe! I would kill to see a cat fight between The Detective Prince and Queen!

That being said, I did feel as though some characters in Persona 5 had more growth potential. Others seemed to be knockoff characters of previous Persona characters, but not written nearly as well. I know Atlus had a budget cut, and Hifumi was planned to be Queen originally (it was made fairly obvious the way her arc was written). It was like the story was leading to great character growth, and suddenly the character just sorta stays surface level (I think this was due to the budget cut and lack of time for Atlus). The only character who seemed to not be “tied” to the identity of being a Phantom Thief was Yusuke, like he didn’t need the ideals of being a Phantom Thief to shape his identity, though it did help his art perspectives that’s for sure! I feel as though I am not in a position to say more about Haru, as it was stated she is actually getting more screen time in Persona 5 Royale. Akechi seemed confident about his life outside of being a Phantom Thief as well, maybe a bit too much!

All in all, I would say play Persona 5! From personal observations, if Persona 5 is your first game from the series, the other games may not be as interesting (this was stated by many fans). Persona 3 was my favorite Persona game, though it is an older game and it shows quite a bit. I would suggest Persona 3 Portable, as you can play both Minato and Minako (the female protagonist). Persona 3 Portable gives you the option to date guys and see the story from your female friends perspective much easier than if you play as Minato. Though I would never say don’t play Persona 5, definitely give it a try! I have read some people cannot stand the characters in Persona 5, but even if you dislike the characters, I think the good gameplay would make playing the game worth it! There are games I’ve played and couldn’t stand the characters, but the gameplay was so much fun I couldn’t help but keep playing. I have also read that people adore the characters in Persona 5, so you could be one of those people! Persona 5 is a gem that I can say I figuratively would shove into my heart and keep there (don’t you dare try and steal my gem)!

(Song lyrics, written by me)

Once I was said to have the rise of a Queen,

You brought out the best in me to protect a kingdom

Passion, you protected the Queen, it was passionate

The Queen protected the foundation of her kingdom,

Until Queen was left in the corner like an old toy

The Queen was covered in cobwebs, can’t say you cared

You don’t understand how this crown became a curse,

May as well slipped poison in to my chalice,

I am an old soul , maybe I’m boring, maybe I’m always wrong

I enjoyed being Queen until the stigma was real, you have many Queens

So much passion, you left me with a fast food crown and grief, but I turned a leaf

Maybe I can’t write a song, but you’re still in the wrong,

Real people understand Queens are living breathing people,

Real people built me up to be a king!

Being real crushed your own king – CHECKMATE

I rose beyond your queens, expectations only placed on myself, the king

I am a king full of compassion and vigor

I am a king, built up by real people, to be the king – my own king

Now I build myself up, your queens were only cowards

The weak stick with the weak, afraid of those who are strong

I’m strong, my ties are gone, god don’t save the queen!

Unexpected gems built the king, gems you can’t see, you only see weak queens

Narrow minded and stubborn, you are weak while I am strong!

Don’t touch my gems with your toxic hands,

Especially my true gem, a gem sparkling with support,

The gem voted for a self-loving king, giving a crown filled with nutritious food

I recycled your fast food crown, like you recycle souls

Long live the king!