Mobile Pickup : Monument Valley

Let me talk about this interesting game that I've been playing. You can complete it all in one sitting, and it's called Monument Valley. You play a faceless Princess named Ida who is more or less on a pilgrimage. I won't lie. I'm still not entirely sure what this game is about, but it's a game that plays on perspectives. It works beautifully with illusions.

It's a very simple game in the actual style, but the execution is lovely. It reminds me of The Bridge in its own ways. The game is cute, and I think that's very much worth checking out.

Monument Valley is available for Apple devices and will soon be out for the Android. Be sure to visit the official home page for updates, fan art, and more.

Dragon Age Combo Pack [1 of 2].

I got my chance to somewhat play Dragon Age: Origins for the PC, but despite having less of a hands-on play, I got to be the spectator and watch the story and characters develop pretty well. From what I noticed, most of the universal romancing capability has been reserved for Dragon Age II. Aside from that, befriending or gaining the rivalry of your companions is infinitely easier in DA:O than it is in DA2. The gifts, which make this process a lot easier, are more abundant. And again, from what I've noticed, side quests that affect your companions approval seem to be in more supply as well.

The character models look more like Sims, and I've spent a great deal, probably to Andy's chagrin, comparing them both. The inability to properly emote is more hilarious than it is distracting. I agree well with the voice acting, though sometimes the character movements come off stiff and unfinished. The fighting is layered like a lot of games I've played on the PC. The use of hot keys makes things easier to navigate, but incurring damage and injuries are harder to treat as injury kits like to be scarce and poultices run out rather quickly.

Speaking of injuries, they're hilarious in their specification, especially since Alistair seems to carry "Cracked Skull" about like it's a trophy. I do like the companions in their own various ways, or I at least appreciate their skill class and abilities. Grinding came a lot easier, and running accidentally across mini bosses was no chore either. The enemies are douchebag, and the riddles are a bit more tasking. Sidebar: screw you, Morrigan.

Honestly, I do like the characters and the way things progressed for the most part. To the credit of BioWare, there are few things that I didn't like - very, very few. It was pleasantly surprised that the end credit song was 30 Seconds to Mars. I laughed a good bit, but it was actually pretty appropriate. As I had expressed in the last entry, it's been a long time since I've seen the end credits of a game. So it's been a good ride during this one.


I'll come back with a full review for Dragon Age 2 once I finish. So look forward to that in a few days (depending if my schedule is any shade of nice).

GDR Book Club. The Noticer

So the night before, I started to read The Noticer. My original intent was to read it after I got down to Savannah, but since it was there and I was suffering a mighty awesome, self-induced stomachache, I decided to give it a read.

It's as the book says: "Sometimes, all a person needs is a little perspective". It's a motivational book. It's also classified under self-help. Here's how the book is presented:

There is a mysterious drifting man who goes by the name of Jones... or 'Garcia' or 'Chen', depending on who he's with, and he always appears to those who are in trouble. His thing is that he's all about changing perspective, about considering different things, and reevaluating what's already known. In execution, the book is all about convenience. The characters are more or less cardboard, and sometimes, it's not them but their situation that's captivating. There aren't enough questions being asked, so the characters and their interactions of Jones are unnatural and made for the sake of plot convenience. As a regular book, I don't find it very good whatsoever.

However, the overlying message will not go without its credit. As a self-help, The Noticer might actually shed some light and help some people.  Even if you know these things, it's good to hear it all again in a less judgmental, more abstract, and all encompassing fashion. It's a good book to read simply for the reassurance, for the hope, for the perspective, but there are many moments in the book where it's preachy and wishy-washy. Despite that, there are many good things to carry away from this book.

It comes with a "Reader's Guide" in that back, which is essentially a quiz-like addition at the end of the book. It's supposed to help readers suck in the full capacity of the book, to help sink the message in, but I can do without that. I'll just take those little nuggets of scattered, perspective wisdom and, y'know, be on my way.

Kuroshitsuji Musicals Revisited

黒執事ミュージカルについてこれは二番レビューです。

さぁ、みんなさん、聞けくれおねがいします。

Ah, good to see you again. This is my second review about the Kuroshitsuji musical. I really have a great deal of respect for the actors and this production as a whole. So, if you will, please humour me this second time around.

Welcome back, guys, as I once again talk about the Kuroshitsuji musical. But this time is a little different. I’ve actually managed to acquire the DVD! …Or more truthfully, I’ve managed to acquire a DVD, which is trying to pass itself off as an official copy. However, this is just my conjecture. As you all know, I am rather partial to this musical, as it has done great justice to the source material, even with its numerous liberties. However, despite – or maybe because of – my adoration for this production, I am still very critical of this product. Because of that, there will be a great deal of length to this review.

So if you please, join me under the cut for my thoughts.