Nintendo Switch: Otome Haul

Nintendo Switch: Otome Haul

Saturday, October 30, 2021 / No Comments

Heyheyhey my little nuggets!! Welcome back to another episode of an old lady's ramblings~ So I was hunting for new games recently, and one that really caught my eye was Cupid Parasite, an otome that is about to drop real soon. 

And then I thought, man I haven't played any otomes on console in a long time (see Hakuoki lol) so I went to look up otomes on the Switch and okokok there are so many!! 

After deliberating for quite some time, I finally ended up with these few titles. I haven't played any of them yet, but when I have, I'll do a more in depth post! For now, I kind of want to do a first impressions, who I'll probably aim for post, and see if I do end up with them. 

I'm also going into this blind, I really picked these titles off the art, VAs, and trailers. So let's start!! 

Piofiore: Fated Memories

Piofiore is set in the Mafia world, and what's better than romance and danger?

I am super stoked for this to reach my hands, I love the art so much. Usually with some otomes, I can pick the character I'll go for right off the bat, but with this, I was thinking so hard about it and I still can't choose! Just going off visuals, I think I might pick Yang.. he gives off this bastard vibe.. for a lack of a better way to describe him. 

I don't know! Dante feels like a tsun, Nicola looks like a playboy, Gil is pretty nice, feels like he'd protecc and attacc. Gil and Yang feel rather similar to me, but Gil sits on the wholesome side, and Yang on the bastard side, if that makes sense. Gil will die for you but Yang will kill for you, I guess? Orlok has the lost puppy vibe to him, kind of cute. 

left to right: nicola, gil, dante, yang, orlok

I prefer Yang's voice too, so I think I'll probably go for him first, then maybe Dante or Gil.. Though I think I would be OK with anyone except Nicola. 

We'll see how the playthrough goes. 

Code Realize: Guardian of Rebirth

clockwise: van, impey, lupin, saint germain, victor

Steampunk London!! I love the art!! And outfits, minus the hats. For some reason, I really dislike hats. Maybe because sometimes they cover up so much of the face..? 

Anyway, cover art, off the bat I was drawn to Victor. I really liked Van too, but man his hair is so spikey!!! Also what's with those glasses!!! 

So Victor gives off this aloof guy with a tragic backstory feel, probably the really caring sort. Van? Tsun. The end. Saint Germain, mm, looks like bad news frankly. Has Kuroshitsuji Undertaker vibes. Impey feels like he has too much energy. Lupin has so little shown of him, but he kind of feels a bit like BSD Dazai, I suppose. Although!!! In the other cover art where it's just him and MC, man!!! That was so soft!! 

Ok so I said Victor right, but when I heard the voices!!!! I knew it was going to be Van for me. I looked it up to be sure and yep, it's Junichi Suwabe. Tsun + Suwabe? Ah, what a day to be alive. 

Collar x Malice

clockwise from black: aiji, kageyuki, kei, takeru, mineo

MC is a police officer, nice! 

Ahh I love the art so much, and the colors are so gentle.

Aiji looks like a no nonsense type of person, but really caring at the same time. Kei looks aloof but soft and huggable, like he'd listen to you rant and just pat your head? Mineo has too much energy, I feel like I'd be tired just being around him. Takeru looks tsun as heck. Kageyuki feels like a playboy, but like the cruel ones where he uses people and tosses them aside. Is playboy even the right word? 

Anyway, don't really know who I'd pick, so I guess we'll see how the common route goes.

Nightshade

goemon is the middle with the red pendant

This was so hard to find but I absolutely love it to bits. I knew immediately who I was going to pick, and when I heard the voice?? Oof, take my money, Nightshade, take it all. 

So if you've guessed Hanzo, good for you because it is!! I don't even know what to tell you, I took one look and that was it. And then he spoke and well, my soul just evaporated. Gekkamaru looks like your typical leader type, cool calm collected. Kuroyuki feels like the fun type, very younger brother vibes I guess. Chojiro has the mom friend vibes, will take care of you, make sure you eat, and all that. Goemon feels like he'd do a lot of teasing, looks carefree but has a bit of a dark past? 

left to right: hanzo, chojiro, gekkamaru, kuroyuki

It's Hanzo for me. I love him so much already. I hope I don't get a bad ending.. I'd better not get the bad ending!! 

Olympia Soiree 

clockwise: himuka, kuroba, shiro, riku, akaza, yosuga

There's some clan caste? structure thing going on here, and MC is some OP being I think?

Guys, the character I liked isn't romanceable!!! I don't know what came over me, I was watching the trailer and was like AH THIS ONE IS NICE and then I sent in a order for it and then I continued watching and was like, wait a second, he's not part of the line-up. 

my fav lmao

But anyway, on to the actual characters. 

Akaza. I don't quite like his glasses, but he does give off the stoic leader vibe. A little like Hijikata, maybe? Kuroba feels really bright and cheerful, also for some reason also looks sad, like his cheeriness is a front? 

Yosuga feels like a playboy, but the kind who actually just wants to find his one true love. Riku? Tsun. Shiro is so so so so cute!!! Definitely shota vibes, and I was actually eating the same ice cream he's holding when he appeared on screen. Himuka looks like he doesn't even want to be here, wherever here is, and just wants to live his own life doing his own things?

I don't really know what to expect of this, but the reviews are pretty good so I'm excited regardless. 

Cupid Parasite 

left to right: keisaiin, gill, npc, shelby, raul, allan

This one was really really not my jam because of how bright everything was. But at the same time it was so cute and different and upbeat that I bought it anyway. 

I saw this image before I watched the trailer and yeah, well, after I placed the order I found out the character I liked is not playable. But that's OK! Let's move on.

Gill has the childhood friend trope I think? He sure looks like the blustering shy childhood friend.. Wait, but that's for BL.. Moving on to Shelby, seriously? What exactly is that name?? Shelby Snail?? I almost cried when I saw it!! But anyway, typical CEO, probably in just to marry someone so the media will get off his back. Raul feels like a wholesome himbo. Maybe it's the hair? Surfer type vibes. Keisaiin looks funky as heck. I don't even know what to make of him? He feels like a tsun but I really don't know? Allan.. I don't know too. Playboy I guess? Use and discard type maybe? 

Frankly the vibrancy is painful for me but all in all I think the plot isn't too bad! MC's an actual Cupid! 

So that's all I have lined up so far! I'm so excited for everything to arrive~~~ I was considering preordering Dairoku: Agents of Sakuratani but I guess this is enough for now, whew. 

Tata for now!~

Written by: ninetylives

Japanese Crane Games Online: Dokodemo Catcher/DC7

Japanese Crane Games Online: Dokodemo Catcher/DC7

Wednesday, September 22, 2021 / No Comments

If you're like me, you'll love arcades. And more than just arcades, you'll also love Japanese arcades; the kinds with intricate machine set-ups and various Anime goodies waiting for you on the other side of that glass cabinet. Sadly, due to the pandemic, it's not safe to travel to Japan right now.

However!

There's a way to experience the joy of crane machines without needing to board a plane, and we have technology to thank for that.

Not sponsored, though I wish it was.

Introducing: Dokodemo Catcher/DC7. 

This crane game app goes by two names, but I'll be referring to it as DC7.

As mentioned earlier, DC7 is a Japanese crane game app that you can play from the comfort of your home! There are a variety of prizes to be won, from the latest Anime figures to cute household items like containers and trash bins. You can play on various machines too, from the typical three claw set-up to takoyaki machines, just like a real Japanese arcade.

They have a pretty cute mascot, too.

I'm obsessed with Japanese crane games in general so, of course, I had to give the app a try! Here are some observations I've made for crane fanatics who want to give it a go!

        1. Large Variety of Prizes

They have special events sometimes, too.

There are lots of prizes to be won! Ranging from Sanrio plushies to Jujutsu Kaisen figures, there's bound to be something for everyone. The selection of prizes is updated daily, so you will always have access to the latest Anime goods from Japan!

The search function on the app is pretty advanced, as you can search for machines based on the type of machine (three pronged claw/'bridge' set-up/'takoyaki' set-up), the type of prize (plushie/figure/), and so on!

A thing to note: Some prizes can't be shipped out of Japan, which means that you can't play on just any machine you see. There will be a logo on the machine's thumbnail indicating if it's a Japan-only prize, so do look out for that!

In order to play the machines, you need to purchase DP. Different machines need differing amounts of DP per play, which brings in my next point...

        2. Affordable Prices

Price per play differs from each machine, with the lowest being 90 DP while the highest can go up to 350 DP. The most common price, it seems, is 180-200 DP, which is roughly 2SGD per play! Considering that most prizes are the latest Anime items straight from Japan, this is a pretty good price!

One thing to note is that once per month, you can buy DP at a discounted price. If you're the type of person to funnel money into crane machines (like me), it's going to be very helpful!

Now that you've played some machines and won a few prizes, the only thing left to do is receive your prizes, which brings me to my last point...

        3. Solid Delivery

It's so big! Featuring Nendoroid 1469, Bedivere.

I did say that I gave the app a try!

Although it took a month for the prizes to arrive, the prizes came bubble wrapped and perfectly intact, with not even a dent on the boxes! I've experienced prizes from other crane game apps getting dented in the mail in the past, so this was a pleasant surprise.

One thing to take note is that, if you're shipping outside of Japan, you need to pay for shipping using DP (which is exactly what I did). Make sure to purchase extra DP for that!

Now, let's look at the spoils...

All wrapped safely in plastic and bubble wrap; no dents!

The prizes that I won were:

1. Fate/Grand Order Servant Figure Moon Cancer/BB

2. Pompompurin Storage Container

3. Super Sonico BiCute Bunnies Figure

4. Pompompurin Lunch Box

5. Fate/Grand Order Camelot the Movie Mouse w/ Mouse Pad

6. Pompompurin Easter Bunny Plush

As you can see, I'm a big fan of Pompompurin and Fate/Grand Order! There are plenty of prizes from those two categories, which made me really happy. 

I'd definitely recommend DC7 to anyone who loves crane machines since they have a wide selection of prizes, monthly discounts and good delivery.

I'll do a review on the figures in another post, so please look forward to that.

Until then, stay home, stay safe, and have fun!

Written by Ririko

Tears of Themis

Tears of Themis

Sunday, August 15, 2021 / No Comments

Heyheyhey my little nuggets! Today I bring you a somewhat newly released game I've been completely obsessed with: Tears of Themis! 

I actually came across Tears of Themis (ToT) for pre-reg during an ad on another of my games and man, the art? Exquisite. A bit of googling reveals that my favorite Japanese VA is the voice of the character I was most drawn to, so how could I not sign up?? 

So starts my life in ToT. Personally, I think the plot is quite interesting. In essence, MC is a lawyer alongside one of the main four love interests, and is ultimately recruited into their group (NXX) where they solve various cases and investigate an abnormal surge in mental health cases.

The complete storyline has not been fully released yet, so there are periodic updates, which I think keeps things interesting. 

There are four love interests~

Luke, the childhood friend who went off to study and is now a PI who feels like a spy. 

Artem, your superior and the youngest senior attorney ever, who is incredibly bad at expressing his emotions. 

Marius, heir of just the largest corporation ever, who has a reputation as a playboy but is really a sensitive artist at heart. 

Last but not least we have Vyn, the top psychiatrist who I believe is meant to have an elegant and calming vibe but really just kind of gives me the creeps. 

my first and only ssr!!!

marius summer sr

I was obsessing over Artem in the beginning, because, firstly, Suwabe Junichi?? Chef's kiss. Secondly? His aesthetic is impeccable. I got his SSR as the guaranteed, yay! But now, after progressing through the story and interacting with the rest of the love interests.. Marius' personality is growing on me. I also have the most of his cards, so I guess that's fate. 

Gameplay wise, I think it's pretty simple. You would collect cards of the main love interests, with rarity ranking SSR, SR, and R. Each card will have an attribute assigned to it, Logic (Blue), Empathy (Red), and Intuition (Green). 

It's a gacha system, but there is a guaranteed SR usually within ten pulls of each banner. So far we've had three banners, and a permanent one. The current event banner is summer themed and IT IS SO CUTE. 

weekly stage! so cute~~

There are skills to be leveled up for each card, and evolving a card nets you a new piece of artwork. There are also daily stages for in game money and exp chips, along with weekly stages for gems that can be used for gacha. 

NXX Headquarters is unlocked after chapter 04-02, and there are helpful resources you can gather, like exp chips and items for card skill leveling. Increasing the level of the NXX Headquarters also provides additional stat gains across all cards. 

There are different types of game mechanics as well, Debate is more "fight" based with your cards, 

Questioning, which is something like an interrogation, asking a character certain questions till you find key evidence. 

Clue Analysis displays an item in 3D that you can rotate and revolve and click on different parts of it to unlock clues.

Inspection presents you with a character, where you can click on certain suspicious parts of them like a burn mark or stain to look for clues. 

Investigation will put you in a room, where you can click on different items to unlock clues and search for evidence. 

Trials are usually held at the end of each story chapter, and MC will present all evidence and attempt to win the case for the client. 

I think the variety of mechanics keep the game interesting, and I find myself constantly logging in to play. It isn't time consuming either. As long as your cards are sufficiently leveled, I think the chapters are pretty easy to progress through as well. I personally love the art and soundtracks, and I appreciate the fact that there are three languages to set depending on your preference. 

summer event~~

All in all, a superb game so far, and I definitely recommend downloading it! For now, nerd out!

Written by: ninetylives

Get new posts by email:

Game Review: Counter:Side SEA

Game Review: Counter:Side SEA

Monday, May 31, 2021 / No Comments

Published in February 2020 by Nexon Korea for the Korean players, Counter:Side is an anime-style mobile RPG game that encompasses what everyone would say to be the imperfect perfect gacha game. Well, there are both waifus and mechas in this game, which makes it extremely interesting and a good eye-catcher for a wide range of gamers.

“Wait, what? Did you say that this game has both waifus and mechas? Like robots???”

Yes, you heard it right. Counter:Side has not just waifus and mechas, but also soldiers waiting for you to summon. Players will take up the role as the CEO of the Coffin Company, where you would deploy various squads to fight against monsters and bosses as a result of what looks like an apocalyptic event that has befallen Earth.

The story is told mostly from the perspective of Yoo Mina, a girl who is newly attached to the Fenrir Squad and is put together with two other teammates, Hilde and Joo Shiyoon. There is going to be a lot of unexpected twists and turns, which I would not spoil in this review, that will constantly keep you at the edge of your chair. The lore also stands out from most of the other post-apocalyptic ones that are around at the current moment.

"Eh? Isn't this game just for Koreans then? I can't read Korean but I want to play it!!"

Not to worry, Counter:Side was also officially released by ZlongGames for the SEA region on 18^th May 2021. So yes! The game is currently available to download in English for fellow SEA gamers on PC, Apple and Android.

Truth be told, I have started the game in the Korean server to test out the game mechanisms and was taken aback by it. Team combinations and deployment strategy are both very important factors to how you ace each and every of the stages in the game itself. In most of the rounds, players are given a map with certain deployment points to place your ships and tanks, where you have to either clear all the mobs in the area or get to a certain point within a number of phases (aka turns).

Each ship would be given two ammo, which means they can only attack both offensively and defensively for a maximum of two times. Players would then have to find a way to get to the supply spot and recharge the ammos for more battle.

As someone who is not very good at puzzle games, some stages did give me a headache and took me a few times before I could figure them all out. However, if you are looking for a game to fill your time, the stage experience in Counter:Side would definitely meet your expectations and it also makes the game more interactive. While there is an auto-battle function for the deployment phase, it is not that intuitive and it’s not recommended to do so.

The in-game battle is mostly automated, though you can also choose to complete each battle by deploying the units and ship skills manually.

Apart from the game mechanisms, the art for the game is aesthetically well made for most of the characters. As someone who falls to nice game art each time, I would say this is largely the reason why the game pulled me in in the first place.

There are tons of characters that would be coming up for the SEA server, apart from the 5 banners featuring about 15 SSRs that span across waifus and mechas. Each of these characters also have their own typing – Defender, Striker, Ranger, Sniper, Supporter, Tower, and Siege. Similar to most other games, each type would generally have their own weaknesses and strengths. It would be dependent on how they are deployed for you to win the game.

The one opinion I have about the gacha system would be the lack of “guaranteed SR and above” for 10 pulls. This was something I felt really iffy about in some of the other games I played that did not have such a system and I had to often get the characters via the pity system instead. Nonetheless, this game does still have a pity counter of 150 pulls on a single character banner.

After getting the characters that you want, you are also free to adjust the size and position of the characters (up to 5) you wish to put on your homepage. Time to unleash your creativity and inner artist to how you want your waifus to be placed. When you level up their loyalty points (i.e., the friendship system in this game), you will also unlock individual character expressions which you can use in the homepage.

*whispers* This is my homepage.

Not just this, there are already some characters skins waiting to be bought, albeit most of them being paid skins, leaving the F2P players with very limited choices. That being said, the skins that are currently obtainable using Quartz, the in-game gacha currency, are still aesthetically pleasing and could be something to consider if you have more than enough Quartz to spare.

That’s all for my brief review for Counter:Side, as I will be divulging too much information about the game if I go any further. Over the past two weeks of gameplay, I have truly enjoyed it and I would definitely be continuing the game to see how things turn out. For everyone who has some time and would like a slightly different lore/gameplay, do make sure to give Counter:Side a try!

Have fun with the game but remember to gacha safely and moderately!

Written by Maru

Get new posts by email: