Pokémon Go

Pokémon Go

Monday, August 8, 2016 / No Comments

Have you recently come across a group of people walking while looking at their phones, or staring at it while walking on the streets, or even stopping in the middle of the street to swipe around on their phones?

Perhaps you are one of them too?

Pokémon Go has taken the world by storm and Singapore will definitely not be the last stop for this game! I have been playing it for the past few days and have visited quite a few areas myself, which is the main point of Pokémon Go.

How did you know about this game, and how did you know that it arrived in Singapore? I knew of it from my friend and read facebook posts from the same friends, which was why I knew it was available in Singapore. 

Have you started playing since the very first day it arrived in Singapore? A little later? Or perhaps you are one of the spoofers that started with other countries? Have you spent real money on it yet?

I started on the very first day it arrived in Singapore and have been playing it rather consistently since then. I have not spent any real money on the game yet, and probably wouldn't. At least not when I don't even see a single Lapras yet.

Lure stops have been very good camping spots where I caught several rarer pokemon. Though I must admit that my luck has not been very strong and most of the rarer ones I've caught have low CP...

Due to this lure aspect of the game, a Pokestop point with lure are really good advertising methods, and many eateries and malls have used that to their advantage. Though I doubt that it would boost sales for items such as clothes, boost for food items are much more plausible and realistic!

Leveling up as a player is no easy task. The exp which you require for each player level is too high and a lot of time and effort usually has to be invested for such level ups. Though, evolving your Pokemon might be an easier solution past this whole issue since it is one of the activities that produce more, if not most, amount of exp.

As a casual player, I do not think much before leveling or evolving my pokemon, but if you wish or are a serious player, you might want to consider IV values for yours, which are a "hidden potential" feature.

It appears that there are hidden attack and defend stats for these Pokemon and CP corresponds to the levels, and the weight and height might play a part in the potential of your Pokemon as well. Also, there might be some relation to the skills your Pokemon have as well.

XL Pokemon might evolve to become XS as well... it's all a little too complicated for me! Thus, I have been focusing mainly on catching and evolving only!

But it seems like I'm not that lucky or that hardcore because these are the best I have at the moment. Not to mention that I am steadily running out of pokeballs because I don't stay near a pokestop and there's no way I'm camping at a park late into the night for more pokeballs.

Sadly, I don't stay near a gym either so that's 10 pokecoins I'm giving up daily.

As much as I wish Niantic would implement Pokestops for every or every other building, with region-specific Pokemon (like they have already), the fact that they removed Pokestops probably means that will never happen.

So... which are the Pokemon you wish to get, and do you have them already?

I hope to be able to get Lapras, which unfortunately, I don't have yet. My second most wanted Pokemon is Pikachu, and I have it already! Maybe... I want a snorlax too... so cuddly!

~ Reina-rin

3DS: Pokemon Y

3DS: Pokemon Y

Wednesday, September 24, 2014 / No Comments

Hello my fellow nerds!

What's ticking? 

So I recently saved up enough to buy my very own 3DS XL, and I also got Pokemon Y to go along with it. So here's my review (sorta!) on both the 3DS and Pokemon Y. 

(if you want a general overview of pokemon xy, click here)

Japan's limited edition! I really wanted to get this. 

First off, as y'all know, the 3DS comes in the normal version, as well as the XL version, which is obviously bigger. It also comes in several colors as well as in limited editions, but honestly? I think the normal colored ones are perfectly fine. I mean, why pay so much more extra when it doesn't affect gameplay? After much deliberation while I saved up, I decided to get the XL in matte black.



YASSSS BLACK

Why? Well, my favourite color is black, and to me, the bigger the screen the better. But of course, if you prefer less bulky devices, the normal sized 3DS would be a much better choice. 

I also got the matte black because it apparently doesn't get smudged with fingerprints, but let me just say the correct term would be less smudged, because my 3DS did not survive my sweaty fingers. Fixed that problem by getting a hard cover case for it though. I would definitely recommend getting the hard cover casing if you like to play while you're on the go. Or, if like me, you like to keep everything sparkling new. 

So. Pokemon Y. 

I was seriously contemplating forgoing Y and getting Monster Hunter instead, but in the end I gave in to my inner screaming child and got Y instead. I think I haven't missed playing a single Pokemon game. Or at least one side of every released pair. 

So, as the game starts up, oohlala~ What's this? A super duper handsome Professor? Hot damn. I'm going to confess that I did not smash the A button as fast as I usually would have. 

But yes, Prof Scyamore aside, you get to customize your very own look! Alright, fine, it's not as much of a variety as I would have liked, but I'll take what I can get. As you progress through the game, you also get to change your eye color, as well as purchase clothes. A lil warning though, I'm about halfway through the game, and there's once again not that much of a variety. The designs change everyday, but I suppose the choices you have are more towards the color of the clothes than the designs.

(I can't find a full photo, so here's a link instead!)

 I can't say much for the male apparels, since I picked the female character. I do wish that as you pass more boutiques, your counterpart will change outfits as well. I am so bored of seeing my somewhat gorgeous neighbor in such dreadful clothes (sigh). 

While we're the topic of gorgeousness, let me just say that the trainer character designs are absolutely stunning. I'm 100% serious. Almost all of them look so insanely gorgeous, and there's a huge variety to eyecandy from! 

Do you like fit tanned men with a bit of an unruly messy side? Then the Backpacker is for you!

How about long haired males with sharp features and a super mysterious aura to boot? Well look what we have here, a Psychic! 

Or, a somewhat 'aristocratic' arrogant trainer who believes he's the best? I have what you're looking for: an Ace Trainer~

There is also a large selection of females, if that's what you prefer. Hmm, let's see. Are you looking for a preppy, young, and hyper enthusiastic girl? Then the Lass is just up your alley!

Or how about someone more edgy, with a bad girl vibe? If that's your type, we have it! Here's the Punk you were looking for~

Ehh, alright alright, we still have plenty more to choose from, but if you dig the sophisticated mature ladies, how about the Veteran?

(You can find all the trainer photos online~ I'm just picking a few.)

I sound like a matchmaker, but you get my point. Right, trainers aside, I would say that the gameplay is much easier now. Leveling up my team is way faster in Y. I didn't even have to buff them up in the grass. As long as you don't skip a single trainer you come across, I'd say you're pretty set. The Exp. Share now splits your experience between all the members of your team, so that adds on to the easiness.

Also, another way to get leveled up really fast is to play the Pokemon Amie. It's a new feature that makes use of the touch screen to pet, feed, and play with your pokemon. There are three categories to fill up, the affection bar, the fullness bar, and the entertainment bar.

if you poke them/ pet the wrong area, they do get annoyed
try touching pikachu's cheeks!

The main point here would be the affection bar, because while the fullness and entertainment bar fluctuates, the affection will (probably) never decrease. The affection bar is also important because you will need full affection to evolve certain pokemon, like an Eevee to a Sylveon.

Other than just evolving pokemon, the affection level is also hella awesome because your team gets boosted experience points, and once you've hit the full affection status, your pokemon will have a higher critical rate, and will sometimes survive a painful attack. If that's not cool enough, your team will sometimes heal themselves of status afflictions as well.

Overall it's really cute because it adds a touch of reality to a virtual game. You can also pet them after a battle, to encourage them. Ain't it hella rad?? Only downside is that it takes quite a while to max all your six pokemon. ):

The mega ring and mega stone is also a large feature, but I find it pretty pointless. In any case, here are the different designs of the mega ring.

With such additions to the game, it lengths the gameplay, which I find is more worth the money. While I normally finish the other versions in a few days, I'm only about half - three quarters way though Y? And that is playing through my weekends with very little sleep.

The storyline is pretty okay too, it gets a little overused with the bad guys making use of the legendary pokemon, but what else can they do? The legendary catch rate is pretty high as well, it only took me three ultra balls at red health for me to catch Y.  Also, apparently if it faints it will simply heal itself, so no worries about accidentally knocking if out. 

Oh another really cool thing, the houses in every town has a different layout and a different vibe, which is insanely awesome, especially to me, since I come from an architecture course. And given that it's in 3D and high res, the interior is doubly cool. I think the BlackWhite versions also had different building designs for each town, but XY wins hands down. The landscape and basically everything else is super duper awesome, from the swamps to the mountains, to the snow, the waterfalls!! The towns are also planned out really nicely. Gorgeous. 

Okay, so talking about towns, we're going to move on to transportation. There's the usual walking, which is definitely faster than the walking speed of the older versions, and there's the running. Running comes default now, so no need for running shoes. Instead, you're given the roller skates, which will activate automatically when you move using the circle pad. There's also the bike which you will get mid game, but I'd say the speed is pretty close to the skates. The skates let you move in a more unhinged way, but the bike keeps to the grid. The skates are also really rad because you get to learn new tricks when you talk to random skaters in different towns. There's the backflip when you jump over a ledge, for instance. You'll need to have speed for that to activate though, if not it's a normal jump.



you can ride pokemon too~

Ahh, there's so many other cool stuff but I will probably never be able to end off the post like that. ): How are you guys finding XY? Also they just released a new revamped translucent 2DS? Did they? Or are my sources wrong.. I'll find out and let you guys know!

Nerd out!

Written by: ninetylives 

Pokemon Alpha and Omega Demo

Pokemon Alpha and Omega Demo

Thursday, November 20, 2014 / No Comments

(!)

Hello my fellow nerds! If you're a Pokemon fanatic, you should be eagerly hopping about in your seat because Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby are due to release in just a little bit! 

I've recently downloaded the demo onto my 3DS, and the play through is pretty nice. The graphics are not bad, and Steven definitely got an upgrade because he looks ultra cool right now. So right, the demo. If you didn't manage to get a demo code, don't worry! I'm here to run you through what the demo has to offer! 

Starting right off, you don't get to pick your gender, as well as your name, since you will flying around with Steven from the very beginning (on both Latias and Latios!). Steven will brief you a little on what is about to happen, which mainly means going to the Space Center in Mossdeep city. 

Once you hit the Space Center, Team Magma will make an appearance running out of the Space Center, and initiate a battle. And because you don't have any Pokemon with you, Steven will give you one of your choice. 

Since it is Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby, the choice you have is one of the three starters, Torchic, Mudkip, and Treecko. After you make your choice, that chosen Pokemon will follow you on your first quest. 

I chose Mudkip, as usual, and no matter what you choose, it will always be at level 35. This means that you will pummel through Team Magma and Aqua like nobody's business. There are a total of ten official quests, and after completing a certain number of them, you will receive some goodies that you can transfer to an actual copy of the game. 

So the first quest requires you to hunt down Team Magma and Team Aqua, both of which are after a certain Pokemon which is able to mega evolve. This is relatively easy, given that your starter is of a higher level. Steven will pop in and help as well, so that really smooths things along. You will also meet your female counterpart, who spouts some stuff before disappearing and leaving you to defeat the two evil Teams on your own.

After completing the first quest, your Starter should have leveled up and evolved, which is why the starter was given to you at level 35.

The reward for completing the first quest is the Glalie which the teams were looking for. Steven will give you 5 Pokeballs, if I'm not wrong, and you'll have to catch the Glalie yourself. The Glalie is at level 40, which you can transfer to your copy of the game once you get it.

That's the end of the first quest, and Steven will bring back to Mossdeep. He'll then thank you, and the game will play a short cut scene, save, and bring you back to the starting screen.

Now remember I said there's 10 quests? The rest are quite fast. some quests require you to find a lost child/ Pokemon, some require you to complete a battle, and for some, Steven will ask you to find a specific Pokemon for him.

I'm not too sure if there's an order in which the quests will appear in, but in any case, from the second quest onward, you'll have the full evolution of the three starters as well as Galie in your party. The rewards you'll end up receiving are: Glalie, Pokeballs, Heal Balls, and Heart Scales. All of which you can transfer to your copy of the game.

What does Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby have to offer?

Pokémon Contests and customizable Secret Bases (now "Super Secret Bases") are now back, as well as the Mach Bike, the Acro Bike, and third-generation player characters Brendan and May. Some features from XY will be retained though, like the Horde Encounters and Mega evolutions, as well as the Pokemon Amie and Super Training. There are tons of new Mega Evolutions; the main three starters, Glalie, and Metagross, for example. Maga Glalie looks insane.

There is also Cosplay Pikachu! 

"This Pikachu gets a unique costume to wear during Contests; each costume comes with a specific, special move: Pikachu Rock Star gets Meteor Mash (Cool Contest); Pikachu, Ph.D gets Electric Terrain (Smart Contest); Pikachu Pop Star gets Draining Kiss (Cute Contest); Pikachu Belle gets Icicle Crash (Beauty Contest); Pikachu Libre gets Flying Press (Tough Contest)."

Whooooo I can't wait! I'm getting Omega Ruby later on so stay tuned for a "review" of sorts in a few days! 

Written by: ninetylives

Nanoblock: Pokemon Squirtle

Nanoblock: Pokemon Squirtle

Friday, August 29, 2014 / 1 Comment

Hello my fellow nerds~ 

Do you guys like pokemon? I absolutely love pokemon, and even more for the first generation pokemon. I adore the water types, and no matter which generation I play, I will always always always choose the water type starter. 

But out of all the water types, my favorite is Squirtle. Okay, I love Mudkip too for Ground and Water type mix which is terrific, but Squirtle is and will forever be my top water type pokemon. So, since there was a 'sale' at Kinokuniya a couple of weeks back, I went ahead and bought the Squirtle nanoblock! 

/screams

There is quite a variation of the nanoblocks; the First Generation Starters, Pikachu (/squeals), Gengar, Mewtwo, Charizard, and Eevee. Charizard and Gengar looks hella awesome but I only had money to spare for one nanoblock, so hands down I chose Squirtle.

Let's first start off with the packaging. The packet actually has a resealable lock, so just in case you aren't able to finish building the nanoblock in one go, you can zip it up so you won't lose any of the pieces. However, in the event that you do lose a couple of pieces, don't worry! There is one extra block for every piece set. Awesome yes? 

leftovers!

Okay, here goes. I didn't take a first shot of the three smaller packages containing all the blocks, so here's one of my leftover blocks. 

~

Next off, the instruction sheet. Cute isn't it? I'm in love. The instructions are also incredibly simple and easy to follow. 

The instruction sheet will list out the number of each block that you will need for that 'level', and then walk you through the steps to complete building your chosen pokemon. 

The graphics add on to the simplicity of the nanoblock building. There is no way you can fail building this. I'll cease talking for now, and let you have the slew of photos I took while building Squirtle. 

one!

two~

third step~

fourth step!

It's coming along really nicely~ The only thing that I felt rather irritated with was that some of the blocks aren't quite tight when you join them together, so there are a few gaps within Squirtle. ): The blocks are also really really tiny, so if you have fat fingers like me, it will take a while to assemble. Also, Squirtle's hands keep falling off.

halfway there!

COMPLETED! 

Can you see the gaps that I mentioned? )':

side view!

I bought the block at $14+, I think the usual price was around $16, so if you do have the money to spare, I really recommend buying at least one. But only if you have the extra cash! I think it is rather expensive though.

Ah ah! I forgot to mention. Do check out our new stamp page! We have adorable Gashapons, and Cafe designs. The cafe ones are too kawaii!~

Written by: ninetylives