Pokemon: Hacked Roms

Pokemon: Hacked Roms

Saturday, April 14, 2018 / No Comments

Hello my nuggets!

With holiday season soon approaching, I suspect most of you should be heading overseas for vacation, which means potentially long flight hours. Well, I'm here to bring you guys a source of entertainment for those long hours.

Pokemon hacked roms! If you've already played all the other pokemon series and/or are unable to bring your gadgets overseas, fear not! You can play these roms on your phone! All you need is an emulator, for which I highly recommend using MyBoy (Android).

Now, you might ask what exactly are hacked roms? Are they some sort of virus?? Not to worry, hacked roms are basically modded games; alterations to the base game's graphics, dialogue, gameplay, plot, or etc. These are usually done by amazing people to bring you new content using an old game's engine. 

There are plenty of hacked roms out there, but I'm going to list you a few of my favourite pokemon ones! The ones that I'm about to list down are either completed or not quite yet, but you'll still be able to complete the game regardless. 

One of my favourites is Pokemon Adventure- Red Chapter by Aethestode! This one is based on the Pokemon Adventure/ Special manga, with added extras. Red Chapter is constantly being updated, the last I played it was at Beta 11E, and now it's at 13~ It's ridiculously amazing with a whole bunch of cool features. There are also some little funny dialogue which made me crack up.

I'm going to link the webpage, and add some screenshots in case you're too lazy to head over. 

The next one I've completed is Pokemon Glazed by Redriders 180 (Lucbu). This also has a little twist; other than fighting Team 'Rocket', you also have a Pikachu as a rival of sorts. This is hilarious because the Pikachu is full of rage and and hell-bent on revenge. Plus you get to choose between five starters instead of the usual three. 

Do check out the webpage for more details, I'm pretty sure you guys will like this rom too. 

Pokemon Light Platinum is highly raved about, and I too, recommend playing this first if you're wondering if you should enter the world of hacked roms at all. I should warn though, that there are multiple versions available, such as the Mega, Plus, and Final? I went with the normal Light Platinum and there were no issues for me. I'm not too sure what are the differences between these, but Light Platinum works well. 

don't worry, there's an english version

I think this is the webpage for Light Platinum, the thread is mad long. 

I touched a little on Pokemon Sweet, and this is one mad cute hack. The pokemon are all some sort of variant of a sweet, and the Squirtle I chose as my starter is an apple pie. I'm not too sure about the storyline, but it does get a little tedious remembering the type chart since the type chart is now entirely sweet based. The map is always super cute because everything is now candy!! The trees are icecream cones!!!

Check it out here~

The last one for now is the one I'm currently playing- Pokemon Shiny Gold Sigma. I'd say it's a little tougher because I can't seem to somehow breeze through this as I have with the others. This actually requires some grinding. I don't remember spending as much time grinding on the other roms as much as this one. Although, you get a lucky egg quite early in game that increases your exp gained so that is really handy. 

Here is the link!

The others I have downloaded but have yet to touch are Pokemon Eternal Snow and Pokemon Flora Sky. They see pretty promising but there's only so much time I have travelling on public transport or on a flight. If you do play these first, let me know how they are! 

(images credited to respective owners)

I'm off to finish up and perhaps look for more, nerd out for now!

Written by: ninetylives

Miwa Haruka New School Uniform

Miwa Haruka New School Uniform

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For a long time I feel my character designs lacked a "Moe" feel. I wanted a down-to-earth attire that could resonate with most people. I mean how many people can imagine themselves wearing fighter pilot suits and those that are used to fight Aliens. 

For a longer time, Miwa Haruka had been wearing a kawaii blue jumper suit. I decided to create something different. Something more feminine and relatable. Thus I started cracking my head to design a Japanese school uniform. Like some of my attire design, it wasn't so straightforward to design something unique and different. 

Designer - Me

This was my final sketch of the concept school uniform. The collar is designed like a "S" wave. The ribbon which is commonly worn by Japanese school girls incorporates a short and fat tie. I wanted to have a letter "M" on the tie which symbolises Milkcananime. A pink line runs diagonally across the white shirt with blue sleeve ends. The mini skirt features a right-flanked pink & blue checked patterns. Miwa would be putting on a pair of navy blue stockings and white zip-up shoes.

Illustrated by Gaby

My sketch was digitally rendered by my illustrator. Notice that the skirt is blue instead of white as indicated in the sketch. In between, we switched some colours as the white skirt looked plain, and boring. We keep the colours to 5 - White, Pink, Blue, Navy Blue and Orange (Note: Gaby drew her checkered portion too low. The top line should meet the waist)

Now, let's see Miwa Haruka wearing her new school uniform.

Illustrated by Gaby

Looks like Miwa Haruka is going to school soon. I tend to complicate my design by adding more things than required. In this case, I have to be even more careful as adding more stuffs would mean it looks more like a street clothes than a school uniform.

Hope you like the design. You can get Miwa Haruka in School Uniform Sticker here.

We will drawing more of her in her new school uniform. Meanwhile, do save her images as wallpaper for your smartphone if you like.

Written by Max Wong

Designed by Max Wong

Resident Illustrator Kim Gaby

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Figure Unboxing and Review: Hanairogoromo Megurine Luka Exclusive (Stronger)

Figure Unboxing and Review: Hanairogoromo Megurine Luka Exclusive (Stronger)

Friday, April 13, 2018 / No Comments

Another addition to the line of Hanairogoromo figures, this time, Megurine Luka! She was released in December but it took me quite some time before I actually managed to get this review out. In May this year, Kagamine Rin and Len's Hanairogoromo figures would be released (if there's no delay) and this would complete the entire line!

But before we get too excited over this, let's appraise this beauty!

Packaging

As with the other figures of this series, she comes in a very pretty box, decorated with flowers of many colors. The different sides of the box also shows all the different views of the figure as well and it really helps if you can't decide on which angle to display her at.

    

Her blister is very compact and well held together. She comes with the main figure, a round base as well as a large sakura tree branch which she is seated on.

Base

There are essentially two parts to her base, the round one and the branch but since the round base is the same as the other Hanairogoromo figures, I'll skip that this time and focus on the tree instead,

Here you see that the tree has a lot of deep grooves which are painted in a darker brown to create the depth. There is also a flat area which Luka is supposed to be seated on. This area is magnetic, which helps as it means Luka will not fall off easily when you move her around. However the strength of the magnet might weaken over time so do always exercise caution.

The sakura petals do come with a gradient, going from a darker pink to a lighter, more translucent pink at the ends. This is a similar technique that's seen with Meiko's Hanairogoromo figure as well. That same gradient is used on the tree branch, going from a darker brown at the base to a lighter brown at the tips.

The Figure

The hanairogoromo which Luka has on is vibrant in colors and the cool blue tones to her outfit really bring out the pinkness of her hair that sweeps across both the front and back of her kimono. The differences in shades of her hair, hairband and sakura petals really adds a form of dimension of the figure as well!

The hair ornament uses blues and greens to set it apart from the rest of the hair as well as to tie it in with the colors used on her outfit. The sculpting here is quite intricate but I do feel that the finish on it doesn't make the ornament piece look realistic and elegant, but instead it simply looks like an additional sculpted plastic piece. The paintwork could have been better.

The next couple of photos show her outfit from different views. I don't really have much to say since I think the pictures speak for themselves. The pattern are intricate and the pastel colors really help to keep the feel of the figure soft and gentle. One thing to note though  is that her sleeves do not go all the way in (dark blue part on her raised arm) and for an exclusive figure at her price, I felt like Stronger should have taken the extra effort.

All in all, I do enjoy this figure and I'll say she is one of the better ones in the Hanairogoromo so far (Rin and Len are not released yet)!

~ Reina-rin

Sakura Matsuri: Garden By the Bay

Sakura Matsuri: Garden By the Bay

Tuesday, April 10, 2018 / No Comments

The space of seconds when my feet transverse over the threshold into the Flower Dome premier, my warmth skin became cooler instantly due to the air-conditioner's chilly draft. In dispersion through the batch of both locals and tourists, I marched along with a purpose lickety-split full usage of my short legs. Immediately upon a full view of aesthetically cherry blossom trees accompanied by Japanese landscape stretched out before me on the lower section. The resplendent brilliance of vivid hues, intense babble from ecstatic masses as  sunlight streamed from beyond the dome's glass.

My heart leapt in elation, the ambience gave away a serene sensibility, my anticipatory gaze took pleasure. Without further ado, I pressed on en route to the floral heaven at the same time skidded drunkenly. Literally under my nose, I scooped out my hand-phone to capture the blissful moment with a disparate of snapshots. Enamoured by infinitude of crimson, flush, chartreuse and snuff-coloured. A self proclaimed nature lover; Garden By the Bay exhibited the famous season: hanami viewing.

Gratified, the gaggle of general public never overpowered my ambivert senses, even though all of us had to erratically fluctuate to journey to another station. Patience became a virtue as we cool one's heel for a perfect bearing to clicked away numerous pictures.

The theme and display for this year's cherry blossom festival was exceptionally a heart-stopping experience. Mannequins attired in grandeur kimono in contrast with the variegated environment arranged in perfect poses at different locations. The impression I reacted to or perhaps, a number of us as if we had transported into a portal whereas the puppets remain alive just for us to peeked into their world. My inner Art Wolfe promptly vivified animatedly for "professional" photography session.

Multitude of folks don in vibrant yukata as everyone strutted out and about accompanied by friends, families or individually. It rang a bell about a booth service assigned for yukata rental. Post-haste I wandered off toward the said location after a kind employee instructed me; lo and behold, countless stands available for inspection throughout the time traditional  Japanese folk song render in the backdrop. My peepers agleam in unhidden enthusiasm at the abundance of yukata attainable.

A yukata in maroon-tone incorporated with huge cherry blossoms comparable to my make-up that garnered my focal point and fell head over heels in love. The friendly ladies primp me up as I stood straight with arms poked outward on either side and my dream to don a yukata once and for all came true. After a while, I was all fitted and set for a leisurely breeze within the dome in my pretty attire with some touch up on my makeup. Before I exited from the hall another stall in the centre came into my field of vision.

Katanas mounted on the side wall as well as perched neatly on the table top, customized leather bags, kimono, demon masks and many more items. Unbridled curiosity, I dawdle over to survey the wooden swords when the person-in-charge advances with a generous smile to bestow information. To my amazement; a Singaporean designed the items that was on showcase; a hobbyist and passionate for Japan's subculture. From J rock music, heavy craftsmanship to bold fashion, the dedicated team explore for more kindred whom share the same interest. Applicable classes to produce wooden swords that was up to my alley: Link.

A selection of stands provided Japanese meals, accompanied by a growling belly I flitted from one stall to another until someone called out "cheesecake" to me. The swift change of course, I saw myself at a mini dessert stall coupled with a gleeful expression. After my set purchase; a cup of aromatic coffee alongside Hokkaido Cheesecake and trudged upstairs to a lounge. Long tables similar to a Japanese ramen restaurant as occupants sat on the floor. Sooner or later, with time of the essence I managed to venture off toward the actual party. 

Appreciatively, guests came forth to lent a hand when requested for personal pictures a troublesome peeved if you journey companionless. Nervous as a headless creature, my poorly executed yet awkward poses behind the camera lens in full glory. However, the entire day was consumed under the picturesque blossoms.  

Nevertheless, the casts for the main event aside from mesmerizing flowers were the figurines. People flocked for pictures taken with the dolls at the background or some stood there endlessly for photo-shoot. To be honest, at first glimpse my wariness against puppets reacted internally. Once calm and collected, I basked under the glorious kaleidoscope hand in hand with the serene ambience.

The current writer nestled in my head conjured up oodles of potential plotlines that of which involved the erected figurines.



  



In spite of the persistent feet ache as mild exhaustion consumed my system, the initial drive to explore overtook my conscious. Recurrently, petals flutter downward whimsically as time for second stood still to admire the scenic surroundings.

In the course of expedition, a gaggle of photographers clamoured for the ivory puppet's attention. Her alluring beauty drove everyone to a feverish mode. Even I became spellbound enough to joined in the fracas and waved my hand-phone in hopes to beat the rest for better view.



Postmeridian, the realization literally whopped me in the face when dejection followed next, the time to traverse home loomed ahead even though my bleeding heart wept in rejection. Despondently, I back tracked to the hall and allowed the sweet lady to stripped away the yukata with my clothes still attached underneath; there was no unrestricted free show to hapless strangers. Once again, the former me returned behind the mirror's reflection and caught the gloom in my eyes. Alas, I sauntered out of the flower dome with a new emotion; solace. In a time to come, my greedy hands yearned to stretched above the blush-tinted sky under a huge cherry blossom tree throughout the time petals would float downward to paint the fir a roseate tone around my lazed body.

Written by, Rugi chan