Leon's got gusto

Well, apparently Leon has some balls! Turns out he's one of the more powerful characters in the game. I still want to try to beat the game with Alph and the seven dirty little witches but in the meantime while grinding I'll use Leon for some damage...not that I need it what with Vivi's devastating Tornado spell. My money-maker stage takes me all of less than one minute to clear if I only take a few characters in. I did finally do some imbuing and got a nice Rod for Lucia. Beyond that it's fairly rote at this point until I make the final push. Perhaps today, perhaps tomorrow, perhaps tonight.

Luminous Arc, The Home Stretch

I'm only a couple of chapters away from finishing this addictive game. I say addictive because for all Luminous Arc's problems I keep coming back to it. Of the more glaring issues right now is the inconsistency of challenge, it's all over the place. One battle can be very tight while the next is a piece of cake. This is particularly apparent as we approach the end game. Meh, I've invested this much time into it and it's only a matter of a bit more before I complete it so I'll definitely stick with it.

I've been dabbling in Sentou Kokka Air Land Battle as well and having a good time of it but I decided to pop Global Force in and OH what a difference a year makes. Global Force is so much cleaner looking, it makes me want to shelve Air Land Battle. I'll report on whichever game I end up playing with vigor when that time happens.

Panzer Tactics DS is looking really good and since I'm loving the DS these days (don't ask me why, my enthusiasm for the device has always been muted until this past week) I'm all excited about this game. Here are some videos at gametrailers and the play looks really smooth.

Vivi's Sidequest (Luminous Arc)

Well, I finished the two battles of Vivi's sidequest. Wow were they messy. I guess I wasn't being careful enough because between the five hits of over 110 points of damage each without me getting a chance to even move and on TOP of that getting two of my key characters (Alph and Cecille) confused! Wow, it was truly the messiest fight yet in the game so far and I'm looking forward to other fights being as fun and challenging.

I've not even touched the item imbuing section of the game yet, I'm sure once I start doing that the game will become easy again (it was a cake walk until chapter, oh, 14 or so.)

I didn't get the time to play any Daisenryaku VII Exceed (Japanese Edition) last night but I'm hoping I have the time one day this week. I'll do an extensive write up on that game when I put the time into it. I've already started a FAQ that is posted at gamefaqs.com.

Cheers!

Luminous Arc Halfway Point

I'm starting this blog off already over halfway into a neat little SRPG for the Nintendo DS called Luminous Arc. The game has problems galore and is decidedly early-generation when it comes to its technical aspects but it has enough charm and ease of play to keep me coming back. In fact, I've been somewhat obsessive about the game over the past week and am (at Chapter 18) doing some serious leveling and completing of Intermission scenes.

This neat DS title is a Strategy RPG in the style, though without the depth, of Tactics Ogre and Final Fantasy Tactics Advance. It has, of all things in a DS game, voice acting. It's not persistent but every once in a while the dialog is spoken and it's very, very well done. The most annoying character in the game voice wise can be said to at least have a world of talent in the voice acting department.

The item and equipment system in the game is messed up, confusing, and honestly a complete pain in the ass. I'm having to write down lists just to keep track of the items. Stylus control is beyond bad, fortunately the solution is to just turn it off and use the buttons. Much better that way.

Anyway, there's lots of fights to do in the game. My characters are all mid-40s in the level department right now which as I understand it is close to end-game levels (and again, I'm only 1/2 way through the title!) I am spending a LOT of time in this chapter, trying to get my party ready for Vivi's sidequest. Perhaps I'll post progress on that particular element tomorrow.

I will keep you posted on my progress, which is daily, at any rate.

Some other games I have to look forward to are: Daisenryaku VII Exceed for the US PS2 (should be out within the next few months); Shin Sentou Kokka Kai, a terrific modern era strategy game for the Japanese Playstation; Super Robot Wars W for the DS; and a few other surprises I'm keeping secret right now. Lots of info coming your way, keep peekin! I am a strategy/SRPG game fanatic!