Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King Review - Wii & Wii U

So here in is my first Wii U review and first one of 2013 (mostly because you can transfer WiiWare).




Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King is an RPG and town building game released on the Wii as WiiWare but also playable on the Wii U. It is a game from within the Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles sub-series of Final Fantasy, the much acclaimed series by Square Enix.

Story




As this is a Final Fantasy game the story is sound. A young king starts to search for his father and rebuild a kingdom in the aftermath of Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (as I understand it, not having played the GameCube sensation) with the help of his royal companions. The king is of course, you.

Gameplay



Gameplay is different from a usual RPG as you do not do any adventuring and monster slaying yourself, but rather hire your subjects to clear nearby dungeons on your behalf. What you do is build the town up whilst they fight and gather more things for you to either train your adventurers better, such as getting a Black Mage academy or gaining items to let them get better swords or bigger houses.

Graphics




This is a Wii title so is in standard definition which is clear when playing on an HD TV. However the graphics are good for the time. If the chapter introductions were FMV rather than in-game cutscenes it might be nice. An HD update for the Wii U would be nicer though. *hint hint Square Enix*

Soundtrack



The soundtrack is mediocre but was worth enough releasing as a mini album as shown above. Some DLC tracks from Crystal Chronicles might have been good for those who played it before as there was plenty of other DLC.

Replayability




There's loads. There's all the downloadable dungeons to add extra races, there's all the different costumes and differing ways to lay out your town and even a New Game+ when you've finished adding even more dungeons.


Story: 5.5/10
Gameplay: 8/10
Graphics: 6.3/10
Soundtrack: 6/10
Replayability: 9.2/10

70%

0 – 19% Unplayable - why the hell did I even buy this?
20 – 49% Poor – Certain elements of the game hold it back
50 – 69% Average – More good than bad, but you might need to be a fan to really get in to it.
70 – 84% Good – A nice franchise or single game, that just misses out on being great because of a few flaws.
85 – 89% Excellent – You could play this for ages and be happy
90 – 100% Fucking Excellent – You should have this game and play it every single day.

Games I’ve played in 2012 – Review Listing

I have played a lot of video games this year and often check in using GetGlue when I do. What I have done is gathered up a list of what I have played and will review each game I have played on my blog. I will update this list each time I post a new review. I have already reviewed some, which are linked in their text below. I intend to have them all done by the end of 2013. In the meantime, please read the reviews already there and let me know what you think.

- My Pokémon Ranch
- Final Fantasy I
- Pokémon Sapphire
- Final Fantasy VIII
- Pokémon HeartGold
- Pokémon White
- Pokémon Pearl
- Wii Sports Resort
- Jetpack Joyride
- Smash Bros Brawl
- Pokémon FireRed
- Wii Fit Plus
- Castle Age
- Words With Friends
- Hanging With Friends
- Scramble With Friends
- Draw Something
- Angry Birds
- Pokémon Diamond
- Temple Run
- LEGO Star Wars
- Mario Kart Wii
- Animal Crossing: Wild World
- The Elder Scrolls IV:Oblivion
- Pokémon Black
- Mario Kart: Double Dash!!
- Pokémon Emerald
- Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days
- Final Fantasy VII
- LostWinds (iOS)
- Pokémon Platinum
- The Sims 2
- The Sims 2: Apartment Life
- Final Fantasy XIII
- Final Fantasy X-2
- Pokémon Pinball: RS
- Pokémon Battle Revolution
- Angry Birds Space
- Pokémon Ruby
- Dissidia 012
- Final Fantasy IX
- Prince Of Persia: Sands Of Time
- Prince Of Persia: Warrior With
- Prince Of Persia: The Two Thrones
- Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep
- Secret Of Mana
- StreetPass Quest
- Mario Party 4
- Mario Party 5
- Animal Crossing: Let's Go To The City
- Civilization III
- The Sims 2: Mansion & Garden Stuff
- Angry Birds Seasons
- GodFinger All Stars
- Pokémon Channel
- Pokémon Colosseum
- Kingdom Hearts: Dream Drop Distance
- Kid Icarus: Uprising
- Tombi
- Pokémon SoulSilver
- Pokémon Blue
- Flower
- The Sims 2: Bon Voyage
- The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
- Super Mario Bros
- Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
- Tekken
- Tekken Tag Tournament 2
- Final Fantasy: Crystal Chronicles: My Life As A King

Ringing in the new year with Pokémon

So, fellow Pokémon players, how can you start 2013 off in the Pokémon world? I am going to make a small list or guide of what you can do on 01/01/2013 in Pokémon.

There’s going to be lots going on, so I will list it below by game (Please note: I have not listed regular daily events).

 

Johto (Generation II)

The new year starts off with the Bug Catching Contest in the National Park, where you can catch rare Pokémon like Pinsir & Scyther.

Next you can get your Pokémon primped in the Golden Rod Tunnel for a small fee and it’ll make your Pokémon love you more.

There is also a chance to meet Tuscany, if you haven’t already, on Route 29 who will give you a lovely Pink Bow.

 

Sinnoh

In Sinnoh, you can get stuck in to a battle against Cameraman Tevin, who is waiting for you at Jubilife TV for your first battle of the new year.

 

Julia will be in her usual generous mood in Sunnyshore City and will give you a Shock Ribbon for telling her a story about a shocking event involving Pokémon.

You can also do a bunch more Pokémon Center battles against many tough trainers. Please check all the Pokémon Centers in Sinnoh for a good time of battling (Platinum only).

 

Johto (Generation IV)

The events mentioned in Generation II are on, as well as more things below;

If you have met Tuscany and got the TwistedSpoon already, he will give you a Shock Ribbon for applying to your Pokémon, provided you have met all the other Weekday Siblings at least once.

In the Dragon’s Den, your rival will be there training himself. If you speak with him, you will be able to battle Clair & Lance alongside him in a double battle. This is a tough battle, be prepared.

For registering the Gym Leader’s on your PokéGear, you will need to visit Bellchime Trail and speak with Morty there, and then it’s off to Cinnabar Island to register Blaine too, any time during the day. You can then ring Blaine during 10am and 7:59pm and Morty can be called for a battle from 8pm until nearly 3am the next day.

Cameron will take a photo of you and your Pokémon at these locations to ring in the new year;

Johto

• New Bark Town
• Ruins of Alph (inside)
• Route 32
• Ilex Forest
• Goldenrod Tunnel
• Route 35
• Pokéathlon Field
• Olivine City
• Safari Zone gate
• Blackthorn City
• Frontier Front

Kanto

• Route 1
• Pewter City
• Saffron City Magnet Train station
• Celadon City fountain
• Fuchsia City
• Seafoam Islands
• Route 26

Unova

In Nimbasa City, you can encounter Strikers and Smashers in the Big Stadium and Small Court respectively for battling.

 

Don’t forget that there’s always loads to do in Pokémon, especially when you play with your friends!

Now optimised for mobile!

So, my blogs should now be optimised for viewing on mobile devices. Like the mobile look?

Epilepsy Awareness Month - My Epilepsy

So, November is as stated above, and as someone with epilepsy, I guess it's partly my responsibility to make others more aware.

I'm going to detail how I discovered mine, what a seizure/fit feels like, how I cope now and so forth.

I've basically had my head issues as long as I can remember but as they were never serious, and were more of a nuisance than anything. During a normal tidying up of my flat, I had my usual head thing happen, which is:

I get a loud ringing in my ears, like a flatline sound, and then a series of images akin to a film plays in my head. There are three or four sets of films and though I can't remember it once my attack is over, I recognize the start of them when I am having them. Then an immense pain in my head, followed by pain in other areas every so often.

Usually that's where my thing ends, but during this time I blacked out.

I was aware I had been unconscious for a few minutes thanks to the clock in the living room but I was otherwise okay. I got up off the floor and continued to clean and then it happened again and I was out for nearly 10 minutes. I had bashed my arm against the doorway so had flailed in my vulnerable state and injured my arm.

I then panicked and realized that my local doctors wouldn't be open due to the time, but rationalized that I could call NHS Direct and ask them about it.

They said it sounded like a seizure, and advised that I go to the walk in center in town. I went there and they did a few tests and then referred me to my current epilepsy doctor, who ran some MRI tests and others and gave me the diagnosis of epilepsy.

Since not too long after that I've had medication, and haven't had anything else happen. I wasn't able to drive until I was fit free for a year, but then I got a free travel pass which has proved very useful.

I hope you are a bit more aware now, I'm not sure what else there is left to say.

Apprenticing in Pokémon

I've been playing Pokémon Emerald a lot again lately, and have remembered my favourite feature.

It's the apprentice in the Battle Tower. They are a trainer who asks you questions about which Pokémon they should use in the Tower, and battle moves and the like. They ask you one question a day until they feel successfully mentored by you, at which time they are replaced by a new one.

Then they are assigned a position in the Tower's single rooms, so that you meet them in battle or team up with them in the Multi rooms.

However, when you mix records with another Emerald game, you also share all your apprentices and a trainer of yourself for use in your friend's Tower.




I also really like Record Mixing, just because of all the data it shares amongst games, and to see all the data the game tracks. Make a big purchase at a PokéMart and then mix records, you'll be on your friend's TV on a show. You'll also be in their Record Hall for the Battle Frontier.




There's also the sharing of secret bases, which not only shares your base, but all the registered bases you have and vice versa.

Record Mixing is still present in the fourth generation games (Diamond/Pearl/Platinum) but doesn't share as much data as Emerald, nor are as many in-game things changed.

I'd love to see the feature return in a big way.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

iApp Review - Board Games

These are apps in my "Board Games" folder.


Price:59p

Who doesn't love Scrabble? Scrabble on the go on the iPhone is very good, and essentially the same as playing it on a board.

There's quite a cheating "Best Word" button that though you can only use four tines is really cheap.

Pass and Play is good, and can be done over one iDevice or via WiFi between them.

Your other option is to buy "Scrabble Tile Rack" on four iDevices and then the main Scrabble game on an iPad and then have a super expensive game of Scrabble.

3.5/5

Buy it here - (UK iTunes) Scrabble





Price: Free

Words With Friends is a game like Scrabble but you play against other users and at whatever pace you want.

I could play a move soon after someone else and then be waiting a few days for them to make a move, or if they're in a different time zone it's convenient too.

There's also a chat feature which is sometimes handy. There's still a Pass And Play and local multiplayer options available but the main bulk is playing against other users online.

Words With Friends (Free) is an essential app if you like games like Scrabble.

4/5

Download it here - (UK iTunes) Words With Friends Free


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Another side of Twitter

I've been using Twitter now for over two years and my main account is pretty active.

I started following a Kingdom Hearts RP account a few months back and then eventually set one up too. It reminds me of my old time in e-Feds and writing Pokémon stories. It is here if you are interested.

It lets me be a bit creative in a very short space of time but also provides a good base background to work from and as I like the character's personality with poker playing, Time control and being a good wordsmith, it suits me.





I've not many followers so far outside of others who do the same thing, some of whom do seem a little nuts about the whole thing, and I didn't know this whole RPing side of Twitter existed until last year.

Twitter is constantly growing and evolving and it's great.


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Things I cannot touch

You may have seen me mention #thingsicannottouch as a hashtag on Twitterbefore now and I thought it best to explain further.

Basically, touching certain things like peaches, dry sponges and unglazed pottery makes me feel queasy. Not sure why, it just does.

I work with fresh fruits amongst other things so that makes the peaches and pears bits rather annoying. I'm pretty sure I'd vomit if I had to hold one of the things for a certain length of time.

It's just an annoyance at times, when I can't get pasta bake trays/casserole dishes in to an oven because of it's ceramic base. I'd drop it.

I guess I'll get over it one day.
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Finally don't care

During a few conversations on Twitter, I realised that I no longer cared about future Final Fantasy titles being released.

I used to be a day one purchaser (from VII onwards when I had my own cash and knowledge of the series), so where did it all go wrong? I guess it started with XI, a little, when I knew I wouldn't be buying a MMPORPG, even if it did pretend to be Final Fantasy. Then XII was released and became the biggest Final Fantasy dissapointment to me since playing Final Fantasy II, right after finishing Final Fantasy I. I thought XIII might manage to draw me back in but all that seems to be is a long tutorial in sparkly destruction. So, unless it's remakes or things linked back to older games, I consider myself done with Final Fantasy.




Fortunately, Squeenix still get my money because of Kingdom Hearts, a franchise I really like, though I know it is sometimes childish. There's a "new" (been redesigned for DS, tweaked, new features etc.) game coming out soon called Kingdom Hearts Re:coded, which ought to be good, then that'll be followed up by Birth By Sleep, which has been anticipated since Kingdom Hearts II came out many years ago, then Tetsuya Nomura says he's also working on two other KH titles so they should keep me going really.

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Going Postal - Upcoming

This aired recently on Sky1, so a review of the book and the Sky1 adaption will soon follow. In the mean time, can I recommend you follow @goingpostalnews on Twitter?

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A pressing engagement

I’ve not posted in a little while, and this one will just be a tweet that speaks for itself.

Wii Fat

Now anyone that knows me will tell you (or maybe not, depends how nice they're being) that I'm overweight.

About eight months ago (when this post was started and drafted, then forgotten about), I weighed almost 18st, and had a 40 inch waist.

Of course, as fellow chubby gamers might know, there is an alternative to doing any real excerise:


Wii Fit, for it's few faults, is quite good at keeping you on track as it sets a goal weight for you and tells you off for putting on weight, to which you have to designate a reason.

It's a good way of tracking your weight and seeing where you're going wrong if you stick at it, but there's little structure. You could play only the balance games and ignore all the muscle workouts.

My fiancée recently set me on to this other Wii workout game and it seems to work very well.



EA Sports Active More Workouts (yes, long title) comes with a leg strap and resistance band. The idea is that you put the leg strap on and insert the Wii's nunchuck in to it so that it can monitor when you're running or lunging. The resistance band is a peculiar pink rubbery strand with two handles at the end. Most of the time you stand on the rubbery part and pull the handles towards you whilst excercising.



With the game, you start a six-week challenge, during which you work out for four days of the week (of your choice) and then it assigns you different sets of workouts for those days, getting progressively tougher as you continue. During the "days off" you assign you still need to fill out the "EA Sports Active Survey" detailing what you've eaten, sugar intake and the like.

I didn't mean for this to turn in to a review but it sort of did. Using both these fitness games and doing a few other things means that my waist is now 34" and I now weight 16st, so it's all good.

If this is a review the games need scoring, but I'll forgo my usual system as it doesn't suit fitness games and just go for a score out of 10.

WII FIT: 7/10
EA SPORTS ACTIVE MORE WORKOUTS: 8.5/10

Please note that they don't fit in to my usual scoring and are more of an "excercises game" score.

-- Posted from my iPhone

Kitties Part II: Extra Ginger

The family's cat had more kittens. Six this time.

I promise I'll post some actually interesting stuff later this month.

Merry New Catch-‘em-all-up

So, my last post on here seems to have been quite some time ago. Firstly I should wish you all a belated happy new year and then let you know what’s been going on in the interim.

RelationshipThe main reason I’ve not been blogging is because I’ve got a girlfriend recently, and I’ve been rather busy with things that aren’t blogging whilst getting a new relationship started up and making her happy.

Head IssuesThe problem with my head seems to be epilepsy to let you all know, but not the usual photosensitive kind that people think of when they think of epilepsy. I don’t know what triggers it yet, but I’ve been told I can’t drive for a year to ensure I’m free of any attacks. I’ve also got some medicine for it to take every day and then I’ll be updated on it in about four months.

I’m too young for this I’m now going to be an uncle, as my little brother’s girlfriend is a few months pregnant. It’s a bit odd, as he’s the youngest member of the family, but the first one to be having a child. Still, I am quite happy for them.

KittensI don’t know if I mentioned it on here before, but we now have kittens, as seen above. They are very cute, and are named Charlie and Hiro.

That’s all I can think of that you need be caught up on for now, I’ve got a few reviews that I’ll get around to writing when I’ve the time, and a few tales to tell, but for now this is goodbye again for a bit.

Who lives in a house like this?

Wait. I do. Though it’s a flat, as opposed to a house. You might recall when I showed off the pictures of my flat not long after I moved in and got sorted out. I thought now that @benjirino has moved in and I’ve almost been here a year, I’d show off some before and after pictures to show you how things are now. Above is the kitchen.

Bedroom

This is before, when it was very basic. It’s not changed much but has become a little messier, and then tidy, and now should remain at a standard of tidiness. Now let’s see today:

It’s still a little messy, but it is in my nature. The sofa that was in the living room is now in there, as is a TV previously in the living room. Posters are now up too, to make it seem more like an actual room. I think it’s quite an improvement. Also out of shot, my clothes are a lot more sorted.

Kitchen

The previous kitchen shot is at the top of the page, so then let’s see today’s:

Not a big change on the surface, but plates and things are a lot more decluttered now in the cupboards. To be fair, I already had the main things like a dishwasher, washing machine etc. but Benji did get a much needed microwave a few months ago.

BathroomVery boringly basic before. A small stack of Penny Arcade books in the corner, and not really many other defining features. So now, how does it look?

Many new things in here! Coffee table for the Penny Arcade books, which are now accompanied by copies of Nintendo magazine, Lost magazine and Powerslam. There’s now a large mirror and even *gasp* a shower now, as you can see the rail just at the top. There’s also two washing baskets in here, one being Benji’s. This room has probably changed the most besides the living room.

Living Room

I didn’t actually show off the living room last time, but instead have two photos.

Yes, we have two TVs before you state this, being geeks it’s required. Can’t be playing Kingdom Hearts and hogging all the TV, so having two makes sense. There’s a fireplace behind that airer, but I’ve only switched it on three times since I’ve been here. Now on the other side:

Yep, two sofas too, and two bookcases, though you can’t see mine too well.

Shan’t show off Benji’s room as I don’t think he’d want me to post it on here without prior knowledge. But, that’s where I live. Looks much better now than it once did.