For the last 2 weeks, I have been playing SO4: LH non-stop and managed to finish couple days ago ,thus, I would love to share my readers what my thoughts are about this game. Speaking of Star Ocean series, one can expect of a great battle system and storyline. I believe those two are what defines Star Ocean series or a good RPG. Some may lean towards one or the other but I believe both work together to create a great RPG. Since it’s originally released for XBOX 360, there has been couple changes here and there for the PS3 version, however, I would not discuss it as PS3 vs Xbox360 comparisons can be easily found via Google or Sankakucomplex.com. Before I continue further, please be warned that this post may contain spoilers so stop reading at this point ^^ if you worry about ruining your enjoyment of SO4

Battle System

Square-Enix (SE) did a good job on keeping the same battle system since the original Star Ocean with some minor additions here and there. They kept most features in SO3 and added couple more features such as Blindsides, Rush, Bonus Board and BEAT system. I used Blindsides a lot early in the game but as I progressed through the game, I found it to be almost useless. Meanwhile, I love Rush and Rush combo and they both are great for dishing damage without getting knockback/interrupted. Two thumbs up  for SE for adding this features.

For those who played SO3 before, you should be familiar with Bonus Board. Even though it’s not the same but the concept behind is pretty similar and it’s a way for gaining extra EXPs, HP/MP recoveries, Fols and/or SPs. For me, Bonus board is good and bad at the same time. The good thing about is all those extras I mentioned earlier and the bad thing about is that I have to be extra careful when controlling a character because I need to avoid critical hit on me, otherwise, I lose those bonuses . I stop caring about Bonus Board after I have access to synthesize where you can synthesize FOL/EXP factor to your weapons and armors.

BEAT system is closely related to Rush. There is 2 types of BEAT: BEAT S and BEAT B (SE won an award for the best names ^^;). BEAT S is good for blindsides but the extra stats that it gives makes totally not worth to max it in comparison to BEAT B. Lets compare the two below:

BEAT B
Default: Increased critical hit chance during Rush Mode
Rank 5: Rush Gauge increase rate up
Rank 9: MP cost 25% during Rush Mode
Rank 13: Rush Gauge decrease rate down
Rank 17: Damage -5% during Rush Mode
Rank 20: Rush Gauge increases during Rush Mode

BEAT S
Default: Increased damage to Blindsided enemies
Rank 5: Chain Combo entry during Blindsides
Rank 9: Double Blindsides enabled (avoids counters)
Rank 13: Blindside charging enabled while attacking
Rank 17: Freeze nearby enemies when Blindsiding
Rank 20: "No Guard" status while Blindside charging

When you max Beat B, you can keep your Rush Gauge for the whole friggin battle which means you can kill enemies faster and cost you less MP to use skills. I think Beat S is pretty useless, thus, there is no need to introduce the BEAT system if it’s clearly that one will be used by everyone except maybe Meracle. When I just started the game, I expected that both BEATs would be great and there would be equal advantages and disadvantages between the two. SE fails on this one feature.

There’s still MP damage in this game just like SO3 but, there is no MP kill sadly. MP kill is (arguably) the best idea ever in an RPG game and it makes the game more challenging and interesting. Not only that you need to worry about your HP but you need to be aware of your MP. Too bad that SE removes this from SO4

Story

I was quite disappointed to be honest and it certainly didn’t live up to my expectation. The story was quite linear with one plot twister towards the end or one may call it ‘too cliche’. It has ‘Save the world’ theme in it. While I didn’t expect it to be something like Code Geass (plot twisting in almost every episode ^^;;), I thought SE/Tri-Ace could do better than this. Despite the lousy story line, cutscenes are awesome and I really enjoy all of them, although, sometimes it kinda sucks that you can’t pause in the middle of cutscenes.

Characters

When I thought the story was disappointing enough, characters development clearly takes the podium. Each characters is very very very lacking in developement and the 2 main characters, Edge and Reimi, don’t have what it takes to be the main characters of the story. There is no/very minimal backgrounds/stories about Edge, Reimi and Crowe’s power as Seed of Hope and what it is/ what it does. Through out the game, Reimi is pretty much Edge’s b1tch (excuse my language here) and Edge, himself, tries to be cool and the stuff that he said is just too cheesy ^^;;. In the middle of the game, due to some incidents, Edge became so irritating that I couldn’t stand and listen to him at all; thankfully, he became better and better.

Lymle, one of the usable characters, is also annoying with her ‘ mmm kay’ on every friggin sentence she says during ENTIRE game. First couples , it’s pretty cute but after a while, she is so damn annoying, although, I have to admit that I enjoy Lymle and Faize Private Actions (PA) the most but I also enjoy ecchi PAs like the one above ^^.

Replay Value

This is where SO4 and other SO series  truly shines. There are enormous side quests and post game dungeons for those who are looking for more challenge. In addition, there are 2 additional difficulties, Chaos and Universe if you think Galaxy level is not challenging enough for you. Too be honest, Galaxy is level is pretty easy because through out the main story (before post game), my characters die less than 10 times. Don’t ask how many times they die during post game though ^^;;. If you have hours to spare then this is the perfect game for you.

Others

Before I play this game, I read couple reviews for the XBOX version and majority of them said that Reimi is majorly overpowered especially her critical hits and Crimson Squall (Barrage arrows). Some said that in PS3 version, Reimi’s critical hits has been reduced but I think she is still quite overpowered especially with her Crimson Squall which is great against bosses. After post game, you will get Savage Sparrow which is guided arrows so you don’t need to aim anymore  ^^;;.

For some reasons, Myuria’s AI seems to be broken or something. She keeps going forward and try to hit an enemy with her staff, thus, she always dies first ^^;;. Not sure if this is a bug or what but it didn’t matter what strategy that I put on her, she always goes forward -_-;;.

Final Thoughts

Since everyone’s taste in RPGs greatly differs, please take what I said with a grain of salt and explore the game yourself ^^.

Rating: 7/10

My main/most used characters are Arumat, Reimi, Myuria and Sarah so what are yours ?

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1. New Claymore Manga Ch. 82
2. Ar Tonelico – A year too late
3. Yar!!!! A Game Developer talked to Pirates

Image via Moe Imouto

Sakuafk.com would like to wish everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day and hope that you spend your day with your special someone. If you are  a single guy/girl, Kinoshita Hideyoshi is available for a date as he swings both ways ^^;

Image via Alafista

This year is a year of Tiger so it’s only normal that I put Taiga Aisaka for this Chinese New Year. In addition to Valentine’s Day, Sakuafk.com would like to wish those who celebrate, a Happy Chinese New Year to you and your family. Does anyone  get a lot of red pockets (angpao) ? Same as previous year, I got nothing ^^;;

If you are a single guy, scroll further below ;p. I hope the picture cheer you up a bit ^^;;

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Keep scrolling……

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Image via Moe Imouto

More pictures can be seen in my last year Valentine’s day post (NSFW).

Images source : 1st image, 2nd image and 3rd image

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1. 恭喜發財 (Gong Xi Fa Cai)
2. January and February Loot
3. Box is friggin huge ^^;

When: March 13th 2010, Saturday.
Time: 11AM ~ 5:30PM.
Sign in: 10AM~10:45AM
Location: Bond Place Hotel.
65 DUNDAS STREET EAST, TORONTO, ONTARIO M5B2G8
416-362-6064 www.bondplace.ca

Who: ACG fans, otakus/otomes.
Age: 16 ~26
Cosplay: Encouraged (receive bonus points towards winning a prize)
Bonus: Lots of prizes to be won.
ACG NA VIP Membership Cards for sale & pick up.

ACG NA is organizing a social event for Otaku and Otomes on March 13th. We are looking for people between the age of 16~26 with strong interest in A,C,G and wishes to meet other people of the same interest and make some friends and win awesome prizes!

Participants will be divided into different groups/pairs through out the day to take part in collaborative activities, mini contests, challenges, and score points toward the end of the day to win prizes. Cosplayers receive bonus points at start up, also, candidates are encouraged to do performance (ie, dance, sing) on stage for additional bonus points. On top of that, ACG NA VIP Members get bonus points as well.

There will be many photographers, videographer, and make-up on site. The event will be recorded and made into a Reality TV-like production.

Participants MUST pre-register and purchase ticket before February 26th.
Female participants receive $5 cash back on the day of event.

Everyone who purchases tickets online before Feb 26th will receive complementary food and beverage plus a special 25% off coupon for staying at Bond Place Hotel! Tickets are limited!

Dos and Don’ts for Participants:

Do:
• Cosplay! You can come in costume or change while there.
• Make sure your costume is comfortable to wear and move around in.
• Put on make up and smile for camera.
• Eat breakfast!
Don’t:
• Wear masks or a costume that covers up your face.
• Bring any weapon of any kind!
• Wear high-heels

http://acgnarpp.eventbrite.com/

Updates (Feb 16, 2010)

1. Age cap removed.
2. Discounted Early Bird tickets on sale ($10 off) until Feb 23rd, and girls still get $5 cash-back at the door.
3. Cash drop off can be arranged (before Feb 26th) if you receive a lot of feed back about paying cash.

Related posts:

1. Another Toronto Otaku Meet Next Friday
2. ACG NA Launch Party Mini Con
3. Anime Bash @ North York Public Library

I preordered Saber -Triumphant Excalibur- back in January when it’s just started for 8,867 yen ,however, since HobbySearch is having a sale right now, the price actually goes down by 934 yen which is pretty nice so I pre-ordered another one and canceled my previous pre-order ^^.

The first thing about this figure that captivated my eyes was her pose and as you may have noticed, this is her pose as she is about to release Excalibur (エクスカリバ) : Sword of Promised Victory (約束された勝利の剣) which is one of her Noble Phantasm.

She was given 2 swords in this figure released. Her other sword represents her invisible sword since the sword is clear (you can see through it) and it represents her sorcery: Invisible Air (インビジブル・エア) : Barrier of the Wind King (風王結界).

I like how her battle dress/armor was sculptured as if a gust of wind blows her

I approved her face ^^

The base is quite nice but I feel that the Fate Stay / Night logo is unnecessary. It looks great with all that burn marks even without the logo.

It’s currently on sale on Hobby Search for 7,993 yen so pre-order it while you can ^^.

My other preorder is Asakura Nemu 1/8 by Circus. I never have a figure by Circus. Does anyone know their quality ? From the photos, she looks great and her face is pretty close to what the original is. Not to mention, she is my favourite character from Da Capo (pffttt Kotori ;p) . It was an instant buy for me since I saw her at Wonfes 2010. She is just one of those figures that I MUST get.

For me, dynamic pose of a figure easily captivates my eyes. Her pose may not be as good as Saber -Triumphant Excalibur-, however, as a school girl, her pose looks perfect.

Ohhhhh, she is castoff able. Too bad she only wears a plain bra/pantsu ^^:;.

Looking her back, her body seems too slim/thin or is it just my imagination ?

She is currently also on sale at Hobby Search for 7,480 yen. The price tag may seem little bit expensive but I rarely see any D.C. figures so I think it’s well worth it.

Does anyone have these figures pre-ordered ? I am really excited about this Asakura Nemu figure.

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Nanoha Takamachi Exceed Mode 1/7 by Alter

I just picked up my Nanoha at the post office tonight and was quite shocked with the custom fee. I was charged CAD$37 which is higher than usual because it’s usually around CAD$25. Nanoha and Fate are almost at the same price so I would expect ~$25 custom fee. I guess it all depends the mood of the officer who was examining my stuff. Does anyone experience a sporadic custom fee too in your country?

Side View Left - Magic Circle

Back View - Nanoha Silhouette

I like Nanoha Silhouette on the back

Side View Right - Magic Circle

Side view left and right have the same magic circle.

Top View

“Ace of Ace”….. I like it.

Bottom View

The other loot is Black Rock Shooter. It arrived 2 weeks prior to my Nanoha and I still haven’t opened it yet ^^;; since the box is nice enough to be on display. In addition, it’s a medium size so it does not take up that much space.

Black Rock Shooter 1/7 PVC by Good Smile Company

Side View Right

BSR box is great. I love the photo of the figure on the right side. I wish  I can have a setting like that for my BSR photo shoot ^^.

Side View Left

On the left, you are given the illustration of BSR figure. Pretty nice ^^.

Back View

On the back, there are couple BSR photos from different angles

Top View

Bottom View

So how much did they cost ? Lets talk about that briefly.

Nanoha Takamachi 1/7 PVC Exceed Mode
Unit Price: 12,160 yen
Shipping: 4,000 yen
Points: -414 Yen
Custom: CAD$37
Total: ~$221

Black Rock Shooter
Unit Price: 8,867 yen
Shipping: 5,400 yen
Points: -581 Yen
Custom: CAD$25
Total: ~$185

So far, I meet my quota of 1 figure per month, although, I need to keep the cost of each figure down >.>

Related posts:

1. Box is friggin huge ^^;
2. BLACK ROCK SHOOTER ~Black Blade~
3. Preorder: Saber Lily and Nanoha by Alter