...

I'll find time for PSO and ToP eventually.

Sorry

I know I haven't really posted since last month, but I've been busy looking for work. I'm going to update this blog soon enough, but it's not as high on my list of priorities right now.

Anticipation: a Phantasy Star Online update

I'm leveling in Very Hard mode Ruins once more, and I'm getting more and more anxious to fight Dark Falz again. Unfortunately, I know he'd whip me like a red-headed stepchild, so to speak. If his 3rd form's Slash didn't kill me instantly, his spells would.

Therefore, I'm stuck doing Ruins runs over and over until I think I can kill DF. The thing that's bugging me the most right now are the Dark/Death Gunners. Those little douchebags usually spawn when I'm already fighting Delsabers or Dimenians, and they actually do decent damage at low levels.

I also found yet another DB's Saber...*sigh* the sooner I get to Ultimate mode, the better.

-Current Stats-
[lvl 54]
[Total EXP=400144]
[Next lvl=21380]

-Closing Thoughts-
As tired as I am of getting weapons I already have/can't use, I'm still shocked by how good a month February has been. I hope PSO stays this generous in March.

Through the sewers: Tales of Phantasia update

Sorry for the short delay; busy with life and all that. I just bought Masamune Shirow's "Ghost in the Shell" (I've seen the movies and the anime, but I've never had the chance to read the manga until now), and that's kept me busy for a bit.



Anyway, I progressed a little bit further in Tales of Phantasia today. I'm not going to go into such great detail regarding the story anymore, but that doesn't mean I won't keep you up to date. I chose this because I don't want to have to take screenshots of practically every line of dialogue.

I'll do a short recap of what happened in the story, and then it's stats time!

Cless and Mint progressed through the sewers for a while, only to come across a flying demon (apparently, he was demoted to sewer duty. You won't catch him complaining, though! This optimistic loser thinks he owns the place).


Come see the violence inherent in the system!

Anyway, they beat him, escaped the sewers, and were making their escape...until a poison slug came out of nowhere and attacked Mint. Cless, being the cliche hero we all know and love, jumped in the way and lost consciousness. He awakes in the house of Tornix D. Morrison, who apparently knew his and Mint's parents (they are the four fighters seen in the beginning of the game).

After learning that Cless's pendant was stolen, and telling Cless, Mint, and Chester (who just rejoined the party) to stay behind, he sets off to find Dhaos's minions and stop them from resurrecting their leader. Then, an old friend of Cless's shows up and decides to train the party in a suspiciously small cave.


...how are we supposed to fit in here?

And that's where I've stopped playing for now. Got to fit in some PSO time at some point, right?

-Current stats-


-Funny screen of the day-

Elementary, my dear Chester.

-Closing thoughts-

This game is freakin' gorgeous.

Previously on Tales of Phantasia

Well, I worked on ToP a little today, and I'll be playing either that or Phantasy Star Online (or both) later tonight. I'm only a little ways into the story, but I'll recap what happened so far.

Meet Cless Alvein, swordsman in training and son of Miguel, one of the four warriors who banished Dhaos (evil Ganon-y ruler) years ago. He and his best friend Chester Barklight set off to kill some boars, bears, owls, and whatever else would piss off PETA.


Take that, Pamela Anderson!

After Cless sees a ghost pop out of a tree, and after killing a particularly big boar and it's children, they hear the town alarm sounding and rush back home, only to find that everyone is dead. Chester decides to stay behind and bury everyone, while Cless sets of for his Uncle's house, mostly due to things his mother told him.

On the way there, I got to go through a pretty good looking (especially for the SNES) mountain pass, and unfortunately, I forgot to take snapshots of some of the best parts. Anyway, proceeding to Euclid, Cless takes a nap at his Uncle's house, only to awake surrounded by soldiers. Apparently, they were going to burn the town if his Uncle didn't give him up, or something like that.

After having his pendant stolen and being hauled off to jail, Cless meets a dead woman and, after taking a sword out of her stomach, frees his new friend Mint (who is the daughter of the stabbed woman). Together, they resolve to escape this dungeon...later on, when I get home from work.

I'll be posting lvls and stats, as well as more screen caps, like these ones:


Kneel before the awesome might of your new king, you puny town! Watch in horror as I stomp you to-


...death?

Tales of Phantasia (SNES)

I've decided to start this epic adventure once more, in the hopes of reaching the Maximum lvl and beating it for the first time. I'll be playing it on the PSP mostly, but I'll be using a second save file on my laptop to take snapshots and upload them here.

If you haven't played Tales of Phantasia yet, well, shame on you! Not really, but you should definitely play it if you get the chance. You'll probably have to use the DeJap translation patch for this version.

The story revolves around a teen named Cless Alvein (or Cress Arbane if you're playing the GBA version), whose home town of Totus Village is burnt down, and whose parents are killed in the process. Cless then sets out with his best friend Chester to take his revenge on the evil that caused it.

As cookie-cutter as this sounds, it's actually a gorgeous game with a pretty decent storyline. The evil ruler Dhaos gets unleashed, sh*t hits the fans, and a few Doc Brown-esque (okay, so it's more mystical than scientific) plot twists later, we get a game I'll thoroughly enjoy conquering.

In conclusion, I've undertaken The Quest For lvl 99!

Results for Feb. 16-17

Lvling in Very Hard Mode is a breeze so far, mostly due to the fact that each monster now gives at least 90 EXP (not counting Mothmants and other small creatures). I've now fought my way to Ruins once more, and I'm pretty excited about how quickly I'll lvl, but alas, I've run out of time.

I found another rare, this time a piece of armor called "Proto Regene Gear" (no, Regene is not a typo. That's what it's listed as in the game). Unfortunately, I can't use it until lvl 66. Apparently, it's a prototype for a shield that regenerates health, but in the model I found, the function doesn't, erm, function.

Anyway, I'll have more time to play over the weekend probably.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: [lvl 52] [Total EXP=360654] [Next lvl=18076]
Closing thoughts: I'm finally a quarter of the way there! It's all uphill from here (then again, when isn't lvling in RPGs an uphill battle?), but I'm still excited. I recently put emulators on my PSP, and I feel like starting another RPG, so expect more posts. I'm thinking about playing Tales of Phantasia for the SNES.

Results for Feb. 13-15

Well, I decided to play some of Episode II; I'm at Seabed right now. I also decided to go back and kick Dark Falz's butt again, and I finally managed to at lvl 47 (though, it took me a couple of tries, and I had to use monogrinders to add +6 to my Varista). I'm lvling on Very Hard mode right now, and Forest was a total breeze.

Oh yeah, I also found another DB's Saber, Ice Staff: Dagon, and Branch of PakuPaku (and I found all three on the 15th). I think I'll add a widget to keep track of how many I find; at this rate, I'll have lost count by June. Also, expect more screenshots from now on.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: [lvl 48] [Total EXP=286939] [Next lvl=14656]
Rati: [lvl 200] [Synchro=115%] [IQ=200] [DEF=21] [POW=107] [DEX=44] [MIND=28]
Closing thoughts: I can't believe my Rati is already fully lvl'd. :( Oh well, time to raise another mag I suppose.

Another day, another lvl (results for Feb. 12)

Or two. I'm lvling in Ruins mostly, but it's still taking me a while to make any real progress. On the plus side, I found a Varista. That brings the amount of rares for the month of February up to five (not counting Photon Drops and Addslots). I'll have a bigger update tonight.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: [lvl 43] [Total EXP=205769] [Next lvl=14384]
Rati: [lvl 192] [Synchro=120%] [IQ=200] [DEF=21] [POW=100] [DEX=43] [MIND=28]
Closing thoughts: Why am I only getting lucky and finding rares when I'm not looking for them?

Minor update

I'm sick and ****ing tired of trying to connect to the Schthack private server. I've jumped through every hoop there is, tried every different setting and DNS, tried every program that is supposed to help, tried different broadband and crossover cables, and I'm done. This isn't worth the headache. Online gameplay can suck it.

A question

If I even have any loyal (extremely bored) readers er...reading my blog right now, rejoice! I've decided to make this blog more interactive. Obviously, there's an unused area below each of my posts where you can posts comments. None of you have ever used this. I'm starting to doubt anyone ever will (hell, does anyone actually read this? I'm guessing the few hits I get every day are either from me or people stumbling across it on the internet, reading two words, and moving on).

Anyway...request me another RPG to start playing when I hit lvl 100 please. I'll be itching to have another project going at the same time by that point. The game that gets the most votes (provided I own it) will win my attention, and soon after be violated by my marathon gaming tendencies.

Results for Feb. 10 (the rest of the day)

I played the crap out of PSO today and only rose 4 lvls. The kind of bugs me. On the plus side, I now know I can make it through all three Ruins levels and both Spaceship levels (though, I still can't beat their bosses on Hard Mode). I'll be hitting PSO even harder tomorrow, so check back for updates. Oh yeah, I also found a DB's Saber and a Mace of Adaman! I've been luckier this month than I have been in the rest of my 8 years of playing this game.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: [lvl 41] [Total EXP=179473] [Next lvl=12489]
Rati: [lvl 147] [Synchro=116%] [IQ=200] [DEF=21] [POW=86] [DEX=39] [MIND=28]
Closing thoughts: Dark Falz Form 3 is such a douche. That is all.

Results for Feb. 2-10

It's been a little while, but as busy/lazy (in my free time) as I've been, I've managed to play some PSO here and there. Earlier today (or yesterday at the time of this posting, I guess) I progressed through both Caves and Mines on Hard Mode, found a Rappy's Wing, converted it into a Rappy Fan (yet another rare I won't be able to use for a while), and lvl'd up to lvl 37. Oh yeah, I also turned my Mag into a sweet Rati. I'll be spending much more time playing PSO tomorrow.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: [lvl 37] [Total EXP=131734] [Next lvl=10891]
Rati: [lvl 140] [Synchro=117%] [IQ=200] [DEF=21] [POW=59] [DEX=32] [MIND=28]
Closing thoughts: I might try my luck against Hard Mode Falz at lvl 40.

Results for Feb. 1st (big developments!)

Well, I beat Episode 1 (Normal, and at lvl 25), lvl'd to 30, got my Mag back to a Varaha, and...wait for it...found a Brionac! A Hard Mode Nano Dragon randomly dropped one, and as soon as I saw it, I started shouting "YES!" so loud that even the N64 Kid would roll his eyes. Of course, I won't be able to use it for several lvls, but what matters is that I found it. And then saved my progress, of course. Anyway, I'll be working on reaching Hard Mode Mines (Mines seems to be my favorite place to lvl for some reason) tomorrow, and evolving my Mag into a Rati.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: [lvl 30][Total EXP=69818][Next lvl=7347]
Varaha: [lvl 93][Synchro=98%][IQ=144][Def=20][POW=27][DEX=24][MIND=22]
Closing thoughts: I always seem to fight (and kill) bosses a lot sooner than expected. I'm not sure why (I guess I'm just impatient).

Sorry for the delays

I know it's been a while since I last posted (been busy moving my girlfriend out of her apartment and into my place), but I did manage to get some play time in here and there. I'll give you the updates right now: I've knocked out every quest up to Letter From Lionel (which I'll be doing tonight when I get home from work), my Mag evolved into a Bhirava, then into a Varaha (after feeding it some antidotes. I didn't even know it could evolve again!), and then back into a Bhirava. I actually like Varaha better, and I'll be trying to get those back.

Current stats are as follows...
Fade: Lvl 24, Total EXP=35659, Next lvl=4265
Bhirava: Lvl=24, Synchro=120%, IQ=20 (damn atomizers and antidotes), DEF=16, POW=22, DEX&MIND=18
Closing thoughts: I'm not going up against Dark Falz until I'm at least lvl 30.

What a day!

I spent basically the entire day playing PSO, and I'm only at lvl 18. I beat De Rol Le at lvl 13, Vol Opt V1 at lvl 16, and I'm trying my hand at ruins currently. I'm contemplating changing the style of this blog, to where I'd just report on my progress at the end of the day, rather than report my individual sessions. I have other responsibilities, and I think this would suit me best.

Anyway, the biggest problem I'm facing right now: I hate those ****ing Claws! They always spawn in numbers greater than six, they surround you too quickly, and they only give out 6 EXP! Little ********! The Dimenians are nice though, when you're able to pick 'em off from a distance. They give out some pretty good EXP, and they look cool. I'm taking a break right now, but I'll be back later tonight to reach lvl 20 with a Mines run.

(Two hours later)

Lvl 20! Woot! Lvling in Mines is so much more pleasant than doing it in Ruins (for the time being).

Results for Jan. 27, 2010: Fade +9, Varaha +26.
Current stats: Fade lvl 20 (Total EXP: 21845, Next lvl: 1799), Varaha lvl 60 (Synchro 120%, IQ 36, DEF 15, POW 17, DEX & Mind 14)
Closing thoughts: Finally a tenth of the way there technically, but realistically, it'll still take me forever. I need to reach Hard Mode as quickly as possible.

Session #4: "A Quick One" (Norm. Caves run)

Okay, I managed to get in about 45 minutes at the end of the night. I lvl'd up a couple of times (not my original goal, but at least I'm more than halfway there), and my Mag is almost ready for his next evolution. I'm trying to turn him into a Birhava on the evolution after next, so I'm focusing on POW>MIND>DEX. Anyway, there's nothing else really major to report.

Session results: Fade: lvl up +2, Varuna: lvl up +6
Current Stats: Fade lvl 11 (Total EXP: 5028, Next lvl: 1022), Varuna lvl 34 (Synchro: 118%, IQ: 58, DEF: 12, POW: 8, DEX & MIND: 7)
Closing thoughts: Maybe I'll try taking down De Rol Le at lvl 16, like (IIRC) the last time I built up a character.

Session #3 : Gimme Three Steps (Caves 1-3 run)

Those stupid little lilies! One of them spawned by the first doorway, and he hit me with poison twice and paralysis once! @$#%^! Anyway I progressed through the caves for an hour and made it to Caves 3 (and lvl 9), but that darn real world interrupted my game time once more. I'll be posting my stats a little later, but I won't be able to reach lvl 20 today.

Session results: lvl 9 (Total EXP: 3538, Next lvl: 512), Mag lvl 28 (Synchro: 116%, IQ 50, DEF 10, POW DEX & MIND: 6)
Closing thoughts: I'm not going up against De Rol Le (or whatever his name is) until I'm lvl 20 btw.

Session #2: Back In Black (Forest 1&2 and Caves 1)

I decided to start with a quest, and what quest better to start with than the one at the top of the list? That's right, Battle Training, here I come. Let me say this: Kireek is a douche. That android couldn't help himself when it came to stealing kills. Thankfully, I used my trusty handgun to at least hit 90% of the enemies first, so I got some EXP.

Still, if they weren't more than a few feet away, that kill stealing jerk would swoop in with his Soul Eater and ruin my fun. Anyway, I finally finished the first three quests and ascended to lvl 5. I think I'm ready for another Forest(s) run, and hopefully I'll kick that dragon's butt.

(30 minutes later)

Yup, I kicked his butt. I was lvl 6 when I did it. Anyway, I entered the caves and quickly reached lvl 7, but I'm going to have to end the session here (real life is calling). I'll be back later today to play the crap out of PSO (my lvl goal for the day is 20).

Sessions results: lvl 7 (Total EXP: 1831 Next lvl: 619), Mag lvl 20.
Closing thoughts: Well, at least I'm at the caves now.

Shout outs

Before I start my next session, I would like to thank two of the resources that originally helped me when I was first starting out in PSO (and that I continue use to this day): http://www.Ragol.co.uk/ and http://www.pso-world.com/. Both have vast amounts of resources and information, and you should check them out when you get a chance. It'll spare from getting some of the crappier mags, going into a boss fight unprepared, and creating a character with a section ID you don't really want (but won't know you don't want until you spend hours trying to get a Rare, only to find out that your section ID can't find it. Argh).

Session #1: "Foreplay/Long Time" (Forest 1 & 2 run)

Stepping virtual foot on the planet Ragol, for the first time in a long time, felt good. PSO is one of my favorite games of all time, and I've missed it something fierce. After creating my character, Fade (Class: HuMar, Section ID: Yellwboze),



I started slaughtering native life as if it was "comin' right for us, Ned"! I reached lvl 2 pretty quickly, and it felt good. Soon after, I found my first handgun and moved on to Forest 2, where I got to lvl 3 with ease and lvl'd my Mag up to lvl 10 (Mag: Varuna, lvl: 11, Synchro: 87%, IQ: 39, Stats: DEF 6 POW 1 MIND 2 DEX 2). I decided to call it a day after reaching the Dragon's lair and finding my first dagger...I would get my butt kicked by the Dragon if I tried to fight him at lvl 4.

Session results: lvl 4, Mag lvl 11.
Closing thoughts: I haven't even scratched the surface.

Phantasy Star Online: Episode 1&2 Plus

I've decided on my first challenge: Get a character in Phantasy Star Online: Episode 1&2 Plus to his/her Maximum lvl! That's right, I've undertaken The Quest For lvl 200!

More to come later.

Welcome to Maximum lvl!

In my newest blog, I'll be tracking my progress as I play through RPG classics, such as (but not limited to): Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger, Xenosaga, Shin Megami Tensai and beyond! I'll also be playing more recent games like Borderlands, Fable, Fallout 3, Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion and way more! My goal? Reach the highest level possible in each game, for my main character/party (at least). The only problem?

...I haven't decided which game to start with yet.