Playstation4

Spirit Hunter: NG Review

October 26, 2023December 14, 2023HalsdollLeave a comment

Spirit Hunter NG, released Oct. 10, 2019, developed by Experience, Ghostlight LTD, and published by Aksys Games, is a sequel to the horror visual novel Spirit Hunter: Death Mark. The game is available on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, and Nintendo Switch. I am surprised horror fans aren’t talking about it. The lack of word-of-mouth testimonies is the cause for this game not receiving more publicity. So as a horror game enthusiast, I am here to promote and tell you about a visual novel horror game I enjoyed playing in 2019! In my humble opinion, I enjoyed it more than The House in Fata Morgana, which is also a decent visual novel game with great original soundtrack.

at the bar--the hub — *If you like ASMR videos, the sound and the visuals in this game can be quite relaxing, especially at an empty bar.*

This game is thematically refreshing for a horror visual novel that takes place during hot summer nights, although I first played this game during cooler months. I remember sitting at my desk at work and one of the horror scenes from the game popped into my head. It made me chuckle. My co-worker, an older gentleman asked me what was so funny and asked me if I minded sharing. I tried to explain to him but it didn’t come out right. He looked puzzled. I suppose I can’t explain my morbid sense of humor, but the game developer knows its targeted audience all too well when it subtly brings up the subject to the audience.

Seji criticizing horror fans — *I think the humor is exclusively meant for females like myself who enjoy a good suspenseful, horror mystery.* *Some of us are just weird like that.*

Story

The story follows a “muscle-freak” (borrowing the description from the game) teenage boy by the name of Akira Kijima who happens to be adopted by his aunt, a popular horror novelist who owns a bar as a side job. One day, an evil doll kidnaps his precious, beloved niece. So he finds himself playing a strange game with an evil entity that involves destroying and/or purifying spirits. Along the way, Kijima the devout uncle is accompanied by his good friend Seiji Amanome, a member of the Yakuza, and Momo Kuruse, a gothic pop idol to search for his niece’s mysterious disappearance. Later down the road, he meets older and more professional folks: a gambler, a female cop, and a ghost hunter. The variety of ages and professional backgrounds balanced out the story quite well. There are times when the side characters poke fun at Kijima’s bravery and youthfulness for stupidity, which to the contrary, he has a reason for being. As the story progresses, I find the protagonist quite sympathetic which gives him all the more reason to reunite with his kidnapped niece. I like horror, but I also like rewarding, strong endings. Of course, that’s not the only reason why I enjoyed the game. What intrigued me about this game is the villain, the eternal doll who wants to play and who does not always play fairly. The doll character had such an impact on me that I composed an original song based on it. I still sing the song to this day. That’s what you call a great piece of art when it becomes the source of creative inspiration.

Gameplay

Now let’s talk about gameplay. Is it fun? Is it scary? Well, yes to both questions but it’s not going to give you nightmares. It’s not that immersive type of horror but more like a thematic haunted house ride, you’d find at the fairground. You know the feeling of walking inside a haunted house, hoping for a good fright? Yes, the game allows the player the option to select Scary Mode for those who want a jump scare experience. I selected Default Mode because I wanted to enjoy the game in its original form. Even without the additional scary factor, the story’s chilling tale combined with memorable soundtracks would strike a chord with any woman out there who is often accompanied alone. In every woman, there is a little girl that lives inside of her. Girls love fairytales because real life is rarely happy ever after. So, stay away from male doctors! Oops, did I say too much? Well, I hope I entice you rather than dissuade you from playing the game. Overall, it was a fun adventurous, horror game. I played the game with a guide to save time because, like most games with multiple endings, there is a true ending.

Conclusion

For horror fans, this is a game worth playing. Add to your collection of horror games to play because horror is a genre that is difficult to execute in video games. So, it’s nice to find a piece of gem. The only thing I didn’t enjoy was the slightly erotic graphic pictures of tortured women. Why was it necessary? It’s a mystery to me. There are some things in life I simply can never understand.

Originally published on June 28, 2021 12:00 am; revised October 26, 2023

Zero Time Dilemma Review

June 9, 2023October 26, 2023HalsdollLeave a comment

Mystery-puzzle games are such a treat. I was so hooked and happy that in no time, I completed the game with 100 percent! It’s an easy platinum and the greatest part is that it was a seamless experience. Sometimes I find it distracting when trophies are included in story-driven games. It breaks that cinematic flow experience (I played the digital copy of this game made for the PlayStation 4).

Okay, I lied. It’s not an entirely seamless experience. In terms of obtaining trophies, yes, but progressing the story, no. I got stuck on where to go next. Nothing too difficult though. The flowchart gives you the option to switch between different views (colored marked circles or cinematic thumbnails).

The chart is quite handy for a complex story

It took me some time to figure out what I was missing, which took me back to my elementary school days when life was just so much simpler and more carefree. The biggest mountain I had to climb back then was solving a math problem. We all know it doesn’t take much to throw off an equation. The little details are the solution—the key to solving problems! This game reminds me of a gigantic math problem to which I hate to admit, I don’t have the correct answer(s)! Speaking of addition, there was a part where I had to find the numerical answer to activate an alien device called the Transporter by decoding “alien numbers”. Each card has a number to it.

One of the clues to help solve a problem

I thought the puzzle was not straightforward for the impatient folks. So you might want to look up a walkthrough guide. I can see someone checking off this game for this little minor annoyance. But quite frankly, the story alone is entertaining enough to stand on its own. So, even if you don’t enjoy gameplay, the story is worth diving into. There is enough mystery and suspense for those mystery lovers! On top of that, the characters in the game are likable but not flawless. My favorite character is the kid, Q. Yes, he has a name, but you have to play if you want to kill the curious cat in you. You have to play the game of decision, which doesn’t always yield a pretty outcome.

Overall, I have to give credit to the creators for coming up with such a story that makes perfect sense toward the end. The story’s concept can be quite mind-boggling. Add some scientific theories into this mystery-puzzle game, and you will walk in a circle back to the beginning. I laughed hard a few times, and laughing is always a good sign that a game is good because it’s difficult to balance humor with dark subjects without coming off as offensive. This brings me to the sadistic cutscene scenarios which can sometimes be repetitive as you are switching between three teams: Team C, Team Q, and Team D.

My favorite character is the little boy in the middle

But I didn’t mind it because I am the type who likes to see things from all angles. Well, that is enough math puns for today! Time has run out. This concludes my review for the week!

Resident Evil 3 Remake Review

September 9, 2022October 26, 2023HalsdollLeave a comment

Two years ago, when the pandemic hit, I wasn’t really in the mood for anything zombie-related. I did recall playing the Resident Evil 2remake but it wasn’t as enjoyable. Now, that things are pretty mellow and I don’t hear constant ambulance sirens bouncing off of the city’s buildings day and night, I can say it’s safe to play Resident Evil 3 remake without feeling like I’m in the actual game, although I just realized that Racoon City takes place in the Midwest! But I am not in a metropolis. The environment I am in now is a lot calmer and quieter except for the rhythmic noises coming from the crickets. The sound made me think of certain parts in the Resident Evil remake for GameCube. And so, the waves of nostalgia hit me. I thought why not play the Resident Evil 3 remake? I heard it’s a short game compared to the Resident Evil 2 remake and it is one of the newer titles I haven’t played.

Generally, I have a soft spot for the Resident Evil franchise. I have a super soft spot for Resident Evil 3 because it was my first entry into the franchise. But I also want to point out that I just like Jill Valentine. Her story doesn’t revolve around being someone’s sister or lover. Not saying there is anything wrong with existing for the sake of others. It’s quite noble. It’s just that Jill has her narrative which belongs to her solely. Her independence makes her quite admirable. She is a member of the Special Tactics and Rescue Service also known as S.T.A.R.S, and she is on a mission. I love that kind of determination!

Time to write my thoughts on this awesome remake…

So, let’s talk about Resident Evil 3 remake and why I had blast with it. First of all, I like the character dynamic between Carlos and Jill in this remake. There is a nice balance between them. Before I go into details about the character’s dynamic, I want to talk about Jill Valentine’s outfit. If you have played the original, Jill Valentine used to go around shooting zombies in clubbing clothes. As I said before in one of my blog posts, I have no problem with women who like to dress sexy (more power to you if you feel good in your skin. I wish I had your confidence). In the back of my mind, I have always thought it was uncomfortable to navigate Racoon City, holding a handgun and wearing a tube shirt and a mini-skirt.

Resident Evil 3 ps1 Characters manual — Character profiles from Resident Evil 3 PlayStation manual

That’s quite an empowering fantasy. Realistically though, try walking like that in the city at night, you sure will get hit on by creeps. That’s why I laughed when Jill called Nemesis the creepy stalker in the game. She knows exactly the pain that women go through just for dressing nice.

Jill hiding from nemesis — Yes…..you are creepy just standing outside the building like that…

So, that’s where the remake got it right. Jill’s default outfit just seems more appropriate for the situation. The tube shirt and mini-skirt would only make sense if she was in fact in the middle of clubbing when the chaos hit Raccoon City.

Jill character model in Resident Evil 3 Remake — Not bad Not bad. Still attractive…

Speaking of Carlos Oliveira, in the original, he is an overall nice guy but a bit of a flirt. The remake, on the other hand, made him more mature, task-driven and professional. There wasn’t a moment where I thought Carlos is a sleazy player who is “good with the ladies”. Removing that cocky, playboy attitude from the original game earned him my respect. Even if there was chemistry between the two characters, which is unlikely since Jill doesn’t seem to have time for romance, the remake kept their attraction to each other pretty wholesome. I like that both characters have an important role in the story. I enjoyed playing as both of them, although Jill got more of the spotlight than Carlos. Still, Carlos makes an interesting support role. He is humble enough to let Jill take the lead but strong enough to save her when she is in need. The greatest part is that both trust and believe in each other! It always makes me happy to see good teamwork, especially revolving around the interaction between the opposite sex. There was no gender-defined roles when it comes to getting the job done, and I like that a lot.

Gameplay wise, it’s fun. Like Resident Evil 2 remake, it has the same structure format in terms of gaming mechanics. Back in the day, it was hard to move and aim when you are surrounded with zombies who want a bite out of your neck. The tank control is a challenge in itself in contrast to the over-the-shoulder view. In the remake, the zombies still bite your neck as if you are a piece of delicious meat and you have to press X to be released from the zombie. It’s just annoying, but I guess it’s Resident Evil’s signature dish. Of course, the highlight of Resident Evil 3 gameplay is Nemesis. I think he secretly has a crush on Jill. He sure loves pursuing her! The majority of the game revolves around running away from him. The final blow felt really good.

Nemesis final blow — If you can’t read the text in the picture, Jill said, “Next time take the fucking hint.” I feel your pain, Jill.

My only disappointment about the gameplay, which is only a matter of preference, is QTEs. Did Resident Evil fans complain loud enough that developers decided to take them out of this game? I played the game in standard mode. I wonder if it would appear if I play in hardcore mode. Some action cutscenes could use some QTEs. I like them because it always makes me laugh and get my heart pumping in excitement. It keeps my mind alert, but I can see how bothersome it can be for some people who only play for stories or atmosphere.

Overall, it’s a great remake. I am not sure though if I would replay the game to get all trophies and to get a better rating (I got a C for average performance). But I can see someone spending a lot of time in this game to improve their rating and unlock items despite the story being short. You can beat it under 10 hours or even less if you know where and what to do in the game. So, replay value is great for such a short game. But then again, Resident Evil games were never long but were always well thought out, and that is exactly what I love about the franchise.

Elden Ring Impression: I’m the Bored Centaur Who Likes to Explore

August 26, 2022November 27, 2023Halsdoll1 Comment

I remember one of my favorite pastimes is exploring the Dark Souls universe and I am surprised by this blog; I discontinued my adventure for Dark Souls prepare to die edition. Should I resume my half-finished journey? That was many years ago when I started dabbing my feet into blogging. Met a few gaming bloggers for sure, but most of them have abandoned their blogs and/or have moved on with their lives. I don’t blame them. All things have an expiration date. Even I deleted my old blog when I lost the motivation and the inspiration to write. My naïve self didn’t realize that by nature, gamers are overall just competitive folks, or perhaps as my friend said, people are just more honest and open to how they really feel online, which most of the time really has nothing to do with anyone but the individual. I wish I understood this sooner. My blogging journey would have been more of a pleasant experience. Writing about my gaming adventures was one of my favorite things about blogging but it’s also the least popular among readers. Somewhere along the way, someone is going to get offended and that is something I cannot control.

So here I am now continuing my adventures. If anyone enjoys this sort of content, welcome. Happy you are joining me. I decided to play Elden Ring. By now, most” hardcore souls/borne fans” have probably already completed the game. Once upon a time, I was a Fromsoftware enthusiast too. I once resonate with the game developer as being a tiny entity that rose from the ground and came on top. It makes a great tale. In fact, it’s a classic tale that works pretty well in video games even in books and it speaks a lot to those who enjoy those types of games. It does give you a sense of tremendous amount of achievement when you defeat all odds. For someone like myself who often got overshadowed by my peers for having neonate features that made me look a lot younger than my actual age, it felt really good to say I beat Dark Souls and got the platinum trophy, although it was my patience more than skills that got me through.

Fromsoftware brands itself for making difficult games and what you buy is what you get. You buy games to get slapped in the face repetitively. Now that doesn’t sound fun. But for some people, they like a good slap in the face, a challenge that reminds them they are not dead. Not just yet. It feels good to feel pain and overcome hardship. Well, that’s just my opinion, but is it?

Quote from an Interview done by The New Yorker

I bet Rooney, the suicidal girl from the survival horror game Nightcry would do well with Fromsoftware games. Only when our lives are threatened, that’s when we fight for it with all our might! Yes, go ahead and laugh at people like me. I suppose me and Rooney are the same. I don’t think I ever said I was sane. I mean “It’s okay to be undead just have a level head,” I quote the Blacksmith from Dark Souls II. Not everyone is fit for this type of game. Not everyone is born with perseverance. So, no hard feelings. Just move on and stop being a hater.

Drawing of Rooney from NightCry — Rooney from Nightcry picture source

So, what there’s not to love about Elden Ring? It’s a massive fantasy open-world game that got me just aimlessly exploring. In fact, I don’t know if I am going to the right place. That is a bit of a problem in my book. I’m not a fan of open-world games. There’s no sequence to anything. I just roam the landscape and pick up plants for crafting. Certain areas made me feel as if I am in heaven. Some pretty sights to see over the cliff by the sea.

Looking over the sea in Elden Ring — I feel as if I am already on top of the world even though I haven’t beat the game yet!

Standing by the bald evil in Elden Ring — Standing next to the bald eagle. At least I got more than one companion. Did I ever mention I love trees?

So far, I defeated a few optional bosses found in the caves; one field boss named Tibia Mariner which wasn’t all that difficult and Margit, the Fell Omen. All the other boss fights are too difficult for my under-level character at the moment. I really don’t want to have to summon other players to help defeat a boss. It can be quite fun if you are into multiplayer games, but not for those who play for the atmosphere. Luckily, you can always summon NPC if it’s available.

I wonder why this game is not called Dark Souls 4? It kind feels like a souls game. Just look at the picture below. I suppose this one feels like you are playing inside a fantasy instead of a fairy-tale book.

Views from the Cave in SIOFRA RIVER — View from the cave in SIOFRA RIVER. I wish I could live there. I am already somewhat of a cave woman anyway.

It’s so magical and I love that! I could just escape to its world and never come back to reality. As I mentioned before in my blog, I love books and games. Plus, the monster designs are actually pretty impressive and fun to battle with.

hawk-like animal in Elden Ring attacking player fiercely — The monsters in Elden Ring feel very real at the same time fantasy-like. If you look closely, it’s clutching two blades with its feet.

It’s like going to a zoo–except that I get to be more interactive and engaging with the environment. How awesome is that? And yet, I still don’t know if I will ever complete the game. All it is, it’s just a polished souls’ game, which is a great thing. However, this game requires massive time investment if you want to enjoy it to its max. And I wonder is that why I had the game sitting on the shelf for almost a year now? I’m not ready to invest my time in it. In the back of my mind, I feel that my time should be used for something else more worthwhile. But at the same time…it’s a great game to pass time.