Game Review: Tales of Hearts

Finally!!! I have completed Tales of Hearts!!! I cannot remember when I started playing this game, but the total time I took to complete is around 50 hours!!! The longest RPG I have ever played. However, the language is in Japanese, I only understand the bits and pieces of the story... I only followed the main story, while putting the sidequests aside since I cannot understand their requirements and thus cannot really complete them.

The story is terribly long. The last 2 games I played that took me more than 30 hours are Final Fantasy IV (NDS) and Golden Sun Series (GBA). Because I cannot really understand the story of Tales of Hearts, I will prefer Golden Sun's story. However, since Golden Sun is produced for GBA, therefore it cannot support a lot of graphics and better background musics (BGM). Tales of Hearts is really good, as there are voiceovers in most of the cutscenes, and I like hearing them, like watching anime! There are also short animated cutscenes, but only 7 of them with less than 1 minutes per video... But still is better than nothing! There are also numerous skit videos that you can watch throughout the gameplay. The video is actually small dialogue between the characters, to let you know more about them, and most importantly there are voiceovers too! It is like another part of anime! The team that produced this game has also took much effort for the voiceovers: In cutscenes, in battles and in skit videos. I'm truly really amazed. After you completed the game, a new option is unlocked called the Museum. It has all the BGM, videos, skit videos, voices used in the cutscenes and in battles! I think you need at least a day to hear them all! Haha.

The bad thing about the game is that you cannot skip the cutscenes. Like if your game hangs halfway and have not been actively saving it when you see a save point, you have to restart from when you last saved, and you will have to re-watch the whole scene again...

There is still a lot of things I have not done in the game. I know each character has their own one-hit-K.O-ability, but I have no idea how to unlock it... The sidequests too, if you can successfully complete them, you can have access to the unknown and inaccessible areas which are not needed in the main storyline.

I have enjoyed this game very much, way much better than Final Fantasy. That's what I think, but I have heard that the last 2 NDS Tales Mothership Titles for NDS have not been really nice. Tales of Hearts is a huge breakthrough. Haha.

Rating: 9/10!!!

Meeting with Mr Money Squander

I went out with Pok Yen to Chinatown yesterday. No! Of course he is not the money squander guy! I was referring to another guy we were meeting with. He is none another than Mr Tan Chee Boon.

First stop, we went to look around in the old mall that is opposite OG complex (It should be The Majestic if I'm not wrong...). We then stumbled upon a promoter selling a small vacuum cleaner with a powerful suction. Pok yen and I ignored and went into the Emporium which sells Taiwanese Snacks for a walk. Mr Tan continued to listen to the Promoter...

Next, Pok Yen went to have lunch at KFC. Both Mr Tan and me did not eat since we both had lunch before we came. When we sat down and chat, the 2 of them were talking about the plan of going Taiwan together. After the meal, Pok Yen and I spent around half an hour standing outside a jewellery store just beside KFC, because Mr Tan went in and take a look, no it should be "many looks" on those jewels...

We went up a level to find Mr Tan's friend who works in a Travel Agency to check on the rates for their Taiwan tour. It is quite interesting to find the air ticket rates change so quickly. Well, it is first time for me, who never travelled to other countries for holidays before, to hear such things (The Shandong Trip is not counted since it was an Educational Tour).

I followed the 2 guys to the Chinatown Market to look for cheap CDs. When I said cheap, it does not mean that the CDs are imported from China, I meant Taiwan Version CDs sold at a lower price than those seen in CD shops in shopping malls. I think is more worth it to buy CDs there since they offer the same things at lower price, so why not? But of course, the selections are not that great. It is just a small stall after all. Mr Tan bought 2 CDs.

Mr Tan treated us to a bowl of Chendol from a rather famous stall. It was nice as it is not too sweet. We continued walking along the street and ate the German Smoked Pork Sausages, it is also highly recommended by the media, but I do not think is very delicious...

We landed ourselves outside one of the CK department stores in Chinatown. (*Note: There are around 3 CK stores in the same area...) We went in for a small air-con breeze since the weather is so hot... Before that, Mr Tan bought another CD outside the store... When we went down to the Basement, there are lots of facial care products at the entrance, so we took a look and used the testers, like a bunch of aunties... Then, the promoter came down and she managed to convince Mr Tan to buy the Bio-Essence Products... Well, actually you no need to convince him, a simple promotion to your product will do. Haha. The promoter also gave Pok Yen and I some samples after he bought his stuff.

It was around 6.15pm when we sat down for our dinner. We waited exactly 45 minutes for our dinner. We are waiting for the Famous Claypot Rice, and it is worth waiting for it! Anyway, we are already half-full before we ordered it, so we used the waiting time for the food to digest. At that time, Mr Tan tried to psycho me to join them for the Taiwan Trip. I was attempted but I really do not have the money for it. My heart was also shakened when Pok Yen told me the reason for him to go on the trip. Sigh...

The fragrance Claypot Rice was finally served to our table at 7pm sharp. Man, they are really good at estimating time! The shop owner told us we need to wait for 45 minutes when we placed our order. After a satisfying dinner, we needed to pass through The Majestic again to take MRT. That is when Mr Tan went back to the Vacuum Cleaner Promoter and purchased it. Pok Yen and I were speechless and have no words to describe him anymore... He also bought the "carpet" for his Mahjong Table (I don't really know the term used).

Once again, Mr Tan's hands are full of shopping bags. I wondered why he bought so much stuff when he admitted himself that he doesn't really used the things he bought...

14 Feb 2009

I woke up at the usual time I always do when I'm not working, 10am. Eating my breakfast sluggishly. Doing nothing in the morning. Then, I ate my lunch at around 1pm. After my lunch, I rushed down to Eastpoint to have my Japanese lesson. Haha, Kuriyama-Sensei's class is still lively and interesting.

Shortly after my lesson, Luvena came to find Fang Qi and me. Then, we sat down at the food court and had some desserts while waiting for Derek. The-guy-who-just-went-into-the-service came shortly after our dessert time. Glad to hear that his training isn't as tough as my time. Well ,he is from Pes C after all. There is quite a huge difference in our training style, so we do not have much common thing to talk about BMT life... Well, I always try not to think of my BMT life, since there is nothing exciting happened, and I was not close to any of my platoon-mates or even section-mates... But everything just came out of my mind when I see the scar I have left during those times on my right hand...

Pushing those aside, Fang Qi and I received gifts from those 2 again. Derek gave us Famous Amos Cookies and Luvena gave us Ferreo Rocher... And Fang Qi and I, once again, were not prepared with any gifts or whatsoever... We were discussing where to head... Well, I did plan this outing, but I really cannot think of any place to hang out, so I thought may be we could discuss it once we met each other... Luvena wanted to go Marina Square to check out for new mp3s, but I was not properly dressed for urban outings, so I went home and changed.

We did not set out immediately to City Hall when I came back to Simei, Derek wanted to buy some Chicken Essence, and we went down to Fairprice to get some.

Unfortunately, the Creative Store in Marina Square was closed at that time when we arrived. Sigh. Anyway, we still need to find a place for our dinner. The restaurants were mostly packed with numerous pairs of couples. I suggested the ramen restaurant that is situated in the corner of the mall as it is usually left alone since it is not strategically located... Always left in a corner... However, due to the occasion, there were many customers seen over there. Still, there were quite a few of empty seats seen.

The ramen taste great, I like the soup base. People should patronise more often, it is quite poor thing to see the shop like "condemned" in a corner... And there is no service charges! The usual set meals which cost $15 and $18, students can get it for $10 and $12 at all days!!! Just flash one student card, and you can get the special offer for the whole table!!!

It appeared that we went to the city just for a dinner, because we went back Tampines straight after that... The main objective of the night was finally here! To go Derek's house and see the new member of his family! His little brother! Introducing............ New Year the Maltese! Yes, it is a cute little puppy. Haha. It is so adorable! But too playful... It is said that this Maltese came appeared at his doorstep during Chinese New Year, it seems lost, so Derek's parents decided to take care of this little puppy, and gave him the name New Year since it happened in that period. I played with him for a while, and took several pictures with him. But I could not post it since my computer is still infected with Trojan... T_T

When Derek drove us home, and he finally asked Fang Qi to take his Chicken Essence out (Which was lying in her bag ever since he bought it). He then revealed the true intention of buying it, it is for my mother! Haha, so nice of him!

Different Frequencies

I arranged a small dinner to meet 2 of my old friends whom I have not went out with for such a long time: Tze Keong and Rong Teng. Frankly speaking, I'm afraid that the 3 of us have not much topics to talk about, so I called Song Guan along.

True enough, I really can't think of anything to say when we sat down at Pastamania in Tampines Mall for our dinner. I really don't like the feeling of "a few seconds silence", so I will just turn to Song Guan and started talking something that Tze Keong and Rong Teng do not know. Both of them will also discuss about things that Song Guan and me do not know. When we walked around the mall, it is also natural that the 4 of us splitted into 2 pairs. However, when the 4 of us are together talking, there are some things that I can't really understand what the 3 of them are talking about... Song Guan claimed that this is the usual problem of 1 NUS student talking with 3 NTU students... Dotz...

We walked around in the mall, Tze Keong is looking for his gift, while I'm looking for my running shoes since I have none currently... As we turned into Royal Sporting house, we saw 2 familiar figures, I quickly went up and acted as a staff there to serve them. They were so shocked to see us. Ms Agnes Yue and Mr Tan Chee Boon, and along with their friend, were shopping apparantly. Tan CB can still recognise both Tze Keong and Rong Teng. Haha. But we just chatted floosy-ly for a while and those 2 floosy people went off and continued their floosy shopping.

After walking a few rounds in the mall, we landed ourselves in McDonalds (The One opposite KFC). Initially, we planned to have a drink, but the 3 of them decided to have ice-cream instead while I had Banana Walnut Muffin from McCafe! Haha, my favourite Muffin!!! Then, we are discussing about jobs, how should you go about choosing it. Dream job? Or jobs that are more practical in Singapore? Rong Teng has this kind of problem, so that he could make a right choice in choosing his course in University, hope after talking Tze Keong and Song Guan, he can make up his mind soon. Later, the topic suddenly became a recollection of Song Guan's interesting encounters. He talked about what are the interesting things he met in his work. To us, his encounters seemed pretty interesting, but with a sense of uneasiness. But to him, he said he has not seen the worst. If you are wondering what is he doing, he is still serving his NS as SCDF.

Valentine Day is just around the corner, and I have already have an appointment with Derek and Gang... Hmm, am I making the right choice?

The Drunk-est Day of My Life... Remorseful.

One year has passed, and here comes another year of Ship Anniversary. Guofeng said to meet at Dhoby Ghaut at 6pm. I stepped out of the house at 5.15pm. I forgot that I should not have come out on that time because Ming Jie will surely be late. But then again, I have nothing much to do at home, just use the waiting time to stroll around. Guofeng texted me to say that he decided to come late since Ming Jie will be late. Curses...

I reached the destination at 5.54pm. Curses... Too Early. Luckily, I saw Luvena who is on the way to her class, but she was early too, so we chatted for a while. She went off as soon as Ken arrived. His right eye was damn red, he himself did not even know what happened to him. We waited till 6.40pm for Ming Jie to arrive. Now, we have to wait for the little boy whom we believed that he has lost his way... Haha.

I called Guofeng to meet at The Cathay instead. Later, The 3 of us just happened to see him at the road junction outside The Cathay, but he did not spotted us, so we decided to tail him. That little guy just went passed The Cathay! Aren't we suppose to meet outside that place?! Anyway, we continued to follow him and he actually went all the way to the location of the dinner... Alps Cafe. Nice Try.

Larry immediately gave me 2 glasses of beer when he saw me... Nice. Luckily, the glass can only fill up a small volume of it.

As for Ming Jie, most people from his team crowded around him to see his amazing gain in weight. Well, he went to gym, not that he has gotten fat or anything. Nice seeing our department chiefs. Our chief one is still cute as usual, and our chief two had a nice catching up with us. Yes, he did gave me another 2 glasses of course... Guofeng was surrounded, or rather disturbed by his department people.

We went further in to the pub and saw many familiar faces again. Everyone was happy to see us, especially my junior. The food there is not really delicious, so I did not eat so much. I did a lot of catching up with the other juniors. Then, came another horrible round of beer drinking. Guofeng's chief, my junior Wesley (Forced by Larry), my warrant officer all came to me and wanted to drink, drink and drink... Sigh.

My vision was spinning. Vigorously. When Jian Xiong sang 你是我的花朵by 伍佰, I was like... High. Oh My... Terrible.

Not to forget, there was lucky draw and the first and second prize were Wii. Last year, the first prize was Playstation 3. Hmm... Maybe next year first prize will be XBox 360? The invited guests are not entitled to the the draw, which means we are not legible for the draw! We are civilians after all. But we are still presented with the token of appreciation for serving Navy for a year.

The last segment of the dinner was 捞鱼生. I did not join in because my vision was spinning like mad... The dinner ended at 10pm and everyone has to leave the place on the dot since it was only booked to that time. After saying goodbyes, we left with Ming Jie and Ken. Ken wanted to take train home, while Ming Jie wanted to take cab to his friend's birthday party. He wanted to escort me. Haha, this year is another way round. When we are walking to the taxi stand, I felt difficulty in talking and the terrible alcoholic stench around me. Sigh. Terrible. Ming Jie bought water for me to make me feel better.

Drinking so much can really shut down all your senses... I felt so weird that after drinking so much, I don't feel full at all. I went home and continue drinking as much water as I can, and went to sleep at midnight. I can't really sleep well. Then, suddenly, I woke up at 2am and went straight to the toilet... and vomitted. I was shocked myself that I can even wake up and walk to the toilet. But I don't feel unwell before that (Except for the spinning vision). Horrendous. Then the sudden empty stomach made me feel uncomfortable. Even until this morning, my head is still spinning slightly, and stomach feels terrible. Really regretted.