Monday, September 30, 2013

Day 92: Month 3 Review

I spent the day playing Grand Theft Auto V and getting ready for when online starts up.  I was thinking it would start at midnight, but I guess it's starting at 7am now.  That gives me about eight hours to get as much done with the story as possible.  However, I really REALLY hate Trevor.  I have never hated a video game character this much before.  The reasoning behind this is personal, so I will ask that you check out my personal life blog at TFF for more information.

In other GTA V news, I was invited to join a crew.  It is called the Bay Area Kings, and they have seven members currently.  I am surprised that I was invited to join them, because I don't know any of them.  However, it is possible that I do know at least one of them.  I just don't recognize any of their PSN names.  As for Ohio Moguls, we now have 18 members.  I have sent PSN friend requests to all of them that play using a PS3.  Anyway, it will be nice when online starts so we can see our play styles and who works well with who.  As for which crew I will make as my active crew, I think I will stick with Ohio Moguls for now.  But that may change.

So, today is the end of Month 3 in this 6-Month Challenge.  This month has proven to be the least effective in lowering the number of games I have yet to complete.  But it's my own fault for spending most of my gaming time playing a RPG.  Anyway, I have already resigned myself to the fact that I won't complete all of the games I own in six months.  It was pretty much impossible to begin with.  And now that GTA V's online will be starting tomorrow morning, I will be spending less time completing the challenge.

But that doesn't mean I'm totally giving up.  I still have three months to get as much done as possible.  My goal for the next month is to complete at least one game.  I want to complete more, and I will try.  Another goal is to finish some of the games I already have save files for.  With them just sitting there not being played, they're taking up room for games I want to play.  So Month 4 will be the finish what I have already started month.

Anyway, that's all from me for tonight.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Day 91: Almost there...

I looked at a walkthrough's table of contents today to see how close I am to completing Xenosaga Episode I.  I am almost finished!  There are only two more areas left, the Song of Nephilim and Proto Merkabah.  I personally don't see why they are calling some upside-down pyramid a Song.  Yeah, there's a Song playing when you are near it, but that's no reason to call the entire building (or ship, or whatever it is) the Song.

Anyway, I have the fifth and sixth levels of the first tower left to explore before I move on to the other tower(s?).  The entire party is at Level 27.  I am not sure if this is high or low compared to other players' playthroughs of the game.  I know that it is nowhere near what I am usually at when I play RPGs.  I just know that this game isn't really the type that has a lot of variety for grinding areas.

I am still on the leader board for this month's osu!mania competition.  I am in 25th Place.  I will be so happy if I manage to stay on this month.

And I took a break from Grand Theft Auto V today to focus on Xenosaga Episode I.  It will be nice to have finished one game this month.  I don't think I finished any yet.

Well, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 90: Hide and Seek

I managed to defeat Tiamat in Xenosaga Episode I on the first try today.  After that, I continued the story, and now I am stuck at the Kukai Foundation because I have to find the residents before that Gnosis kill them.  I have found 12 of the 13 people.  The last one is so difficult to find.  In the end, I grew bored of running around the area not finding the person, and turned the game off.

In GTA V, I increased my completion percentage.  Right now, I am at 12.65% complete.  I am planning on getting more done before online starts.  I have progressed the least among the crew I am in, and that can be seen as a bad thing.  I wouldn't want to not be chosen as a teammate for something because I have the least amount of progress in the game.

Anyway, that's all from me.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Saturday, September 28, 2013

Day 89: One reason why I never finish games.

When I get a new video game, I have the tendency to not stick with the game files I start and then start several more.  It happens with every game, I think.  And today, it happened with Grand Theft Auto V.  I just decided that I wanted to start over, now that I am getting more acquainted with the controls.  Another reason I started over in GTA V was because I accidentally had Michael smoke his son's bong.  The text on the screen is so small that I couldn't read it, and in order to find out what it said, I had to choose to do it.  If my television was HD, then I wouldn't have this trouble.

Anyway, starting over when I have barely begun is something I always do, it seems.  Open world games, RPGs, shooters, racing, rhythm games, everything.  It's the perfectionist in me that wants to play just right the first time.  Eventually, I will cave in and just go to finish the game; but not after starting over at least five times.  The good thing to report is that I am almost back to where I was before starting over.

Well, that's all for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Friday, September 27, 2013

Day 88: Crew

I found a crew for online gameplay in Grand Theft Auto V.  It is called Ohio Moguls and is filled with players from my area.  I know none of them, because even having a PS3 in this area is rare, let alone having a brand new game.  I sent PSN friend requests to all of the members that are PS3 users, as well as friend requests on the crew page.  Anyway, the crew seems like a good group of people.

I am now at 13.20% complete with Grand Theft Auto V.  It was the only game I played today, unless you count the google doodle game when I loaded up google chrome to type this.  I was so tired after I got home from work that I slept off and on since I got back.

Well, I am up now, so I should be online for a while.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Day 87: A couple GTA V Spoilers in this entry.

I played a bunch of sudden death matches in Osu! today, and came out on top for most of them. In fact, of the 17 matches I played, I failed in only 2. Also, of those 17 matches. I placed first in 12 of them. For full match results, click here. However, the results are only kept for one month because of server limitations.

WARNING: The following paragraph contains SPOILERS!
I also played some Grand Theft Auto V today. I am at 10% complete right now. It seems like the missions are less serious than in other games. It's like the characters are having fun being parasites of society. I mean, Michael (the character, not me) really enjoyed tearing down that house using the winch in his truck.  Not only that, but even I got a laugh when the LifeInvader founder had his phone blow his head off.  Now, I know I shouldn't be having this much fun with the game. But when the people I am playing as are having fun doing it, I can't help but be thoroughly entertained as well.
This ends the SPOILERS.

I am glad that there is a taxi service that can take me wherever I need to go. Despite having played GTA: San Andreas. Los Santos is so different in GTA V that I don't know where things are right now. Maybe it's just me and the graphics are playing tricks with my mind, making me think I am somewhere else. I do like how when you load up the game, you don't start at the safehouse. It's like the characters have their own lives outside of when I am playing. The only bad thing I have found with the actual gameplay is that someone didn't like Franklin stopping to check his phone while the guy was exercising, and felt it appropriate to start punching Franklin. (That's not a spoiler, because it wasn't linked with anything story-wise.) Franklin was nice about it and killed him by fighting back. I didn't use guns for that kill, because I am still not good at shooting in this game. I need to practice some more before the online starts.

I am having trouble in Xenosaga Episode I.  I still haven't defeated Tiamat.  I can get close, but I run out of reviving items.  It's just poor item management on my part.  I will get through this.  I just have to be more cautious when choosing attacks.

And with that, I am off to find a crew to join for GTA Online.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 86: I can't win because of her...?

As much as I would have liked to have played Grand Theft Auto V today, I told myself that I'd try and finish Xenosaga Episode I or some other game first.  And I spent the last few hours play Xenosaga Episode I.  The party has joined up again at some church.  I am up against a very odd boss.  It's Tiamat, who in other games is the fiend of wind.  In this particular battle, Tiamat has to be defeated twice; once by Shion and once by Jr.  The problem with that is Shion was KO'd, and I have no reviving spells or items to bring her back.

So, I gave up and turned the PS2 off.  That's why I am typing this now.  I wasn't able to win, so I am taking a break from it.  I will try again sometime.

Everything else gaming related is the same.  I am still at about the same rank in Osu!, and I am still on the leader board in the monthly competition for osu!mania.  Other than that, there's not much to report for today.  So, I will end this here.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Monday, September 23, 2013

Day 85: Grand Theft Auto V - First Impressions

So, today my copy of Grand Theft Auto V arrived in the mail.  I played about four hours of it today.  So, I will be posting my first impression of the game.

It took quite a while for the game to install, so during that time I looked through the literature that came with the game.  I really like how detailed the map is, and how many things there are to do in this game.  I was a bit disappointed that Las Venturas and San Fierro are not on the map anymore.  Looking at the map, it's like an earthquake hit and Los Santos became separated from the rest of the state.

Then there was also the "manual" and a code for a blimp.  The manual isn't like the ones from other GTA games, and that kind of sucks.  I enjoyed reading them, because they were more than just a manual.  One was a travel guide, another a newspaper, another a tabloid magazine.  But to save the planet, there is a digital manual online.  I have the manual's web page in another tab, but it's not showing anything.  And I haven't used the code for the blimp yet.

I will try not to spoil anything with the story, because the game is so new.  But I really like the game so far!  What I will say right now is that my favorite playable character so far is Chop.  Second favorite is Michael (naturally).  The graphics, as my Dad said when he visited, is very lifelike.  The cars are so cool looking.  And probably my favorite part of the game is that there are dogs in the game.  Or a dog.  I haven't seen any others.

I would like to either make a crew or be a part of one for the online gameplay when it starts.  I made a post about maybe starting a crew on a forum I am a member of, so I will join if we start one.  I am excited to play when the online begins.  As much as I love the story of Grand Theft Auto IV, I loved the online playing much more.  And if I am part of a crew, I will have people I know playing alongside me.  If anyone is interested, my PSN name is me3lingual, and I accept all friend requests.  And if you are playing GTA V, I will be sure to play with you whenever.

Well, overall the game is great so far.  I can't wait to play more, and I won't have to wait long.  I am going to load it up again as soon as this is posted.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 84: Why can't I play scary games?

I have played Xenosaga Episode I for 27 hours, 53 minutes, and 21 seconds.  Right now, I am controlling the party consisting of Ziggy, MOMO, and Jr., after having switched to the party of Shion and chaos for a bit to advance their story.  The battles are really getting difficult now, with new enemies.  I had to look up how to defeat the Larva Dolls.  Here's how the party looks Ability-wise:

Ether Abilities
Ziggy: My Guard, Bodyguard, Recharge, Ether Shift A, and Ether Shift B
MOMO: Life Shot, Miracle Star, Sheep Beam, Prayer, and Refine
Jr.: Psycho Arm, Ether Flare, Dandyism, and Psycho Pocket

Tech Attacks
Ziggy: Cyber Kick, Lightning Fist, Meteor Shot, and Cyclone
MOMO: Star Strike, Floral Tempest, Meteor Storm, and Star Cannon
Jr.: Prelude to Battle, Moonlit Serenade, Storm Waltz, and Last Symphony

And each of the three of them have several skills extracted from the equipment.

Another game I played today was Slender: The Eight Pages.  Well, I don't know if you could call it playing, as I stopped playing after becoming too scared to continue after getting one page.  I don't know why I fear quit.  I am perfectly fine watching people play on YouTube.  And I was alright even when my brother played.  But when I am playing, I can't do it.  I have a few scary games on my computer, but I haven't played any of them in a long time.  And it's not just PC games.  I can't play scary console games either.  I tried playing a Resident Evil game once, but I couldn't play it long either.

Oh well.  There has to be something I can't do, right?  If I could do everything, then I would become very bored with my life.  At least I know that there will always be something that makes me feel uncomfortable.

Well, that's all for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Day 83: I can't seem to count.

Today I managed to get through another long series of cutscenes in Xenosaga Episode I.  And just as the party had finally come together, they were split up once again into two groups.  Jr., MOMO, and Ziggy in one group; chaos and Shion with Alan in the other group.  Right now I am controlling Jr., MOMO, and Ziggy in what I think is Jr.'s memory of Miltia from fourteen years ago.  The battles seem fine, I just have to dodge the searchlights.  I really like how the story is coming along, and I want to know more about it.

I moved my black PS2 over to the bigger television so I wouldn't be uncomfortable while I play.  My desk chair broke, and it makes playing video games on the small television not as fun.

I had Osu! up and running most of the day, but I didn't play.  I just wanted to listen to music today.

Grand Theft Auto V didn't arrive today.  It spent a whole day going from one part of Columbus to another part of Columbus (UPS warehouse to Post Office).  If things go well, it may arrive on Monday.

Well, that's all from me for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Saturday, September 21, 2013

Day 82: I did it!

The big story for today is that I finally defeated the boss fight I had been having trouble with for the past few days.  It's weird, because everything just seemed to have clicked today when I tried the battle.  The party consisted of Shion, chaos, and MOMO.  I had A.G.W.S. equipped with chaos and MOMO.  I started off the battle having MOMO equip the A.G.W.S., because she has the lowest HP and attack ability among the three.  MOMO served as the powerhouse while the two side enemies were still there.  Then I was pushing it by keeping her in A.G.W.S. as long as I did.  With Shion and chaos using their EP to heal while the Gargoyle was attacking, I had to switch MOMO back to character fighting to heal while the others used their attacks.

And by some stroke of luck, I managed to win.  The Experience Points and other points the three of them gained was definitely worth all the trouble I went through to win.  And now I am at the next part of the game.

As I am typing this, I am also in an osu!mania game room waiting for the next round to start.  I am ranked the same in the categories as the last time I typed about it.  The rankings are delayed right now due to server restructures, so I don't know how I am doing.  In the time it took the host to choose which song we'll play next, I have racked up 21 maps I will be downloading for future plays.

Grand Theft Auto V hasn't arrived yet.  It is so close to where I live, but I have to wait for it.  I could ride my bike to where it is and pick it up, but I'd rather just wait.

Well, that's it for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Friday, September 20, 2013

Day 81: Not a lot done, and the results prove it.

I didn't play much today.  I tried a few more times to advance in Xenosaga Episode I, but I was unsuccessful.  This is one of the toughest boss fights I have ever had.  There aren't many that I don't defeat, and this one is right up there with Vayne- The Undying from Final Fantasy XII.  There is something with this fight that just isn't connecting with me, and that's what makes this so frustrating.  I shouldn't be having this much trouble this early in the game.

I am maintaining my current rank in Osu!.  I don't play that much since I am trying to focus more on the console games.  I am still on the leader board for this month's osu!mania competition (#16), but I have fallen out of the one for Taiko.  I have played Taiko much since the other day, so it's no surprise.  I don't even know where I am at in terms of getting back on the leader board.

I just played one of this month's Taiko maps, and the results showed I was ranked #48.  So I am not too far from getting back on the board.  I will try and get back on the board, or at least increase my standing, before the nest entry.

Well, that's all from me today.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Day 80: Stuck

I am having some trouble with Xenosaga Episode I today.  I have seen the cutscene before this boss battle so many times I could recite the lines word by word if asked.  This is the first battle that I have had some serious difficulty beating in the whole game.  Granted, I knew most of what I have already played before.  But it is so frustrating not being able to get through this one battle.

It is the battle against Gargoyle, the Gnosis that Cherenkov becomes after being nearly killed by the Gnosis back on the Woglinde.  I have tried several different strategies, some I thought of myself, others that I read about on the Internet.  Nothing is working.  Maybe I am just not executing the plans correctly.

And that's all that I played today.  I downloaded the newest beatmaps for Osu!, but I never thought of trying them out.  And now I won't get another good chance at gaming until after I get back home tomorrow.  So, until then I will be thinking of more strategies to advance in the games.

In other news, I received my confirmation Email that my copy of Grand Theft Auto V was shipped.  It should arrive in a few days.  And with that, that's all I have for today.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Day 79: A new mode, A new game.

Okay, so I was unable to get back on the Top 40 monthly leader board for osu!mania for last month's competition.  I gave it a good effort, but I just wasn't good enough.  So, I am trying again for this month.  As of right now, I rank #9 in the Top 40 for this month in osu!mania, and #18 for Taiko.  It was just a spur of the moment thing to switch over and play Taiko today, but seeing my name on the Taiko leader board feels great.  It's even better knowing that I am currently one of only three American players on the leader board.  Taiko is a mode of Osu! that is dominated by Japanese players, being one of three Americans and one of fifteen non-Japanese on this month's leader board is amazing.  But I can't get my hopes up too much.  After all today is only the second day of the monthly competition, and there are still 28 days left.

As for the overall leader boards, I am #750 in the U.S.A., and #14,930 in the world in osu!mania.  With my recent plays of Taiko I have become #4,783 in the U.S.A., and #89,342 in the world.  My rankings in the other two modes, are much worse.  So, I'd rather not post them here.  Well, since it is public knowledge if you just go to my Osu! profile...oh why not.

Osu! Standard - U.S.A. Ranking: #59,875; World Ranking: #425,637
Catch The Beat - U.S.A. Ranking: #8,609; World Ranking: #114,456

I am now in the lower level of the building that is located within the Gnosis in Xenosaga Episode I.  The battles are getting tougher, and taking longer to complete.  I have been handling myself pretty well though.  MOMO is the one party member that I have been keeping in the party this entire time.  The other four (Shion, KOS-MOS, Ziggy, and chaos) all get switched around when they go up a level.  I was able to raise the speed of one of chaos' Tech Attacks to HI, and it is my main offensive move.  The building I am in is really creepy.  But I guess that's to be expected considering I am inside a Gnosis.

And I also ordered a copy of Grand Theft Auto V today.  I will also be most likely paying for it until December, so I am considering it my Christmas present to myself this year.  I watched a few minutes of gameplay today on YouTube, and it made me want the game that much more.  So I bought it.  Things are looking up financially, so I thought I'd treat myself.  My money can't all go to bills and pet food.

Well, I was thinking of playing more Osu! matches tonight.  So, if you see me on the Osu! servers, feel free to chat with me.  We can play a match, and have lots of fun!  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Monday, September 16, 2013

Day 78: More story progression

Today was another day spent on playing Xenosaga Episode I.  I finished the bit with Jr., but I was questioning why it was so short.  And then he hasn't even joined the main group yet.  Speaking of the main group, they are investigating some building inside a Gnosis, and that has me so confused.  Right now I am just going along with it because I think that if I just move on in the story all of the parts I am confused with will be explained later on.  And that Cherenkov, I was not expecting him to have such a backstory.  It's really sad when it comes down to it.

The main party are all making great strides in ability learning. They all have more Tech Attacks, and some have been moved from LW to HI.  They all have at least three Skills extracted from equipment.  And I have been putting MOMO in the front row, because the enemies seem to be susceptible to her attacks and that's always a good thing when a weaker party member can become a physical powerhouse.

As for Osu! today, I only played one song, and that was to retain my current rank.  And with that, we've come to the end of another entry.  So, for the coming say, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Day 77: A.G.W.S. for breakfast

There is nearly twelve hours logged in my file of Xenosaga Episode I.  I played it most of the day today.  I have completed the chapter (if that's what we're calling it) of the game where Ziggy is trying to rescue MOMO from U-TIC.  I also completed the next chapter where the Shion party and the Ziggy party come together and fight Ziggy's and MOMO's pursuers.  Right now, I am controlling the sixth member of the party, Jr.  I haven't been in a battle with him yet.  I stopped playing as soon as I got control of him and saved at the nearest Save Point.  It will be good to finally know how he fits in the story, because all I know of him is what I have played of Xenosaga II.

As far as abilities go, Shion learned a new battle move.  As for the E.Pts abilities, the five I have battled with all have two Ether Skills.  MOMO is the only party member I keep in the back row.  At first I didn't want to use her in battle, because she was so weak compared to the others.  But now that she has a damaging attack as well as her healing ability, she is very good in battle.

When I play RPGs, I try to keep the party members as equal level-wise as possible.  So, I tend to use the weaker members in battle and keep the stronger members in reserve.  In Xenosaga I, this doesn't really work as well as when I do it in other games.  That's because experience points is still awarded to reserve party members.  Some people could see this as a good thing, and it is in a way.  It just goes against my normal way of doing things.

I also maintained my rank in Osu!.  I downloaded the newest maps, and I will continue to work toward my goal.  I am considering working on Taiko and Catch the Beat maps as well.  I am not too bad at those modes of the game, and it would be nice to be known for more than an osu!mania player.  If I raise my rank enough in the other modes, I could make a run at competing in the World Cup tournaments for them as well.

I wish there were more tournaments available, because I would really like to test my strength in something more than casual matches against a bunch of randomly ranked players.

My plan for tomorrow is continue playing Xenosaga Episode I.  Now that I have made some major progress in the game, I want to keep going and play even more of it.  Well, that's about it for tonight.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 76: Taiko

You would think that by not sleeping as much I would have tons more gaming done.  But I have been spending this extra awake time by watching anime.  But I have finished everything I had been watching, so now I am anime-less and have tons of gaming I can do.

Today was spent playing Osu!.  But I didn't play osu!mania.  Instead, I played Taiko, which is a drum like game.  I played well today.  If I didn't play osu!mania, I would probably play Taiko.  The only thing about Taiko I don't like is that it is too repetitive.  It doesn't take a lot of skill (in my opinion), because you either hit the red keys or the blue keys.

Right now, I am playing multiplayer in Osu!.  This time I am trying to increase my rank in osu!mania.  It won't be easy in the match I am in, seeing as I am the highest ranked in the room.  The only way I can increase my rank right now is if I perform well enough to make the leader boards for the songs.

Well, that's all for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Saturday, September 14, 2013

Day 75: Game Over

Today I played Xenosaga Episode I and Osu!.  In the former, I finally escaped from the Gnosis attack on the Woglinde and advanced the story.  Right now, the game has me with a different story branch in that I am no longer playing with Shion and KOS-MOS.  Instead I am with Ziggurat 8.  Ziggy (as he will soon be known - SPOILER ALERT) is trying to find the 100-Series Observational Realian (or MOMO - Another SPOILER).  Apparently MOMO was kidnapped by some bad people, and it is Ziggy's job to retrieve her.  During any of my playthroughs of this game, this is as far as I have ever gotten, so anything beyond this point is a mystery to me.  I also earned my first two Game Overs ever in the game.  Rather than sneak past the guards, I wanted to fight them and gain the experience.  But they inflicted Ziggy with Poison and I died.  Twice.  Not good.

However, I once again spoiled some stuff about one of the characters for myself.  From what I read, one of the characters is supposedly a reincarnation of sorts of Jesus.  I don't know how they come to that conclusion, but I will just have to play the game to find out.

And in Osu!, I once again worked on increasing my rank.  I seem to be stagnating at about #740 in the U.S. and #14,825 in the world.  I wish I could stay where I am at when I stop playing, but when I don't play the other players lower my ranking.  I am getting ever closer to the Top leader boards, but it becomes harder every day because no matter how well I perform on a song I don't seem to raise the amount of performance points I have.

It is said that more points are given for higher difficulty songs and by adding mods to increase the difficulty of other songs.  But with most songs having an automatic map rather than one built especially for osu!mania, the mods change little in the way of difficulty.  Also, it doesn't feel right playing an altered map.  Like it's cheating or something.

Oh well, I will just continue doing what I do in an attempt to get to the top.  Well, that's all from me for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Friday, September 13, 2013

Day 74: Things I like to consume while gaming.

A discussion on a forum I visit was about the snack or foods that are eaten while playing video games.  So, I thought I'd tell you about some of my favorite gaming foods.

Fruit slices - The chewy, blobs of sugar coated yumminess.  I prefer the orange flavor to other flavors, but I won't turn away the other ones.

Chips - Potato, Corn, whatever.  If it is a chip I will play and eat them at the same time.

Chocolate Milk - Only when I have some in the fridge.  It's not a necessity, but I like it.

Fruit Juice - I don't drink a lot of soda, and I am burnt out on Kool-Aid.  Anymore, I will only drink 100% fruit juice.

But I also will eat a meal while playing.  My brother and I live in a house by ourselves, and usually I am the only one at home when it's time to eat lunch or dinner.  So rather than eat at the kitchen table by myself, I will take what I am making back to my room and eat at my desk while I play a game.

It also depends on the game I am playing at the time on whether or not I will eat while playing.  If it's a RPG, then I will eat.  A platform, racing, or shooter, then probably not.  For those games, I will stop playing and eat.

Well, that's all from me for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Day 73: Xenosaga I

The only game I played today was Xenosaga Episode I.  I didn't play it much though.  I am still on the Woglinde, but KOS-MOS is awake now and the group is kicking some Gnosis butt (if they have butts).

Anyway, this is just a short update of things.  I won't be going to bed for a while yet, so I figured I'd play some more before leaving for work.  After that, I will continue once I get back home.

So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Day 72: Kicking butt with KOS-MOS!

Today I continued working on increasing my ranking in Osu!.  I am now #734 in the U.S. and #14,706 in the world.  After I post this entry, I will update that picture I made.  I played both single player and multiplayer today.  It was fun, because there were some of my friends online today playing with me.  I was extremely lucky that I was playing so well today against people.  I managed to perform better than quite a few top tier players.  There was a situation when one high ranked player grew mad at me and kicked me out of the room he hosted because I was always winning against him.  He was a very sore loser.

The only other problem I had today while playing multiplayer was when my computer asked permission to run Osu!.  It does that from time to time, but this was the first time it happened during a match.  I was kicked out of multiplayer and sent back to the main menu of the game.  I was winning the match at the time, so I was disappointed that I didn't get to finish the match.

I also started a game of Xenosaga - Episode I: Der Wille zur Macht today.  It was a suggestion made by a member of a forum I frequent (see my blog entry on forums for more information).  And since I have been wanting to complete the series, I figured I may as well start it.  Right now I am about to deliver the results of the simulation to the captain of the Woglinde.  I am not too far in, but I am making some progress.  The only thing I don't like about the game is that the cutscenes are really long.  It makes me feel like I am watching a movie instead of playing a video game.  But I still like the game.

Well, that's all from me.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Monday, September 9, 2013

Day 71: Osu!

The only game I played today was Osu!.  I wanted to increase my rank, and I did that.  I also made a picture to commemorate it.  I will also update the picture when things change with my rank.


Anyway, I am slowly climbing up the ladder.  It will take some time and a lot of effort to reach my ultimate goal.  I also found out how to find my rank in the monthly contest.  You see, it shows up when I play a monthly contest song.  I am ranked #56 there.  I am still a ways from getting back in the Top 40.  I will have to work harder to reach that.

Well, that's all from me tonight.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 70:How close is it?

I am nearly finished with Episode 5 in Sly 2.  I am starting to get bored with the game, but I want to stick it out and finish it.  I earned a few more trophies, because I was able to buy the upgrades with the coins I had earned.  There are still quite a few more things to do with this game, but if the completion percentage is similar to that of the original game, I am almost finished.

And in Osu! today, I worked on getting my score high enough to get back on the Top 40 for the monthly competition.  However, I think there is a glitch or something.  As I understand it, the Top 40 in the monthly competition is judged solely on your highest cumulative score for the 12 beatmaps.  However, I have 9,166,173 out of the 12 million points possible, and yet I am no longer on the leader board.  I tried looking on the website for an answer, but I came up empty.  And since I am no longer on the leaderboard, I don't know how close or far I am from getting back on it.  I guess the only thing I can do is keep increasing my scores until I get back on the leaderboard.  At least then I will have a better idea on the formula used to determine what scores are needed to win.

Well, that's all from me.  I am off to post in my personal life blog, and then I will probably start playing a game.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Saturday, September 7, 2013

Day 69: Researching can be fun. Really, it can!

Due to my right shoulder hurting like something I have never felt before, I spent a big part of the day trying to sleep away the pain.  However, I did play a fair amount of Sly 2 while I was awake.  And I also played some more Osu!.

First in Sly 2, I managed to complete Episodes 3 and 4.  The story is getting really good now that things are twisting and turning whenever it can.  I was not expecting a double cross like the one at the end of Episode 3.  During the session, I earned a few trophies and advanced the story quite a bit.  I don't know how many episodes there are in this game, but I feel like I am nearing the end of the game quickly.

As for Osu!, I didn't play much.  I spent more time researching the World Cup Tournaments from the past.  I plan on doing an analysis of the players in the upcoming tournament and guessing who will win.  Since I don't play osu!standard well enough, I won't be entering.  My specialty is osu!mania, and that World Cup isn't for a while yet (the first WC for !mania is next spring).  But it will also serve as a good coaching tool for the American team when the players are determined.

Well, that's all for today.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games, you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 68: 2 out of 3 goals completed!

Today, I set out to accomplish the goals I stated yesterday.  I was only able to complete two of them.  I did advance my rank in Osu!.  Not much, but I am higher than I was yesterday.  And I did progress in Sly 2.  Again, not much, but I am farther in the game than I was before.

Unfortunately, I was not able to play all of Metal Gear Solid in one sitting.  I tried, but after the fight with Revolver Ocelot in the Armory, I quickly became frustrated with the game and I decided to stop playing for now.  I kept trying to advance to the snowfield, but due to my seemingly dumb errors with getting to the next area, I was constantly discovered and unable to escape from the enemies.

So, I will just try again tomorrow.

And with that, I will end it here.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Day 67: Tomorrow's Plan

I didn't play any games today, and that sucks.  I was so tired when I got home that I slept for four hours.  As soon as I sat on my sofa I was out.  Then when I woke up, I still felt so sleepy that I didn't do anything.  I figured I'd make this entry about my definite plans for tomorrow.

First, I want to try playing Metal Gear Solid in one sitting.

And I want to progress in Sly 2.

Finally, I want to increase my rank in Osu!.

If I am able to do these things, I will consider the day a success.  And since I have no plans for tomorrow, there is nothing to stop me from accomplishing these goals.  Unless the power goes out.

Well, that's all I have for tonight.  I am headed back to sleep.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Day 66: Nocturnal

I was considering not posting an entry today.  But since I can't sleep, it brought a topic that I want to talk about.

I don't know if this happens to other video game players, but it always seems that I complete a video game at night.  There are a few exceptions, mainly the times I finish a game in one sitting.  But the games that I spend hours to finish always were finished at night.  Here are some examples:

Metal Gear Solid
Final Fantasy IX - I had to ask my Mom if I could stay up late to finish it.
Final Fantasy X
Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories
Grand Theft Auto IV

There are lots of other games I could list.   It just seems really weird that most games I play are completed at night.  Some are completed at a time of the night that still allow for a long night's sleep.  Others are completed when most people are asleep.  And not only that, it seems that I am more prone to crying or feeling emotional when I complete a game at night.  That's probably due to me having mental problems (un-diagnosed) and generally feel too much toward things.  But games where I cry at the end is a topic I will save for another day.

Anyway, what time of the day you typically finish a game?  Also, if you know that you are close to finishing a game though it is getting late, do you continue playing or leave it for the next gaming session?  Leave your responses down below or send me a message.

Well, that's all from me for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Day 65: Character - One of the Three Key Game Needs

For this entry, I want to write about what makes a great video game in my opinion.  For me, there are three things that make a great video game: Story, Characters, and Music.  Characters drive the story.  Music is the emotion of the characters.  Story connects you to the music.  If one of these things is lacking or missing altogether, then the game is one I will not ever have the desire to play.

Today's entry will focus on my favorite characters.  These can be characters I identify with, characters I love, characters I hate.  Yes, I hate some of my favorite characters.  I have been playing video games for more than twenty years, and in that time I have come to know hundreds, maybe even thousands, of characters.  They are what fills my dreams each night, and their lessons are what I hope to practice each day.  Gosh, that sounds so cheesy.  But video game characters have struggles and obstacles to face, and people can in fact learn from their triumphs and failures.  And with that, let's begin.

First up is Vivi Orunitia from Final Fantasy IX.  This game is the first of the series that I played, and Vivi is the one that I feel went through the most during the game.  He learns that his existence is one of a tool of war, nothing more than a puppet to be played with when his owner feels like it.  He fought to end that situation, despite having knowledge that it would also lead to his eventual demise.  For someone so young and to have the wisdom of an elder, is something that no one I know can truly have.

Up next is Sonic the Hedgehog.  Sonic is from a multitude of games, being one of the longest living game characters ever.  Now, I grew up a Nintendo kid, so I knew nothing of Sonic until much later.  My neighbor back when I was 10 had a Sega Genesis, and we go to each other's houses to play.  I would play Sonic at her house, and she would Mario at my house.  In most games that he is in, he's charged with saving the world.  Rather than using brute force to knock heads, he uses fast footwork to confuse the enemies and make them bow down to him (metaphorically, of course).  In later games, he was given more of a story and more powers.  One of my favorite Sonic games is Sonic Unleashed.  It showed another side to Sonic that you don't see in many games.

One of my favorite characters to hate is Seymour Guado from Final Fantasy X.  Since the very first time I played the game, I have always hated him.  Seeing him come off the boat in Luca, I knew right then that this guy was not a good person.  I was new to RPGs at the time, but there was just something in me that said that I could not trust him.  He is the type of person who used his past struggles to become stronger.  However, he didn't rise up and move on from the struggles.  He let them sour him.  Instead of using his new strength to be a truly good example for the Spiran people, he manipulated them and twisted the rules to fit his agenda.  On top of that, his hair is horrible.  He needs to comb that mess.

After getting those images for this entry, I seem to have extreme feelings toward characters in blue.  It's not intentional.  I could go on and on about every character, but then it would be a mile-long entry, and no one would want to read that.  I wouldn't want to write it, although I'm sure I could.  I may talk about some more at some point, but these three are good enough as a jumping off point.

Well, I don't know when I will write about the other two keys.  I could do it tomorrow, or next week, or whenever.  I don't have a schedule of topics I'd like to talk about.  It would be really organized of me if I did.  No, I didn't think of even writing about this until fifteen minutes before starting it.  Anyway, that's all for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Monday, September 2, 2013

Day 64: My GF is better than yours!

I did start a playthrough of Final Fantasy VIII today.  I didn't get very far with it though.  Well, I did, but I was overconfident and ended up not having any actual proof of the progress.  You see, I chose to try Fire Cavern in ten minutes.  I ran out of time, and I received a Game Over.  If I had not drawn magic from the enemies along the way to Ifrit, I would have had more time.  Anyway, I will set the time for twenty minutes next time.

Other than that, I am just rushing through the story.  Since I have played and completed the game once before, I know what happens.  I will not go for the extra things.  I want to stick to the story and complete it quickly.

For those that don't get the reference in the entry title, a GF is Guardian Force.  Yeah, like I would have time for a girlfriend.

It was also a big day for me when I played Osu! today.  One of my friends was online, and I played him for quite a long time.  He is ranked #7,543 in the world and #339 in America.  Playing against him was a challenge, and I rose to the occasion.  Each song was close, with our scores coming within 3,000 points each.  There was one song where the difference between our scores was only 274 points.  That time was the first of my winning streak.  When I won, he gave me control of the room and the chance to pick the songs.  I tried to pick songs that the two of us have played together.  Each song ended in a win for me.  In the end, we both had other things to do and we both stopped playing.

The big news is that I am that much closer to making it on to the worldwide leaderboard.  I am now ranked #765 in the country, and #15,214 in the world!  Some more play sessions like the one today, and I will be right there with all of my friends.

I also have second place in a song right now.  I don't know where the song is from, but I do know that it must be really easy to get a top score in it if I have second place.

Well, that's all for today.  I will continue playing Final Fantasy VIII later tonight.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Day 63: Month 3 Begins!

Right now I am currently waiting for the match to begin in Osu!.  The waiting is the one thing I don't like about playing multiplayer matches.  It can take what seems like forever for some players to get the maps.  I am ranked about the same as yesterday, so there's nothing new to report on that end.  I just wish I didn't have to wait so long.

I also played Skyrim a lot today.  And I only did the main story quests today as well.  My character is about to enter Sovngarde to go after Alduin.  I am at Level 30.  I just want to hurry and finish the game, because it is starting to feel boring to me.  This happens a lot when I play something for a long time.  That's why I am in the spot I'm in right now, I am bad about not completing video games.

Last night I thought about starting a playthrough of Final Fantasy VIII.  It is one Final Fantasy game that I don't play often.  But then I never got around to playing it because I was playing Skyrim.  I think I just didn't want to play the beginning of the game.  It seems slow to me when I play it.  But I think I will start it later this evening.  I have no plans for tomorrow, so I might as well.

Well, that's all I have for now.  So, for the coming day, enjoy the games you play!

Michael, aka me3lingual, aka 情郎