<–The State of the Gamer: 6/3/21           The State of the Gamer: 7/1/21–>

A weekly post updated every other Thursday detailing my current gaming projects.  I have an account at Grouvee, which is a site you can use to keep track of your backlog, so please feel free to friend me there!

---

What I Purchased

• Pic-a-Pix Pieces – $7.99 @ Nintendo eShop
• Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade – $74.19 @ Square Enix Store

---

What I DNF

Title: The Innsmouth Case
System: Nintendo Switch

Date Started: May 21, 2021
Date DNF: 6/17/21

I was just going to put this on hold after I saw it had a high rating on Grouvee (5/5 stars), even though I felt the same way about it as I did The Lion’s Song.  While I’m obviously into the Lovecraft thing, it’s not engaging enough.  According to the description, your choices do matter for the ending (or maybe I’m still thinking of The Lion’s Song idk), but it’s just not enough.  The definitive DNF came about when I loaded it up, and it started me at the beginning because apparently the save symbol I saw did nothing, and I didn’t feel like going through the first chapter again.  Maybe I’ll find and watch a Let’s Play if I feel so inclined, but I’m done with it myself.

---

What I’m Playing

Title: Tales of Vesperia
Series: Tales
System: Nintendo Switch

Date Started: May 23, 2021

I almost DNFed this, too, because I couldn’t beat the boss in Kiev Moc Forest, the Gigalarva.  It starts regenerating its health when it’s about halfway down.  You’d think a strategy could be found by an easy google search, and you’d be right, but you’d also overestimate my understanding of the game’s battle system.  It’s not that dissimilar to FFVIIR’s tbh even in terms of learning abilities through weapons, but where I was pretty much able to muddle through the Remake by button mashing (for the most part) that wasn’t flying for Vesperia.  The FAQs kept saying I should switch manual control to this character Raven when the boss has lost half its HP, because he has this Serpent (trap) ability that keeps the boss from refilling its HP.  Okay, cool…you’d think.  The problem is you can’t switch characters in the midst of battle unless you have the Moon Selector, an item you have to synthesize.  According to the guides, it’s doable at the beginning of the game once you have the necessary items.  The problem was I didn’t know it was so important, and I didn’t have all of the fore mentioned items, namely the Red Lenses dropped by the assassin type enemies.  Luckily, there was a place not far from Kiev Moc where they roamed so I was able to snag a few and make the Moon Selector.  Then it was just a matter of making sure my character AIs were set up properly, which I flubbed TWICE (like they weren’t moving because I’d set them to semi-manual…), but I was finally able to beat it.

Now I have a better understanding of the battle system (I…guess?).  I’m glad I was able to get past that part, because I really like the game.  It’s interesting and different from my typical Final Fantasy fare, and I’m good with that.  Don’t get me wrong; I will always love Final Fantasy the best, but it’s also nice to see what other JRPG series are like, and I’m liking the political intrigue in this one.

Title: Old Man’s Journey
System: Nintendo Switch

Date Started: June 15, 2021

I won’t lie; I’m not sure how long I’ll play this for.  It’s a sweet, little point and click with small (for now) puzzle element that involve moving around the scenery so your old man can traverse them.  He lives in a simple house by a cliff overlooking the sea.  One day he receives a letter, which is his Campbellian “call to adventure.”  There are certain spots you arrive at where he seemingly reminisces about his past.  This might be something I play every now and then later in the day when I don’t have the time or the headspace to play Vesperia.

---

What I Played

• Pic-a-Pix Pieces – I’ve been dying for another nonagram game after I finished up the Mega Puzzles for Picross 6.  I still have the regular puzzles in that to do, but I was just itching for somethng different.  Plus the music in this game slaps.  Like maybe I’m just a dork for midi, but the melodies are just so good lol.

---

What I Watched

• Bravely Default II (Olizandri) – He finished it up and even took on the optional boss with the highest HP, which I didn’t do.
• The World Ends With You (Olizandri) Sadly, I can’t watch the next game he started since I want to play it myself first (take a guess what it is…), and this one isn’t really my cup of tea.
• Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Dual Destinies (Olizandri) – Continuing with my AA rewatch.
• The Door in the Basement (CJUGames) – I’ve been doing this thing where I watch horror games during the day while working, and CJUGames pretty much only plays horror, and he does a lot of indie ones, which tend to be quicker.  This was really good.  Super creepy with a compelling story.  I’d recommend it (even was nice and linked it for you hehe).
• The House on the Hill (CJUGames) – This was another good one.  It’s got an intersting twist to it.  Nothing that’s never been done before, but some of the elements combined were a bit different.
• Palmyra Orphanage (CJUGames) – Another good one that only took one day to get through.  Creepy, abandoned, Russian orphanage.
• Amnesia: Rebirth (CJUGames) – This one is multiple videos and I’m still in the midst of it.  I’m really liking the fact that the main character is a woman and I’m pretty sure she’s a POC.  It’s got a Lovecraftian vibe to it.

---

I got FFVIIR Intergrade in the mail the other day, sooner than they said it would be delivered.  I haven’t played it yet.  I don’t know if if we’re going to put the PS5 in the other room so I can do so easier or what.  I…think it’s much shorter than the first game at only like four hours, which makes me feel like such a sucker lol.  I paid $75 for it, but we all know I’d still have done that even if it was only fifteen minutes.  Even if I’m too…whatever to garner up any excitement to play, I’d still have to have it.

I’m getting Pfizered for the second time tomorrow.  I’m hoping the pharmacist who was there last time is there this Friday.  Ever think about going out in public and being seen and you’re just like WHY.  LIke it freaks me out that people can actually, like, witness my existence.  I don’t like it lol.  The hubs got his Wednesday and had a bit of a headache and neck tension.  I’m hoping that’s all I have to deal with, but I should probably pick up some gatorade.

---

<–The State of the Gamer: 6/3/21           The State of the Gamer: 7/1/21–>