Gamer Corner: Robin

Welcome to this week's installment of Gamer Corner, where Fangirl Review interviews a gamer and gets her thoughts on the gaming world and learning what she is enjoying at the moment.

Tell me a little bit about yourself?

I am basically your average Asian girl next door. A philosophy student, clumsy yet reliable sales specialist, and video game hobbyist. I love collecting collectible toys and love to play games on my 3DS.

What rig do you currently game on?

Nintendo 3DS XL and 2DS

What kind of gamer do you classify yourself to be? ie. PC, Console, Tabletop, LARP as well as Hardcore, RPG, etc.

A handheld gamer, I'm on the go a lot. I love playing anything that takes solid time to complete and also with a good online multiplayer mode and possibly anything with streetpass.  I also love RPG and Arcade games.

What is your first memory of gaming?

Around age 5, I loved playing a game called 'The Jetsons: Cogswell's Caper' on the NES console. I was always stuck on this certain space room stage, cause I kept dying. Along with Duck hunt also on the NES, I was the type to have the rifle controller directly touching the TV screen to successfully shoot the ducks hahaha, a really bad way of cheating.

What game are you currently playing right now? Do you enjoy that game, why? How’s the overall game play and graphics?

I am currently playing Bravely Default: Flying Faires on the 3DS. I absolutely love playing this game, as it brings back nostalgic Final Fantasy gameplays I use to love on the DS. With the variety of jobs/classes to choose from, it makes battles quite exciting and also more strategic than it already is. The characters are unique in their own way and are undeniably lovable. The storyline consists of tragedies, some forms of romance, quirkiness, humor, horror and best of all TWISTS. It has almost everything to keep you wanting to play more to see what happens next! Overall not only the storyline is unique, but the actual gameplay itself with the Brave and Default feature, in which, when used strategically, can determine the course of your battle. This also makes battling enemies quite addicting and fun. Graphics, are similar to Final Fantasy III on the DS, not so much improved but still chibi like and beautiful.

Would you recommend it, why?

Absolutely!! Storyline is brilliant! Gameplay is addicting! Classic Japanese role playing game quality.

Are there any games coming out that you are looking forward to?

Definitely Super Smash Bros on the 3DS, but because my friends also like playing SSB, I might get it on the WiiU too! Also Professor Layton VS Ace Attorney and Mario Golf World Tour.

If you could design your own game what would it be like?

Basically something like the Hunger Games with Nintendo Characters, with different modes such as battling up in the skies whilst on selected flying monsters.

Thoughts on this new generation of consoles – Wii U, PS4, and Xbox One?

I am more of a Nintendo fan, but I do play the others at friends' houses.  The WiiU however is not so great so far for me. There isn't any titles that make me want to convince my friends to get the Wii U, besides Just Dance 2014, we love just dance haha.

What are your thoughts on the gaming industry?

The gaming industry is definitely evolving, along with bringing back the more nostalgic games. Though I don't mind remakes of games, I still like the idea of bringing it back to allow newer players to experience what was once played long ago. Take Super Mario Bros on the NES for example. I am now playing that on my 3DS!!! So I really hope they bring back more retro games, cause I really want to beat that stage I was stuck on in the Jetsons. One day...

10 years from now, where do you see the industry? Are you happy with that direction? If you had the power, what direction would you have the gaming industry go? Revolutionised with innovative ideas. Yes, the better and more unique it is, the more gamers there will be, and also the more fun and enjoyable gameplay with friends. If I had the power, I would provide for more DLC on games to keep them alive rather than saying “there's nothing else to do in this game”.

Favorite Game (can include tabletop) of all time and why? 

Animal Crossing: New Leaf because I love the variety of creative ideas people come up with upon designing their towns and houses. It's such a silly game but I have constantly hooked since I've bought it.

Additional Thoughts and Comments?

I was watching this video on youtube based different topics kids had to talk about. One question asked to them was “What was your first console you have ever played”, some said Playstation and Wii. Though I understand they are young, it still shocked me... for some reason....

Would you like to share your gamer tag and the system so others may add you?

People can find me on Instagram under 'Robinotta'. I play a variety of 3DS games, so if they want to join in, they can find me :)

Thank you to Robin for the awesome interview. If you would like to be interviewed for Gamer Corner please feel free to contact me at fangirlcontact@gmail.com.

Post by Vikki
Twitter: ProfessorWhite

The Vampire Diaries S5, Ep. 14 “No Exit” Recap

Important Moments: Until Elena is back I will just say Katherine and not mention that she hijacked the body anymore. Episode starts with Damon and Enzo hanging out in a house where they killed the owner and made him into a vampire. Damon feeds on him and rips his head off. Stefan and Katherine are together and he is helping her study. Caroline lets Stefan know that evidence shows that Damon is feeding on vampires. Caroline gets a call from Tyler about Matt missing. Caroline tells Stefan to be careful with the mess that is Elena and Damon. Katherine tells Nadia to kill Matt.

The travelers trapped Enzo and Damon inside the house. It is a test to see how long he can go without feeding. Stefan is talking to Katherine and wants to know why Katherine gave up on Damon so quickly. She distracts him and disables the vehicle. Damon keeps trying to figure out how to get out of the house. Enzo tells him to be calm, they will figure it out. Caroline and Tyler sit down and talk about Matt. Matt shows up with Nadia in tow. Katherine and Stefan are now stuck because of the disabled vehicle and Katherine talks him in to going to a local hotel to get showered and changed. Tyler and Caroline grill Matt and Nadia. Tyler decides to just let it go and believe it but Caroline is not convinced.

Enzo wraps up Damon in chains. Enzo calls Stefan’s phone but Katherine takes the call and she does not tell Stefan. Damon gets free of the chains and begins to feed on Enzo. Damon starts to get sick when he tries to feed from Enzo. Enzo leaves with the Dr. Maxfield who claims he will let him go. Katherine begins to put the moves on Stefan. Stefan gives in but walks away and Katherine is happy that her plan is working. Matt asks the important question about why Nadia is helping Katherine when Katherine will never put her first. Nadia tells Matt that he understands because it is the same way with his mother. Nadia and Matt hook up. While they are hooking up Matt takes her phone and tries to send a text but is caught. Nadia compels Matt but that is after he tells her she is not like her mother. Caroline shows up and realizes Matt has been compelled again. Caroline and Nadia fight, Tyler shows up and jumps into the fight but Nadia is able to get away. 

Katherine and Stefan show up to help Damon. Katherine crosses the threshold. She tries to tell Damon that he is not a lost cause. She purposely cuts herself to prove to Damon that he is stronger. Damon starts feeding on Katherine. She tries to get Stefan to kill Damon but he instead distracts Damon with his blood and breaks his neck.

Tyler apologizes to Caroline for what he did and says he is not past what she did. Damon is chained up in the basement. Stefan says he is not going to give up on Damon. Damon points out how Katherine wanted him dead and Stefan has no words for it. Katherine shows up to visit with Nadia. Katherine is happy and Nadia shows her that Tyler bit her. Caroline shows up to the boarding house. They believe that Elena is acting different. They are able to figure out that Katherine is in Elena’s body. End.

My Thoughts: I can say that I am happy that they are figuring out what Katherine is up to. That story line annoyed me to end. I cannot wait to have the gang together figuring out how to get Elena back and defeat evil Katherine. She just pushed too far too fast. She should have just claimed someone else's body to get Stefan but instead she attempts to come in between the brothers again and she knows that it just does not work. 

I also wonder if Katherine is going to do all it takes to save her daughter or is she going to save herself first. I guess we shall see. 

Teen Wolf S3, Ep. 21 “The Fox and the Wolf” Recap

Important Moments: Episode starts in the past with military men getting rid of bodies. They notice the nogitsune and try to shoot him to stop him. He attacks and kills one and rips the head off of another. Present day Kira’s father finds himself face to face with Stiles (Nogitsune). Stiles poisons him with a fly.  Scott and Kira are together. They found a picture and sword with the body that Stiles found. The picture is of Kira’s grandmother. Kira and Scott rush to save her father and finally confront her mother to tell them everything. Turns out the woman in the picture is Kira’s mother. Kira’s mother is really 900 years old. (She looks good for her age). The blade was shattered in 1943. Turns out Old Creek internment camp was real. Kira’s mother believes the nogitsune came from her.

Past shows Kira’s mother stealing items while she is in the camp. They have to hide the items and are in constant fear. An older lady tries to warn her about her actions but of coarse as a young one she does not listen. Kira’s mother has a relationship with one of the military police, Reece. Everyone in the camp comes down with pneumonia. They realize that the medication is being sold on the black market and the first to die is a little boy. When everyone in the camp realizes what happened they begin to riot. The older lady that advised Kira’s mother was a bitten werewolf. She threw a Molotov cockatail that landed on the man that Kira’s mother was dating. The man was a severe burn victim. They killed everyone and got rid of the bodies to cover it up. Kira’s mother had to lay next to the man she was in love with as well as all the other bodies. He was completely wrapped up in gauze.

Kira’s mother became vengeful when she realized she was going to die. She called out to nogitsune to help her get her vengeance. It possessed, Reece, the man she loved. Kira’s mother was forced to fight him. Together with the werewolf she was able to defeat him. Kira is a thunder kitsune and she has the power to put the sword back together. Kira’s mother states that the only way to save Stiles is to kill him. Past - Kira’s mother buried the jar with the nogitsune in the root of a tree (of coarse it all comes back to the Nemeton tree). The actions of the Scooby Gang released it.

Mr. Stilinski asks Derek and Mr. Argent to help him trap Stiles.  Argent, Stilinski, Alison, and Derek work together to form a plan to trap Stiles. The alarm is tripped at Stilinski’s house. Stiles has come home. They find the chess pieces with notes and see that Derek is being threatened. They try to come up with a plan to confront Stiles at Derek's loft. End

My Thoughts: While I enjoy the kitsune and nogitsune, I think it is a fun story line and would love to read about it in a book but I feel like we are moving too far away from the Teen Wolf story line. I do enjoy seeing evil Stiles but I think we need to move back to what the show is about. The ninjas and everything is fun but not needed for this already rich Teen Wolf world.

Okay so the nogitsune is out for vengeance against those behind the evil at the internment camp. My question is why go after those in Beacon Hills? Do you think Isaac was a descendant of one of those people or maybe the Argents? The nogitsune has a plan and they are all playing into it. 

Book Review: The Undead Pool

Hello Everyone,

As you know I love to read and want to share with you the new book released by one of my favorite authors, Kim Harrison. The new book is Undead Pool, released February 25th, 2014 is the 12th in the series. 

Amazon Story line: Supernatural superhero Rachel Morgan must counter a strange magic that could spell civil war for the Hollows in this sexy and bewitching urban fantasy adventure in acclaimed New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison's Hollows series. Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now, strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering. Rachel must stop this dark necromancy before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and all-out supernatural war breaks out. Rachel knows of only weapon to ensure the peace: ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils. And no one know better than Rachel that no good deed goes unpunished.

Author Kim Harrison

My Thoughts: Spoiler alert – I am so happy to see the development of the relationship between Trent and Rachel. I know we have all been rooting for this relationship for quite some time. I was excited to hear from Kim Harrison at the 2012s NY Comic Con. She stated that we had 3 more books to go so I think now we either have one or two left before the series ends. She is wrapping up ties. We know that Nick is now dead. We are learning more and more about what may have driven Newt crazy. We are seeing the possible separation of Rachel and Ivy. I think this might be the only series that ends in a way that I can enjoy. – End Spoiler Alert

The book was well written and Harrison continues to drive the characters forward. She writes with her end in mind and I am happy to enjoy the ride. I read this book quickly which is always a good sign. I look forward to seeing where the series goes. It has not let me down. The book explores the Elven hierarchy more and we learn what Trent has to deal with. I also enjoyed seeing Bis develop more as a character. I did not put much weight into his development but he has become very important in Rachel's development as a demon.

The relationship between Ivy, Jenks, and Rachel continue to be tested and various ways and they find their trio is now a quartet. Overall a great read. Check out the book and series and let me know your thoughts.

Movie Mondays: Devil's Pass

The random movie for this week is here and it is Devil’s pass. This showed up in the queue in Netflix and since I love my horror/thriller movies I decided to check it out. The movie was released in 2013, directed by Renny Harlin and written by Vikram Weet. 

IMDB Story line: The Dyatlov Pass Incident was a real-life incident which occurred in February 1959 on the Kholat Syakhl mountain, part of the Ural Mountain range in what was then the territory of the Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. Nine hikers of Russian origin died in sub-zero conditions after fleeing their tents into the night on February 2nd for unknown reasons. Soviet investigators, unable to come up with a viable explanation, attributed the deaths to "compelling natural forces", closing the case due to a lack of evidence of any criminal element being involved and sealing off the site of the incident for three years. The Incident is still subject to popular scrutiny today by people around the world. Devil’s Pass follows a group of American students on a trek to investigate the true life mystery of nine Russian skiers who befell unexplained deaths while skiing in the Russian mountains in 1959. To this day, their deaths have been one of the most bizarre unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.

My Thoughts: This is another one of those documentary type movies like the Blair Witch Project. A bunch of foolish American students decide to trek up a cold mountain in Russia where 9 other people died. I thought this movie was going to be some silly foolishness but it surprised me at the end. This movie actually explained what happened to the Americans. 

The actors are unknowns. Well, they are unknown to me. I have not seen any of them in anything that I remember and sometimes that is what makes a movie good. In this instance the lack of a big name actor made you relate better to the actors and made you feel for the pain that they went through. The movie did take a weird twist when they begin talking about teleportation. Yet, I must admit it added a good dynamic. I was concerned for a moment but the ending was actually good. This movie deserved a better release. It was enjoyable and the overall story was thought out and delivered appropriately. 

Check this one out. Share your thoughts in the comments.

Post by Vikki

Twitter: ProfessorWhite

The Walking Dead S4, Ep. 12 “Still” Recap

We are back to Beth and Daryl on the run. They find shelter in a trunk of an abandon car to get away from a zombie horde. They stay up all night waiting for the horde to pass and continue on their journey. They set up camp and Beth is all survivor like making a fire while Daryl hunts for food. Beth cannot deal with Daryl’s lack of affect. She is determine to have an alcoholic beverage and refuses to sit there like Daryl doing nothing.

Beth continues her path for alcohol leading them to a golf course with walkers following behind them. They find people that hung themselves that are now walkers. They find themselves ransacking the place while the walkers try to get in. Beth finally finds a bottle of wine but ends up using it to kill a walker. No booze for Beth. They find a dead body with the sign “rich bitch”. The clock rings and they find themselves surrounded by walkers. Daryl takes out a walker with a golf club, can anyone say melee weapon.

Beth finds another bottle and bellies up to the bar. She has a break down before she even takes a drink. Daryl throws the bottle and tells her it is time to leave. I agree with him that for your first drink it should not be Peach Schnapps. Daryl finds a place that he previously went to with Michonne and finds some moonshine and declares it a real first drink. Daryl keeps watch while Beth drinks and is easily convinced to join her. 

Drinking games, "Never have I ever". Really! They begin to learn about each other. Beth makes assumptions about Daryl. Daryl gets pissed and takes out his frustration on Beth. They fight. Some hard truths come out about everyone being dead and those they lost. Daryl gets upset and Beth comforts him when he finally has his breakdown. It is now night time and they are done drinking. Daryl shares a story of his family situation. Daryl admits that he was a drifter with Merle before all this occurred. He says he was a nobody. Beth shared her hopes for the future when they were at the prison. Beth points out that Daryl will miss her when she is gone. She tells him that he just has to let the pain of loss go or it will kill him. They use the rest of the moonshine to burn down the house. (Cheezy backwoods music is played in the background)

My thoughts: Daryl and Beth didn't have to go pee all night? If you are trapped in a trunk all night awake, won’t you feel like you have to pee at some point. Yes this is what I think about when I watch the show. 

These bodies with signs on it are a concern. Raise your hand if you are concerned. We keep seeing these bodies and no one seems to be concerned. I think the gang behind this will be a threat. 

I am sad that they didn't make Daryl's past more interesting. I remember them mentioning at Comic Con that we would learn more, I hope that there is still more. Otherwise this was beat! I am hoping that there is more to the story, but there probably isn't. 

I understand the burning of the house symbolizes letting go for the characters. However it is a soap opera move to burn a house down. C'mon you were thinking. Oh well, until next week. 

Post by Vikki

Twitter: ProfessorWhite