Grandia II (Introduction. Carbo Village)

The time has come to play the Anniversary Edition of my beloved Grandia II ^_^
Unfortunately I've just heard it might turn out more buggy than the one I've had... but I really want to try it. Anyway, I think it can't be as bad as PS2 version. I hope.

The lights and shadows are beautiful *_*
I don't feel like I'm playing the hard mode yet, but we'll see. I know there is a fanmade one and it's very extreme, if this proves to be too easy, I'll consider installing that next time.
I like talking to everyone in towns in this game, to learn more about its world. Especially since I decided to write a fanfic, and when I'm writing one, I want to be as precise as possible. Probably I read more than actually play in this game. Also, this might help me understand what happened on that fateful night better. I'm talking about Ryudo's past. This topic fascinates me. Not only because of Melfice.
I just love Ryudo's replies. They're tactless and rude but funny x) I'll put my favourite quotes here.
[Fortune telling, Skye reacts] "Woman trouble AND a great love? For Ryudo?! Check again, old woman."
I wonder if the Sisters couldn't perform their ceremony at the Garmia tower in the daytime. Was it necessary to go at night? >_> I guess so.
[The story of Flyin' Jim Phoenix] "No need to thank me lad" - "Don't worry. I won't."
Finally I've talked to everyone and now am going to the church to hear Elena sing :) I mean, Ryudo's going there for another reason, but eventually it will be to see who's singing.
It's interesting that in the English version Ryudo and Father Carius are voiced by the same person. So practically Cam Clarke is talking to himself :)
"...when Elena was younger ... she was so clumsy that she fell down ALL the time" - "Hey! You do not have to share with them details about MY childhood" :P
"Elena, did he do anything to you?" - "Tessa! Ryudo kept his hands to himself!"
I like the Garmia tower. It's among the things I remember from the first time I played this game long ago, and these memories are so vague I don't even remember where I stopped (or, rather, got stuck). I think it was in the caves in Agear, but I'm not sure. Some things after that seemed familiar.
Yeah, I guess it is a bit harder, enemies have more HP, but their attacks don't seem to have become more powerful. They can run after me for a little longer, though.
Going to see Millenia in a few minutes :D
So the Pope's full name is Zera Innocentius... how ironic.
Millenia's Japanese voice makes her sound younger... I wouldn't say I don't like the original voices, but it's one of the rare cases when I like the English dub more, or maybe that's because I'm just used to it. I was curious how the original version sounds like, so I chose it, for a change.
I've heard "Zap" is the buggiest spell, and when Millenia cast it, I waited in fear, but everything went fine. I'll check that spell myself, and if there are problems, well, I'll have to prevent enemies from casting it at any cost. Also I'll save my game more often, even if it means going back and forth in the location.
Wow, enemies did become stronger. I don't remember those snakes nearly killing Elena before, not in the first battle, at least x) This is going to be interesting!
After spending a night in the mountains, I've returned to Carbo to see if any lines have changed. And they have! Moreover, I don't remember most of them, even though I practiced returning to towns regularly last time I played. I don't think it was added in the new version, though... I've learnt so much interesting things about Geohounds during a dinner at the inn. I'm glad I returned. I didn't think there was something left I did not know about Grandia II. Such discoveries are exciting. Also, I can't help but think how many lines someone had to write, for all the characters, in a few variants...
Now, bad news. The game has just crashed, good thing I had saved just before, although, all I did was talking, nothing important. I hope I'll avoid such nasty surprises in the future. I had to reload my computer and, as if it wasn't bad enough already, it decided to occupy itself with updates -_- Looks like it decided for me that it's enough playing today.
Ahem. It turned out to be more serious that I thought. I just hope I'll be able to get it all back to normal as soon as possible. No, it's not the game's fault.
I guess I can try now... fight some more snakes and spiders before I go to bed. But looks like I won't arrive at Agear until next time.
Hmm, I wonder if they improved visibility. I don't remember being able to observe all the way I've come from above. But I might have just forgotten.
This post's getting too long. I guess I'd better divide it in parts.

Demonic Experiences

12 Monkeys
Well, nothing notable happened yet :)
Hmph, I shouldn't have said that. Maybe then loading first two saves wouldn't cause my game to crash. The others worked, however, so I came where I had been and I hope it won't happen again >_<
I like this snowy street. You don't often see snow in TR games.
I wanted to take a pic with a monkey (xD) but it turned out black (I expected it would be, so the screenshots you see were made by taking pictures of a video walkthrough), and the last save I had made was broken again. So, a piece of advice: try not to exit the game right after you save. Come to think of it, I always saved before exiting... in this level, at least, keep a few slots saved at different time.
I almost feel the cold of that water x)
Yep, something is wrong with saving in this level. Looks like I better finish it today. Or at least wait 5-10 minutes to save and exit, or save in different places. The one made at 31 minutes crashed, the one at 26 loaded.
*Passages blocked by bars*
Me: this bar doesn't look shatterable. I'll try anyway because I'm stuck and have nothing more to do..."
*It shatters*
Me: o_o
Now the game crashed when I went to the other part of the level. I don't know what to expect T_T
That rope jump >_< I wouldn't think it's possible if I didn't see someone do it. I'd be stuck here for ages.
Aaah, that freaking monkey is pushing me off the block xD Probably because I accidentally shot it when I was trying to get rid of the bird.
I'm in a black and white tiled room, and it brought up some memories, right now... sure it's familiar because I played it before, but... no, I don't think it's from this game, what I remember is that there was a kitchen and someone near a stove and I had to sneak up on him, but that'd mean I had no weapon, otherwise why would I do that... I also remember going to the roof (I've been to many roofs in this level, but this one's different) and water on the floor in a room that kind of looked like dormitory or something... but if not in this game, where then?

Hound of the Baskervilles
I can't say for sure yet, but looks like my save files work fine now. I've been looking forward to this level.
I knew what to expect entering that room, of course, but I turned to the left while two hounds appeared behind me and it was still a little unexpected :/
Hmm, nice bathroom :) I didn't remember it.
I'm absolutely, definitely, hopelessly stuck -_- Time to take a look in the walkthrough.
This is almost scarier than Psycho... now I've got to get used to hounds jumping out on me.
Hey, are you a horror movies fan? Have you ever played a horror videogame? I guess you have if you're reading this. A game is 10 times as intense.
I wonder what's worse: creepy looking things suddenly attacking you in ominous surroundings, but causing little damage, or large bunnies suddenly attacking you on a sunlit field, but causing a lot of damage :D
Climbed up into the passage I had opened earlier and found myself in complete darkness. There were 4 ways leading from there. At that moment I thought: "I'm scared, man, I won't go there, not now" and quit. Today I'm feeling braver, also I thought that in TR they usually spare players and don't place enemies in pitch black places as it's hard to see and Lara's hand is occupied with a flare. Not to get lost, I decided to draw a map as I go. I reached a place with a lamp which I turned on, and in the next turn, argh! >_< I should have expected that after I turned on the light.

Ocean and Jungle

Pirates of the Caribbean
A very difficult jump in this one... I think the most difficult in this game.
But for now, exploring! :D
Oh, a similar jump... I wonder how many tries it will take me.
Actually, it was all easier than I thought. Except that I had to do it twice and hurry.
Every time I enter and exit the room where you light the torch, I have a feeling I'm going to be attacked... but I'm not :/
I wonder if this is the type of room where you need to change the level of water. I love those.
It was the next room, but my memory didn't fail me :D
I was about to go to the next part of the level, but I remembered about a keyhole I haven't used and had a look in the walkthrough. I think I'll go back to the jungle because I am apparently missing out on something interesting.
Funny enough, I did notice that 'face' tile, I even tried to push it, but I guess I held ctrl for too little time to understand it can be pushed.
Beautiful locations in this level! The second part reminds me of some medieval town (in the middle of an island, huh).
No explosive arrows left, but grenade gun works, too, so I can free myself from skeletons' company. They're making me nervous >_> (well yeah, an enemy walking around sure makes one nervous, even if they don't do much damage and you've got many medipacks)
Gosh o_o (I was going to pick up an item, and suddenly there's a mummy in the alcove right next to me)
I spent so much time trying to figure out how to get up there when I just had to find the place where I could climb a beam... now, to the beautiful blue light!
Indeed, a medieval town. Castle walls, and houses... I should really put a picture here.
This is it. The jump I was talking about... I don't even know how to get in, not to speak of getting out xD Ah, jump'n'roll :)
Wow, I got out on the first try! It's not as difficult as it seemed xD Ok, only because I had seen a piece of advise about this previously, otherwise I might have spent more time in here. Last time I think I tried at least 50 times in a row.
I didn't think I could reach the water from here. Oh cool! I want to repeat this! :D What's the keys for the swallow dive? (ctrl+alt) What a dive!
Quite a maze. Searched every deadlock to make sure I haven't missed anything. The music ended just when I prepared to jump into the building. Just in time, because I might have to reload and there would be no music.
I've missed a secret T_T But I don't want to go back now and then here again. I'll just take a look loading one of the previous saves.

The Treasure Island
Nice outfit, Lara :D
This level doesn't look very realistic (even by the standards of TRLE) but it's like a break between more difficult levels: quiet, relaxing.
I've just had a ride down a very long slope :) If I ever try to make a level in TRLE, it should be "Lara in the Amusement Park". Although, I think I saw something like that already...
Now it unexpectedly became difficult. I have mixed feelings about these things rolling after you, on the one hand it's challenging and therefore interesting, on the other... ah, never mind.
Those pirates are so quick :o
A cartouche? Really? Seems out of place to me. Looks like this level's designer ran out of ideas and simply put something that already was in TRLE folder :)

Cinema 3 completed! I don't remember what awaits me after it, so I'm intrigued.
Ah, a maze with lots of doors. I got through but, to be honest, I didn't really know what I was doing x) 

Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories

*drumroll*
Finally, my long-awaited continuing with the series is happening!
PS2 games have troubles with my memory card for some reason, they say it's not there in the beginning, but, fortunately, most still save. I was worrying if Chain of Memories would, and it does. Hooray! :D
Getting used to the card system.
The first boss successfully defeated. I get the hang of it.
I love Axel's manner of speaking :) At this point when you meet new characters, you don't quite understand whether they're enemies or friends. Intriguing.


Until we meet again, Axel
(my new fav character *_*)

Following the route I took in KH, I chose to go to Wonderland first. And... Ah! Those flowers nearly finished me off xD It's getting tough.
Fighting cards with cards... now that's weird.
It's a shame I won't have a chance to play this until Monday -_- (it'll be a week since I started playing)
It's Monday :D
It was quite difficult at first, so much new information to remember, but I've got used to the battle system, so much actually that I beat the Trickmaster with only two cards I had left (I didn't expect he'd have so much health and had used a lot of combos).
Good thing I can skip cutscenes when I go for another try. And I like the boss music, well, until I get used to it.
I thought battles in KH required doing several things at the same time, but now you don't only have to attack, heal and move around, but also think about the cards you have.
Monstro was before Halloween Town, but the fact I'll have to fight Parasite Cage again makes me shiver x)
Parasite Cage really is... horrible! T_T Almost worse than Sephiroth (ok, I'm exaggerating, after all, it took much longer... but Sephiroth is at least nice to look at :P). I have two more rooms I can open, so maybe getting a new level and increasing HP will help.
Yes! So it's possible xD I wonder if the difficulty doesn't depend on the world you choose, because otherwise if I chose Monstro first, I'd have no chances against Parasite Cage.
The third room is usually a boss... I don't know what it might be, but I hope it won't be worse.
Ah, just a bunch of Heartless... that was fun!
Heartless in Halloween Town are not quite easy to defeat, but after the Parasite Cage it's like a vacation x)
I love how Cloud touches his hair after bashing enemies when I use his summon card :D At least it seems to me like he does.
I also love the music that plays when you fight someone from the Organization. On the second try I swiftly beat the hell out of Larxene, and now I'm heading for... Atlantica, I suppose. I wonder if Hollow Bastion is one of these five worlds, I'll have a look next time I play.
Oh, four, not five, and yes, Hollow Bastion is one of them.
What's gotten into Riku again?
"I'll jog your memory" - no, Sora, please, just let him go xD Do I have to fight Riku every time I exit a new world now? Feeling less confident this time T_T Perhaps I need more "Cure" cards.
I did it, omg, I did it! :D I've heard you can play as Riku when you finish the game, then I'll probably have to fight Sora... I wonder who's more annoying as enemy ^_^
Reached the moment when they forgot Kairi. This had to happen...
It was not until now that I found out how to use Enemy Cards xD
So many sleights I've learnt! I can't even remember them all...
I saw a video called "things a KH fan would never say" or something, and one of them is: "Donald always heals me at the right time". So... not true xD Come on, a simple algorithm, if HP is less than 50%, heal, if more, don't. Why didn't they think of it?
Wasn't Axel supposed to take care of Vexen? Sure, not before Vexen tries to defeat Sora for the second time... and I thought I was done with him.
There he is. Oh why, Axel? Why... not 5 minutes before! >_< (sure I don't feel sorry for Vexen; he was going to say something important, though) It took me about 7 tries before I came up with the strategy, right set of cards and finally stopped making mistakes. However, if it wasn't for Pluto's card that suddenly appeared, miraculously didn't get broken and provided me with a few more cards that helped me finish Vexen off, I'd probably fail again.
Now it's getting really tough. It's high time I returned to the worlds I've been to, opened all Rooms of Rewards and leveled up as much as possible. Especially now that I've apparently got only one world left ahead. But it's not over yet, for I fear what awaits me at the exit from Twilight Town. I yet need to earn the last world card. I don't think they'll just give it to me. Please, let it be Riku who's on my side again, saying "let's go save Naminé together!" xD
Guess what? It was Riku o_o But he wasn't friendly at all, even though at times he seemed to get out of control of whatever was controlling him. Fighting him this time wasn't very difficult, that's something, at least. And the last world is... Destiny Islands, of course! I saw this card in one of the cutscenes. Sora's going to meet Naminé soon and find out everything. I'm so excited!
My collector rank: Rare Card Hunter. Exactly... but I'm afraid I won't have the patience to collect them all.
So that really was a fake? In this case, I guess when I play as Riku, I won't get to fight Sora. Or will I play as fake Riku? I'm confused :/
"That jerk Axel, he used Naminé to betray us [that is, let her go and meet Sora]" - I like him even more now xD
Luckily, I had the sense to save before talking to Riku. The battle with Larxene looks fairly easy, but I didn't have time in the morning so I let her finish me off. Next time I'll replace all thunder cards with something more useful for an easier victory.
This second battle with Axel was tough... but I made it :D It was very annoying when he stopped my attacks before I could finish them. Still I think Vexen was more troublesome and took far more tries.

Temples and Pyramids

Cinema 2 is... tombs. Lara should be feeling at home here :D

Indiana Jones - Temple of Doom
Checking walls for secret rooms was a good idea, even though I didn't have faith in it at first. It didn't do much good, though...
Another secret passage! How come I hadn't noticed before? Right, flares and binoculars are more effective than holding ctrl near every wall... I shouldn't see the walkthrough anymore (unless I've been stuck for indeed a very long time, which I think won't happen), making discoveries all by yourself is much more exciting!
A 'double-action' switch? I never would have thought... ok, in this case seeing the walkthrough was justified. I'll keep that in mind in the future. I found a torch, and I remembered there was a lit torch on the wall in the chamber that's now blocked by a boulder and I was starting to panic, but now I think it's done so intentionally, so that you could not light it before time. I hope so.
Finally, I have my torch back. I was about to begin worrying I had done something wrong, and I had no wish to start over again, especially considering that I've been through the hardest part (fire spirits, few at a time). Now I can sigh with relief ^_^
Looks like what I lost in that room blocked by a boulder was a secret. That's a shame, but I wouldn't find it myself anyway. At least it doesn't prevent me from going forward.
Quite a beautiful place! The funny thing is, I remembered none of this xD
I'm so grateful they made a ladder to the area where I came from! When after opening a door (which was opened by 4 switches one of which gave me a hard time to get to), I went in and found out I need the torch which I had left up there, my heart sank... but then I remembered about this ladder :D
I was told in the very beginning to take the torch with me, but the problem is, I might not be able to take it up again, so I didn't do it unless needed.

Blood from the Mummy's Tomb (with no blood and no mummy)
Here I have something important to say to those who are interested in playing this game (and this level in particular), but a little later.
The helicopter could go a bit lower, you know... it isn't really sensible to fall like that x)
I found the way to the tomb, but I have a feeling I'm missing out on something. I remember a vehicle, and moving those platforms should have some goal. I'll see the walkthrough just to make sure I'm going the right way. Having to replay things is frustrating, so I try to avoid it.
I see, I hadn't noticed the jeep keys... suppose you can go either way, but I'd rather follow the walkthrough.
Nice music :D A minute ago I thought there was absolutely no sound, and here it is.
Omg, so many ways to go. What I'm sure of, though, is that I should drive down there.
I think I've just discovered the easiest way to get through the timed gates and get a secret xD
That was cool! Climbing the ladder, suddenly realizing you're on the top of a pyramid, sliding down the slope, jumping over the spikes... I didn't expect my reaction would be good enough to jump over them, usually Lara dies at least once before I manage to avoid the trap xD
I did this part twice... and I don't remember how I opened those doors >_<
Oh... I just had to break a glass.
Now, the important thing. Once you solve the puzzle with mirrors and grab the statuette, you're told to hurry, and they mean it! So save before it, in case you don't make it, because if you don't, you'll get stuck on this level. When I played it for the first time, I was silly enough not to follow this simple instruction, and I blessed my habit of copying save files after each time I played (which I previously considered useless) for giving me a chance to play from the middle of the level instead of having to play Cinema 2 all over again (as I had saved at Movie Theatre).

Phew! I did it. Now, getting the second Movie Star, I remember it was no pleasant ride either.
Indeed it isn't. Looks like to get the secret, I have to be even quicker. No, thanks, flares aren't worth that. To hell with it.

Lara at the Movies (Mystic Thrillers)

Lara at the Movies is a fan made Tomb Raider game, and quite a good one, I should say. I played it once, I had scary times, nervous times, times when I was stuck and didn't know what to do (had to consult a walkthrough), but also I admired the levels and those who made them.
Now I'm playing it again ^_^
Here's a link, if you're interested, but you also need TRLE (Level Editor) to make it work.
http://www.mprager.de/TRLEGold/screens/Screenshots.htm
I'll mention here another well made fan TR game (by Titak, who also made some levels for the Movies) - Himalayan Mysteries: http://www.trle.net/sc/levelfeatures.php?lid=1793

The Blair Witch Project

I can't believe it, I'm stuck already. Well, I did manage to find the torch (it took me a while), light it and get to the main part. I explored everything I could find there, one heart left to find, I suppose, and now I don't know what to do with an old shovel. There's one place that almost says "dig here", but it doesn't work this way. And I don't remember what I did last time... trying to do without the walkthrough.
Balancing, yay! It's probably borrowed from Chronicles where you walk a rope in one level, this one's a bit glitchy, but it's ok.
The mirror room impressed me, too.
I saw blood on the ground and just remembered: that's where I dug last time, I'm sure... almost. But how to get there? A tree blocks the way. To remove it... oh, I know! I need to fetch the torch and burn the roots in the underground cave.
I was right! And now it's getting a bit scary... but the nastiest thing in this level (and in some others) is the wraith, for if you catch fire and there's no water near, you're doomed.

Nasty wraith

It was more difficult than I expected... first that rock kept getting me, and this annoying thing was flying around, setting Lara on fire every few seconds -_- But I made it! And now...
I knew I had missed something! A secret, in the place where I was last time I played, running and panicking chased by a dead man, and now I don't understand what the problem was if they're so easily killed again x)

Alfred Hitchcock's Rebecca
 Yeah, this level is where I first learnt about Rebecca.

Hello, Mrs Danvers

What?! A closed door? Don't tell me I have to do that bloody jump again! No...
Phew... it's just me who hadn't noticed a lever on the wall, as usually ^_^'
Trying to find something, I accidentally found a secret. It enlivened my running back and forward a bit, but now I'm stuck again. I suppose the solution is in the new area that opened, because the problem's there as well, but I think I checked every corner...

Hello, Maxim

I'm about to consult a walkthrough, don't want to waste time running in circles. But first I'll take a break and try to remember.
I got it, without the walkthrough! I didn't manage to remember, but I caught a glimpse of the thing you need to shoot in this level to make something happen. Finally, I can continue (funny enough, I could just rush through the spikes, losing a lot of health, but it would be a waste, and I wanted to do things properly).

Hello, er... Rebecca?!

Omg, a few skeletons suddenly appeared when I was exiting Rebecca's room. I should have expected it, though, when I had found a crossbow and explosive ammo for it.
Rebecca wasn't hard to defeat, we simply exchanges explosive shots for a while and that's it... I like how they put a picture of her (moreover, I fought her ghost), there was not a glimpse of what she looked like in the movie.

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho
Here goes the nightmare of my playing the Movies last time.
I've seen Psycho for the first time just a few days ago, and now it's one of my favorites x) Now playing this level will be especially pleasant, if I can say so.
I climbed a rope, jumped off to a cave, lit a flare, took a few steps forward... and saw a dark shadow behind me, even paused in confusion. Well, a spider is not that scary, it was just unexpected. I know exactly what to expect further on, though.
After a ride on a very bumpy road, I'm finally here. Explored and did everything I could around the building, delaying entering the motel xD
Well, as I said, I knew what to expect. But when I played first time (not even having seen the movie), I entered the bathroom and unwisely rushed to the medipack and heard the scream and Bates suddenly appearing behind Lara's back... I'd suggest turning volume down a bit x)
I was completely stuck in the house, but I should have searched a little more before seeing the walkthrough, the switch wasn't really hard to find.
I have to go into the room... scary >_<
Ok, not so scary if you have a shotgun. In comparison with my favourite level in TR Chronicles, where you have no weapon at all...
By the time I went to the basement I'd got used to Bates jumping out on me, but no one there, except for a few spiders. Oh, and a skeleton whom I pushed into water before I thought of what I should do x)
Birds flying out to attack me, it was very neat, because in the movie Norman makes stuffed birds, and there are pictures of birds on the walls, all that symbolism.
What is even better than having a shotgun is driving a vehicle. Bye-bye, Norman! *runs over* And you spiders! *mad laugh*

Cinema 1 is almost finished, all I have left to do is to solve a puzzle and get a star that will help me get out of the theatre later on.

Debug mode

I had been writing my term paper, but now it's over, and I can get back to my favourite activities :)
But this post will be about how I love debug (or ghost) modes in the games of my childhood. More precisely, in Harry Potter games (although there are more, and in some of them I managed to find other ways to achieve the same goal).
What I mean by ghost mode is a mode, to which you can switch using cheats/changing a game file. It allows you to go through the walls and go practically anywhere. Why would I need it? Well, I prefer playing games without using cheats, but in case you're stuck somewhere because of a glitch, that could be very useful. I've played my old favourite games so many times that I know them inside out, and when you've nothing else to do there, you start fooling around...
So, since I played those as a child, I dreamed to explore rooms that you see in the cutscenes but do not have access to, and things like that. Of course, there's nothing too special there, just empty rooms made only for decoration, maybe with some weird textures, and most doors don't even lead anywhere. But my dreams came true.
There were more interesting things to see, too, like "wax museum" (a room where characters are put when they're not needed and where they go when they disappear), and I learnt how they make the background (somewhere in space there is a cube which has the background pictures on its inner sides, and the level itself is in the center of this cube, so you see everything that's around). In HP2 you can also change the view (as other characters see it) and change Harry's mesh to other characters' ones, although you can't use magic then, that's a shame... oh, and also you can switch to sword mode and destroy things... or have fun with Slytherins in their common room running after you and you always getting away xD