Nanan Village

"A first WHAT? Oh man... Mareg, you guys don't have some strange, eat-the-new-people custom, do you? Are we being served up?"
"Master"? Mareg, is that what you make her call you?" - "No. I have asked her repeatedly to address me as Mareg, but she insists still on calling me "master."
"I don't hug enough trees to be Mareg's disciple... He may be wise, but sometimes he just sounds crazy... Ah, nevermind, kid."
"Hmm... You know who the face on this pillar looks like? Elena..." - "What? Ryudo, what has gotten into you? Stop embarrassing me..." - "Holy...! Oh my goodness! It does look like you!" - "Stop talking nonsense, Ryudo! This is not the least bit funny!"
(Ryudo and Elena have been asked to enter a mysterious hut) "This place is empty... Look, just in case you didn't know, we're not a band of travelling interior decorators."
It's nice to have textures in this place x) In Grandia II I had, there were none for some reason, everything was plain white.
"'Bring here the Walnuts of Light and the Door of Blessings shall open.' ...Walnuts of Light... No comment."
"Ugh. This moss reeks... It smells like Skye when he opens that beak of his."
Wordplay - the smell of the sap saps the desire to come out.
"You two are really close, huh? It's so fun to watch you two together." That's for sure. I've been having fun watching Ryudo and Elena the entire game.
"Sheesh... As refined as Mareg is, he eats the same way..." - "We eat heartily to show our gratitude to the game that sacrificed itself so that we may live. ... [munch][munch] [cough][cough] [gag]" - "Whoa! Slow down! You'll choke and die before you get any benefit from that food."
Lights in the huts and no one there... what a waste x)
"Hey, everyone! Hiccup! Shtop shpinning around and around! You're making' me dizzy..."
"For bugs, these Miya worms have the life... they eat better than I do, and get treated MUCH better than I do..."
"The color of their silk changes depending on the mood they're in? Ha! Sounds like someone I know... She changes color too..." I bet I know who it is.
One of my favourite cutscenes now ^_^ Near the Spring.
"These berries taste like whatever food you remember most dearly. Therefore, they tend to taste different to different people." I wonder what they'd taste like to me...
Phew... collecting nuts for the fifth time was difficult. All that for a Baobab Fruit which you can buy in the store. I won't torture myself next time >_>
There's one more level?! No, no, no, that's it, I'm leaving. Finally, fighting again :D 

Zanzarah. Part 3

This is where you get Suane, admire her a bit and... have to give her away -_- Of course, it will be possible to get a light fairy later on, but evolving her into Suane takes forever...
So, no Suane, no Segbuzz (for now), but... now I have a Worgot xD The best exchange ever... the developers kind of played a nasty trick here. But, come to think of it... Segbuzz is more valuable than Suane because it can't be found anywhere else.
This jump on platforms on the way to the Tree is one of the most difficult, I've failed here more than anywhere else. Yay, I did it! Now if I fall on the way back, it's no big deal. I've fallen... as if I clicked, but it didn't work.
Sound of an opening door... where there's no door :P
Yes, it is so! Ice is ineffective against stone, and vice versa. How come I never noticed before? I could easily take out those Greezlocs...
Lasse! How on earth did you get over that gap? I thought I was the only owner of the Card of Air xD
I've decided, I'm getting that Darbue. I'm going to fight metal fairies, and energy is effective against them. I'll need to train him anyway.
I reloaded the location and walked past that tree a few times and no fairy attacked me. And of course, when I didn't need it this time and was just passing by...
No luck again! I damn miss the Fairy Horn... and wild fairies seem to be mocking me today >_>
Just visited the ruins. What a nice catch! Now I'm lucky. I've met and caught all the fairies I needed, and Turnox's among them. He can be helpful in the battle for the Card of Fire. Before that, I can go to the Shadow Realm to get some dark spells.
Those item bags on an islet near the Tree are the only ones I haven't managed to get. They tease me every time I pass by >_> I know there shouldn't be anything special in them, but still...
Akritar, my love! xD I've got you now.
It's hard to believe, but all my fairies were effective against those of my opponent in the very same order as they were! I didn't even need to think, changing them accordingly x)
So many new spells *_* Not only dark, but also ice and fire ones...
Going past that door in the Catacombs for the first time, I was a little nervous... but really the only scary things in this game might be high-level fairies, supposing you're not prepared for an encounter with them.
These skeletons look as if they used to be humans rather than short-heighted dwellers of Zanzarah... so likely it was people who built this dungeon and it was long ago. Or developers just didn't think about such things x)
Here it is, one of the most useful items of a fairy collector! No location reloading anymore :P
Phew! I won, more lucky the second time. Only Glacess survived and got a small amount of experience, but that doesn't matter. What matters is that now I can go to the Lava Caves.
When I saw all those fairies I had to defeat in the battle in front of the Dark Cathedral, I thought I was going to lose. But it turned out that 4 fairies were quite enough for that. Only Laticia died, and in a stupid way: I didn't expect a 50-level Turnox to put her out with one shot, with more than 200 HP, even if dark is effective against air...

Zanzarah. Part 2

Wow, I've caught Beltaur right away in the Dark Caves on the way to the Peaks. Apart from this, I know the place where you can find it anytime.
I remember this shadow elf being a real obstacle when I was younger. But there will be enemies worse than that later on.
Oh no, not Greezloc T_T
I lost just when I started to think the worst was over. They just wore my fairies out...
Oh, great, now there's no Greezloc :D I've won quite easily with only 3 fairies out of 5. It really does depend on the set of your enemy.
I love the Peaks. There was a time when I was tired of constantly training fairies and I was trying to find a way to descend these mountains... and I found it x) Not the easiest way, but possible. It's nothing to do down there, really, but to climb peaks, but I liked it anyway.
I'll catch Glacess as soon as I can, but I won't try now - I haven't got any gold spheres left anyway.
The clouds here are closer than they seem... if you played, you've probably noticed :)
Oh, here's a golden sphere, now I can try to catch Glacess... if I don't run out of potions before it.
These Ice Caves are easy to get lost in at first. But making sure you didn't miss anything is harder. As well as catching that pixie. There's the Rune of the Ice World here, it's not hard to find... if you know which way to go.
Oh, Glacess *_* I managed to catch her, and now, sorry, Lana, your time in the team's over. But I'll come back to evolve you into Liana soon enough.
I'd feel dizzy after using such an "elevator"... and when looking down, too. The Realm of Clouds, another beautiful place and home of the air fairies who are among my favourites.
I wonder if ice's ineffective against stone, even if the table doesn't say so... for some reason Greezloc had problems causing more than little damage to my JumJum. Probably it just didn't wait enough before shooting. I've noticed they do that when low on HP, start firing in bursts, almost. Also I had a spell that recovers HP for as much as you've reduced that of your opponent. Not sure if it's supposed to do so, because the description is vague... but all this helped me defeat two Greezlocs! And I thought I was going to lose.
From now on I can remove the boulders. Where I need to go now is the Arena, but something tells me I have little chances right now. Instead I'll go explore places I haven't been to or where I can go now, probably training some of the fairies at the same time.
I guess it was a bit overcautious of me to take Luria, Glacess and my most powerful ones, because Oceana was more than enough to smash these metal fairies. Well, now I'm prepared for the battle with dark ones.
Now, a death defying act - jumping on moving platforms over an abyss :D Although, even if I had only one chance, I could use a rune while falling. I sometimes do it when I'm bored teleporting the usual way xD
I really love the cave where Monagham is located. It inspired me to write a story partly set in similar environment.
Not sure what these things are called, sparkling areas you can find throughout Zanzarah... I think I've just found one I had never noticed before o_o I might have, but I don't remember...
My Arena battle didn't start well and Oceana's HP quickly got low (probably because of damned Segbuzz whom I hadn't managed to take out earlier because he was hanging about a dark fairy that was getting in the way). I thought that would be it but, to my surprise, eventually I won. Well, at least healing herbs will come in handy now. 

Zanzarah: The Hidden Portal

I guess I've been jumping from one game to another way too much lately... but I'll finish them all, sooner or later. It's just that recently I'm done with my second term paper and I'm full of energy (but still a little lazy >_>) to get back to my favourite activities, and I feel like playing this or that. Also, this summer I'm going to play some old games I still haven't since I first played them long ago (like The Gift and Rayman series).
For now it's Zanzarah. I guess it's a bit too early, but I find myself coming back to it once in a while before I start to really miss it.
In the last few years I played it several times, starting with a different set of fairies every time to bring some diversity. But just following the plot isn't really interesting, especially if you've already learnt it by heart, so this time I'll be collecting the fairies, all of them :D It will be my second or third collection, because I don't remember for sure if I completed the first one...
So, the game is a curious mix of fantasy adventure, Pokemon-like gameplay and a shooter. I played it a lot as a child (with a friend, too), it's got nice music, beautiful locations and views (even though the graphics are quite old) and many different kinds of creatures, most of them are fairies, not all of which even look like ones, and some are really beautiful, in my opinion ^_^ There's not a corner left in this game that I haven't explored.
This time I chose Tadana because I haven't played with Oceana (Tadana's ultimate evolutionary form) for quite long.
(hearing of thorny bushes and boulders blocking the way) Why did it happen? Well, I guess developers didn't want players to go to certain locations before time :D (I'm being Captain Obvious)
Poor owl, the one that has been sent to the Catacombs...
What this game lacks is the ability to sell items. On the other hand, what'd I do with such an amount of money? xD To complete a collection, you need to train fairies a lot, and I end up with hell lots of medicine, healing herbs and money...
For now my collection consists of four fairies: Tadana, Worgot (I love Blumella, but right now I'm focusing on training fairies that evolve), Lana and Rasrow.
Quite many things have happened, but there wouldn't be much sense in describing them. I don't really do it here, anyway, only things in the plot that evoke some feeling in me or that I can somehow comment on. So, right now I'm in Lucius' basement (that's one marvellous basement... imagine if there was a Shadow Realm in yours xD). Manox to my collection ^_^ It could as well be Akritar (my fav, and even I don't know why, lol), but I caught him (it?) here last time. It's nice to have a dark fairy, but I once started with Manox and it wasn't particularly easy, as he has little HP, takes very long to evolve and you don't have access to dark spells until the end of the game. That's a shame...
The collection is actively growing :D I don't at all regret buying gold spheres. And here's Viteria *_* It wasn't particularly easy to catch her, but with Corgot it's quite possible at this state.
In the Fairy Garden there's a dwarf who can sell Darbue for 400 coins, while this fairy can be caught later with a Crystal Sphere that costs 300. So, 100 is the price of the effort of catching it. Or if you don't want to wait.
And now I'm going to one of the most beautiful places here - the Mountain World. And also here start the first harsh battles, or at least so it has always been for me. The nastiest fairies here, in my view, are the ice and nature ones, because they've got a lot of HP and by now you're unlikely to have fairies that are effective against them.
Either I've trained my fairies well or I've been lucky this time with my opponent's set :D (it changes every time you re-enter or load)
Tadana has evolved into Aquana, I'm happy ^^
The view from here is magnificent! Just as several years ago, I wish I could go there... but it's only a picture -_- Something similar with the background in stone fairies' astral plane: makes me want to go towards that horizon line.
Lucky again! However, I could still lose, especially if Clum used the spell that reflects damage on you.
I used to use Healing Herbs a lot, but now I rarely need to, as I try to keep all my fairies alive until the end of the battle (otherwise they won't gain experience, and the more serious the battle is, the more experience you get, so losing it is undesirable).

Garlan

Something's missing here... swaying of the ship, maybe? x) Cutscenes would look more natural with it.
It's a shame that one of my favourite cutscenes was spoiled a bit by lagging of sound... but I've seen it a dozen times anyway.
And here we are, in Ryudo's hometown. It's so quiet... no music perfectly describes the state of this village. Going to write down a lot, because most of the information here is useful for my fanfic.
"I just don't get it... Why is it wrong to talk to Ryudo? Why does Mommy... and everyone else... hate Ryudo so much?" I have the same question, kid. I know the story, and I still don't understand... weird mentality these people have.
I... didn't know Gallius had a wife. How come I had never talked to that woman before?
And I don't remember Gatta asking why Ryudo hadn't let him know before leaving. This and the rest of the dialogue confirms my version of what happened :)
Tio's Tornado seems to have caused some insignificant glitches... anyway, it doesn't seem to happen anymore.
It has suddenly become difficult... not really difficult, but more challenging. Those birds killed one of the characters and nearly killed another, I was shocked x)
This is it! We're going to fight Melfice (fun part). And defeat him (sad part). I'll try not to cry... although, it's not very difficult since it's nth time I'm playing this game (lost count).
"Words!? You sound more like a hen clucking! Actually, Skye... I should apologize to you too. Sorry to worry you so much."
Is that Ryudo talking? I can't believe my eyes xD Oh, Skye thinks the same:
"Did you hear that!? Was it music!? Was it an angel's voice!? Can we dare to hope to hear such humility twice?"
"She helped him... move ahead...? In that case, Elena is Ryudo's master. Is this not correct?"
I'm anticipating the reaction :P
"In that case, what is the relationship between Elena and Ryudo?" - "A good question indeed! Hmm."
(Captain Bakala) "Ha ha! That's it! Women should laugh. If you cry, you'll only drive men crazy..." especially Ryudo :P

Forbidden romance

Before undertaking a journey to Garlan, I'm going through all the towns again. In Mirumu Tio speaks only two times, but in St. Heim many lines have changed.
"Oh... is that right? Ryudo likes to snack in the middle of the might as well... I know all about it..." - "Hey! I only eat at night when I'm too hungry to sleep. Anyway, what does it matter to you?!"
This woman is something x) Already asked Ryudo, Roan and Mareg, and now:
"Yoo-hoo! Hi there! My, what a nice young fella. Want to spend a little time with me?" - "Haha! Ryudo, you are quite the playboy!" - "Hey, what do you mean? I wasn't talking to him. I was talking to you, on his shoulder!" - "Uh, me?" ... "Such a sharp, handsome beak, fine feathers, a forbidden, cross-species romance! What an exciting way to fall in love!" - "If it's a "forbidden romance," I'd prefer it stayed forbidden. Forever."
A second person with a weird understanding of romance in this town. That's what happens when standard of living is very high...
"Religion never appealed to me before. I couldn't swallow any of it. But now, I find it very calming to hear the sermons. In fact, I get so relaxed that I doze off. I sleep very well in fact, and that's been good for my health." - "Ha ha! I get it now! I understand the value of religion now! Ha! I'll have to attend when I'm not sleeping well!"
Every time they say the town's blessed and it's safe there, I feel sorry, because of what'll happen to it...
(Mareg said that the smell of this town enhances his appetite) "I've never seen Mareg without an appetite..."
(Tio trying to figure out where her heart is) "Chest... do you mean... here? I'd better look. Elena?" - "What? Hey, what are you doing? Hey, Tio! What are you staring at?!" ... "Oh, I wanted to check and see if you had a heart... Is something wrong?" - "Tio. It is considered, uh, impolite to stare..." ... "This is no laughing matter! I find this very embarrassing!"
"Was that "help the young new king," or, "exploit the young new king...?" Hmm?"
I've beaten Hemble 4 times and got nice prizes, but unfortunately I had to give up on getting the 5th one because otherwise I'd be stuck here for long.

Cyrum Kingdom

Well, I was exaggerating saying I'd see Melfice soon. First I'll spend some time talking to the townspeople, then meeting Hemble, then going to the castle, and behind the Gates... but at least I could admire his silhouette from behind :D
"I can't get my husband to calm down. Do you think I should make him pass out, maybe by taking a frying pan to his head?" - "Whoah there. I think that'd kill him..."
Look who's here! Gonzola and company.
"You haven't heard of the famous Gonzola Troupe and their 101 tales? Even Valmar dies laughing..."
"Oh? And when does this famous troupe go on stage? ... After the festival is done with?"
But I doubt there'll be any show because Risotto and Carpaccio have sunk the cargo xD
"You guys are gonna smooch all over town?" - "What? No we are not! He and I are not here on a date... Ryudo, he is my... my..." - "Umm, her date, actually. Yeah, and we're gonna smooch all over town. ...Heh. What's the matter, Elena? You're blushing."
"Are you still hanging around?" - "No. I'm miles away, sipping tea. Back off Captain Obvious."
"The girly-looking guy, their leader, I think..." - I wonder if she's talking about Gonzola. I wouldn't call him that, really x)
My, it's 7th Poff Nut! I'm not sure if there'll be enough Carros to give them to...
When Ryudo's with Elena, she restrains him from imprudence, and when he's with Millenia, he has to restrain her :D
Millenia and Paella, part two.
"Star performers? Ah, the Famous Gonzola Moron Troupe shall dance and sing for us. How lucky we must be!"
And Paella was just teasing her all along!
(someone to Millenia) "The design of your clothing is really amazing. It's... inviting." - "Ha! Did you hear that?"
(Skye to some man practicing his speech) "You flow about as well as Ryudo on the dance floor..."
This Carro is shining with happiness... literally :P
The Claws defeated, and... this moment has finally come!
Wow, I don't remember enemies ever cancelling my cancel attack like this...
Melfice took so long before attacking with Wailing Soul Slash that I started seriously worrying if my party died during this unwinnable fight... looks tough :/ I wonder if it'll stay so until the actual battle.
"死ね!" I knew he'd say that :D Unfortunately, this is about where my knowledge of Japanese ends...
Villains sound nice in any language... still, in my opinion, no other voice suits Melfice as much as John Cygan's *_*
"Lollipop Lane, Your Highness".
Roan has left, but now we have Tio in our party. For a change :)
"There's other stuff, too. Roan paper, Roan towels, limited-edition Roan cups, Roan tapestries, you name it..."
(Tio) "Songstress? What is a Songstress?" (Ryudo) "Someone who meddles in the affairs of others without considering the consequences."
"I'm Skye. My job is to guard and protect this hot-head from all the dangers his endlessly flapping mouth gets him into."
"I'm Ryudo, a Geohound. My job is to care for this half-senile old bird, and no - I don't know how he keeps getting out of his cage." ... "That's right [caring for birds is not what he does]. What I meant to say is that my job is to guard singing hens" xD