Spoiler-Free Review of Luigi’s Mansion 2
Even though this 3DS game is a direct sequel, it isn’t necessary to have played the original Luigi’s Mansion on GameCube, as the storyline is completely self-contained.
If you’ve been following Satoru Iwata and co’s Nintendo Direct presentations on 3DS’ eShop, you will know that it certainly is the “Year of Luigi.” Luigi’s Mansion 2 is one of a number of games released in 2013 where Mario’s younger brother steps into the limelight. And does he deliver? Absolutely!
The first thing you’ll notice is the graphics: they are a delight. The 3D effect is beautiful, especially when turned up to maximum, and even more so when viewed on a 3DS XL. The sound effects are brilliant and just perfect, and the music is always atmospheric and catchy.
Gameplay is intuitive and simple to get to grips with, so I’m sure even novice gamers would have no problem learning the ropes. The game is mostly played using the buttons but there are times when you’ll need the stylus, too. The game also makes use of stereoscopic mode where you move the 3DS to look around you, for example. Flipping between the different control methods is seamless and never feels awkward or like a chore. The L and R shoulder buttons control your primary weapon, the Poltergust vaccuum: R to vaccuum up, L to blow items away. The face buttons allow you to run, jump, dodge enemies, and access different functions on the Poltergust, some of which you unlock as you progress through the game. Experiment using the vaccuum on different items around you, as there are lots of hidden goodies to find in each stage.
It’s Harvest Moon: The Gritty Reboot
Check out this funny live action parody of the Harvest Moon video game series. Even if you’re not familiar with Harvest Moon (the games are million times better than the somewhat dry description they’re often given), the video is still comedy gold. Okay, see you later – I’m off to play Harvest Moon: The Tale of Two Towns. My bachelors await!
Maki Horikita Joins One Direction Press Conference, Her Fans Cringe
When I first saw this photo I was like, “Wait, that looks suspiciously like Maki Horikita.” My only coherent thought: Why?! Also, WTF?! OK, that’s two thoughts.
After I finished asdfing, I found a video of One Direction’s failtastic Japanese press conference, and sure enough, Maki Horikita was announced part of the way through. No idea what she was doing there though? Since she’s hugely successful in her own right, I doubt she needs the money or the publicity. I mean, it seems to me as if Maki Horikita has been around forever, yet she’s actually still only twenty-four! It feels like a lifetime ago when I watched her portrayal of adorably awkward Nobuko in Nobuta wo Produce, and then in Kurosagi, again opposite Yamapi, and her beautifully moving performance as the tragic Kanon in Innocent Love, to name just a few.
Her presence at the press conference was utterly pointless. She should be asking for her money back right about now. Looking exquisite in a kimono, she rather unconvincingly asserted that she listens to the band’s music, or some such nonsense to that effect, before bowing and leaving. After which she went home and cried elegant, heart-shaped tears of woe into a bowl of miso. Probably.
As for the way the band behaved? Don’t get me started! I don’t know anything about these guys apart from the fact that they produce mediocre music for hyper-hormonal teenaged girls, but what I saw in the video did nothing to improve my opinion. What a horrid, obnoxious, arrogant bunch.
Well, to be fair, the big-haired kid seemed the most earnest, and genuinely pleased to be there. I couldn’t really bring myself to hate him, even if he does keep terrible company. The kid with almost no hair improved towards the end but lost major points for constantly whispering with the guy next to him – so incredibly rude! These guys need to learn some manners, seriously.
One band member mysteriously disappeared, and his absence wasn’t even mentioned, as far as I could tell. Conclusion: NOBODY GAVE A DAMN ABOUT THE GUY IN THE CHECKED SHIRT.
Aaaaaaand, I’ve never heard so many arigatou gozaimashitas! in such a short space of time. I know the Japanese are famous for being polite and all, but that woman must’ve broken a world record that day. The entire thing was wrapped up with a drive-by shot of the announcer, aka Arigatou Gozaimashita-san, wearing what appeared at first glance to be a white bathrobe.
You can watch the press conference in all its embarrassing glory right here.
KOKIA Lyrics Translation: “il mare dei suoni” [Italian to English]
Track 9 on “The VOICE” (2008) VICL-62758
il mare dei suoni
[the sea of sounds]
Lyrics and Music composed by KOKIA
Translated by Li-Li
i suoni che vibrano nell’aria tesa.
da dove da dove viene?
the sounds that vibrate in the tense air.
where, where do they come from?
mi abbandono alla musica,
affondando profondamente in onde dei suoni.
I surrender to the music,
sinking deeply into the waves of sounds.
il cuore fino di vetro toccando il suono adesso comincia a svegliarsi.
by touching the sound, the heart of glass now begins to awaken.
mi abbandono alla musica,
affondando profondamente in onde dei suoni.
I surrender to the music,
sinking deeply into the waves of sounds.
il cuore fino di vetro toccando il suono adesso comincia a svegliarsi.
by touching the sound, the heart of glass now begins to awaken.
il sentimento che esce dal fondo del mio cuore,
i suoni che vibrano nell’aria tesa.
da dove da dove viene?
the feeling that comes from the bottom of my heart,
the sounds that vibrate in the tense air.
where, where do they come from?
apriamo il cuore.
open your heart.
il sentimento che esce dal fondo del mio cuore,
i suoni che vibrano nell’aria tesa.
da dove da dove viene?
the feeling that comes from the bottom of my heart,
the sounds that vibrate in the tense air.
where, where do they come from?
mi abbandono alla musica,
affondando profondamente in onde dei suoni.
I surrender to the music,
sinking deeply into the waves of sounds.
il cuore fino di vetro toccando il suono adesso comincia a svegliarsi.
by touching the sound, the heart of glass now begins to awaken.
un suono caduto nel mondo in blù.
un dono dal cielo.
ascoltiamo bene. apriamo il cuore.
a sound fell onto a world of blue.
a gift from heaven.
listen well. open your heart.
il sentimento che esce dal fondo del mio cuore,
i suoni che vibrano nell’aria tesa.
da dove da dove viene?
the feeling that comes from the bottom of my heart,
the sounds that vibrate in the tense air.
where, where do they come from?
il cuore fino di vetro toccando il suono adesso comincia a svegliarsi.
by touching the sound, the heart of glass now begins to awaken.
You know you play too much Zelda when…
1 You think yelling, “Hey! Listen!” at people is a valid way to gain their attention
2 You roll across a vast, empty field on your way to town, because it seems quicker than walking
3 You mistake the rustling of a plastic carrier bag as evidence a Gold Skulltula is lurking nearby*
4 You terrorise your local grave keeper into leaving you his stretching, shrinking keepsake in his will
5 You always carry at least one empty bottle with you, in which to keep a fairy/potion/milk/fish/bug/Poe
6 You love home clearouts, because all those boxes give you the chance to re-enact your favourite block-moving puzzles
7 You collect rare mushrooms to give to the hag living in your street, in the hope that she’ll reward you with a blue potion
8 You get a husky dog, simply so that you can name him Link. Also applies to Nintendogs**
9 You then get a golden Labrador to keep Link company, simply so that you can name her Zelda. Also applies to Nintendogs**
10 Whenever you receive a package in the mail, you re-enact the treasure chest-opening scene, complete with sound effect, then proudly hold up the item, going “da-da-da-da!”***
11 You place a scarecrow in a high and difficult to reach place, so you can grab on to it when needed. You name the scarecrow Pierre
12 You wear a green outfit for a walk in the woods, a blue outfit for a trip to the beach and a red outfit for a day out at the er…volcano
13 You run a race against your bewildered postman every morning, but he always says he beat you by one second
14 You train to become a master archer, just so you can reward yourself with a quiver that holds fifty arrows
15 You don’t think there’s anything wrong in entering random houses and breaking jars, and running off with whatever coins you find in them
*I actually did this a few days ago
**I also really did this
***You know you do this too
Chapter 3 of The Starvation Games is here
So anyway, even though it’s the smallest and lamest district, Spoons is like the sunniest place in the entire world. That’s why we hold the yearly Starvation Games here. It’s the best place for it because in the sunshine, we can all sparkle and look our best.
Fashion Fails, Fashion Wins
So I found a horribly absurd news article the other day. Those creatures spawned from the depths of hell, the Trollsen Twins, i.e. Hairy-Kate and Trashley, have been named Vogue’s best dressed of this year. Yeah, seriously.
Here are some pics of the trampy twins, looking like shit:
I really hope that guy on the stairs is poised and ready to run up from behind and send them both flying.
Continue reading
The Starvation Games, Chapter 2
As I was driving, I was feeling so pleased with myself that I’d remembered to dress down. I didn’t want a repeat of all my other first days in other towns, when mean, nasty girls tried to mutilate me because they thought their boyfriends were checking me out.
More Hunger Games Parodies, But By Other People!
This You Tube video is quite possibly the funniest thing I’ve seen all year. I meant to post this before, but anyway.
There’s also a full-length THG parody novel due out soon, but I’m steering clear of it for now since I’m still working on my own fic. All I’ve read on it is a small summary, but damn, I really wish I’d been witty enough to think up the name Bratniss cries
Chapter One of My Twilight x Hunger Games Fanfic!
My name is Ella Stork. I am seventeen years old. My home is in the district of Spoons. I was in the Starvation Games. Other girls hate me. I tell myself this over and over again, whenever I feel I am in danger of gaining anything resembling common sense. So like, this is totally my story.
Some Hello Kitty Goodies
Here are some Hello Kitty wallpapers and gifs which have been gathering dust on my hard drive. I’ve had these for so long now, that I no longer remember exactly where I found them. Enjoy!
Desktop Wallpapers [1440 x 900, miscellaneous sizes] and gifs:
Glimpse of the Other 