clessaileron

2016: Year of the Monkey? More like year of the BS!

Sun, 18 Dec 2016 14:46:20 GMT

I haven't been in the mood to make entries in the past months. I've been dealing with stress over things like critical analysis to...ugh...politics. One of the few things I did to be able to keep my sanity was revisiting my high school Tales years/my pre-Tales of Symphonia years (i.e. all the Tales games that were out before the North America release of Tales of Symphonia for the Gamecube).

It feels like I dealt with too much BS this year that I have dubbed it, "The Year of the BS!" It's all due to the people themselves & politics. It's two things that emphasized the BS: politics & a certain phrase. I also am willing to get offensive & I don't intend to be nice if I have to be.

( I'll start with politics. )( Now to move on to a certain phrase. )

I won't make anymore blog posts here for the rest of the year...except the Christmas stuff.

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Everyone's a critic.

Fri, 19 Aug 2016 12:24:53 GMT

Actually, I think it's more like, "Everyone's a critic who thinks they're the word of god." Lately, a good amount of stress for me is trying to get myself to think a certain way.

( Maybe I'm criticizing criticism. )

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Comic Con 2016.

Fri, 29 Jul 2016 12:34:34 GMT

Okay, yes, I was feeling exhausted during parts of Comic Con 2016 (well, Friday in particular). Held this off because of that (yeah, a week afterward), despite not having much detail to give out, hence why this is the short route.

( Thursday )

( Friday )

( Saturday )

( Sunday )

( Comments )

( Photos )

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Playing questionable quality games: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 2: Battle Nexus

Wed, 22 Jun 2016 11:48:26 GMT

Lately, in a combination of getting into a Ninja Turtles kick (yes, I did watch that latest movie, despite what any of you will say about anything that Michael Bay is involved with), video gaming, and a renewed interest in the original Xbox, I decided on playing some games...of questionable quality based around the 2003 TMNT cartoon. So I bought them via original Xbox version.

The first of the three I’ve beaten was the second game, Battle Nexus. This is noteworthy because it was the one that critics gave horrible scores to, the worst of the three, and I had a grudge over it when I rented its Gamecube version back in 2004 (and beaten it too). 12 years later, here I am, doing it over again. This time…I’m now saying it’s merely a mediocre/average game rather than a piece of crap.

( As much explaining I have...for a weird position. )

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Politics. It makes me go insane yet I can't escape it!

Fri, 03 Jun 2016 11:08:34 GMT

So, here I am, trying to write a blog entry about how I feel like an idiot because I feel like I can't analyze correctly. It was going to get into criticizing and how I feel oblivious to things but I think the most touchy of subject is the biggest thing that's making me lose my mind & it does go in relations to my obliviousness in criticizing.

I'm talking about politics.

( Touchy Politics Frustration Ahead. )

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The Force Awakens...my annoyed, possibly nitpicking side.

Sun, 08 May 2016 23:52:12 GMT

Okay, so it's been a while since I've done a blog post. Well, I've been distracted & not feeling right but I got this on my mind.

I've been doing some grinding in my PS2 version of Tales of the Abyss (this came after I did some bit of grinding in my Steam version of Tales of Symphonia & I'm going to have to do some in the PS3 version of Tales of Symphonia). I think during the grind session with Abyss, considering I had some bad history with this installment & now feeling like I'm going to end up being some sort of Tales of the Abyss defender, despite it not being my favorite installment, because it feels like people now hate the game or something when I kept thinking it was some installment that was worshipped as greatness. Then later on, I got to rewatch Star Wars: The Force Awakens. When I saw it in theaters, I just thought it was a good movie that somehow managed to feel bland. Watching it again, I still feel the same. It wasn't a bad movie but man, I still can't help but think how empty it feels.

You know what these say for me? It's hard for me to keep my mind leveled against hype (and anti-hype). I'll get to the Tales part in my next entry. For now, I need to get some stuff off of my chest in regards to Force Awakens.

(I guess I'm obligated to say that I'm getting into Force Awakens spoiler territory now under the cut. You've been warned)

( Force Awakens stuff, including spoilers. )

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Jotting down future stream plans.

Sun, 30 Aug 2015 13:32:41 GMT

So, I am getting used to streaming after doing a stream for a Power Rangers movie tie-in game & starting a playthrough of Tales of Phantasia PS1 for the stream. I’m just keeping track of what games I have consideration for streaming once I meet certain conditions. Also, even if I already streamed a game doesn’t mean I won’t do it again. I just have to feel it’s the right time to do it again.

So here’s a list of games I would love to stream. Yeah, a lot of them will be PC version of some sort since it’s the easiest for the time being. Fighting games will not be included on this post since they’re a given for me for when I decide to do online ranked matches or I had to show the game in a nutshell. Lastly, these are just ideas and I will announce if I will do particular games.

As a reminder, I do have my collection over here for future references:

Steam Collection

Backloggery (My comments do have some bit of being opinionated, so yeah)

( The lists. )

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So yes, I'm looking to cross the stream.

Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:36:50 GMT

No, I'm not doing something I'm not supposed to really do when working as a Ghostbuster. I'm actually looking to do streaming.

Right now, I'm just playing what's on my computer and later on I can hopefully buy a capture device when it comes to that. That means my Steam collection, non-Steam PC games, and, as much as I rather be using the actual hardware for the older systems, emulation.

http://www.twitch.tv/clessaileron

I don't have my Twitch channel spruced up yet. I'm still thinking of pictures (I'm thinking the profile would be a Cless Alvein figure on my Xbox 360 stick). As for what to title it, I'm still thinking of one. If you got a name for my stream channel, I'm taking suggestions. To keep in mind for a name suggestion, I'm not looking to have this channel to be very serious and trying to go big, even if I'm looking to stream something like my ranked matches in fighting games, I want to keep some sort of casual mood to it (meaning I'm not always going to be streaming fighting games) and it's mostly just for those I'm regularly around as a gathering to see me do something.

I got some ideas of what I want to stream from my Steam collection, I do have a listing here for some ideas:
http://steamcommunity.com/id/clessaileron/games/?tab=all

In regards to going the emulation route for the console games I do own.

I found myself thinking that if I'm going to be doing streaming, I'm going to end up streaming Tales of Phantasia PS1 one of those days. I find myself going, "I might as well do it soon rather than later because I know I'm going to do it." There's a good chance you already figured out which fan translation I'm going to use (Phantasian Productions). I'm also going to need to prepare a script for the beginning since I got some things I want to say to set it up.

As for the SNES Power Rangers game, I also find myself wanting to stream that particular movie tie-in game, so I decided that's another one I will do (besides, I've been burying my head in this Power Rangers/Super Sentai & Kamen Rider stuff recently). When I finally do get a capture card, I do intend to stream that Power Rangers game again.

And of course, since I bought the Steam version of Tales of Zestiria, I do have plans to stream that one when it gets released (it is in the Steam collection if you didn't see the link, though it's not out yet).

In regards to when, I find that, unless I state otherwise (like me doing said Tales of Zesitira stream on its NA release date, i.e. on a Tuesday), I pretty much plan it like this:

Friday: In the evening, like 7 PM US Pacific at the latest.
Saturday: In the afternoon, maybe around 2 PM US Pacific.

Of course, it only applies if I announce that I will do a stream on those days.

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EVO 2015.

Tue, 21 Jul 2015 21:02:48 GMT

After getting home Monday, at 7 PM, all tired, I'm going to talk about my EVO 2015 experience.
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( Summary of EVO pools. )
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( Other stuff )
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( Noteworthy things. )
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( Bought stuff, photo, and closure. )

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Comic Con 2015.

Tue, 14 Jul 2015 19:38:39 GMT

This one is more of its ups and downs. I think because I was typing this during each night on Google docs and I take some time to post this, let's just get on with the show this time. I'm still doing this stuff.

( Preview Night )

( Thursday )

( Friday )

( Saturday )

( Sunday )

( Photos )

( Other comments )

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Throwback Thursday: Tales Cosplay at previous SDCC.

Thu, 02 Jul 2015 10:06:51 GMT

Being that San Diego Comic Con is next week, I decided (more in regards to sharing it with the Abyssal Chronicles' chatbox) to do this throwback post, commenting on this stuff.

Of course, I am no professional. I also keep my cosplay stuff mostly around here (i.e. I don't share this stuff on Tumblr).

( Tales Cosplay Throwback )

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My takeaway from E3 2015.

Thu, 18 Jun 2015 21:12:25 GMT

I'll put it this way. Yes, Sony won this E3, but only because they made us eat crow by announcing a vaporware, a remake, & a kickstarter. In other words, The Last Guardian, a Final Fantasy VII remake, and kickstarting Shenmue III. Outside of that, I was pretty meh with Sony's press conference & Nintendo's was also meh but at least there was some interesting game. Microsoft, I'll just skip that one just because. Otherwise, I just say this E3 was...okay.

Now, just because Sony won doesn't mean I actually want to buy a PS4 now. I'm not really interested in Star Ocean or Nier so that's not selling it to me. (I played two previous installments of the former and didn't care much for them while the latter is something I may have cared for if I gave more time but didn't care to at the time)

Of course, a lot of it is because I have been more embracing of PC gaming as of late. I've been seeing the games that would get me to buy a console has been going PC.

Just to go down the games I'm wanting but got (or going to have) PC ports:
*Dead Rising 3. This one was originally for Xbox One but got a PC port. I'll be missing out on that particular DLC with the parody name (Super Ultra blah blah blah you get the idea), but the game itself is on PC, so yeah.
*Street Fighter V. This is supposed to be a PS4 exclusive...but it's also going to have a PC version & have cross-platform online matchmaking, so nothing to worry about there.
*Tales of Zestiria. Now, this is originally a PS3 game but there was some leaks that teased a Steam & PS4 version. They became true and...I actually want to support the Steam release since I've been wishing to see Tales games get PC version for some time (and this is the person that used the M. Bison, "Yes, yes" clip as a reaction to Tales of Zestiria Steam version. Let that sink in.). If I end up buying a physical version, it's just going to be a PS3 version but I'm putting more emphasis on buying the Steam version.
*Killer Instinct 2013. After Dead Rising 3 got a PC version, this was the last holdover from Xbox One I really wanted to play. Maybe it was a far-fetched wish to see Killer Instinct 2013 get the PC version but since I was hearing Microsoft wanting to make a comeback on PC gaming, I figured this may be in the cards...and it was. This is a fighting game I really want to play but couldn't settle on getting a new console (that wasn't Wii U). This got announced at a PC game show segment of E3 and I couldn't be any happier over it. Best of all, I don't have to worry about buying a new arcade stick specifically for Xbox One since I can still use the Xbox 360 sticks I have for the system.

Bonus point (Not something on the wishlist but happy nonetheless):
*Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. Okay, so I have played the original game on Xbox 360. There was a PC version released but Games for Windows Live being put in limbo isn't going to make it easy for me to play that one. This remastering for Xbox One is going to have a PC version, so now I can still get a chance to play the PC version to see the cut content from the 360 version.

So the thing I got out of E3 is...I still have yet to decide to get a new console since I've been embracing PC gaming. Maybe in a year or two but I'm certainly more focus on upgrading my computer (besides, there's only one place I want to play Deus Ex: Mankind Divided, and that's on a computer with a keyboard & mouse).

I guess if it is something I get out of this, despite being merely okay, it was the E3 that made me eat crow.

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My Tales History.

Sun, 24 May 2015 13:08:01 GMT

I have been wanting to write out my Tales history for some time (well, it's supposed to be the series' 20th anniversary when I started writing this). I will not be holding back on writing this. I'm writing as much as I can in this, even if it show some elements that may not put me in a good light. So, here's my history with the Tales series.

( 1999 )

( 2001 )

( 2002 )

( 2003 )

( 2004 )

( 2005 )

( 2006 )

( 2007 )

( 2008 )

( 2009 )

( 2010 )

( 2011 )

( 2012 )

( December 2012 - Early 2013 )

( Rest of 2013 )

( 2014 )

( 2015 )

( 2016 )

( Afterwords )

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I feel like the William Shatner of the Tales fandom.

Tue, 31 Mar 2015 10:51:38 GMT

I've been thinking a lot about my nerdy stuff & some things in regards to it. When I was thinking of this stuff, I also have two things in mind about a series and its fandom thing. I'm looking towards Star Wars & Star Trek.

( I'm not expecting this to happen at a Tales convention. )

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The horror of cynicism. (Or why I feel jaded about horror games)

Sat, 17 Jan 2015 12:16:41 GMT

Since a remastering of the Gamecube remake of Resident Evil is coming out soon (and I am getting the Steam version), it's once again reviving some of my thoughts in regards to the horror genre, or more like some cynical feelings about it.

( Jump scares...*yawn* )

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Christmas Haul 2014

Fri, 26 Dec 2014 22:54:46 GMT

*Wii U Deluxe Set with Super Mario 3D World & Nintendo Land pre-installed on it.
*Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
*Bayonetta 2
*A Mario Amiibo
*Regular Show Season 1 & 2 Blu Ray
*Two Shirts (One's a polo shirt and the other is a Ninja Turltes jersey)

Summed up right there. I was making sure I was ready one way or another. Whichever system I got for Christmas (either Wii U or Vita), I'll buy the other one. I'm going to make sure to buy a Vita myself.

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Self-unforgiving. (Or why my mind has fallen apart)

Tue, 25 Nov 2014 12:41:48 GMT

This has been difficult. I'll say that this is definitely the year where I felt like my mind has fallen apart. It was pretty noticeable for me earlier in the year but as it goes on, I think it gets worse. There has been times where in previous years where I do feel like it was a rotten year, each time worse than the last time. This one's no different, though I could say it's worse. I figured it's time to get a lot more open about this. For some people that knows me already, this may be retreading things they already know but I figure it's the best way to talk about. I'm also willing to show some moment that don't paint a pretty picture of me (and I do mean that).

Note: If you're coming here as one of the Abyssal Chronicles chatbox regular, as I said there, I will be allowing non-sign in comments but please, please, please make sure you say who you are so I know who I'm talking to (I'm just trying to be loose with how this is being handled. I will also be screening them first since I never dealt with anonymous posting before).

( Serious stuff here. )

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Comic Con 2014.

Tue, 29 Jul 2014 02:49:06 GMT

I'll probably admit that this year was where I feel the most exhausted. There's more to that but let's just talk about my experience.

No preview night this time, so let's go into Thursday. Also, I need to do maintenance to my Cless costume, so no costume this year.

( Thursday )

( Friday )

( Saturday )

( Sunday )

( Photos )

( Comments )

I'm having to plan out for next year. Now, if you excuse me, I'm still feeling exhausted.

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EVO 2014.

Tue, 15 Jul 2014 21:29:09 GMT

Now that I'm back from Las Vegas and settled in, I'm going to write up my experience this year.

What ended up being different this time was that I actually got the meet tyrov, his brother, and one other friend. After so much online interaction, it was great to finally see them in person.
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( Pool Results )
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( Other Stuff )
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( Noteworthy moments )
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Photos:
Finals stage, as seen during Killer Instinct.
Darkstalkers cereal. I don't even know if they're part of a complete breakfast.
This poster says everything in regards to the most popular shirt.
Towerfall Ascension T-Shirt & Frank West 8-bit...umm, I don't know what to call this.

So, I had a great time! Hopefully, next year, if Tyrov & co comes again, we're both prepared. Now, to get ready for handle the SDCC favors for him.

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Unpopular Opinions - Super Fighting Game Arcade Edition EX Plus Alpha.

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 01:06:24 GMT

Now for another batch of unpopular opinions, I'm aiming at a genre I tend to get my competitiveness going...fighting games. Currently not much compared to unpopular Tales opinions but here we go.

*I do not think Super Smash Bros. Melee is the be all, end all Smash Bros (or fighting games for that matter). You can shove your statistics of EVO 2013 stream viewership or brag about how deep the mechanics it is but that does not mean I say it's the be all, end all of fighting games. I'll say this, even when I claim that Brawl sucks! (Super Smash Bros)

*I may have played as Roy in Melee but I am not sadden by the fact that he was cut from Brawl. I know his inclusion in Melee was merely an ad space and nothing more. (And I know some Fire Emblem fanatics will come and point out to me that Roy was a bad lord gameplay wise) (Super Smash Bros)

*Playstation All-Stars Battle Battle Royale is a pretty good game. (I think I'll let this person do the defending for me, though.)

*Seth in Street Fighter IV is not that cheap of a boss! Honestly, I still suffer more against an SNK Boss than I do Seth. (Street Fighter)

*Even taking X-Factor into consideration for MvC3, I do not think MvC2 is any less broken than either MvC3. The series has always been broken! (Marvel Vs Capcom)

*I never wanted a Mortal Kombat/Street Fighter crossover, even as a kid. In fact, I still have a hard time understanding the idea's appeal (even when I think of it as competition in the genre).

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The elephant known as, "Social Justice."

Mon, 09 Jun 2014 00:45:59 GMT

So, another thing that has been getting into my anger. I've just been putting it off for days and I'm just been wanting to talk about this and how it gets to me. It's in regards to social justice.

( So, I'm having to talk social justice )

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It's about time, Estellise!

Thu, 13 Feb 2014 21:34:48 GMT

After all the headaches from it being delayed, I finally got the figure of Tales of Vesperia's pink haired princess.

Took long enough for this to get released. It's hectic having to be prepared to cough up the money only for it to be delayed. But now, I have the Estelle figure.

Now, I leave you with a couple of other pics. One before setting up her gear, another after, and where the figure's going to be.

I'm probably going to do some rearranging but she'll be near my Sakura Wars figures (not like she can jump in that Koubu anyway).

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Christmas 2013.

Fri, 27 Dec 2013 11:01:36 GMT

This is a bit late since I didn't really get much this Christmas but at least it's the big one I got. (No photos for now)

*I got a new PC! It may be Windows 8 but I'll live. Runs pretty well except it's going to need a video card if I'm going to run some of my Steam games. I specifically bought the Devil May Cry reboot game hoping to play it on a PC at 60 frames per second. I actually tried Castlevania: Lords of Shadow only to see the gameplay being more like a slideshow. I'm hoping to buy a video card soon because I'm not going to wait for my birthday in order for me to (hopefully) playing the Devil May Cry reboot. Well, at least I can finally sit down and play Bastion ever since I bought it via Steam.

*A new phone (and a smartphone to boot)! My old phone's charger was a pain to get working to charge my phone. At least now I have a modern phone (and it was because I don't have much interest in phones that I never really upgraded to a smartphone).

*A bunch of shirts. (One's a Batman: Arkham Origins, one of the Injustice shirts where you can pull it up over your face and look like your face is the Joker. Oh, and probably as a joke that I wasn't looking to get any next gen consoles, I ended up getting an Xbox One shirt. But yeah, I still think this is not the time to be buying any next gen consoles. Okay, maybe I might take my chances with Wii-U later on.)

*A hoodie that makes it look like I'm Batman. (Well, it counteracts my, "When's Mahvel?" hoodie with a DC-related one)

*A bag of various snacks.

*$20 Gamestop gift card.

*$20 PSN card.

*$30 gift card to Peter Piper Pizza. (I was telling another friend about wanting to treat him to Peter Piper Pizza and this will end up helping. The card he gave the gift card it definitely had a crude sense of humor).

And that pretty much sums up what I got. Now, I'm just going to worry about getting that graphics card.

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15 years since Pokémon Red/Blue and Tales of Destiny's release in NA...

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 23:52:45 GMT

So, I remember that around this time in September, both Pokémon Red/Blue and Tales of Destiny showed up in North America 15 years ago. Yeah, it's been that long.

I actually remember being 12 and actually going to a Toys R Us on Pokémon Red/Blue's release day and getting the Red version. Usually, back then, you would have to grab a ticket for the game, pay for it, and hand it over to the stock room. Well, not that time, I actually had the game in my hand before needing to pay for it. Pokémon was just starting off at that time and have yet to really explode until some months have passed. It was just some no name at the time and there I was getting the original game on release day.

I wouldn't even know Tales of Destiny was released in North America at the same time as Pokémon Red/Blue until years later. I mean, I would only really had my true first encounter with the Tales series 4 months after that (January 1999) and got myself really addicted to Tales of Destiny at that time. By then Pokémon ended up exploding, while Tales of Destiny would still be some obscure RPG and I wouldn't encounter the series again until 2 years later with Tales of Eternia, while I was still hanging around Pokémon.

Man, it feels like I've been around the block for both of those series.

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Yeah, I did do another Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World playthrough.

Mon, 30 Sep 2013 09:06:43 GMT

So, I did a second playthrough of Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World and finished it two nights ago.

Just so I say it...no, I still do not think it's the piece of crap people make it out to be. Yes, it has problems but it was still playable and I still enjoyed it. Also, no, I do not hate Emil or Marta and I actually do enjoy the story. I still stand by what I say that I rather play this game than Tales of Legendia. It's been five years since I did a playthrough of the game and my stance hasn't changed.

Now, I do hear that this wasn't a necessary sequel. Then again, was it really necessary for Tales of Symphonia to have vague connections to Tales of Phantasia? Just sayin'. I have heard that just having Symphonia connected to Phantasia has caused some plotholes itself but I'll have to go back and do some research on that again. Probably why I even brought that up. Not only that, if people ended up playing Tales of Destiny 2 after an accessible fan translation comes out, I have to wonder how many people will say that was an unnecessary sequel?

This is just a quickie I did. Yeah, this is not going to look good on me.

(Yes, this is cross-posted with my Tumblr).

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