I'm your friend. IM me whenever you need to talk. I know I write bizarre things in my journal, but I'm normal and a good listener. I've worked at places where you work now and know how it can be. If you ever want to talk, I'm here for you.

"Normal"?

::checks a dictionary::

GAH! Er, maybe you might want to see someone about that condition.

Hey! I'm normal to me, afterall isn't everyone normal in their own mind? It's only how you compare others to your ownself that you define different. (Devil May Cry rocks! I hate those shadow cat-like monsters though)

One at a time, they're fine. But I nearly hurled a controller into my monitor trying to beat three at once. (And trying, and trying, and trying...)

Do you mean that one secret mission? I use Alastor and fly above them, shooting the lightning attack...but the devil trigger only lasts so long. I hate it when they envelope you, that hurts. Most people I know prefer the fire gauntlets while playing the game, I guess I'm just a sword person at heart. There's just something about knocking a demon into the air with the sword and shooting them as they come down.

Right, the one in Mission... 4? Where you don't have Ifrit and barely any DT runes. And I was too stubborn to go back and do it on Hard.

I'm all about Alastor and Ebony and Ivory. You just can't beat that combination for style. I think they need to make an arcade DMC, shooter style, except with a rack full of weapons you can grab and swap out. That would rock.

Also with the Alastor, you can learn double jump. Then you can jump clear up in the air and use the kick from Ebony and Ivory to float momentarily...I love that. At least on Dante Must Die, if you beat it you unlock Super Dante, with an undiminishing devil trigger. Although by then, you've beaten the game on the hardest level. I like games where you are the aggressor, better than in Metal Gear Solid where you kinda sneak around. Instead of slipping in unnoticed, I want to blow open the door and say I'm here and I'm going to kick your ass.

Heroes who go in guns-blazing and swords-flying are just so much more fun to play. Sure, there's something to be said for intelligent planning and rational execution, but there's just no visceral appeal. DMC would be nothing if the combat system didn't rock so hardcore.

I agree, even if you don't know what you're doing or you're playing horribly, you still look good doing it. I want the sequel, I hope it's as good as this one. This is my favorite game. I enjoyed Onimusha as well, but DMC has much more freedom of movement. Most of my friends prefer first-person shooters, like Counterstrike and Unreal Tournament. I'm not big on FPSs, unless there is some comedic value, like Timesplitters for instance. Maybe they get to be too realistic for me, I don't know. I'm playing FF10 right now actually. It's a beautiful game, Auron kicks ass.

I'm still gaping over the fact that they made Metroid into a FPS. That's just wrong. Metroid is not an FPS. Metroid should not be an FPS.

Hee hee, FFX rocks. I got that the day it came out -- was waiting in the game store the moment it opened, had to wait two hours or so to get it. Spent the whole break playing it. I'm so very glad they didn't screw up the voice-acting. Not that I'm saying it's perfect, but it was very good.

I have my doubts about XI though.

I never played Metroid, I only started playing video games close to the time when the playstation came out. My parents' were a bit tyrannical when it came to the television. One time we went for over a year without it. My all-time favorite game is Tomb Raider, probably the only form of entertainment that has actually scared me. Scary movies and what not I can watch and not get the slightest inkling of fear, but when those mummies would jump out and land on top of the character and screech, I'd actually yell. It's the weirdest thing.

I like FF10, one of the few things where I pretty much like all the characters, except for Wakka, the irrational bigot he is... I like being able to change out characters in your party while battling, that was sweet. I also like the darker undertones in the storyline. They're making a sequel, there are a lot of complaints about Yuna's new look. I for one don't care, if they keep the plot good and somewhat believable, I can forgive marketing ploys. The voice acting was really good compared to a lot of what I've seen out there. No one really hammed their parts. You know, with all the money they make selling these games to America, you'd think they'd go through the trouble of making the mouths fit the lines, rather than trying to get the lines to fit the mouths.

FF11 is apparently not doing too good from what I've heard. Personally I'd rather not play online. People will find a way of screwing it up. I know enough people who have had problems when playing Diablo or Everquest. There's just no appeal to me. I'll just wait for FF12 and the sequel to FF10.

Feh! I've been playing video games since I was born, practically. I remember the old Atari 2600 fondly. And I was so excited when the SNES came out and I got one for Christmas -- and then Square moved to the Playstation! FFVII was the only reason I got a Playstation. Ironically, I didn't actually get FFVII for the PSX until a year ago...

The ending to FFX International practically demanded a direct sequel. Also, according to some FAQs I've read, the lip-synching for the Japanese version wasn't so hot either. Well, no matter; Auron makes up for anything bad about FFX. Voice actor SO GOOD!

PS2 needs way more RPGs though. So far the only other one I've got my hands on is Shadow Hearts, which suffers from the "It's Not FFX" burnout I... well, am still going through..

FF7 was in my opinion the best Final Fantasy game. So many interesting things to unlock and stuff to do outside of following the plotline. I liked FF8, but only a few things. I never was inclined to beat it until recently and usually I'd go to the Islands of Heaven and Hell just to get a challenge. I know someone who is a little too much into Zell. I liked Quistis and Edea, but I thought that Laguna would make a better main character than Squall. I think Tidus is more framed after Laguna than Zell, most people think the opposite. The love story was ridiculous too. I hated FF9, it was relatively boring to me and I don't even remember what it was about, except Bahamut looked cool (he's my favorite!).

My roommate just bought an X-Box, just so he could play Halo...what a waste of money, well to me. I could buy so many things...with 250.00. The ps2 is definitely a better buy.

I haven't played too many RPGs outside of Final Fantasy...Thousand Arms was one. My brother played Lunar 1 and 2, and Star Ocean. I never was hooked by any of those. Oh yeah, the Legend of Dragoon, that one rocked! I hope they make a sequel.

I've noticed an interesting trend in FF games. It wasn't too long ago (well, a couple years) that everyone hated FFVII. They claimed it was all about graphics and FMVs and so forth... said it wasn't half as good as 6(3E). Now that some time has passed, opinion has swung the exact opposite way; now VII's a classic, a good game, and altogether worthy of the FF title.

I've been more out of the RP loop since then, but VIII definitely seems to be turning around similarly.

And yes, Laguna rocked. I can't help but empathize with characters like Laguna and Tidus, simply because I identify with them. Good-hearted dorks.

Everyone loved IX when it came out -- hailing the return of "old-school" Final Fantasy in the character classes and graphics and so forth. I liked IX, personally, although the Bahamut in that was nothing compared to X's Bahamut. Mmmm, Bahamut.

Never liked Lunar? I'm sort of surprised, but they are definitely "old-school" games, so it's not too much of a surprise. I could offer some recommendations. Anything else you tried and didn't like

Maybe it's because the first RPG I ever played was FF8, so the old school design doesn't mean much to me. I like it better when I can train anyone to use white magic and so on.

Bahamut was a bit too ornate in 10, even though he is the king of dragons. I liked him probably the best in 8. Funny story. My brother and his friends were having a real problem attaining Bahamut in 8. Bahamut would do megaflare and obliterate his party. When I caught up to where he was, I battled Bahamut and lost because the attack would hit for 4000 and my characters were at 3500. Neither my brother nor I ever used the junctioning system, never had a need since the GFs did most of the work and took most of the punishment and you level up regardless. I decided to give it a try and boosted my health quite a bit and beat Bahamut in my next battle. My brother came home and was talking to me about his day, while I quietly called Bahamut in a random battle. He sort of stopped talking and just stared at the screen. I think I let him bug me for a while on how I defeated Bahamut before I told him to junction his health and then he told his friends. That's probably the big reason I like Bahamut so much, other than he's so cool looking.

Never beat Legend of Dragoon. Once I found out I'd have to fight Lavitz, who was my favorite character and then he died, I just lost interest. I haven't played that many, they don't hold my interest too long since they tend to be very long games. I enjoy long games, but they need to have a lot of bite. I usually get close to the end and not finish.

Feh, using GFs for everything is a wuss way to play FFVIII. Well, no, actually I just can't stand it because I'm too impatient. And because the gunblade has an inherent visceral appeal. (WHACKBOOM!) Bahamut was a big wuss in VIII anyway -- his only advantage was a long FMV for much Boost time.

I do recommend FF6(3E) for you. *Awesome* game. Plus has the magic versatility you seem to want. It's out on compilation CDs for the PSX, but downloading an emulator and ROM can work just as well for much less money.

Dig into Chrono Trigger/Cross and, if you want a migraine-inducing, ludicrously long game, Xenogears. I was always fond of the Breath of Fire series as well. Dragons

You caught me, I am a wuss. Actually when I started to play FF8 again, I hardly if ever used the GFs. They were cool, but they took forever and a day to use. I got my brother Final Fantasy Anthology, so I think that has FF6. I'll have to see if I can find copies of those others. I've heard various friends rave about them, so they might have copies.

Right now FF10 is keeping me rather busy. Damn Thunder Plains, I'm no good at dodging lightning. Yay for me though, after 1200 or so dodges and 3 1/2 hours, I finally got 200 consecutive dodges. I know most people must have done it under 500, but my imagination kept wandering off and then I'd get zapped. Now I'm chasing down cactuars. The one that plays in the sand pit is a pain in the ass. I'll get him this evening.

This one random battle cracked me up. I was battling a Behemoth and Auron's overdrive kicked in and I chose the attack, I think it was called Shooting Star. Behemoths are rather large and Auron uses his sword like a baseball bat and sends it flying. Then it cuts to Auron and he says "That's how it's done". That was just so funny, the right combination of monster, move and phrase. He's the only one who still talks at the end of the battle, I kinda liked the in battle comments between the characters.

Is it me or do the characters look white in the in-game character cut scenes and Asian during the FMVs? The only ones who don't look Asian are Auron and Kimahri (naturally). I think the biggest difference is Tidus, he looks hardly like the FMV. Maybe it's how they did the eyes for the in-game characters or something.

For the reticent warrior, Auron sure talks a lot in battle. But he's so cool, it's forgiveable. And the other random dialogue is just great:

Tidus: Pace yourself, Auron!
Auron: Worry about yourself.

My FFX game is stalled, like most of my other games, at the ending subquests -- cactaurs, lightning plains, and whatnot. I have yet to beat FFVII because of Materia mastering. I mean EVER.

Tidus is a big change, but Rikku is the biggest one, I think. She just loses cute factors like mad, and I'm not sure why. Of course, those pupils are just creepy anyway. The other characters don't change so much. Auron doesn't change at all! When it comes down to it, Auron just can't be beat...

"Now! This is it! Now is the time to choose! Die and be free of pain or live and fight your sorrow! Now is the time to shape your stories! Your fate is in your hands!

I know Auron rocks! The fact that he's dead will probably keep him from showing up in the sequel. Have you gone to the Luca Theater and replayed any of the FMVs or the music. Auron's FMV when he shows up at the blitzball tournament was the bomb. It's all about Auron. Tidus may look like a bowl of sunshine, but he doesn't pull off cool or badass as well. I do like the cut scenes where there is a serious discussion happening and Tidus and Wakka are horseplaying in the background. Then there is one of the most amusing scenes where Tidus metion "macarena" temple, Lulu corrects him and he says "aye".

I've been collecting monsters lately. Gotta catch'em all... I like the really difficult battles and figuring out how to prepare for them. Usually plotline battles aren't too dificult. But battles like the Weapons in the American release of FF7 or the Monster Arena in 10. I like going "Wow, that hurt. Again!" I have nearly all of the weapons, crests and sigils. I refuse to get Wakka's. I hate blitzball, almost with a passion. Other people can enjoy it.

How is Dragonballz? I haven't watched it in ages. I like it, but it's so long and they take forever to get to the point. Goku was cute when he was a kid and didn't know what a briefcase was, but he just looks like an idiot now. Vegeta and maybe Piccolo are the only ones who seem to have some depth. I can tell you're a Vegeta fan...probably as well as you can tell I'm a Kenshin fan. My friend told me they've finally released new episodes. Now Vegeta died last I saw, is he roaming around somewhere else? I know they'll bring him back, but I would think it would be a little difficult.

Okay, the problem with DBZ in America is this:

Saiyan Saga and Namek Saga: Butchered. This was back when they gleefully cut and changed anything in order to make it more "suitable" for American audiences. All that silly stuff about "the next dimension." FAH!

Frieza Saga: Decent saga, but suffered from the problem of new VAs and new dubbing in general, so it comes off weak.

Cell Saga: The voice acting picks up a lot, but the Cell Saga is kinda... enh.

So really, the best saga is the only we've only gotten into recently -- Buu. It's silly as all hell, but it's a great saga. And Funi is doing a *really good job* with the voice acting (at least in my opinion), which really helps matters. Adult Gohan is a great character, far less of a nuisance than kid Gohan, and chibi-Trunks is worth watching.

And yeah, Vegeta was dead for a while, but they sent him back to Earth because he was the only one with any decent power running around in the afterlife, and SOMEone needed to save the Universe.

By the by, ixnay on the inalFay antasyFay oilers-spay. There are actually people who read this who don't need me and cyfis pounding too much info into her poor head. ^.

Whoops! Tell whoever it is to get on the ball and finish the game. It's been a year since it came out. Well, I've had a fair number of things spoiled for me. At least some of the big ones weren't spoiled for me, like The Usual Suspects. I think I would have been ticked if someone had spoiled that for me. Love that movie.

The thing with DBZ is that I don't understand why it's interesting. I've only seen the dubbed, sensored beyond belief version, but I'm sure the story arcs are extremely long regardless. Most of the characters are rather flat, but I still watched it when I did the night shift at my old job. It's addicting and I don't know why. I saw the first 50 episodes subbed from a Hong Kong rip. Maybe I should buy a copy sometime. Hong Kong rips are the best. Who wants to pay 150.00 for a 26 episode series when you can get it from a local dealer for 30.00, who buys from Hong Kong. I've seen bits of the Majin Buu saga (I called it the Mountain Dew saga after mishearing it from the tv). So what the hell is Goku and the supposedly great Gohan doing while Vegeta is gone. I mean the two of them ought to have been able to do something...well now that I remember Goku was dead, that might put a damper on his abilities. You can go ahead and spoil stuff for me, I most likely won't ever have the opportunity to watch it anyhow, no cable tv. Also maybe you know, why did Vegeta and Bulma hook up? I would have thought he would have incinerated her by now.

Now what I really liked that resemble DBZ quite a bit is Yu Yu Hakusho. I've got the entire TV series. It's really good. The dub frightened me greatly. Just thinking about it *shivers go down spine*. I watch way too many cartoons...actually I watch most anything that is good. I started watching anime just because the last few years have been pretty bad at the movie theaters. Anime is just more entertainment for the buck. I mean one movie dvd is easily the same price as an entire anime TV series if you know where to look.

Anyhow I'm sad that you're going through what you're going through. Life can be such a bitch, I should know. It sounds like you work at a disabled facility or a retirement home. Those places can be tough.

Well, presumably this certain person doesn't actually have access to an (American) PS2, but is planning on it eventually. Believe me, it makes for interesting times trying to talk about the game. ^.^

I always liked DBZ just because there's something viscerally appealing about screaming, exploding in a blinding flare of energy, and beating the hell out of enemies. It *is* shonen anime after all. Boy-type. Of course, I'm also fond of quintessential shojo anime titles like Revolutionary Girl Utena so I can hardly offer my gender as justification for its appeal to me.

Goku, being dead between the interval between the Cell and Buu Sagas, trained and learned to go SSJ3. Gohan gave up training in favor of studying, which is how he finally got into high schoool. ^.^

Vegeta and Bulma originally hooked up because Bulma crushed on Vegeta, and Vegeta being himself had no reason not to, um, take what she was offering. When Adult Trunks popped up and gave Vegeta a bit of a wake-up call regarding family, the Saiyan Prince underwent a bit of a character change during the interval. Of course, he did surrender himself to Babidi's control for the power boost, but only to fight Goku. Aside from which, Bulma mellowed out considerably once she and Vegeta hooked up... like a friend of mine said, apparently she just needed to get laid.

As for what I'm going through? A storm of very bad incidents, which all happen to be coming at the same time. My job's just part of that..

I like mostly shounen stuff, although there are a few things that one could argue belong to either shounen or shoujo. Inu-Yasha, Ranma, Escaflowne, etc. I was sort of raised on action flicks since that was my way to spend time with my dad. My idea of a chick flick would be Braveheart, Gladiator or Spiderman (however the romance in that was, well...it could have been written better).

I typically don't like the way girls in anime are portrayed. They tend to abuse the male characters, like hitting them over the head and the male characters just sit there and take it. Either that or the girls can't do anything for themselves and the guys have to constantly save them. Usually they're a combination of both. How much like real life that is, in Japan, I have no idea. That one android chick is a good example of a good female anime character. Strong, but has no need to prove it to anyone.

It's always the ones that seem like they'd fry someone for looking at them wrong, that have the highest tolerance levels as far as annoying people go. Hiei from YYH is very much like Vegeta in personality and character design (same height, same hair, but a light-weight, add a katana and a bitchin' dark flame attack like kamehameha only in the shape of a dragon. When he summoned that for the first time, everyone was like, "Uh...wow, uh, glad he's on our team..."). He's constantly surrounded by people who are "annoying" and he just ignores them or makes a remark regarding their IQ level. Such a bad ass.

I do like watching Goten and Trunks. They're hilarious during that tournament. Okay how is it that the android woman can have kids? I asked someone once and she didn't know, but she doesn't know about many things in general anyway...

Androids 17 and 18 were actually normal people before Dr. Gero abducted them and turned them into androids. Cyborgs would probably have been a better term, as they're mostly biological still.

It's always been my opinion that the World Martial Arts Tournament Junior Division Final was one of the most stylish and well-done fights in the series. It wasn't over-the-top or outrageous, and didn't need a lot of special moves and tricks. It was just cool.

I always liked Meryl Strife from Trigun. And Martian Successor Nadesico has so many females there has to be one or ten that're good portrayals. (*cough*Ruri!*cough* who also falls under the idiot-tolerating clause...)

The best martial arts fighting scene I've ever seen would be from the Cowboy Bebop movie. There are actually 2 or 3 fights in there that are good, but the last one takes the cake any day. The use of actual moves and blocks was great. Kenshin fights are pretty good, but he talks so much, I guess if you're as fast as he is then you can afford to talk during your fights. He improvises a lot too. Well thought out and well choreographed fights are the best!

Trigun is a good series. I like Legato the best, but just about everyone else I know likes Wolfwood the best. The manga is almost completely different in the way it's told. The anime is way better in telling the story. Besides Legato is more of a lackey in the comic than the icy bastard, who lacks major self-esteem that he is. I mean who was the real villain in that show.

I think there's an idiot in every show. The only time I like the idiot is when you're not sure if they are dumb. Millie seems like she's about as smart as a box of sticks, but she has her moments of profoundness...and you're like "Where did that come from?" Captain Tylor from the Irresponsible Captain Tylor is like that too. How does someone who acts like a complete moron and pull off half the stunts he does?

Millie and Gourry would be a disturbing couple.

I'm starting to rethink my policy on not IMing first. Or at least making the occasional exception.

Millie and Gourry...scary. Just imagine their children. My favorite from Slayers is Xellos, that guy is just way too cool. "It's a secret". He's probably one of my top favorite characters in anything.

IMing policy? Have you had bad experiences with IM in the past?

Sore wa, himitsu desu.

I'm just the sort of person who doesn't tend to IM first. Mostly I presume that if people want to talk to me, they'll IM me, and that if I initiate I'll probably just be annoying them.