Dream

I can never remember how to spell those things. I always put two Cs in.

Anyway, a rant and another cat story. I have a text in mind to write down and post, but it’s late and I must work tomorrow, so I’ll vent off and all that.

I usually keep my bedroom door open. It’s almost only shut down when I dress up. If I close it a bit when I go to bed (I always leave a crack for the cat), I’m sure it will be open after less than an hour because my cat will get in and/or out. The heater has been off for over two weeks. Same in other rooms. But it’s hot in my bedroom. I left the window open all night long. This morning, it was quite cold so I shut it down. Tonight it was already far too hot. I blame the neighbors. They must use the room adjacent to my bedroom as an oven.

Earlier tonight, I was playing with my cat. Or rather, she came up to me with her mouse so I lazily threw it around to play “fetch” while I was playing on the DS. She always brings it back. She’s very happy to go and get it, she jumps, crossing whatever is in her way. But today she got scared for life.

It just so happens that the vacuum-cleaner is in my bedroom, plugged in and lying down on the floor. I threw the mouse on the other side of it. Naturally, my cat had to pass this way…She jumped straight on the “Start” button. Needless to say she ran to hide and even didn’t want me to approach her for some time. She eventually came back to me with her mouse, because her love of playing that game is extremely strong, but she was walking very slowly and refused to leave the bed to get the toy. Poor thing. She deserves it.

Overview

Game Type: adventure, novel-type, law
Creator: Capcom
Console: Nintendo DS (portable), GameBoy Advance (Japan original release)
Rating: T (Teens), all games
Overall opinion: extremely awesome

Review

As said in the title, this is a spoiler-free review because, if one thing is sure about those series, it’s that there are plenty of spoilers to share! I might eventually post another review with spoilers.

Where to begin? Should I start with “these games roxors my soxors”, “those games are absolutely awesome” or “those games are some of the best I have ever played in this life and all past and future ones”? I think I will start with “I love those games!!1!!1!!11!!!!!1!one!”

You might know nothing of those games, in which case I will explain the basic concept. You are an attorney—pardon me, an ace attorney. You must defend people accused of a certain crime (almost always murder). You must conduct investigations, question people, cross-examine witnesses and prove your point with evidence. It’s all very fun and often challenging for your brain.

The game’s awesomeness lies in several points. First, the game play is unique and actually fun. I never found the study of law to be particularly interesting, but the games had me hooked on “big time”, as they say. You must use your memory and sense of observation a lot.

Second, the characters are awesome. The game has a lot of humor into it, which is great because, after all, you are investigating murders!

Third, the game has some very excellent plot twists. Revealing the secret behind a mystery will only bring on more questions, until the very end of the game.

There would be much more praise to do of the game, but I would only sink into fangirlish exclamations. So, if you had never heard of the games or were afraid of them because of their lawyerness, well fear no longer and jump on the nearest copy you can find!

I strongly advise to begin with the very first game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney and continue on in the order they were released, because every game can contain spoilers from the previous games.

Overview

Game Type: action / puzzle
Creator: Namco
Console: Nintendo DS (portable)
Rating: E (everyone)
Overall opinion: good, quick and repetitive

Review

Mr. Driller: Drill Spirits is part of the Mr. Driller series by Namco. The purpose of the game is pretty simple. As one of a few characters you can choose (most of which are unlocked by completing some stages), you must drill your way to a certain depths, among blocks of various colors (a bit like Tetris blocks). The difficulty comes from three facts: 1, you can get crushed under blocks from above if you drill beneath them; 2, you can run out of air if you do not refill it and 3, you cannot climb more than 1 block (2 if you use a certain character).

If you read the overview, you might wonder why I say the game is good if I call it repetitive also. It is pretty simple: a part of the game’s success relies on its repetitiveness. Let me explain. Think of some games like Tetris or Arkanoid: change the colors, change the music, increase or decrease the speed, place it in a different “context”, it still remains the same basic concept. Yet those games are classics. New versions are still released, some for free on the web, others being sold for consoles (there exists, for example, a Tetris DS).

If you want some long challenge, the game is certainly not for you. But if you just want something to play on your way to work or school, or when you’re exhausted after a long day, it’s a perfect choice. You don’t need to think too hard and you don’t fall asleep waiting for something to happen.

Plus, the game is cute (even if you can get crushed under blocks!) and kids-friendly. A bit of a downside, some noises can be pretty annoying for people like me, with sensitive ears, such as the sound made by certain characters when they start lacking air.

Brief, the game is a good choice for relaxing, a bit mindless and not too challenging fun.

The weather is quite fine today. It’s been sunny all day long, there isn’t much wind and it’s quite comfortable. I opened the back door because letting in some fresh air is always good. There’s a mosquito net, so my cat can enjoy the air without going outdoors. I don’t want her to go there.

I was playing Final Fantasy and I happened to throw a look in the direction of the door. I saw a cat passing on the balcony outside. Nothing special there, as there are several cats in the area. I decided to go and check it out. I like seeing my cat interacting with other cats, even when there’s a door between them.

My, what am I seeing? It’s a bit small, but it’s still an adult cat. It doesn’t look sick at all. It’s stomach is white, but its back and head are striped gray. It has thumbs. It isn’t afraid of me at all, actually it seems to know me…

What the HELL are you doing outside and HOW did you make it there? After getting her inside—which was surprisingly easy and required no running after her or even touching her—, I quickly found the culprit: there is a hole in the bottom of the net. It’s not very large, but she’s tiny and could easily squeeze her way out through the hole, provided she has the will to do it. And, obviously, she does have that will.

I’ll have to get that net repaired.

Just updating on what’s going on in this life of mine.

One of my roommates is gone for the whole week. That doesn’t change much to my life.

Eric is really not well these days. He has a lot of obsessions and washes his hands a lot. I wish I could do something to help him, but there isn’t much to do. He needs to see a psychiatrist, but I can’t take one out of…a magic hat.

Work is okay, although I missed a lot…I have a hard time sleeping well. My brain turns on when I go to bed and does everything it can to keep awake. How very nice of it.

My mom was here Friday, and she slept here. I didn’t see her much, because I was sleeping when she left, but I ate with her and other family members in an African restaurant on Friday night. It was quite good.