Ragnarok Online 2 : Gates of the World.

Ok, so out of nostalgia, I’ve downloaded a copy of it off the net. Since the official Korean version is still in close beta, and the SEA version wont be out till… godknowswhen. I decided to grab one, play on a private server, and hopefully have that experience from the private server teach me 2 things.

The tips and tricks to success on a proper server.
If the game is truly worth my time. Or should I just continue playing TF2.

Here is my review :

So yes, the game installation file is 1.06(GB), which is ALOT smaller then the likes of Lineage 2, which is around (3GB), or TF2 ( 16GB) [ I have never properly played WoW, so I cannot tell you how big is their game]. Anyway, enough of the comparison of the game size, obviously, RO2 has the benefit/disadvantage of being a game that doesn’t take that much space.

To some people, this is good, considering how they like their games to run smoothly on their outdated PC, or laptop. On the disadvantage, people who love superb graphics will be…. Well, the graphics aren’t that bad either, so I don’t reckon they’ll be complaining so much.

Which brings me to my pathetic graphic and gameplay review. Graphically speaking ( in Sayed’s awesome homosexual tone), this game would probably get a rating of 8 for graphics, its decent, but not eye candy. However, I would really much like to deduct points from the game because the female characters in no way seem to arouse me, but then again, I should be a rational game reviewer.

One thing that bugs me in this game is, unlike the previous RO, where attacking a mob will result in numbers spewing out of the screen, in this one, YOU CAN ONLY SEE YOUR OWN DAMAGE. Which means that while other players are attacking the monster, you have absolutely no idea how much damage they’re dealing/receiving. I’m not too sure if this still exists under a party, but I find it irritating, because I want to know who’s the biggest badass around. Oh, and to be honest with ya, I’m really missing the sprites graphical system.

Sigh.

Gameplay wise, it’s changed. A LOT.

You can now choose to either control your player by having clicking on the mouse. OR, you can control them using ASDW. Which makes things interesting, because I can circle strafe around mobs just for the kicks of it while attacking. Also, you can jump/swim. Something that’s pretty standard for most online games, but seeing how I never really played WoW, I found the whole concept of commiting suicide by jumping off a cliff while low on a health somewhat amusing

( Now imagine a whole guild doing that like Lemmings ;) )

There are also now, PROPER QUESTS. RO1 had a sucky quest system, it wasn’t very impressive. I mean, even a cheap/free game like Runescape could actually implement better quests then it, so really, did RO2 make a big change?

Well yes and no.

Yes --à It’s got quests, with objectives, and rewards, and etc etc.
No ---à The quests aren’t really that exciting, there’re no story behind the quest. This makes it somewhat dull. Furthermore, they aren’t like the WoW ones that affect your character. Though I’m not expecting Gravity to pull off something of that stage, the quests still are abit of a bore. At this moment on the private server, translation work is still being done , so yes, most of the time, I cant understand WTF the NPC is telling me.

One of the annoying things about the quest is, the NPCs are scattered around the place, which makes it a chore getting to them. The map does not point out their locations meaning I had to spend 10 minutes looking for some bloody NPC named Kwan. I would appreciate if it were a notch easier, so I can get the quest done with and kill some porings.



Oh wait, I forgot to mention.

There are no porings.

Only some weird things called Pukui who resemble apples/peaches on legs. And really, a lvl 1 monster hitting around 20, while my character only manages to hit 7-14. That’s not a very fair fight…

I must admit, I’ve got a grudge against online games who try to outdo one another, by making insanely big maps. While it may make your game a lot larger, with more space for customization, it also means increased travel time.

Knowing how earth is all low on resources and shit, I would really appreciate if it didn’t take me so long to walk from one part of the map to the other.

At least in RO1, each since map was pretty small, so I didn’t feel like there was so much walking to do until I reached the next portal. :\

Music.
I’ve gotten mixed responses on this one. Ean, who has the whole soundtrack for the game felt that the BGM in RO2 is definitely better. Me, on the other hand finds it downright disappointing. Make no mistake here, the songs are definitely nice. BUT, I find most of them lacking in element, lacking in something RO1 had. Not to mention, the login screen music ISNT as good as RO1s. Why?

Because it doesn’t have the calming effect. Seriously, anyone who spent 15 minutes trying to connect onto a crappy Malaysian (eRO) server would know how important a good song is, from preventing them from bashing up their comp.
Maybe as I further progress into the game, I’ll find better examples. But as for now. It just doesn’t get my attention. As for now, they just lack the kick. Worse comes to worse, I suppose I could just play the RO1 BGMs while playing RO2.



I should really write a better review. But however, I am a student after all. And studying *cough* should come first.

So yea.

RO2 lacks the whole fun fun fun thing. Its not the kinda game Im gonna play, first thing in the morning (unless I knew I had friends who were waiting for me).

No, I doubt I’ll be playing on this private server for a long time (due to the low rates as well)

But yes, I might just consider playing the official one when it comes out. How long will I play? Well that will depend on the people reading this blog is they end up playing.

If they do, I might just stick around longer.



Otherwise I’ll be back on gold_rush.pl screaming

“ I AM FULLY CHARGED!”



Cheers.

oh btw, if you're interested in wasting your soul on this game before its officially launched
http://www.euphro2.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=4477

though I would gladly recommand you remain studying, or leaving stickies for em heavies to walk over.

A Fast Recap.

Ive been wanting to blog, but I never did :(

So anyway, here's a quick recap on what I've been up to.
Since the last post was on last Thursday, lets begin from there.

Friday ----- Had morning training as usual. Pretttty uneventful day. Slept a whole lot later then I should have.

Saturday ---- Woke up "early" for rock climbing. Awesome stuff. Its fun clinging off a rock while your arms ache and your feet struggle to stand on the puny itsy bitsy thing you call a rock, oh please, Im standing on a pebble for goodness sake. Anyway, sore arms from Fridays kendo prevented me from scaling the more difficult climbs. In fact my last climbs were on the really easy ones, and I had a hard time keeping my hands clenched on the "holds" since they were pretty tired out. Did ESD at Sayeds place later that day.

Sunday ----- Nothing much worth talking about.

Monday ----- Nothing much worth talking about. Kendo training as usual. Very nice of Yu to drop by to train today. And, I had problems getting my left leg to kick, resulting in really sloppy jigeiko.

Tuesday ----- Did my Macro Econs online exam, it could have been better. I should get my own textbook instead of relying on the libraries ones.

AND!

Today I had lunch with my old 6K (primary school) classmates. Which is pretty ridiculous, considering how you get 6 persons from 1 class in the same uni. And 4 of them are in commerce.

Icing on the cake?

I'm the only male there.
So yes, we happily chat about the days back in Primary school. And too be honest, I cant remember a shitload of names. :(

My memory has gone sour. Still, its nice to hear how some people have changed. From good, to wild... and from wild to... well, could you really call a 12 year old WILD?

Me thinks not.... in a way.


So anyway, before I sign off to read up more about buttsecks loving electrophiles who attack carbon compounds, lemme advertise something for the people living in Melbourne.

I know not many people read my blog. For those who do, remember that I love you very very very much, and you deserve as many kisses as my imaginary -(cat/kitten/girlfriend/supercomputer/etc etc) deserves. Triple bonus goes to the ladeez.

So with little hesitation, let me.....

*Oh snap, I cant find the poster...*

Oh well, heres a link, go read it yourself.
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=21635914859

Cheers, and have a good nite.
I seriously look forward to the fundraiser as a mean of getting to drink with a German.

In which I hope I shall epically fail, and walk down Lygon Street all drunk and puking.
*Then I wont feel bad for not studying that night :) *

First step

I've made it onto the AUG team.
More early frosty Friday morning trainings.

I'm pretty looking forward to the days where I can watch American Dad without worrying about getting up early the next day.

So yes, trudge onwards!

*Would love to blog more but ILT calls.

Goodbye! Oh goodbye!

So yes, tomorrow is the big day.
Its the first step along the road I've set out to conquer.
Tomorrow is the Australian Uni Games kendo squad tryouts.

Now, if you've been missing huge chunks of my life this year, what its really all about is each year, the universities in Australia gather to have a bunch of sporting competitions.

Obviously kendo is among those in the list.

So yes, I've been working on getting onto the squad ever since December, that makes it nearly 10 months of (wtf? 10 months? I didnt realise that) of training, and from what I can tell, I've definately made progress.

For our male kyu squad, there're 7 slots available, 9 applicants. Obviously if you do the maths, 2 persons arent going to make it. And I obviously have no intention of being that 2. Then again, obviously the tryouts will only be the beginning, seeing how there're still plenty of shiai to be fought during the actual competition day itself.

Ok, maybe I could have worked harder for the coming moment. Maybe I should have done 5 days of kendo instead of the 3 days I currently do. Maybe I should have went to other dojos to maximise my training options. But it doesnt matter, because currently at the position I am, I have to say I'm somewhat satisfied there has already been improvement.

Which leads me to the main topic of my post, and hence the title.

Yesterday *sob*, my shinai had a major fracture. Now judging by the looks, looks like its going into retirement only after 6 months of use. Which is damn sad, considering how my first shinai has yet to break. As for my 2nd, well, lets say it split along one slate 2 weeks into use.

So yes, as I bury my good trusty sword/friend/lover/mistress/stick in the depths of my wardrobe, I thank thee for the good times you've offered me. While I hated your hilt for being too thick for my short fingers to grasp comfortablely, you have overall been a great sword. I shall miss the fun times we had, the shit we've been through, and the great time at Otsuka, as well as the wonderful men cut on Oda sensei.

I'm so sorry you couldnt make it to the AUG.

But who knows, maybe I might do a transplant. :)
If I can get a donor.

Decisions

In my throngs of rage, anger, hate, and despair.

I am now contemplating attending a gig on Friday, and get pissed.

Like downright wasted.

Sadly Milk Teddy isnt a band that goes well with angry people.

So sorry Tom, maybe I wont be there :(

Sinking down.

Ever get that stinking feeling.
That life has spat right in your face?
Thats its all

$^@*$^&@^$*(@)^$#@&@RY@PY$*(@^&#%&@^$%@%&$@&($^(@$&@()$&@*$&@984


this blog post could have been much longer and darker.

Fortunately air guitar to the cords of Queens of the Stone Age ----- In my Head helped resolved it abit.

And yea, fuck you Linkin Park for going all soft and emo. What happened to your nu metal screaming? Why Chester? Why!>?!?!?!

AUG

1 more weeks till the squad selections.

Thump thump thump.

For the first time in my life I'm actually participating majorly in an event that requires a degree of physical capabilities.

Improv

Flashback:

Its Monday. Lunchtime.

Im standing in the Evan Burge drama room. As usual, my shoes are off.

Across the room, Yusuf and Roger are watching on in anticipation.

My right hand is raised in the air. I prefer to call it, an unmoulded gesture. The gesture is not symbolic. Not yet, it is like a lump of clay. While its clay, it can be moulded into something. Something that represents an emotion. Anger, joy.... The same goes for my hand, it has yet to take a definative form. A form that will continue on the story of our little tale.

My left hand runs across Eans chest. If he were a girl, I would be either a very happy man, or a man with a slap running across the cheek. Pitifully, he is not a girl. He does not have boobs. =.='

So anyway, there we are. 2 guys. In an odd position. With 2 other onlookers wondering what will be my next move.

And Im there standing, thinking :

"........................."
".............................."
"....................................."
"............................................."
"........................................................"
"...................................................................fuck....."
"........................................................"
"............................................."
"....................................."
".............................."
"........................."

previously a year ago, I would have little problems getting out of these sort of situations. My mind was still fresh, sharp. The edge of the blade would slice through a leaf falling onto it. But now, I am nothing but a dull rusting blade. At my prime, I would eagerly sought out such situations in theatresports for the thrill of being able to evade most certain stupidity by coming up with something equally stupid and ridiculous.

But now, my mind is numb, I try to force myself to say something totally random, but I cant.

" OMG!! Look! Its a tyrannasurarosharusasorous."

"A what?!?! Omg! There it is!"

Sigh, a desperate attempt to continue the show, only to be met with an equally unglamourous response. :\

What happened to my improv abilities!!

Sob sob.

My list of credentials has grown ever shorter.

For I am an underachiever.

Its a nice day to.... Start again.

*I've never experimented with speaking, writing in 3rd person. So yes, this blog post feels very weird to me.

So yes, Jeffrey got up from bed today.

Emotions all muddled up and confused.

Attracted to someone because she reminded him of someone else.

This made him ponder. What would this make of him.

Was he loyal? Semper fi?

Was he desperate?

Was he a maniac?

Was he down right weird?

Then, he realised an obvious thing.

The usual empty feeling felt absent. Gone..

" Gone! " cries the lad.

Indeed, it has disintegrated into the wind, for little remains of it.

So wiping aside all doubts, he rejoices.

And thus, begins a new day.

I have only one word for this post. Retarded. I dont think I shall be using 3rd person references for a very very long time. It just felt oh-so weird.

Potential?

Just so was wondering.

If the meat was offered, would the Tigers take the oppertunity and grab it? Or would the meat remain untouched and rots away.




So yes, the papers have been reporting that housing prices WILL start dropping over the next few years. The question is, how will it affect the local Australian economy. Last thing we need here is a recession, like whats going on in the US. At the same time, would lower property prices here result in foreign investers grabbing the oppertunity to invest in property here in Oz. How will the effects be.

I better pay more attention in intromacro to get a clearer picture on the outcomes.



Bless my breadth subject. Bless them all....

Chasing that Ippon : Part II

I'm going to be very frank here.





There was a few reasons why I started kendo in the first place. I, like many current kendoka have always been a samurai wannabe. Or as I dig in deeper into my memory, I've always wanted to be a knight/samurai/jedi/ninja/muppet.

So yes, I started kendo in the wonderful year of 2007. Expecting twirly fancy movements with a hint of discipline ( as I expect from a MA ), I slowly came to realise that kendo was all about being straight. No, not straight as in sexual orientation, but as in effeciency. Instead of cutting in a squiggly line, make that cut run straight.

So yes, I continued to labour on, some days there were ups, some days there were downs. Some days, you get the feeling that everything is going on perfectly, that your cuts have been decent, and you got through training with 110% effort and didnt waste that 2 hours. On some days, you just cant get anything right. It could be that I was distracted, or my will power wasnt strong enough, or the plain fact that I skipped lunch and bonked very early in the training session. When you feel the need for beer after a training, chances are, you probably threw all you had for that 2 hours, and that feeling, is called Euphoria.

So people ask me :
"Why continue kendo? Why participate in something that involves you getting injured. Why participate in something that leaves your feet with blisters? "

The answer, is complex. On some days, I go for training because I've been looking forward to it. Its because I've had a rough day, a tiring day in the lab, and nothing would please me more then screaming away, and getting awesome satisfaction from a good training; On some days, kendo is my drug, my alcohol, my antidepressant. It helps me forget things that have been bothering me. People who have been derailing my train of thoughts. Events that have been using up my brain space which could have been used to solve Hyperbolic functions. While it would certain be wiser to confront the situation, sometimes you arent in the right place, and a nice wall to block those things out would be utterly sweet.

But most of the time, if not all the time. I go because I want to improve. Because I enjoy the feeling of a proper men cut. The feeling in your arms as the strike lends, the melody in your ear as the shinai makes that sharp "pop", the surge in your body as you fumikomi, and the feeling of time slowing down as you push through with good zanshin. Its those things that give me my fix, and make me come back for more. Because I as long as I continue working hard, those actions that I enjoy will only happen with more intensity, and more frequently.

And particularly, I continue training, because I want to improve. Because when I get to cross swords with someone I've trained with before, I want to see that there is a definative difference in my skill. And that the training will be worthwhile.

I'm sure everyone out there has something they enjoy doing. So dont judge me with that excessive scutinizing mind of yours. I find peace in kendo, and thats my excuse for waking up at 6.15am every Friday to make it for morning trainings.

Facts

Fact #1 : Jeffrey cant do housework on an empty stomach
Fact #2 : Nothing is more exciting then getting a leg cramp while swimming.