Me playing the piano

Well! I've been wanting to post some videos of me playing the super duper awesomeness Final Fantasy music on this blog for a long time. I've done some recordings but everytime I try to make a recording, I choke and stop half way, screwing up the whole video. However, today was a different story! A friend decided to record me playing a piece from the Kingdom Hearts Piano Collections - Field and Battles and put it onto Youtube. I played it... rather badly, many many mistakes and I'm only using an oldish digital camera so no HD. But since it's online, I thought I would share it with the people that come here! I also had the guts to record two other pieces from Final Fantasy VIII, which turned out OK, they both had mistakes in it, but oh well. Why not just put them up since the KH piece was worse! Here it is!

Musique Pour La Tristesse de Xion - Kingdom Hearts Piano Collections Field and Battles


Fisherman's Horizon - Final Fantasy VIII Piano Collections


Ami - Final Fantasy VIII Piano Collections


Hope you like it, I will definitely be putting up more videos of other FF/KH music. Feel free to comment and make requests!

Valkyria Chronicles

A little off track of the 'Final Fantasy' scene, but this time I'll be writing about another brilliant JRPG called Valkyria Chronicles. I know this game is very old but this beautiful, emotional and entertaining JRPG is definately one of the best RPGs for the PS3 so I just had to write about it.

I've recently just re-finished playing Valkyria Chronicles, and it is simply beautiful in all respects. The water colour art style, the music, the emotional storyline and the game play were top notch!
I'll give a brief comment on each of those parts of the game.

The graphics were different and nice, they used a WaterColour style to portrait everything in the game, it made it look classy, smooth, rich and life like. Even though it's not up to Uncharted 2 or Final Fantasy XIII CGI standards, theres nothing to be complained about this beautiful and thoughtful idea of portraying characters and beautiful images through the vividness of water colour. I guess the only thing they could improve is the Physix and movements of characters that can be awkward in some parts of the game, but only some parts.

The music was well composed and arranged. Even though some are rather cliche and somewhat reminiscent of other works of similar context, there are brilliant tracks. My favourite has to be the piece called 'Those Who Succeeded', a piano and violin duet. Beautiful instrumental arrangement from the original vocal and orchestral counterpart (which the Japanese version is very good while the English version lacked emotions in my opinion). This piece is a major theme in this game and very emotional if you have played it. I won't spoil it for you XD. The sound effects of gun shots and voice acting (Japanese) were very well done, and I'm glad they let us choose which language we want the voice acting to be, because the English voice just doesn't cut it for this game... Below is Those Who Succeeded, my favourite track from this game.


The storyline was beautiful. The pacing was very well done, and it implemented each main character and developed them very well. No one was left out and things were explained. It is also very emotional. Emotional in so many ways, from sacrifice to loss, from vengeance to dictatorship which all can happen in real life, so for those who have experienced war and or have lost someone dear will definately break a tear or two while playing this game because I certainly did. It was just simply beautiful yet emotional, yet true... Go play it and you'll find out what I mean.

The game play is great! It's a tactical RPG where it actually requires tactics and thinking before making moves (or you can use Orders which make the game less challenging) or things can go wrong and you can easily lose if you don't plan things out. The only thing I can complain about is that this game doesn't have much room for character customisation, but it is more than enough to be very enjoyable.

I loved the game and I know I will be playing it again in the future, and hopefully they bring out a PS3 sequel that is better than this one. There is a sequel for PSP, it is fun, the combat and customisation is deeper but the story line lacked so I'll consider it as a side game for now until they release a proper sequel! If you have a PS3 and like RPGs (or not) and have not played this game, I urge you to play it. I'm sure you'll love it!

OMG! DREAM COME TURE!

Well... I guess everyone knows who my favourite character is. And this character is now appearing in one of my most anticipated game of 2011!  Dissidia Duodecim: Final Fantasy!
Here is the latest trailer from Jump Festa, it is amazing, it seems like they implemented a lot of new stuff in this game, and it will be very complex and in depth.



If you don't know who my favourite character is, then you will know when you get to 4:37-4:38 in this awesome epic trailer. OMG! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! I GET TO SEE HER IN ACTION ONCE AGAIN!!! WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!! YESSS!! WOOT!!! lol.
Anyways. I'm gonna go celebrate this along with Christmas. Merry Christmas Everyone!
<3

The urge... why can't I keep it off my mind..

Sigh... Ever since I stopped playing FFXI, I could not stop thinking about it. It's like a drug, or worse lol. I deleted my character, threw away my items and uninstall it from my computer just to prevent me from going back to the game. I think about the game, but never really had an urge to play it again. I still look up informations, news and learn about the game, but never really wanted to go back and play it until...

 A good friend of mine, who also used to play sent me a txt. A txt that made my heart thump, a txt that made me excited, a txt that made me fall in love with the game that I loved so much - again. Lol.. I just sounded like a retard but it's true.  The text said... 

'Want to play FFXI with me again? lol'

ZOMG FFFFUUUUU ZOMG ZOMG WHY DID HE SEND ME THAT TXT?!?!? I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT A SIMPLE TXT THAT CAN STIR MY HEART UP SO MUCH THAT I FEEL THAT I HAVE TO PLAY FFXI, I CAN'T LIKE NOT BREATH WITHOUT PLAYING FFXI... (Maybe not to that extent) 

The memories, the joy of enjoying the game with my friends all came rushing back to me.

sigh... well enough ranting. I'm gonna contact Square Enix Support and see if I can get Tacco back. Hopefully I can, but If not, I might start a new character and just enjoy the game until the PS3 version of FFXIV releases.

Final Fantasy is a drug. A good one though.. (thats what I kept on telling myself)

Whenever sang Eyes On Me.. On the stage, celebrating victory!

After an epic vote out uhhh last week... (I know... I'm a little slow) it was surely epic, many many songs were equal until the last few days and I was kinda worried that I might not get a winner... but however!!! Just before the poll ended, one song came up on top by a mere one vote!!! 

And the song that claimed victory over allllll the other songs were...

Eyes On Me - Faye Wong Composed by Nobuo Uematsu

It is such a beautiful song, and it is one of my personal favourites too! Also, we have our first ever comment on this site! GenieGenie who kindly left a comment! Thank you so much :D and also thank you to everyone that visited my blog! Really really happy!

Here is a video clip of Eyes On Me and the lyrics to the song. Enjoy!

Whenever sang my songs

On the stage, on my own

Whenever said my words

Wishing they would be heard

I saw you smiling at me

Was it real or just my fantasy

You'd always be there in the corner

Of this tiny little bar

My last night here for you

Same old songs, just once more

My last night here with you?

Maybe yes, maybe no

I kind of liked it your way

How you shyly placed your eyes on me

Oh, did you ever know?

That I had mine on you

Darling, so there you are

With that look on your face

As if you're never hurt

As if you're never down

Shall I be the one for you

Who pinches you softly but sure

If frown is shown then

I will know that you are no dreamer

So let me come to you

Close as I wanted to be

Close enough for me

To feel your heart beating fast

And stay there as I whisper

How I loved your peaceful eyes on me

did you ever know

That I had mine on you

Darling, so share with me

Your love if you have enough

Your tears if your're holding back

Or pain if that's what it is

How can I let you know

I'm more than the dress and the voice

Just reach me out then

You will know that you're not dreaming

Darling, so there you are

With that look on your face

As if you're never hurt

As if you're never down

Shall I be the one for you

Who pinches you softly but sure

If frown is shown then

I will know that you are no dreamer

Your favourite Final Fantasy/Kingdom Hearts song is..?

New poll! Excitement! This time, it's all about the songs! I personally love Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts sound tracks, and me, being a piano player also, I do have the whole Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts Piano Collections. Ok, enough about me bragging... lol >.>
Soooo What is your favourite Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts song?! There.... are lots... Soooo if you don't know some of them, go to Youtube and listen!

Actually... I'll add a few videos on here so it doesn't look that boring, but it's not all of them!

This poll only covers the main Final Fantasy series and Kingdom Hearts songs. So Dissidia and Other Final Fantasy spin off won't be here unfortunately... Sorry if your favourite song isn't included in this poll.. Feel free to leave a comment on other FF songs that is your favourite! 


Final Fantasy IV - Tsuki no Akari (aka Theme of Love) - Ida Emi
Final Fantasy VIII - Eyes On Me - Faye Wong
Final Fantasy IX - Melodies of Life - Emiko Shiratori
Final Fantasy X - Suteki Da Ne (aka Isn't it Wonderful) -Rikki
Final Fantasy X-2 - 1000 Words - Jade
Final Fantasy X-2 - Real Emotions - Koda Kumi
Final Fantasy XI - Distant Worlds - Megumi Toyoguchi
Final Fantasy XII - Kiss Me Goodbye - Angela Aki
Final Fantasy XIII - Kimi Ga Iru Kara - Sayuri Sagawara
Final Fantasy XIII - My Hands - Leona Lewis
Final Fantasy XIV - Theme Song (Name of song unannounced yet.. >.<) - Susan Calloway
Kingdom Hearts series - Passion (English Version - Sanctuary) - Utada Hikaru
Kingdom Hearts series - Hikari (English Version - Simple and Clean) - Utada Hikaru


Kimi Ga Iru Kara                                         Passion

Theme Song FFXIV                                   Distant Worlds

Real Emotion                                              Eyes on me

VOTE ON!

                                                                  Poll will close 13th October.

Birth By Sleep leads to No Sleep.

Now since it's been a few days since I last posted something, and the poll is closed now. Firstly, lets congratulate... Xion, Roxas, and... Kairi! Sorry Axel, you didn't make it! you got beaten by Kairi thats why you got... uhhh failed-photoshopped-out... Anyhow, these three awesome characters got even votes! Congrats to Ax... I mean Kairi, Roxas and Xion! 

Now about Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep.

Like the title, while playing Birth By Sleep while university is still going on, bad idea. I ended up playing almost all night and hardly got any sleep until I had my next class. so bad >.> I am currently at 76 hours into the game, 94% completion on everything. Just need to beat the last hidden boss, Mysterious Figure and collect some commands and items. One thing I want to say to Mysterious Figure... !@$#$^ you! you are too damn hard! Can't kill you after you turn invisible and create too many invisible clones of yourself to ambush me... ahhh! Anyways...

First off, I want to say that this game is AWESOME fun. The battle system is well designed, lots of varieties and combos you can create, endless customization depending on your play style and a really complex Command Melding system where you can upgrade your abilities and skills. 

The General battles are like all Kingdom Hearts games but this time with more new (and sometimes annoying) monster, the boss battles are innovative and really fun, where each requires a different strategy and are all very challenging on Proud or Critical mode! 

spoiler alert 

About the story, there are four parts to it. One main story for each of the main characters, Terra, Ventus and Aqua, and then there is the Final Episode which is unlocked after beating all three characters story and collect all Xahanort's Report, where you play as Aqua. You will also see many familiar faces in this game, many many familiar faces!

The first character I chose to start with was Ventus, as he looked too much like Roxas, and it seems to be appropriate to start with someone thats... rather familliar. After going through and completing his story, I was a little confused, as things were jumping too fast, and there were things that I just couldn't figure out... like why was Aqua standing in the middle of Radiant Gardens after the battle against Trinity Armour? Why did Terra appear in the Land of Departure with the power of darkness? 

It was just a little confusing, but as soon as I started the second character's story (Aqua), I knew that everything will make sense after I finish all three characters. The story is told in three different perspective, and it is so well told that nothing is really repeated, and every character's story was fresh and entertaining like a brand new game! Really well designed and thought out I have to say! Every character took me about 12-18 hours, Ventus' too me the longest because he was the first character that I played, and Aqua was the hardest to beat in my opinion because of bosses. Also, the Disney characters are awesome and was blended into the game extremely well! (maybe with the exception of Peter Pan and his crew... but Tinkerbell is awesome though!)

For me, the best part of the story, was the secret ending that you can unlock by beating all stories including the Final Episode in proud or critical mode. You can unlock it in normal mode but you need to complete the Report section for all characters, and that is really hard... so choose Proud mode if you are interested in the secret ending. The secret ending tells you so much that is otherwise left unresolved in the normal endings, and it is a delightful one because after watching it, I'm certain that there will be a next Kingdom Hearts game, and hopefully we'll get to see Aqua, Terra and Ventus again! Really hope they will all appear or have some sort of relation with Sora in the next game.  

Another awesome thing about this game is that you learn quite a bit about the past of Organisation XIII, when they were all still human, and you even get to fight some of them! 

                                                End of spoilers

Well, I will still be playing Birth By Sleep until I beat Mysterious Figure... or until my thumb falls off while trying to beat him... hopefully not the latter since I want to play more games and the piano... lol.

Kingdom Hearts: Birth By Sleep is overall an amazingly well put together, well thought out, and extremely fun game. Oh it is also really beautiful, but it does lack CGI cut scenes... sigh.. the limitations of PSP... But if you only finish one or two character's story, you probably won't get the whole package of fun and experience.