DuDs: FFX-2 YRP

Time for another DuDs! As a long time standing fan of the FFX/FFX2 story, I just had to get the FFX-2 logo shirt as well!

Originally, I was trying to get a plain Rikku solo shirt, but none of the options from Redbubble provided something that would sate my 'want'. So I decided with this because it's classic. It has Rikku, and like I said, it's a representation of a game that I love (and still play) to this day. Now I have both the FFX shirt and this one to compliment each other! 

Gaming

I hope to decorate this blog with a few more things; more interesting things once the 'change' happens. But since I touched based on the three things that are usually on my blog, might as well poke at a few things that are possibly coming up:

Gaming:

Mass Effect Andromeda

So far, it's fun. The pace for story is a bit slow and some of the interaction feels a bit forced. Maybe I'm just missing the old crew too much. Reminds me of Dragon Age Inquisition, though the roster are a bit more interesting in Mass Effect Andromeda. Some old VAs make a return and some of the characters are interesting enough (currently interested in Peebee and Javik's new character; don't know his name by heart yet since I obviously just met him). Have to give it a shot since the battle system is intensely fun and a lot of modifying to do!

Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance

Now this game I'm still putting in some hours despite having Mass Effect in front of me. That should come to no surprise since I have been a long-time fan of the series since its first installment. There is only one Disgeae that I didn't really like (Disgaea 3), but even that one I played like heck. With Disgaea 5 retaining what makes the Disgaea series fantastic for me (humor, gameplay, customization, fan service, and parodies), it also enhances some of it and it is a gorgeous game for what it is. I don't think I'm half way into the story and I already have over MORE than enough hours to claim I have time that I claim I have.

FFX-2: Remaster

I bought FFX/X2 Remaster on my ps3 but I thought getting it for my PS4 won't hurt and it sure doesn't. While I'm on a slow pace playing this one due to it not being my priority, I do take my steps to getting where I was when I first played this on ps2. There is a bonus version to this that I am going to try and play as well: FFX-2 Last Mission. I wonder if Tara Strong reprises her role as Rikku for that segment? Anyways, I am getting reacquainted with Rikku's famous Dresspheres(and I have a purpose for some of them too!).

FFXV

While my gaming with FFX-2 is sparse, FFXV's existence in my gaming time is maybe once a month, but I am still in it for the sake of just getting some more missions I didn't get before. I do know that the other 3 are getting their own episodes; I'm going to wait to get those DLCs when they are on a bundle for cheaper. Still hoping that Iris will get to be a playable character!

Nights of Azure

This is a hack and slash adventure/JRPG. To the fullest. If there was ever a time that I needed a JRPG break, this would be it. While it has a repetitive gameplay and a very JRPG theme(not a bad thing, just not my usual dosage these days), it's a fun and entertaining; and it ALSO has a few tweaks to it to set it apart from games like Samurai Warriors. It's aesthetic and downright cheesy, but in the increments I played it, I enjoyed it!


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Clearly as one can see I am a busy gamer in a life where there isn't much time to game. But I try to keep my mind sane by engaging myself in a world where I -for the most part- am in control of what is around me. Keep in mind the list will grow as the months roll by and there is a myriad of other games I want in my collection, but I am a very different breed of a gamer nowadays. I have to be conservative of what I buy because I won't have that luxury to play them as much.

Final Fantasy in 2017

If there is some truth to this then jeez.... I have to have this. And here I am BARELY able to get some hours on FFXV. 

Playarts: Rikku (Redo Review 2016)

With the coming of Final Fantasy XV, I wanted to touch base on some of the Final Fantasy paraphernalia that I own in my collection. It is inevitable that I will be getting more Final Fantasy based figures or what not, but until I do, let me go back to a blast in the past to the Playarts that started it all: The FFX-2 Playarts, Rikku!

 

Apparently I can't shoot photos for crap. Random little note. But here is the box for Playarts Rikku and it is pretty apparent that this will be the skeleton for Playarts figures to come for more than a few recognizable waves. It didn't really change completely until the second overhaul of Playarts Kai when we start seeing a 'door' with our open window. Regardless, we have Rikku with a window, official artwork both CG and drawn, then it features Yuna and Paine and instructions on how to build her stand.... okay moving on(as if we needed to know that).

Now as I go through this throw back review, I will try and always mention that Playarts Rikku is about 13 years out of date. She was released in 2003 so when we get a picture with this kind of accessory for a Playarts (I did not include the stand because this particular out of box Rikku has loaned her stand to someone else; yes I have two of these Rikku; used to have three!), the judgement and pitchforks will not come out as fast. Lack of variations in arms and absolutely NO interchangeable face, Playarts was definitely not what it is now with its Kai version.

Now, right off the get go, the ensemble(or whatever clothes Rikku wears anyways) definitely imitates Rikku's default Thief dress sphere. Even in their early days, Playarts was definitely up there when it comes to awesome paint, great sculpting to get the aesthetics, and of course there is something to be said with the 'additional' pervy appreciation with her thong(I did not take a picture of that though). BUT the skin tone is a bit off. Rikku has a bit of a tan to her... which makes sense with how little clothing she wears. The face isn't as "Rikkuness" as we would want either and those spiral green eyes are missing!

Now what really hurts this figure is the articulation. The possibility is as basic as your classic Toybiz days with a few additional swivels(ankle and arms). Not only that, the way she is sculpted, it is rather awkward to have her pose for a shot! Even if I wanted to, I could not get Rikku into a familiar stance! No "YRP" posing for her in this case. Even with the addition of the dagger wielding hand, it lacks the proper ability to turn so suffice it to say, it comes short of making the dynamics of the figure to the next step. Though some might get a kick with the 'articulation' on her hair and her scarf.... one can twist the scarf since it is sculpted separately and her long 'pony tail' is also a separate piece. Both are made of this soft 'rubber' like material.

She can do that pose! That's one thing that is somewhat relatable to a Rikku-like signature stance.

All in all, this Rikku does not have what it takes to stand up to the present versions of the Playarts line up. I would truly like it if Square Enix revisits the X-2 line up and pay homage to the three figures that paved the way with a Kai version... BUT.... won't hold my breath. Regardless, with some great sculpting and a decent likeness to our spunky Al Bhed, one can truly get something out of this figure. Though for collectors who are fans of great dynamic poses and articulation, do not expect much of this figure. Funny little fact, she still fetches for a decent price on the market as she did sometime back. Probably because this is it when it comes to a X-2 version of Rikku that isn't a miniature figurine like. So with that said, I do not regret having her in my collection. I just keep in mind that most of her qualities as a figure are expired an did not survive the test of time. 

FINAL FANTASY X/X-2 HD Remaster New Features Trailer

Can't freaking wait!

And is that Eternal Calm CG NOT Tara Strong?! If it isn't, that's freaking blasphemy!

"I suppose some bonds just can't be broken."

-Paine

Let's……. Change the beat.

Kitty Young is the only face of Harley Quinn I know now. Disagree?

Please try.

I wish I knew who this cosplayer was because…… DAMN.

Damn.

uh yeah. Skrull or Drew, don't care! Damn!

Damn.

Magically DAMN!

Yeah. Damn.

Yeah. Damn final heaven indeed.

ending note: I fervently apologize if I am unable to give credit to some of these lovely ladies! I scouted for these images across the web and have lost the website for some of them or some of them were sent to me. I would LOVE to credit them so if you happen to come across my blog now and see your lovely self in here, please admonish me and I would hope you will give me OFFICIAL permission to use these and a link to your page! Of course the photographers who come across your work in here are more than(obviously) allowed to do the same!

Fanfic: Rikku

The ropes held too tight that any sort of movement from her causes strain on any part of her body that is exposed. With her attire being the way it is and the rope work of her bondage, Rikku is bound to feel the coarse material in every flinch of a muscle. To stop moving altogether would probably be prudent if she wanted to avoid the rope burns and such, however her freedom is far more important than the discomfort she is going through. She isn’t entirely sure what is in store for her but she doesn’t have any plans on finding out so just like she has been doing for however long, Rikku struggles uncomfortably; she fights her hardest against the bonds that are keeping her in this taut and grueling hog tie, kept in a solitary tent away from the rest of the group that had capture her. All she can surmise is that her captives are indeed Al Bhed like her; again their purpose are unknown but it could be for a myriad of reasons; all she knows is that having helped with Yuna’s pilgrimage, she lost a lot of the rapport she used to have with her people.

"…Nnhfhmhfhfuuhmmnhfch…. N'm gunhng fhu mnnnnh Bmufuuhm…. fum …. nufh buuhnhng un fhnhmuh….!!!"

She redundantly screamed through her gag in regards to her brother’s lack of punctuality. In her mind, he is partial to blame for her current situation right now; though the majority of it she knows could be on her for lacking the ability to truly deter this situation. Groaning through her own scarf that is now being used as a means to impede her speech, Rikku lays her head on the ground for a moment as if to gather her senses and come up with some sort of plan or merely regain some of her bearings since she has been struggling fervently and with very little to show for it. Cast aside the few rope burns and the more than usual disheveled hair, and the fact that her skirt is riding up higher thanks to her constant struggling, Rikku would call the last few time alone rather unproductive. What was supposed to be a normal and easy day turned out to be quite the distress for the Al Bhed. Helpless and oblivious to what lies ahead of her, Rikku can only hope that someone… that Yuna can somehow know of her plight... with that knowledge, the road of her freedom would hopefully be hers sooner rather than later.

"Uunnuuh….” She speaks her cousin’s name as her body is staring to feel the encumbering feeling of fatigue. “ Fnumhfh…. fnhnn … muh…"

With that, Rikku closes her eyes and can feel sleep calling her. As the darkenss starts to engulf her, the Al Bhed starts remembering the day in one coherent set. The what ifs and the could’ves echo heavily in her thoughts as if to hound her as finally she finds herself lost in dream world.

The Rival Prologue

I've been a bit more into fanfic writing that adheres to a certain genre. I have a few already in my deviant art page and sometimes writing fanfics is the only thing to keep me occupied. More to come and I'll probably just put up fragments of things here and the full ones on the DA account.

And of course the D.I.D. art is by Kachima! 

A Contrasting Visage

Just a little rant for this game I will be purchasing sometime in the future(actually, already paid for just waiting for the 'set in stone' release date). While there are many who will more than send off their tirades that FFX-2 is where the destruction of Final Fantasy began with Square Enix taking over, I say who gives a care? I mean, I am still more than adamant that FFXIII-2 is the most abhorrent out of ALL the Final Fantasy spin offs, but here I am still more than willing to say that AT LEAST there was some sort of solace in that game if one tries hard enough!!! So going with FFX-2, there is something charming about this game; unless one isn't into pretty girls jovially flaunting their assets the way they do in this game! So enough of that rebuttal of what is and what isn't between the ever so on going war of Final Fantasy Fans. Let's talk improvement!

(I used a couple of sources for these images. The most 'helpful' one with the implemented fonts belongs to: Examiner.com: FFX2 HD graphics)

Final Fantasy X/X-2 In game:

The Original graphics of FFX in game

Enhanced graphics for the HD remix

Now one has to forgive me if I am a bit more enthusiastic with FFX-2's images. For the record, I know for a fact that FFX's story and maturity was far more elating than FFX-2, but again, to me there was something charming about the game. I think people who hate Rikku who are male just haven't had the full throttle sensuality of a woman(I know, that was a rather ingenious point out, but I can have some immature whims at any point in my blog; I'm sure the assumption is not entirely correct though!)

Again thanks to examiner.com for the images!

Let's not indulge too much on one of the hottest gals of Final Fantasy and take a look at the rest of the freaking Gullwings!

So the in game cut scenes are more vibrant, smoother, and details are a bit more prominent. I believe in game itself when the player is controlling the character have some pictures out in the space of the web but I'll leave that be for now. I'm elated to see the in game combat though! Now as for the cut scenes themselves ... 

Nostalgic original opening.

Enhanced High Definition.

Way back when the cut scenes were amazing as all hell as it was. 

Cut scenes wise there is a few things to be able to scrutinize, but again, it already looked damn good before. Unless we are sitting here trying to compare it to FFXIII's exuberant graphics! That would be asinine indeed to say so since well, FFXIII is the pinnacle of Square Enix at this given moment. Anyways, before I tangent off, that is it for now. I'm sure there will be more teasers before the game gets released. Still waiting on a release date by the way. 

"The Gullwings"

 

Well I did say I was going to get it shortly after FFVI(Balance and Ruin)! And here they are! The Gullwings themselves in their vintage aberration! Alright so the quote:

"Our World Still Needs Saving... Leave it to the Gullwings!"

Isn't as enamoring as some others but the color contrast and the way it ties in to the dark and yet vibrant theme of my room, that and there was something jovially magical about FFX-2 for me, I say it was more than well worth it.  There will probably be more I am planning on buying, but that's for later on.

One of The First Part

There was a time when my collection wasn't exuberant and in fact lacking in numbers. Simply put, there was a time when my significant other and I weren't able to afford what we could now (everyone has a trial and error, right?). At those times, the other me would still find it in our budget to get me something for my birthday as a tangible representation of love or just to fill my need to have something. Well, this pvc statue of Yuna from her FFX-2 outfit is one of the very first.

 

It took me a decade to open her (somewhere around there), but when I finally did, it was the right place to do it. Since this is now MY GAME ROOM, it would be the perfect place to do so. I must say, she looks rather stunning. A perfect addition to say the least.