The Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtuelessdemo for the Nintendo Switch has been out for a few days, but I finally got to play it. I loved every minute of this demo. The art is cute, the voice acting is fantastic, and the gameplay is engaging. I haven’t played any of the Disgaea games before, and I am regretting my life’s decisions. Disgaea is a cute and quirky strategy RPG coming to PlayStation, Steam, and the Nintendo Switch on October 3rd in the US, the 6th in Europe, and the 13th in Australia.
A tyrant rules the Netherworld of Hinomoto. Its once proud warrior people now live under the Hinomoto Code of Destruction. It is up to two unlikely friends to join forces and bring back the Bushido code that was once the staple of this proud civilization.
You don’t need to have played any of the other games in the series to enjoy the demo, but you are going to want to. The demo does a fantastic job of walking players through the different mechanics and setting up the story as its own entity. I’ve been excited about Disgaea 7 since it was first announced. This is definitely going to be in my cart at launch. If you are a fan of the series or want some extra swag, you might want to check out the special collector’s edition available at the NIS online store. There are two different sets, one with plushies ($159) and one without ($99.99). I’ll leave the details below. You can buy the plushies separately.
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Make sure you always support the original, but I appreciate your continued support on my translations. They take a bit of work, but I’ll do my best to catch up with the novel as soon as possible. If you like these translations, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends.
Eiji finds the professor behind his desk. He is busy working on his lunch when the pair walk in. “Sorry. I’m running a bit behind” he manages to say between bites. He continues to scroll through the report on the screen in front of him.
“Oh, no worries. I can come back some other time.” Eiji understood that the professor was a busy man with important work.
“No no, I’m meeting with a student later. It has to be now.” He finishes off the last bite of his sandwich as he stands to greet the pair properly. “What news do you have for me?”
“Uh, well everything is in the report.”
The professor nods. “So they were after the Machinedramon, and they failed to get their hands on it.” The professor clasps his hands, “Not bad for your first night out.”
“But there’s more.” Eiji adds. “I think Tartarus is collecing Mega level Digimon. I don’ t know why, but it can’t be for anything good.”
“Yes, that’s a serious problem.”
“There was also this hacker…” Eiji watches the professor for a reaction.
“Hacker?”
“Yeah, he had a Mega Digimon. It took out the Machinedramon and one of the SOC leaders with little effort.”
“Next time, they won’t get away,” Loogamon growls. The hair down his back begins to stand.
The professor lets out a laugh. “You’ll need to be a Mega yourself if you want to stand a chance.”
“Mega form?” Loogamon’s ears perk up, and its tail wags excitedly behind him.
“What would Loogamon’s Mega even look like?”
The professor shrugs, “Who knows, but it’s going to be exciting!” The professor can’t hide his smile as he continues to theorize all the possible Digivolutions.
Loogamon’s fang glistens into a smile. “You have to get me to my Mega Eiji!”
“I got you!” Eiji says, returning a reassuring smile to his partner.
“It’s a shame about the Machinedramon,” the professor interrupts. “I would have loved to study it, even if it meant sifting through the scraps.”
“That hacker got in my way…” Eiji studies the professor for a reaction. But the professor doesn’t react.
“Hmmm.” The professor seems to study Eiji for the same.
“I know who the hacker is…”
“I know. The hacker is a former student of mine. Leon Alexander.” The professor says as he turns the monitor towards Eiji and Loogamon, showing them a picture of Kazuchimon.
Eiji lets out a sigh of relief. “Good. I didn’t want to be the one to tell you.”
“It’s all fine.”
“I’m not going to get fired am I?”
“Why would you be?”
“Well, I was just talking to Leon and he doesn’t think highly of my being a code cracker.” Eiji can’t shake the worry from his words.
Ryusenji smiles. “Whatever Leon thinks about this has no bearings on my judgement of you, and it never will.” He places his hand on Eiji’s shoulder. “I chose you for a reason Eiji. I run this place, not Leon.”
Eiji lets out a sigh of relief. “Good, kuz I love this job.”
“Now putting all that aside, I hear you’re the only one he showed Pulsemon to all those years ago. All of this seems sort of…fated.”
“Huh, it kind of does. But um…” Eiji struggles to find the words. “He also said he didn’t like me coming in and out of here. He said it might ruin your reputation working with a… code cracker.”
“Well Leon can be…a little too serious at times. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a wonderful quality, but I wouldn’t put too much mind to him. You’re meant to be here Eiji. Don’t worry.”
“I didn’t say anything about you hiring me to look into the Sons of Chaos, but I’m sure he’s got his suspicions.”
“Hmm,” The professor goes silent.
“So, um..”
“Ah! So you’re worried about how to handle Leon, him being an old friend and all.”
“Well no, it’s not about fighting him. I’m just worried he’ll leak that I am spying on the Son’s of Chaos.”
“I’ll think about how to handle Leon, you just…” the phone rings and cuts off the professor. His next appointment has arrived.
Eiji excuses himself as he returns Loogamon to his Digimon Linker. Before Eiji can walk out of the office, Eiji freezes and turns to the professor. “I forgot to tell you, I talked with Tartarus!”
The professor pushes the bridge of his glasses to his nose, “And is he well?”
“I only heard his voice over chat, but I know he’s looking for a Black Agumon.”
A woman appears at the doorway and knocks gently. The professor motions her to come in. A shiver runs down Eiji’s spine as he recognizes the woman. He ducks his head and hurries out the door.
“Thank you professor,” She says as Eiji rushes past her. She doesn’t pay much attention to him.
Character design/illustration illustrator: malo
Eiji walks through the security checkpoint and sees Hatsune behind reception. He makes his way through the lobby, “I thought you had some errands to run?”
“Are you free tonight? Let’s go grab a drink!” Loogamon adds, its voice rings from the Digimon Linker. Hatsune lets out a laugh.
“Shhhh, you’re not supposed to talk outside the checkpoint, remember?!” Eiji says he covers the watch face. His ears turn a bright red. A few people waiting in the lobby turn to look at him.
“Did Loogamon just ask me out?”
“I’m just saying what Eiji is thinking,” Loogamon says smugly.
“Shut up,” Eiji snaps as he mutes the Digimon Linker. “Anyways, um…That woman who just came to see the professor. She’s with the police isn’t she?”
“Yeah,” Hatsune says, lowering her voice. “She’s from the Digipolice.”
“I knew it…”
The professor has a lot of influence with the police, so she comes around every so often.”
“Do you know her name?”
“Shuu Yulin. Why? Are you into older women or something?”
Eiji hands the pass back to Hatsune. “So, about that drink?”
Hatsune looks over Eiji for a moment and smiles. “Sure, why not? You seem harmless enough, plus I have something I want to discuss with you. Here’s my Grimm handle.
Eiji’s phone dings as he reads the Hatsune’s name in disbelief. His heart pounds in his chest. “What do you need to talk about?” His voice shakes with nervous excitement.
“I’ll message you later. It’s something I can’t talk to anyone else about.”
Eiiji wakes to the sounds of his neighbors talking next door. He groans as he checks the time. “Loogamon, do I have any messages?”
“Check them yourself,” Loogamon snaps.
“Fine,” Eiji says as he lazily reaches for his phone nearby. He begins scrolling through his messages slowly. Eiji sits up from his place on the floor when he sees Hatsune’s name. “Why didn’t you wake me when I got this?”
“I’m not your secretary.”
Eiji opens the message and begins reading eagerly. “I think my boyfriend is cheating on me. I was wondering if you could do a bit of… code cracking on his account for me…”
Eiji stops reading. His heart sinks. “Of course, she has a boyfriend.”
“Sounds like Hatsune trusts you at least,” Loogamon chimes in.
“You think so?”
“Well if he is cheating, they’ll break up, right? Then she’s single.”
“I can’t believe I am taking dating advice from a Digimon…”
“Oh, you got a private message on the Sons of Chaos channel. It’s marked important.”
“What’s it say?” Eiji asks, trying to forget his disapointment.
“It’s from the Leader Tartar sauce.” Loogamon laughs.
Eiji pulls up the message and reads, “Eiji, Your performance during the attack on Nation X’s server was exemplary. Marvin and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We request your services for another mission. “
“Wow, a personal request from Tartarus already?”
Eiji continues to read, “We need you to help us get back at the Hacker Judge. We can’t let his transgressions against the Sons of Chaos go unpunished.”
Leon falls silent. This would be the ultimate test of loyalty. This would be the fastest way to earn Tartarus’ trust, but would be able to defeat Leon?
“So you’re gunna fight him?” Loogamon asks.
“Yeah, I am.”
“Isn’t he your friend?”
“Yeah…” Eiji’s voice trails off. “This is going to be a hard one.” Eiji grows silent.
“So what’s the plan?” Loogamon asks finally.
“We can’t beat Leon and Kazuchimon in our current state. We have to figure out a way to Digivolve.”
“I’ll never say no to getting stronger!” Loogamon perks up from his place on Eiji’s bed.
Eiji lays back and stares at the ceiling as he begins formulating a plan. “Get ready Leon, we’re coming for you!”
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I’ve been playing Songs of Silence since the beta went live. Sign-ups are still open, and I suggest you try it for yourself. The game offers an interesting and unique experience that I am excited for. I recommend you join the official Discord if you want to stay up to date on all the news. I’ve also written about Songs of Silence in a previous post, so make sure you read that as well. I won’t be reviewing the game this time around because it isn’t finished yet. This will be an update based on my impressions of the beta.
Songs of Silence combines the deck builder and strategy genre and creates something I can see myself being addicted to. The game combines two of my favorite concepts and plays them against a fantastic soundtrack. It is still rough, and that roughness does create some frustration, but once I got the hang of the mechanics, it became hard to step away.
The game has a similar action economy to games like CIV. Each turn you earn your income, move your units, plan your attacks, and expand your empire. The story mode can switch up this flow based on the scenario, but the loop remains the same. What makes the game unique are the heroes that run your squad. Each hero has special abilities based on the cards you collect throughout your campaign. As your hero levels, you gain access to new cards or you can level existing abilities. The abilities you play are on a timer, so use them wisely! The size of your squad and hand are based on your hero’s level. I had a lot of fun learning the strengths and limitations of each unit and hero. I am sure there is an optimal way to build each hero and their squad, but I always went with what was fun.
The game offers you a lot of choices. You can choose where to move your character, what mobs to attack, what villages to annex or pillage, and what units to recruit. The only control over the combat you have is where your units start in the formation and when you use your abilities. It may sound a little passive, but you can easily lose a deceive battle if you aren’t playing smart or paying attention.
The beta includes a story and scrimmage mode. The story isn’t finished yet, but there was enough of it to get me curious. I spent most of my time in the scrimmage mode, and the scrimmage mode becomes addicting once you get the hang of it. There isn’t enough content available for me to no-life this game, but I can see it getting there. I will say that the RNG involved in scrimmage mode can be frustrating, but it never became a deal breaker.
If you haven’t done so already, sign up for the beta and add it to your wishlist. Songs of Silence is an interesting concept that you should try at least once. It has beautiful art, a fantastic soundtrack, and fun mechanics. It is still a little rough, but the devs are working hard to make it better.
The new gameplay trailer for the upcoming Star Ocean: The Second Story R just dropped, and it’s got me hyped for the release. This is a fantastic remaster with a beautiful art style, fun updated and new mechanics, and a story I want to get into. I didn’t get to play Star Ocean when it first came out, so I am excited to get the opportunity on the Nintendo Switch. Star Ocean: The Second Story is coming to the PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam on November 2nd at $49.99 MSRP. You can preorder yours today, or try the demo if you need more convincing!
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Works been crazy so I haven’t had enough time to put into these translations. It’s calmed down finally to where I can start tackling my backlog. My posts will be a little irregular until I catch up, and I apologize in advanced. Once I catch up, I’ll work on getting a set schedule. Make sure you always support the original, but I would appreciate some love as well. If you enjoy these translations, make sure you like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends. Thanks!
Eiji and Leon continue to catch up. Eiji orders more coffee, and the Digimon continues to bicker playfully. A few more people enter and exit the café as the two old friends grow more comfortable in their conversation.
Hatsune enters the café, neatly dressed in her receptionist’s uniform. The bronze name tag on her lapel glistens under the warm light. The cafe is busier than when the two boys arrived, but it isn’t the afternoon rush yet. Hatsune walks towards an empty seat to wait for her order but stops when she notices Leon and Eiji. She makes her way towards their table, her heels leaving a rhythmic echo with each step. “So you’re hanging out with degenerate code crackers now Leon?” she asks in a playful, mocking tone.
The two turn to Hastune. They were so caught up in their conversation, that they hadn’t noticed her approach.
Leon stands to greet her. “Someone’s got to keep these low-life code crackers in line.” He laughs as he gives her a friendly hug.
Eiji clutches his chest, miming pain. “You two hurt me.” Eiji goes for a hug, but Hatsune stops him with a handshake. Eiji takes it and smiles. “What’s so bad about Code Crackers?”
“They’re unethical immoral losers who think they can do whatever they want because they can,” Hatsune snipes.
“Aw? We’re not all bad. Let me prove it to you sometime?” Eiji asks, trying his best to sound suave and cool like the guys in the movies.
“No I’m okay, I’ll take your word for it.” She flashes Eiji a mocking smile.
Pulsemon teleports to the edge of the table closest to Eiji. It kicks its feet over the edge and smiles devilishly. A few sparks flash from his yellow skin. “Oooh! A swing and a miss! Better luck next time bud.” Leon starts laughing, his voice filling the Cafe. Hatsune does her best to hold back her laugh, but some leaks involuntarily. Eiji chuckles as he raises his middle finger towards Pulsemon. Pulsemon sticks its tongue out as it raises both middle fingers in response.
“Why don’t you join us Hatsune?” Leon says, pointing towards an empty chair.
“Thanks, but I have to go finish up some errands. I only came in for some coffee. Next time.”
“Promise?” Eiji asks enthusiastically.
“Bye Eiji. It was nice seeing you, Leon.” She walks to pick up her order and leaves the cafe.
Pulsemon appears on his shoulder. “That’s strike two buddy.” Eiji swipes at Pulsemon. His hand passes through Pulsemon’s hologram, distorting it for a moment.
“You’re just a hater,” Eiji says. “Did you not see those sparks between us? She likes me.” Eiji takes his seat and sips at water in front of him.
“You’re delusional,” Loogamon chimes in.
Eiji stops sipping and turns to his partner. “Oh Loogamon, I forgot you were here.”
“Ha. Ha.” Loogamon is not amused.
Eiji turns back to Leon. “Are code crackers really that unpopular?”
“I mean,” Leon starts as he tries to find the words. “Code crackers tend to be weirdos and loaners. The only difference between a code cracker and a hacker is how they use their skills.”
Eiji looks at Loogamon and Pulsemon who are making fun of Eiji. “Yeah, I’m starting to see that. But I think some of that is just ignorance.” He turns his attention back to Leon. His hands fiddle with the half-empty cup in front of him. “I’m starting to see there are lines I was crossing I didn’t know about. Digimon, the Digital World, The Sons of Chaos, it’s all a lot…bigger than I thought.”
Eiji pauses as Pulsemon makes a bad impression of Eiji. “Let me prove it to you sometime Hatsune. I love you!” It makes kissing noises as Loogamon howls with laughter.
“I used to think Digimon were just tools you used for hacking, but they have thoughts and lives. They can make friends and memories.” He turns to the two Digimon whose rivalry seems to have simmered away.
“So what is Loogamon to you now?” Leon asks.
“He’s my friend. Partner for life!” Eiji responds without hesitation.
“Good. You haven’t completely sold your soul to the Sons of Chaos.”
“What do you mean?”
“Look, there’s no easy way to say this. You need to quit code cracking and the Sons of Chaos. You gotta get out before it’s too late.”
Eiji wasn’t surprised by Leon’s remarks. He was expecting the topic to come up sooner or later. “It’s not gunna happen,” he replies bluntly. ” I can’t quit. I don’t have the same luxuries you do for it to be an option.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I only started code cracking because it was the only way I could make money. I’m 19 with a high school degree. If I quit now, I’ll be working a crappy job for crappy pay. I have responsibilities now, and that kind of job isn’t going to cut it.”
“Why don’t you go to college?”
“Where? Tokyo Electrical? I’ve thought about it.”
“Did…something happen?” Leons becomes concerned as he watches Eiji’s expression saden.
“Yeah…Flight 626.”
An awkward silence chokes the table.
“Is that..Is that how you lost your parents?”
Eiji nods as he fiddles with the cup in front of him. “In an act of Digimon terrorism…” His voice trails off as he looks down at his cup. “They were going to celebrate their anniversary in America. It was a big trip…” Eiji’s voice breaks as he tries to fight back tears. He clears his throat. “I was all alone. Everything was gone. I had no job. No money. I had to sell the house. College wasn’t an option anymore.”
“You could apply for scholarships.”
Eiji looks up at his old friend. “After my parents died, I couldn’t do much of anything. I was too devastated to function. The last thing on my mind was school. I needed money.”
“But how could you become a code cracker? How can you still be a code cracker after what they did to your parents?”
“I’m not the same as those monsters. I’m not here to kill innocent people or abuse Digimon.” Eiji’s voice is calm. “I was in it to make money. I am not proud of it, but I needed to eat. But Professor Ryusenji gave me purposes. A reason to be proud of the work I do. It’s been a while since I’ve felt much of anything.”
“What does the professor have you doing?”
There is a moment of silence as Eiji debates telling Leon everything. “I can’t say.”
“Well, I have my guesses. Eiji…”
“Look man. Let’s just keep our work lives separate. It was nice catching up, but I don’t want to ruin it with politics.”
“It’s time Eiji,” Loogamon interjects, perking up in his seat.
“Right. Sorry to leave it like this, but I have an appointment with the professor.” Eiji gets up from the table.
“With the professor?”
“Yeah. Code cracker stuff. Good luck with school or whatever. I’ll see you around. Let’s grab a drink next time, but maybe skip all the heavy stuff.” Eiji and Loogamon turn to leave.
“Wait!” Pulsemon says as he stands from his seat and suddenly appears in front of Loogamon. “Here, this is for you.” Pulsemon hands Loogamon a small digital cube.
“What is it?” Loogamon asks as it grabs the cube from Pulsemon’s hand.
“It’s a present!” Pulsemon smiles and flashes to its spot at the edge of the table. Its feet kick wildly below as it waves at the pair as they leave the café.
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I’ve been excited about the release of Sea of Stars since I first saw the trailer. I love the art, and I am always in the market for a good RPG. I grew even more excited when I got to try the demo. Needless to say, I got Sea of Stars the minute it was on the eshop. If you haven’t played this game yet, it needs to be in your collection. Sea of Stars is a fantastic RPG and one you will be replaying.
I’ve written about this game before, so I’ll try not to repeat myself too much. Sea of Stars is a fun twist to the classic RPG genre that innovates in a way that you see to appreciate how good it is. This game is one of the first games in a while where I slowed down because I wanted to savor the experience. It has a fantastic soundtrack, a fun and quirky tone, a nice story, engaging and manageable puzzles, and a fun combat system.
I adore the combat system in this game because it fixes the problem I have with a lot of RPGs. Instead of waiting idly while the characters finish their turns, you press a button to get a bonus melee attack, cast a stronger spell, or mitigate some damage. The small bonuses you get from this mechanic could mean the difference between wiping and beating the encounter. This game felt a lot more tactical, but it could be a result of the mechanics being a lot more engaging than I am used to.
I love the unique flare Sea of Stars brings to the genre, specifically the relic system it implements. Throughout the game, you can find or purchase relics that you can activate as a permanent buff to adjust the game’s difficulty. You can toggle these buffs to make the game as casual of an experience as you want. One of the first relics you find in this game automatically brings your team up to full health. Between save points, the only way to heal is through spells or cooking. You will be constantly managing your food, supplies, and mana to keep your team alive, and you can easily find yourself low or out of all three. This relic eliminates this challenge so you can focus on other aspects of the game, which is a completely valid way to play this game. There are other relics like this throughout your adventure, and they are all optional. I love when games allow players to adjust the experience because sometimes I want to have the feeling of achievement I get from beating a nearly impossible run, and sometimes I want to sit back and chill.
Now I didn’t turn on every relic I came across, but I turned on enough to make it an easier run. That said, I never felt the game got too easy after turning on the relics. I still had to plan out my combat and the boss encounters needed some thought. Boss fights are a different form of puzzle that will claim a few of your teams. It is a lot of fun trying to find the right way to kill a boss, but there are solid guides out there in case you need them. The cool part about wiping in this game is that you don’t lose much progress between saves.
If you haven’t played Sea of Stars, it should be on your list. This quirky RPG has a beautiful retro feel with some impressive innovations you need to experience at least once. You can play Sea of Stars on Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, and the Nintendo Switch for $34.99. It’s also included on Game Pass and PlayStation Plus Extra if you have a subscription. But if you need further convincing, go check out the demo.
Sign-ups to test Amazon’s upcoming MMO, Throne and Liberty, are now live. Throne and Liberty is an MMO coming to PC, Xbox, and PlayStation, but no date has been announced yet. Selected players will get the first look at what seems to be a truly massive and beautiful new world. The test will be running from September 19 to October 3rd, and those selected will be notified on the 14th. The test will be for all platforms, but please be aware that you will need an Amazon account to sign up.
I’ve already signed up and have my fingers crossed that I get in. There will be an NDA, so there won’t be a follow-up post, but I am still excited to have a first look. The combat system looks fun, there looks to be massive open-world events, solid PVP, and I am a fan of the art style. I am a bit hesitant because it is an Amazon game, but I’ll reserve my judgment until I try the finished product. Amazon games tend to be a bit too grindy for what I have time for, but Throne and Liberty could be different.
If you are interested in trying Thrones of Liberty, make sure you sign up for the test on the official page. And if you’ve been enjoying these updates, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends. Good luck!
If you haven’t been watching this mini-series, you need to. It is an adorable re-imagining of the Pokémon TCG competitive scene that doesn’t require any knowledge of Pokémon or the card game to enjoy. It has a great protagonist, a fun story, and a cute art style. If you weren’t playing the TCG before watching this, you’re going to want to after.
As I did with last weeks episode, I am going to over analyze what happened in Worlds. This will contain spoilers, so make sure you watch the episode before reading the rest. If you enjoy these posts, make sure you like, comment, subscribe, and share this with your friends.
Last week, Ava experienced her first big loss. She became so consumed by her desire to win that she forgot to have fun. The loss devastates Ava because she feels like she let everyone down. This pressure breaks her, and Ava decides to quit the game. She stops going to the club or talking to her friends because of the shame she feels for losing internationals.
In previous episodes, we’ve seen her mother try to talk to Ava about the competitive scene. The cards that were the catalyst for Ava’s adventure once belonged to her mother. We got the sense that Ava’s mother was also a competitive player and that Ava’s natural talent might have also been passed down through her. In this episode, confirmation through some important back story. We get to see Ava’s mother comfort her from a place of empathy, and it is a very cute moment. Ava’s mother faced a similar loss and quit the hobby as a result. She advises Ava not to do the same and to remember why she started playing.
This is an important moment for Ava because not only does she learn how to deal with loss, she remembers why she started playing in the first place. When Ava played the game to win and be the champion she thought everyone wanted her to be, she lost the connection she had to the game. You see less of the Pokemon and more of the mounting stress that looms over Ava as she grinds through the scene. The Pokémon TCG is important to Ava because it is what helped her make important friends and find her place in society. Remembering why she played in the first place helps her deal with the stress, and she starts to have fun again. At this moment, the series shifts focus to the Pokémon, and the audience gets to see a cute and fun battle. Unfortunately, this marks the end of the series, but it was such a fun ride. I loved watching Ava grow as a character, and it even got me excited to play more Pokemon.
As someone who plays a lot of card games, this series is amazing. It had a fun story, cute art, and animation, and it was able to capture why card games are so fun. It is easy to lose sight of what’s important when you are climbing the ladder, and even easier to be stuck in a stressful grind. I’ve done my fair share of obsessing over rank, and remember the tilting frustration that came with the grind. Games and hobbies are supposed to be fun. When they start feeling like a job, it is okay to take a break. Don’t let the climb become more important than your love for the hobby.
Anyways, if you haven’t watched Path to the Peak, go check it out on the official Pokémon YouTube.
Make sure you read read the original release, and I’ll do my best to get my version out on Monday. If you enjoy my work, please like, comment, follow, and share this with your friends!
Eiji and Leon walk towards the Café. An awkward eagerness hangs over each step as they search for the right way to initiate conversation. Their footsteps echo off the empty corridor, and the news plays quietly somewhere behind them. The words have become unintelligible, but both knew it was about the attack on Nation X.
“It’s been a while,” Eiji finally says, breaking the silence.
“Since middle school,” Leon nods. They share a warm awkward smile between them. “It’s good to see you, man,”
“Yeah. You got a lot taller, and buff!” Eiji flexes his arm.
Leon chuckles, “Yeah, I grew up.”
Leon and Eiji swipe their IDs to get into the Café. The place is mostly empty, with only a couple patrons enjoying a small afternoon snack. The boys are hit with the rush of freshly ground coffee, but there is a faint hint of vanilla mixed somewhere in its composition. Soft jazz fill the space left behind the espresso machine and coffee grinder. The two friends find a seat in the most secluded part of the cafe.
“I can’t believe you found my information so quickly,” Eiji says as he takes a sip from his iced drink. “So you’re a big-shot hacker now?”
Leon smirks. “It wasn’t too difficult. But I was surprised to see you moved.”
Eiji is silent for a moment. There is a moment of sadness in his expression, but he shakes it off almost as quickly as it appears. He clears his throat. “Yeah…I live on my own now. Been living alone for a while now.”
“Me too. Since I got back to Japan actually. I have a place in Denrin.” Leon takes a sip of his coffee. “So you work for Professor Ryusenji now? How’s that going?”
“Oh, it’s great! The professor is a little odd, but he’s good people. He got me this steady job, with a decent paycheck!”
“And you’re also a famous Code Cracker!” Loen laughs.
“Not yet, but we will be!” Eiji winks playfully.
“Oh that’s right, you got a partner now too.” Leon pulls out a keychain with a small LCD screen on one side. The pixel sprite version of Pulsemon bounces in place. Leon dangles the keychain off his middle finger and holds it in front of Eiji. The keychain spins slowly from its chain. “You remember Pulsemon? He’s been with me since we were kids!”
Eiji bursts out laughing. “I always thought it was a fancy Tomagachi!”
Leon laughs as he scoops up the keychain and presses the hologram button. Pulsemon suddenly appears on the empty chair next to Leon. His body gives off a faint yellow glow to the furniture around him, and small sparks occasionally ark over its body. Pulsemon vibrates impatiently. His feet kick wildly over the edge of the seat.
“Oh right, we can do that here.” Eiji raises his wrist and begins scrolling through the settings of his digilinker. Loogamon’s hologram appears next to Eiji. The fur down his back stands angrily as he turns his attention to Pulsemon. He lets out a growl as his body tenses. Pulsemon smirks as he jumps up on his chair, readying himself.
“Enough!” Both Eiji and Leon say in unison.
“Loogamon, chill. That’s my friend.”
“Pulsemon, behave!”
Loogamon sits reluctantly and eyes the yellow Digimon suspiciously. Pulsemon sticks its tongue out the wolf.
“So the professor gave you a keychain dock?”
Leon nods. “He said I looked like someone who would be a good caretaker, and here we are.” He turns to Pulsemon and smiles.
“What’s that shiny rock on your head for? Does it come out?” Pulsemon asks mockingly as it reaches for the gem. Loogamon growls and snaps at Pulsemon’s hand. Pulsemon laughs, “Geez, someone’s touchy.”
“So you’re the Professor’s apprentice or something?” Eiji asks
“More of an assistant. The professor is a busy guy, and I grab his mail, set his appointments, stuff like that.”
“Ouch,” Eiji replies, feeling a bit fortunate. “But it’s kind of funny that we both met because of him.”
“Small world.” Leon stares at the watch around Eiji’s wrist, somewhat lost in a thought. “So how is it you came to have the latest version of the Digimon linker?”
“Isn’t it sweet?” Eiji raises his wrist to show it off. “I came to him for a job. He asked me to go catch him this rare Digimon… ModokiBatamon and gave it to me as a bonus.”
“He does like his Batamon…” Leon responds, still somewhat distracted.
Eiji nods. “He then told me about this job,” he says, motioning to Loogamon. “He wanted me to raise Loogamon for him. Pretty cool huh?”
Leon shakes his head. “It should have been me,” Leon snaps suddenly. “He should have asked me. I’m his actual student…” There is a undeniable hint of jealousy and resentment in his tone.
Shocked by his friends sudden outburst, Eiji is at a loss for words.
“We would have won if we fought you know,” Pulsemon says to Loogamon.
“What did you say you little…”
“You can barely keep your champion form! I’ve made it all the way to mega,” Pulsemon smiles as he flexes for Loogamon.
Loogamon snarls as he stands up angrily. Its tail waves furiously behind it.
“Enough Loogamon! Pulsemon has a point.” Eiji remembers their encounter with Kazuchimon. At this stage, they didn’t stand a chance against them, but both Eiji and Loogamon were determined to surpass their rivals.
“Don’t be annoying Pulsemon!” Leon regains his composure. He looks down at his drink as the soft jazz attempts to cover up the awkward silence. “Sorry, it’s just…” Leon begins. “This is a serious deal Eiji. This isn’t a game. Loogamon isn’t just some Code Cracker tool. This is a huge responsibility, and you need to be sure this is something you really want.””Eiji looks over at Loogamon. The two Digimon continue to bicker quietly. The sight puts a smile on his face. “I am taking this seriously. I took this job because I want to help Digimon. He may be a little grumpy, but Loogamon is my friend. I made him a promise, and I am going to work hard to make sure we become strong enough to protect the Digital World.”Eiji looks over at Loogamon. The two Digimon continue to bicker quietly. The sight puts a smile on his face. “I am taking this seriously. I took this job because I want to help Digimon. He may be a little grumpy, but Loogamon is my friend. I made him a promise, and I am going to work hard to make sure we become strong enough to protect the Digital World.”
Leon sits in silence for a moment as he takes in Eiji’s response. “Alright then” he extends his fist out in the familiar way they used to when they were kids, “It’s a promise!”
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I was sent Project Apidom as a review code. While I am very grateful for the opportunity, I will not let it sway my opinions of the game. This will be my honest review.
Project Apidomis a 3 team MOBA for PC. Teams battle it out on an open map, fighting mobs and each other until only one team is left standing. Instead of unique characters like you see in traditional MOBAs League of Legends, everyone starts with the same generic frame with customizable armor. Armor and weapons affect the stats and abilities of the character. Players have the ability to customize characters to fit their playstyle. Players can also buy stats as they play like in traditional RPGs. Project Apidom is a unique take on the MOBA, but one that needs a lot of work before it can earn a recommendation.
The game is still in early access beta and clearly unfinished. It runs fine, but it feels empty and bare in its current stage. The biggest problem I had with Project Apidom is the matchmaking. I was never able to find a game. The matchmaking isn’t great, but I think the bigger issue is its small population. The community is steadily growing, but the growth is too slow for a game whose emphasis is on PvP. If you try this game, join with friends because playing alone isn’t fun. Make sure you join the official Discord to find people to play with and for information about events run by the devs.
As this game currently sits, I can’t recommend it. I found the gameplay boring, and there aren’t enough people to play with for it to be worth the trouble of booting it up. The game runs fine, but it’s empty and unimpressive. That said, I understand the experience might differ in a full game with real players.
If you are looking for a new MOBA game, you should look into something like Eternal Returninstead. The game has a similar concept, but it is finished and it is playable. But if you don’t mind the rough early access environment, it doesn’t hurt to try it for yourself. The community on their discord is growing daily, and the devs run tournaments from time to time. As of writing this review, you can get a free key if you type /givesteamkey in general chat on their Discord.
Project Apidom is a neat concept for a MOBA, but it isn’t finished, and it isn’t impressive yet. You can check it out on Steam.
