Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is a beautiful-looking visual novel that I am very much excited to try. I was impressed by the initial announcement, and I am always looking to get into another visual novel. Since the announcement, the game has earned a few awards and achievements that have kept me excited for this game.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie lets you play as Polly, a young woman who suddenly discovers she has the gift to travel to a new world, Reverie. In Reverie, Polly becomes Harmony and now has the responsibility to the next Aspiration to be the heart of humanity. As Harmony, you must make difficult choices, befriend different people, and be the catalyst to a beautifully drawn narrative. The game promises multiple endings, decisions that matter, a fantastic soundtrack, and a powerful story. I will have to see how well the game keeps its promises, but at the very least, I am interested.
Harmony: The Fall of Reverie is out now for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and PC via Steam for $24.99 across all platforms. I should receive my review copy any day now, so stay tuned for my full review.
Digimon Seekers: Chapter 1-17
While the story for Digimon Seekers isn’t bad, the mechanical translation is. In an effort to save the story, I have taken it upon myself to try to fix the story’s awkwardness. The spirit of the story will remain the same, but it will hopefully read a lot better. Make sure you always read the original, but I do hope you enjoy my version as well. I’ll be releasing my version the Monday after the official release. If you enjoy this project, make sure you like, subscribe, and share it where you can. Make sure you start at chapter 1-1!
Loogarmon stands on top of the crimson mausoleum. Its bloodthirsty gaze scanned over the fumbling DigiPolice. Flames lick from the sides of its iron muzzle. The ruby gem on its forehead glows with the light of the magical flame burning around it. Loogarmon sniffs the air as its claws stretch and dig into the red brick below. A sly smirk forms under its mask.
“No fair” Satsuki hisses as her expression sours at the site of the massive wolf. “This Digimon wasn’t…”
Her voice trails off as Loogarmon’s booming laugh echoes over the cul-de-sac. Flames crackle from the gaps in his maw. “I am the Demon Wolf, and this is my castle. Bow to me, or burn!” Its command carries comfortably over the domain.
Eiji watches from the void inside Loogarmon, admiring his partner’s new stage. Eiji can feel the sudden burst of strength and power as if it were his own. As the shock of this new power passes, Eiji begins to look over the data populating the screens around him. “Hey, Loogamon..I mean Loogarmon. Does this mean you got your memory back?” Eiji asks into the void. There is no response. Instead, Loogarmon’s gaze continues fixed on the wretched Numemon.
Satsuki stands frozen as she stares back at the massive wolf above her. She grinds her teeth in frustration. “This wasn’t supposed to happen…” she mutters to herself.
An intense flame starts to bleed from the gaps in Loogarmon’s muzzle. A smile forms, licking up loose embers into the air.
-Howling Burn!
Before anyone can react, Loogarmon shoots a ray of fire at Numemon. This time, its mucus does little to quell the flame. Numemon wriggles as it burns alive. Its squeals are muffled by the Satsuki’s piercing screams. “NOOOO!” She screams as she rushes toward the Numemon. “Not my poor Numemon!” The heat from the flame stops her from getting close enough to help. The flame grows as it burns. Angry tears fall from her eyes as she turns her glare to Loogarmon.
“Numemon is heavily damaged. A retreat has been ordered. Recover the wounded!” A panicked voice crackles over the radio.
The DigiPolice scramble at the command immediately. The Corgodramon swoops down to pick up the burning Numemon. Its rotors extinguish the flames. A squad Commandromon carry the unconscious Numemon aboard before the Corgodramon takes off in a swift retreat.
Inside the Cargodramon, Satsuki tends to the unconscious Numemon. She grits her teeth as she gently cleans her chared partner.
“How dare they do this to my Numemon.” Anger floods over her as she recalls images of Loogarmon and Eiji.
“Captain, you’re exceeding the safety thresholds. You must deactivate the Mindlink!”
“No!” she snaps, not breaking away from her work.
“But…”
“Look at what they did to my Numemon! That insolent Code Cracker and his dumb dog!”She slams her fists on a nearby table. “Next time I’ll make them pay…”
Cargodramon continues its accent unmolested. Satsuki walks over to a nearby window and watches the Wall Slim’s Ninth Avenue shrink below them. “I’ll get you for this Eiji Nagasumi. Just you wait…”
Loogarmon stands on top of the roof of the red mausoleum as the Cargodramon flies away. Eiji appears next to it, and they watch it disappear into the sea of networks.
Eiji turns to his partner and stares in admiration. It was the first time he lays eyes on Loogarmon. Standing over him like a giant Rhino, the wolf smirks. Its eyes lost in the sky.
“I finally remember something after Digivolving,” Loogarmon says, finally breaking the silence. “I used to be the boss of Ninth Avenue.”
“Yeah I heard. The Demon Wolf of Ninth Avenue. Impressive” Eiji remarks sincerely.
Loogarmon turns to Eiji. “But there is still a lot I don’t remember. I mean, I must have lost my position at some point..right?”
Eiji thinks for a moment. “Maybe you just have to keep evolving. If its slowly coming to you, maybe you just need to get stronger.”
Eiji is at a loss. He only knows about Amnesia from what he’s seen in movies.
“Maybe you’re right” Loogarmon looks pensively over the empty cul-de-sac. “I’ll get it all back” He says finally. “My power, memories, everything!” His voice trails off.
A sudden rustling sound comes from somewhere in the shadows. A Digimon emerges slowly from a nearby alley. Other Digimon start pouring from the surrounding streets and begin filling the plaza below.
“What’s going on?” Eiji asks as the plaza begins to fill with unfamiliar Digimon. Eiji begins to feel defensive, but Loogarmon calmy overlooks the Digimon that gather below.
LOOGARMON!
The crowd begins to cheer and chant. Their voices fill the dormant castle, bringing it to life.
Loogarmon! Loogarmon! Loogarmon!
The gathered Digimon celebrate the return of their king. Away from the crowd, on top of a building overlooking Ninth Avenue, the cloaked Digimon watches unseen.
“So the Demon Wolf Returns,” the cloaked Digimon says.
“It’s impressive isn’t it?” the interviewer’s voice replies over voice chat.
“It was little overkill calling the cops like that, don’t you think?”
“I didn’t think they would send their own Mindlinker but never I knew they’d get out of it. Everything came out as expected. Loogarmon is a prototype Digimon.”
“What did you think of the Code Cracker?”
“I’m reserving judgement for now.”
“Looks like the mapping job was completed,” says the cloaked Digimon as it begins to receive the mapping tool’s data.
“Well of course he passed the entrance exam. I want as many Mindlinkers as I can get.”
“Do you think you can guide him? Eiji I mean. Can you take him to a new level?
“I have to.” Silence falls over the pair as they watch over the commotion below. The chants echo off the walls around them. “It’s going to be interesting, don’t you think…Dorumon?”
The cloaked Digimon takes off its cloak revealing a small fox-like dragon. Small dragon wings wriggle from the small of its back and a big bushy tail wags behind it. On its forehead, Dorumon has the same jeweled metal interface as Loogamon.
Death Trick: Double Blind Announced!
I enjoy a good visual novel every now and again. I love to see the unique ways they approach narrative and enjoy the change of pace they allow. The first game I was ever sent to review was a Visual Novel, and I always look back on it fondly. Since then, I keep an eye on what is happening in the genre for my collection. When I saw the announcement for Death Trick: Double Blind, I knew I needed to play it. The art is beautiful, and I am always in the market for a good mystery.
A great magician has been murdered, and it is up to players to piece together clues to solve his murder before the circus leaves town. The game allows players to switch between two playable characters: the detective investigating the case and the magician’s replacement. Players can explore the circus grounds, interview suspects, and collect clues. Can you piece it all together before time runs out?
I love the aesthetic of this game. The colors, character design, and the world make something I want to explore. The developers promise a mystery that won’t soft lock if you solve the mystery early and a different interaction every time you talk to an NPC. If you enjoy the genre and need a new game to add to your collection, check out Death Trick: Double Blind today!
Death Trick: Double Blind releases on Steam later this year, but you can Wishlist the game and sign up for the playtest today. Don’t forget to follow the Noen Doctorine on their socials for all the news: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Discord!
Digimon Seekers: Chapter 1-16
If you’ve been keeping up with the story on the official website, it’s become clear that Bandai isn’t putting much effort into the English translation for Digimon Seekers. I have taken it upon myself to fix the Google translation we get stuck with every week. I’ll be keeping the core story the same, but I will hopefully fix some of its mechanical awkwardness. I will be posting my version the Monday after the official release, but make sure you always read the original chapter. If you enjoy what I do, make sure you like and subscribe, and don’t forget to start on chapter 1-1!
Numemon lands with a loud thud, kicking up dust around it. The large slug was the size of a small truck. On its head, a rotating police light shines splashes of red and blue light around the Digimon. It turns its attention to Logamon and Eiji who stand meters away, ready for a fight.
Satsuki smiles as she suddenly appears on Numemon’s back. Her hologram shimmers in the same translucent blue Eiji does. “You’ve done it now code cracker. You and forehead don’t stand a chance against my Numemon!”
“Don’t call me Forehead!” Loogamon snarls. Its fur stands angrily down its back.
Eiji watches as the Cargodramon hovers over them, the blinding white light of the spotlight washing over them. Eiji can make out its cannons still fixed on Loogamon. Eiji watches as the Commandramon continue to move into position around them. He feels the muzzles of countless guns pointing in their direction. And Eiji watches the curious pair in charge of it all. Eiji tries to calm himself with a breath, but his heart continues to race.
Satsuki lifts the watch to her mouth and lets out a devilish smile. “All units, on my command…”
“My name is Eiji Nagasumi” he blurts desperately “What’s your name?” His voice shakes as he waits for an answer.
“Not that it matters, but I am deputy squad leader Satsuki Tamahime of the Metropolitan Police, Cybercrime division and..”
“That’s a pretty name. What kanji do you use for your name, Stasuki?”
Satsuki thinks for a moment. “It’s ‘tama’ from shogi, ‘hime’ from princess, and… stop trying to distract me! I know you’re an ‘A’ level code cracker…”
Eiji smiles as he cuts her off again. “You hear that Loogamon. I’m an elite-level code cracker! Satsuki approved.” Satsuki becomes more annoyed with each interruption. Eiji can’t help but enjoy messing with the officer.
“Your days living a normal life are over Eiji Nagasumi..”
“Call me Fang”
“You have been placed on the departments blacklist. There is nowhere you can hide Nagasumi. Come quietly or things are going to get… icky” she lets out a giggle.
“Nume!” the slug cries out as if on command. Eiji can see the slug clearly now. Its shiny skin shines under the flashing lights as slime sweats down its body.
“You got this Loogamon,” Eiji says unconvincingly, trying to reassure his partner.
“I hate slimy foods!” Loogamon growls as it begins to tense up a reaction.
Blap-blap-blap-blap!
Numemon rapidly fires bullets of poo toward the pair. Eiji and Loogamon jump to dodge the fire, narrowly missing the attack. Satsuki laughs loudly.
“What a disgusting attack,” Loogamon snaps as it lands. “Fitting for a trash Digimon and its loudmouth companion.”
Eiji had been looking himself over for traces of poo. “Um Loogamon?” he begins as a bead of sweat makes its way down his forehead, “she can hear you”
But it was too late. Satsuki stops laughing. Her expression becomes stern. “You Mangy mutt! Don’t talk about Numemon like that!” Numemon launches a large blast of sewage toward Loogamon. Loogamon swiftly jumps out of the way as the sewage explodes against the wall behind it. The explosion catches Eiji, covering him in a disgusting sludge.
“Loogamon!”
Loogamon smirks at the site. “You’re lucky it was only a richochet”
Unfortunately, being Mindlinked made the sensation too real. Eiji could smell the foul stench as it stuck to his skin and feel the gross slimy warmth as it settled around him. Eiji retches as he tries to regain his composure.
Numemon and Satsuki burst out laughing. Eiji struggles to find the will to fight. Eiji can hear the snickers of the Commandramon far off in the shadows. Even the Cargodramon lets out an involuntary snicker as it continues to hover.
Eiji tries to wipe away the gunk, but the act only seems to smear deeper into his skin. “Hey, Satsuki?” Eiji says as he scrapes a clump of poo from his hair, “Why’d you pick Numemon?”
Satsuki thinks for a moment before cuddling against the Numemon. “Because it’s so cute! It’s slimy, shiny, and it’s got a ferocity that I find…Fascinating.” The Numemon smiles as it nuzzles against Satsuki. Suddenly, she sits up straight and turns to Eiji. “Hey, Eiji?” She says in a serious tone.
“Yeah?” Eiji replies, scraping off another chunk of poo from his arm, and dropping it to the ground.
“I’m bored now. I’m done with this”
“Dammit!” Loogamon snaps “Eiji, end the hologram!”
Eiji freezes for a moment, unsure what to do. He ends the hologram and Eiji and Loogamon become one.
Eiji finds himself suspended in an empty virtual space, surrounded by monitors. At the center, Eiji has a clear view of the battlefield through Loogamon’s eyes. The surrounding screens were filled with stats, menus, and programs.
“Commandramon! Fire!” Satsuki commands gleefully.
DCD BOMB!
The Commandramon start tossing bombs towards the space Loogamon stood. Before the bombs get a chance to explore, Loogamon is in the air above an unsuspecting group of Commandramon.
“Howling Fire!”
A wall of fire rains down over the Commandramon, leaving them blackened and unconscious.
Satsuki and Numemon are unphased by the sudden burst of flames.
“Let’s see how you handle my flame!” Loogamon roars as he lets out a burst of flame towards the advancing slug. The flames engulf the pair, but the fire has no effect. The attack doesn’t break the slug’s stride as it slowly closes the gap between them.
Eiji watches the battlefield helplessly from his void. Numemon was a Champion-level Digimon. Even if it is just a slug, the difference in power level is clear. Loogamon needed to be stronger to stand a chance. But what could he do from in here?
“Calm down Eiji!” Loogamon’s voice comes from within Eiji’s head.
Eiji tries to calm himself. “If we don’t give it our all, we’re toast”
There is a brief silence before Loogamon answers, “Ever since we arrived in the Wall Slum, I’ve been feeling this strange surge of power growing within me. I can feel it about to overflow, and I think it’s because of you. Can you feel it too?”
Eiji tries to calm himself further as he tries to concentrate. At first, he is hit with the overwhelming senses of the world around him. His nose fills with the burnt scent of gunpowder mixed with the foul order of sewage. He can hear the sound of the rotors slicing through the air and the sound of the remaining Comandramon moving their injured comrades. And he can feel the stinging pain of the bullet wounds on Loogamon’s flesh. Beneath all of this, Eiji feels a strange sensation. A power shared between the too ready to overflow.
Character design/illustration illustrator: malo
System Shock is Back!
System Shock has gotten a remaster, and it looks sick. The classic FPS has officially come to modern PCs with better graphics, updated controls, a new UI, and some much-needed quality-of-life changes. If you’ve played the original, you aren’t getting the same game you played way back when. The reboot promises never before seen enemies, a revamped hacking system, and new ways to combat enemies, like a brutal dismemberment system. While a few changes have been made, the developers have worked closely with members of the original team to make sure they keep the spirit of the original the same in this reboot.
As the Hacker, players must fight through armies of mutated creatures controlled by the evil ai, SHODAN. Players will avoid traps, solve puzzles, and hack their way through Citadel Station. What secrets will you uncover on your journey?
I never had the means to play the original System Shock growing up. I played a bit in college and would watch my friends play it here and there, but I never had the opportunity to get deep enough exposure to it. I love that these older games are getting a second chance for new and old audiences, especially those like me who missed the train entirely. I am still working on getting a review code for this, so fingers crossed I get one soon.
System Shock is available on PC via Steam, GOG, and Epic Games for 39.99. A demo is available on Steam and Epic Games if you want to try it out first. Console editions of System Shock are planned for the future, but no details are available yet.
If you enjoy my content and want to help me out, make sure you like and subscribe. It helps me know where I should focusing my time and energy.
Planet of Lana: The Beautiful Puzzle Game You Should Be Playing!
I was sent Planet of Lana as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity, but I will keep my review honest.
Planet of Lana is a beautiful puzzle game with an incredible story and a fantastic soundtrack available now for PC and Xbox.
Aliens have invaded Lana’s planet and have abducted her sister. As the only remaining survivor, Lana must go out and find her sister. Along the way, Lana meets Mui, her cute cat-like companion that will help her on her journey. The pair must now brace an unforgiving landscape, explore the mysteries of the past, and save her people. Can they do it?
I got to play the demo during my time at GDC and loved it. I was very excited when I finally received my copy, and I am happy to report that the title did not disappoint. I love this game! The puzzles are fun and creative, the score is fantastic, and the story is well done.
The puzzles in this game are challenging enough to keep players engaged, but I never felt they were hard enough to require a guide. The puzzles are designed with enough clues that players should have no trouble getting through them. The puzzles help tell a story that I believe is worth experiencing once.
Planet of Lana tells an incredibly moving story full of adventure, friendship, and danger. It is a breathtaking collection of art and music that come together to create such a wholesome experience. The amount of attention to detail put into this game needs more recognition. I spent way too long trying to piece together all the clues and appreciating the vibrant and lively backdrop. It is remarkable how much this game accomplishes in the space it is given.
But this game isn’t just pretty, it is also fun. You control Lana and command Mui to solve puzzles. As you get deeper into the story, you find forgotten technology that gives you new ways to interact with the world. The puzzles get creative without losing the chill vibe it mostly carries throughout. This game gets tense when it has to, with moments that will leave most players sweating profusely.
I love this game and recommend it to anyone looking for a new game. This is a cute, fun, beautiful puzzle experience that anyone can enjoy. If you like games like Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons, this game should already be in your library. But if you need further convincing, try the free demo for PC. The demo gives potential players a fantastic preview of what they have in store. You need to buy this game.
You can buy Planet of Lana for the Xbox and PC via Steam for $19.99, which is worth it for what you’re getting. You can also play it free with Game Pass.
Digimon Seekers: Chapter 1-15
While we wait for Sunday’s chapter, I’ve decided to revise the Seekers story to fix some of the story’s awkwardness. I will keep the story the same but will try to make it sound nicer. This isn’t my story, so please make sure you check out the original chapter. Let me know if this is something worth continuing. Make sure you start at chapter 1-1
Cargodramon hovers over Eiji and Loogamon. Its harsh spotlight rains over the pair as the sounds of the rotors drown out most sounds. Several squads of Commandramon slowly surround them.
“This is the DigiPolice. Give up code cracker. We have you surrounded!” The warning repeats over the megaphone.
“Dammit!” Eiji shouts. For a code cracker, there is no police force in Japan scarier than the Digipolice. But despite his fear, Eiji couldn’t help but feel excited. “This is so cool! I’ve never seen the DigiPolice before. Loogamon, take a picture of the Cargodramon.”
Loogamon is tense, its fur standing on edge. “My eyes aren’t cameras,” it snaps. Loogamon glares at the hovering Cargodramon.
Cargodramon has its attention on Loogamon. Its sensors scan the blue wolf.
Mindlink active, a robotic voice announces as the scan completes. Satsuki Tamahime sits at her command station inside the Commandramon. She shifts her attention between the many monitors surrounding her. She watches as the Commandramon move into position. She watches the two criminals frozen at the base of the cul-de-sac, She reads over the scan data as it comes in.
Satsuki doesn’t look like the typical DigiPolice agent. She wears the standard DigiPolice uniform but has styled it to fit her aesthetic. Her black shoulder-length hair falls from under a baseball cap. She’s dyed the inner layer a bright green. She wears a loose-fitting jacket that now hangs around her shoulder. Her thick combat boots are kicked up on the console. She smiles as she brings the mic to her mouth.
“You guys are with that Sons of Chaos group aren’t you? I got it right, didn’t I?”
“Got it right? I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Loogamon replies.
“Don’t play dumb forehead. I know you and lame brain are Mindlinked. I need you to come quietly and answer some questions”
“Lame brain?”
“Forehead?”
Eiji and Loogamon look at each other. The interaction felt a bit too informal than they expected from the DigiPolice.
“Cooperate with us and I’ll make sure you won’t get into… too much trouble,” Satsuki says in a singsongy tone.
“Nah, I’m good,” Eiji replies as he starts to walk away.
Satsuki giggles “Oh?! Don’t say I didn’t warn you! M16 Assult!”
RATATATATATA
Bullets explode into the ground around Eiji and Loogamon as the Commandramon move into position.
“Hey! They’re really firing at us!” Eiji shouts as he feels the wind from a stray bullet pass over his head.
“Relax! Those were just warning shots.”
“You must have the wrong definition of warning,” Eiji mutters, looking at the nearby bullet holes.
Suddenly, the doors of the Cargodramon open. A long rope falls to a space in front of them. Satsuki slides down the rope, landing with a light thud. She dusts off her jacket and turns her attention to Eiji.
“Hey…You’re kind of cute”
Wind from the Cargodramon kicks up dust around them. The sounds of the Cammadramon’s boots continue to move in closer. Eiji doesn’t take his eyes off the policewoman.
“What do you want?”
“Ok, straight to business then,” Satskuki says as she moves closer to Eiji and Loogamon.
She’s cute, Eiji thinks before quickly shaking the thought. He needs to focus.
“So what are you doing for the Sons of Chaos code cracker? Are you poaching Digitama? We’re going to find out, so its better you just fess up now.”
Eiji can see squads of Commandramon pointing their weapons toward their location. Loogamon stands in a tense stance. Satsuki smiles sweetly at Eiji as she waits for a response.
“Hey, Loogamon… What would happen if you got shot?”
Loogamon lets out a fanged smile. “Let’s find out.”
RATATATATATATATA
This time, the explosions were much louder. Loogamon’s run was cut short as the ground in front of it explodes with a hail of 30 mm bullet fire. The railgun on the Cargodramon continues to spin as it fixes its aim on Loogamon.
The smell of gunpowder lingers in the air. Eiji finds himself crippled with the pain from a couple of lucky bullets that managed to hit.
“I get it now,” Eiji says, trying to fight through the pain. “If you get hit by a bullet, it hurts.”
Satsuki looks irritated. “I told ya code cracker, there’s no escape. Your only choice is to cooperate. You don’t want to die in Mindlink, do ya?”
Eiji shakes his head. He knew better than to mess with someone with such a short fuse.
“Good, now tell me what you’re doing here.”
“I was…I was just walking. Mapping the area for..research. I am researching the Digital World!”
“You’re what? Cargodramon!”
A voice in Satsuki’s earpiece replies, “I see no signs of Digitama Ma’am.”
“In other words….?”
“Looks like they were just taking a walk, just as they claim.”
“Ugggg” Satsuki looks visibly frustrated. There is a hint of disappointment in her tone. Even if Eiji were a Sons of Chaos Member, there isn’t enough evidence for an arrest. Satsuki shakes her head and smiles devilishly. “Well you must be up to something. No one just takes a stroll down Ninth Avenue. I know you’re up to something suspicious, and you’re going to tell me what it is!”
“This lady is crazy,” Eiji checks the virtual monitor. He looks at the Cargodramon floating above him, the Commandramon surrounding him, and Satsuki’s bloodthirsty stare. “It’s no use Loogamon, we have to get out of here…Loogamon?” Eiji turns to Loogamon, but he was already gone.
SPIRAL FANG
Two markers disappear from the map as sharp fangs rip through body armor. Before Eiji has a chance to react, two more markers disappear. Loogamon rips through a whole squad of Commandramon before appearing in front of the crimson mausoleum.
“This is my home!” Loogamon howls. Its fur stands down its back, its fangs clench in a snarl as it lets out a menacing grown.
‘Th-thi-this is obstruction of justice! You’re in trouble now!” Satsuki shouts.
“Woah! Loogamon, you took out those Commandramon so easily.” Eiji is impressed by his partner’s sudden show of strength before a sudden realization overcomes him. “You can’t attack the DigiPolice!”
“Why not?” Loogamon remains in his tense stance. The Digipolice begins recovering their felled comrades.
“Now you’ve done it!” Satsuki shouts back, “You’re under arrest for messing with the DigiPolice!”
“You have no authority here,” Loogamon smirks. “The only law in the Wall Slums is eat, or be eaten!”
“This was supposed to be easy,” Eiji mutters to himself as he scratches his head nervously. He logs into Grimm to talk to the Interviewer, but he isn’t online. “Not good!”
“You’re going to pay for this!” Satsuki says as she rolls up her sleeve. Eiji notices a smartwatch device on her wrist. It is a Digidock the same as his but a different color. Suddenly, the police lights turn.
“Loogamon, this lady can Mindlink too!”
Loogamon returns to Eiji’s side as they brace for a new attack. Eiji looks at the chaos surrounding them.
“Her Digimon partner must be…over there!” Loogamon looks up at the Cargodramon as it moves to the space above them. A loud boom sounds as the cargo hatch opens up, revealing a mysterious figure waiting behind it.
“What the hell is that?”
A hideous blob inches towards the edge.
Nucha…Nucho, nucho…
The Digimon shoves itself out of the edge and lands with a heavy thud.
“NUMEEEEEEEEEE” a huge slug shouts.
“Its a Numemon!”
Digimon Seekers: Chapter 1-14
While we wait for Sunday’s chapter, I’ve decided to revise the Seekers story to fix some of the story’s awkwardness. I will keep the story the same but will try to make it sound nicer. This isn’t my story, so please make sure you check out the original chapter. Let me know if this is something worth continuing. Make sure you start at chapter 1-1
Eiji steps out of the subway and stands hesitantly at the edge of Ninth Avenue. He keeps one foot in the subway tunnel and contemplates abandoning the mission. Eiji looks at the cramped, dirty, sketchy alleys reminiscent of Kolwoon or Showa-Era Kabukicho and can’t help but feel uneasy. He feels small at the bottom of this valley of towering slums. Illegible signs and advertisements clutter the skyline, spilling their sickly vibrant neon against the dirty walls. The air seems thick with danger, and it makes Eiji uneasy.
Eiji takes a deep breath as he takes it all. “Hey Loogamon?” his voice shakes with a bit of worry, “What is this place?”
Loogamon shoots an annoyed glance at Eiji. “Seriously? Are you dumb?”
“Hey be nice, it’s my time in the Digital world. You have to guide me…”Eiji follows close behind as he continues surveying his surroundings. “Wait, aren’t you a king or something?” Loogamon doesn’t respond. “Am I supposed to bow down to you?” Eiji stops to give a joking curtsy “Your Majesty”
“Quit it!” Loogamon growls.
“As you wish your highness,” Eiji laughs.
“This is why your dog didn’t like you. Hurry up and get serious! You have work to do.”
Eiji scrolls through his screen, looking for the mapping tool. “I love you Loogamon!” he sings. Loogamon shakes its head and continues to move through the alley. Eiji launches the mapping tool.
“The guy said we just need to walk around and leave the tool running.”
Nothing made sense in Ninth Avenue. The streets wound into zagging mazes of uneven streets and alleys. Some buildings looked as if they were on the verge of collapsing, while others leaned to a degree that made Eiji uncomfortable. There were signs that dangled loosely from a single rusted bolt. It looked as if the lightest gust of wind could bring them crashing to the ground. There were old dirty wires that hung from walls like dirty dying ivy, and widows blacked out with filth. The streets were littered with bits of dirty shattered glass. They walked over and around mounds of trash.
Eiji checks the map as he walks.
“There are Digimon here, but they are hiding,” Loogamon explains as they move through the seemingly abandoned maze of decay. Eiji shivers as he feels hidden stares over him.
“Ninth Avenue is the worst neighborhood in the Wall Slums. Most newcomers get robbed the moment the step foot on these grounds. Those foolish enough to go deeper don’t make it out,” Loogamon says coldly.
“This place is scary.”
“Come on. We have to make it to the Castle of the Nine Wolves. It’s at the heart of all of this.” Eijie and Loogamon continue their work. Their mapping goes uneventfully. Eiji begins to relax, but a hint of disappointment sneaks into him. There were no Digimon or much of anything despite Loogamon’s insisting.
The pair empty into a cul-de-sac. At the head sits an old run-down red building reminiscent of a Chinatown mausoleum.
“That’s the Castle of Nine Wolves? All we have to do is map that and were done? This test is easy!” Eiji exclaims as he walks towards the mausoleum.
Loogamon stops.
“What’s wrong Loogamon?” Eiji stops his advance and looks down at the wolf.
“This…This is my home…Or it used to be” Loogamon explains as he struggles to force a memory.
Eiji looks at Loogamon and then at the red building. “Did you remember something?”
Loogamon shakes its head. “There’s a faint smell. Markings I left behind…It’s me, but not me. It’s something much stronger…” Loogamon’s voice trails off as it takes a big whiff of the air.
“Do you think maybe…” Eiji begins as he examines his surroundings with a new understanding, “do you think it might have been an evolved you?”
Suddenly, Loogamon tenses up. “Somethings coming!”
ROAAARRRRRR
A booming roar spills from the building, carrying with it a howling wind that forces Eiji to his knees. Loogamon digs his paws into the ground and braces itself.
“Loogamon? What was that?”
A winged monstrosity rushed from the shadows and takes to the sky above the two. Dust, dirt, and trash swirl violently around them. As the wind and dust settle, Eiji begins searching the sky for the source.
“Was that a bird? A Dragon?”
“Neither, look”
Eiji turns to the space Loogamon points to. It was a metallic Digimon with the head of a Dragon and the body of a helicopter. It has two rotors that hold it up above them.
Across the side, Eiji can read the word “Police” clearly.
“Crap” Eiji yells, his voice barely louder than the rotors. “It’s the DigiPolice!”
The doors from the hovering Cargodramon open. From it descends a squad of Commandramon.
A screeching siren sounds loudly. Eiji looks at the map and sees it fill with red dots. The DigiPolice were surrounding the castle. Panic starts to creep over Eiji. “They want us to open voice chat on the GriMM channel!?!” he shouts to Loogamon. “What should we de?”
“Open up chat code craker!” commands a voice from the Cargodramon.
“Um, I don’t have the password…” Eiji grows more anxious as the dots continue to close in on his location.
“Don’t play dumb with me. Surrender now. We have you surrounded!”
Game Review: Volcano Princess
I was sent Volcano Princess as a review code. I am very grateful for the opportunity but won’t let it sway my opinions. This will be my honest review of the game.
Volcano Princess is a visual novel life sim for PC. You play as a single father who must raise a daughter in a fantasy world where demons and man are at war. You make the choices that will foster her growth into a functioning adult. How you choose to raise her is up to you, but the choices you make affect her future.
The gameplay loop is simple. Each day you are given a limited amount of action points to spend where you do activities with your daughter that increase her stats. What you choose to do is up to you, but the limits affect your relationship with her and what she grows up being. The game slowly introduces more mechanics as your daughter ages and choices become harder. When she is old enough, there will be a lite dating sim where she can choose from 18 romantic partners and a mini turn-based rpg game. The pacing is fantastic, and the different game mechanics give the game much-needed diversity. Your first playthrough will take about eight hours, but there are more than 50 endings to work toward.
This game is surprisingly addicting. I stressed over my choices because I needed to be a great father the first time around. I think I was successful, but I already have some ideas for future runs. The amount of choices available is what makes this game so much fun. Eventually, you be forced to think tactically about how you spend time with your daughter. Do you help her through a difficult time at the cost of some important attributes? Do you let her date? Become a writer? An actor? A warrior? It is all up to you, and it is such a wholesome good time.
My biggest tip for new players is to go in as blind as possible. I recommend not looking up a guide unless you want to collect every ending. Even then, I recommend you get some of your own endings first. The story is a little cheesy, but it is a good kind of cheesy worth experiencing at least once.
I love this game and would buy it if I hadn’t gotten it already. The art is cute, the story is wholesome, and the mechanics are relaxing and fun. That said, it isn’t for everyone. This game is great for players who love life sims and don’t mind visual novels. This game involves a lot of reading and waiting for timers. The timers aren’t long, but it doesn’t make for the most exciting gameplay. The story is fine, but there are noticeable grammatical errors. I didn’t mind the grammatical errors and loved the gameplay, but it is something to think about before you make the purchase.
Volcano Princess is $10.99 on Steam, and it is totally worth it for what you are getting.
Digimon Seekers: Chapter 1-12
While we wait for Sunday’s chapter, I’ve decided to revise the Seekers story to fix some of the story’s awkwardness. I will keep the story the same but will try to make it sound nicer. This isn’t my story, so please make sure you check out the original chapter. Let me know if this is something worth continuing. Make sure you start at chapter 1-1
Eiji looks over the ledge and is left breathless by the exotic skyline. The sky fills with a collection of vibrant neon colors as networks and data swim across it, creating brilliant dancing auroras. Large dirty buildings are densely jammed against this small patch of land, surrounded on all sides by an arid emptiness. Some buildings stand tall and greet the world with cracked, dirty, or broken windows, while others have already begun to crumble under the weight of neglect. This might have been a bustling metropolis at some point, but now it sits here as a seemingly abandoned slum.
It takes a moment for the initial shock to fade and for Eiji to regain his composure. “So this is the Digital World,” he remarks, not hiding his amazement. “It’s like something out of Cyberpunk!”
“What does that mean?” Loogamon poses, not understanding the reference.
“I thought the Digital World would be more wild, but this…” Eiji trails off, remembering the images of the Digital World he saw back at the DDL. He remembered forests, mountains, and deserts, but he never imagined there’d be cities with modern buildings.
“It’s called the Wall Slum” Loogamon interrupts, sounding a tinge offended. “It is a city of security walls that protects the Digital World from the flow of junk data. Just outside those walls is where all the junk data collects,” it says as it turns their attention to the northern walls. “If you look carefully, this city sits on a rounded surface.”
Eiji examines the skyline carefully and sees how the horizon separates the sea of networks in the sky from the shelled city below in a clear dividing line.
“Ah….”Eiji explains ” I see it now. It’s like a city built on the inside of an eggshell.”
“if you try to go from the human world to the Digital World, you will be blocked by the security wall”
“Wait…Then how can code crackers control Digimon from the real world? I thought we were connecting to digital world?”
Loogamon chuckles, “It was just the Wall Slum. Those Digimon code crackers grab are just those you see running around the Wall Slum. Most code crackers don’t Mindlink, so they’ll never know the difference.”
Eiji is left speechless by the explanation. Eji thinks about the time his Tyrannomon hunted down the Modoki Betamon. Were they just running around this place? “Has anyone gone beyond the security wall? Has anyone seen the Digital World?”
“No human has ever set foot in the Digital World, at least not beyond the Wall Slums”
“Beyond the wall is the “deep” Digital World,” Loogamon continues his explanation.
Everything Eiji thought he knew about the Digital World crumbles as he borrows Loogamon’s vision to see the bottom of the network. Eiji finally understood why the Digital World wasn’t mankind’s secret. Digimon are alive, and Eiji was standing at the tip of their world. Eiji continues to admire the alien landscape.
“Well…” Loogamon says as it begins filling the heads-up display with tabs of information. The virtual monitor appears in front of Eiji’s conscious mind. It looks like something out of Gundam or Iron Man. “Do you remember why we came here Eiji?”
Eiji is stunned by the sudden jolt to reality.
“Right, I forgot you’re a pathetic code cracker,” Loogamon snips as it pulls up a window with the words “Operation Wolf” scrawled across it.
“Right,” Eiji replies, remembering the Sons of Chaos Job. He begins reading over the details.
According to this, I’m supposed to be briefed by a local member of the Sons of Chaos somewhere around here.
Eiji rushes to the designated location. He arrives at what seems to be a deserted rooftop. A cloaked Digimon stares down at the pair from the top of the building’s antenna. The Digimon is roughly the same size as Loogamon, but its identity is hidden by the tattered cloak. Eiji tries to search for the Digimon’s data, but the search yields nothing.
“You’re late…” An annoyed voice comes from the cloaked figure. “Tartaros likes our people to be punctual.”
“We had some trouble. Maybe we can get a pass this time?” Loogamon replies.
“Hey Loogamon?” Eiji interjects.
“What? Oh?!!” Loogamon turns to find Eiji suddenly standing next to it.
Eiji, wearing his usual street clothes, looks down at his palms as he tries to move his arms and legs. “Well look at that!”
“Where did you come from?” Loogamon asks in its confusion.
“I don’t know,” Eiji begins “A lot of the functions in Mindlink work by thinking about them. The Digimon Linker has a hololize function. I thought maybe it would work the same in the Digital World, so I gave it a try and it worked!”
Loogamon is silent for a moment. “I can’t tell if that was impressive or just lucky,” it snarks.
Eiji chuckles as he extends his hands to pet Loogamon’s forehead. The metal brace feels cool to his touch, and the blue fur feels soft.
The wolf tenses as it growls in response.
“Did you just growl at me?”
“Don’t touch my forehead!” Loogamon snaps, bearing its fangs at Eiji.
Eiji quickly retracts his hand. “Sorry, I didn’t know I could touch you.”
In the real world, hololized Digimon were just a projection of data. You can’t actually touch them. But here….
“In case you’re wondering,” Loogamon interrupts “You can’t exist too far from me, so stay close!”
Eiji nods as he turns his attention back to the cloaked Digimon again.
“The name is Fang”
“…I thought it was Eiji?” the Digimon rebukes impatiently.
“No need to focus on the details. So what’s the job? The interviewer said I was supposed to ask you for details.”
“I’m sure the interviewer also told you this would be a test. You’ve already been deducted two points for being late.” A screen suddenly appears above the cloaked Digimon’s head, displaying a rough map of the Wall Slum. The city is shaped like a large circle, divided into districts. At the center is a volcanic crater. Sixth Avenue, Eiji remembers ChuuChuumon mentioned it earlier.
“I need you to survey and map the area painted in this color. As you know, the Wall Slum is undergoing a lot of redevelopment.”
With the constant flow of data from the real world that moves through the city, nothing ever stays the same.
“So you want me to make a map? Simple enough.”
“The Wall Slum is very important to the Sons of Chaos. We like to keep our map data up to date.” The Digimon tosses Eiji a memory card.
Eiji accepts it as a mapping tool that appears on his virtual monitor.
“All you have to do is walk around the area while running the tool and it will do the mapping for you. We want you to investigate Ninth Avenue…”
Loogamon turns before the Digimon finishes its sentence and laughs. “Perfect!”
Eiji hurries after Loogamon. “…What do you mean?”
“I’ve got some business to attend to.” Loogamon smiles, bearing its fangs as it continues its stride.
“Do you think we should listen to the rest of the explanation?” Eiji asks, but Loogamon doesn’t answer.
The cloaked Digimon watches the pair hurry off toward Ninth Avenue.
“I wish you well Eiji. I hope for Tartarus’ sake, you pass.”