So all day I’ve been seeing ads for this game called Lovelink and at first I found it creepy because it’s trying so hard to look like a real dating app. Just so you know: it’s a GAME. There are no real profiles or real people. It’s not Real. You don’t even type real responses just select from one or more prompts on screen. So after seeing the ad for like the fifth time I decided to check it out.
Lovelink tries to make itself seem real. I met my fiancé on a dating app (Bumble) and I have experience with real apps like this so I’ll say it’s an interesting concept. The user interface and overall experience feels like a dating app.read more
I’m most excited to see new starter pokemon (Cyndaquil, Chikorita, etc), new legendary pokemon (Luiga, Ho-Oh, Raikou) , new Evee evolutions, and new kawaii cute pokemon such as Pichu, Marill/Azumarill, Mareep, Igglybuff, Togepi, and, Teddiursa, just to name a few!)
Here’s what you can expect to see in the new version:
I was not into Pokemon Go when it first launched. It wasn’t until my mom began playing that I took interest. For a few reasons, first, when the game first came out, there were numerous game crippling bugs which made it almost impossible to play. It’s also a rather difficult game to learn at first, it gives absolutely no guidance, direction, tutorial, etc. This combined with the bugs in early days made the game frustrating and a lot less fun than it is now.
Second, I’m not one to enjoy exercise. It’s not that I’m “Lazy”, but well… exercise is “painful” and “tiring” and “annoying”. When I started playing Pokemon Go, I thought how annoying or stupid it was to have to go outside. This was when I was playing it alone in the first few days of the launch. This began to change when I found someone (my mom) to play the game with. It’s much like the thought of having an exercise buddy.
When I was in college (10 years ago now, wow.) I went to the same school as my best friend. We’d spend our breaks swimming, playing badminton, and even (cringe) running laps. I was also doing atkins diet at the same time, and I ended up going from 200+ lbs to 127 lbs and a size 6/7 in jeans. After college, and my best friend moving to the other side of the state, now a 5 to 6 hour drive away, and going back off the atkins diet, I gained all of that weight back slowly over the years, due to lack of motivation to get out there and exercise.
I did have an xbox 360 with Kinect, and a Wii with some games which tried to add gamification elements the work out experience. I’d play them for a time, but always ultimately get bored and go back to other less “demanding” and more “rewarding” games. I will say out of the “work out” games I own, my favorite has always been “Walk It Out”, a very obscure Wii game that blasts 90s/2k pop music as you walk around a rather empty world at first; and as you walk you unlock new songs as well as begin to see the world come to life. I also enjoy DDR (although I suck at it really badly.) and Just Dance (slightly less challenging than DDR). I even had Wii Fit, and I did love the charting/tracking aspects of that game and even being able to weigh my cats lol.
But ultimately, none of those games held my interest. Was it because I didn’t have anyone to play them with? Perhaps. Was it because I still wasn’t “getting out”? I was still “at home playing videogames” something I’ve done for almost 30 years of my life.
It’s still too soon to tell how long it will be before I get “bored” with Pokemon Go. But it has some elements that are so unique and different from the other work out games I own. When I try to describe Pokemon Go to people who don’t already play, I tell them “It’s basically geocaching with pokemon”. I’d never gone geocaching before but the idea of it had always appealed to me in theory. It encourages you to get out and explore some new and sometimes remote or far away locations and you’re rewarded with small treasures (usually coins) (but in this case, it’s pokemon instead of coins).
Pokemon Go is a social game. Recently, a new dating website opened up and had such overwhelming response that they had to shut down their servers temporarily. This dating service aims to connect Pokemon Go players in their area both for playing Pokemon Go, but also for finding true love (or friendship). I’m also single right now, I’m kinda taking a break at the moment, seeing a few people but nothing serious, and find I’ve kinda backed off a bit on the dating or seeking of a mate at the moment, but when I’m ready again, in a few weeks, or months, or whatever the case may be, I have a feeling I’ll be using this Poke Date service. You can check it out here: https://www.projectfixup.com/pokedates/ – There’s also another site here: https://t.co/7sOATzdApr and probably numerous meetup.com Pokemon Go groups as well (though there weren’t any close by in my area last time I checked.).
Even if you’re not using such a site to interact with the Pokemon Go community, chances are you’re going to run into other players out in the real world, whether it’s at poke stops, gyms, or just walking around your parks or college campus, etc trying to catch pokemon. If you’re like me, you’re probably a shy introvert, who avoids other people (remember that part about sitting at home playing videogames?). I still haven’t started a conversation with anyone while playing Pokemon Go, but I have had people come up and start conversation with me, and I find it’s easy to talk to people when you have a shared interest, common goal, hobby, passion, etc. Pokemon Go can make you more comfortable in social interactions, help to break the ice, and put you in the “right place, at the right time” to meet new friends or potential romantic partners.
Pokemon Go does just that, it makes you GO places. You might find new places nearby that you’ve never visited, or it may encourage you to take a road trip, day trip, weekend trip, etc to go discover new pokemon. While playing the game, you might stumble upon new restaurants, museums, nature trails, parks, or other exciting places. Travel is fun! And Pokemon Go gives you another excuse to get away, take a vacation, take the scenic route, relax, and reconnect with nature while exploring new places and trying new things.
Pokemon Go is fun, relaxing, and addicting. Ignoring the social, psychological, and health benefits of playing the game, the game is just plain fun. The obsession to “catch them all” and to find “rare” Pokemon is a huge draw that keeps you wanting to play more and more. Just imagine if Shiny Pokemon get introduced sometime in the future, or special limited time events with special exclusive Pokemon to catch. This obsession to keep playing, keep seeking out new places with new pokemon, and “catch them all” is what keeps you motivated and interested in the game and continues to reinforce the “good habits” (exercise, social interaction, etc) that come from playing the game each day.
Pokemon Go is free. Yes, there is a cash shop, but you definitely don’t need to spend any money to enjoy this app. You can just visit your closest pokestop, and sit there for an hour or two collecting the items you need. Once again this just encourages you to keep getting out there. It’s win/win.
Pokemon Go is good exercise. It’s even being used in nursing homes to help the elderly. Gamers are not known for a love of working out or healthy habits. I’m no exception. But Pokemon Go makes me want to exercise in order to play the game. I went from being sedentary, to now walking 5 to 7 miles almost every day. I couldn’t tell you the last time I walked even a mile, let alone 5+ miles. Almost daily. Two days ago we walked ten and a half miles which so far is the farthest/longest I’ve walked while playing Pokemon Go. Of course, I am hoping to lose weight. Who doesn’t want to be more fit and healthy right? But even if that never happens simply from walking a few extra miles, I’ll tell you, this exercise has already had several benefits. The main benefit it has had is curing me of my insomnia.
Pokemon Go will help you sleep better! If you’re not used to physical activity (like me), and going through a “hard time” where your mind is just turning non-stop most nights, Pokemon Go will make you fall asleep from the physical exertion and exhaustion that comes when you increase your activity levels. The last 2 weeks I’ve been sleeping like a charm, when most of June was spent in angst and anger and disappointment and hurt feelings, I no longer have TIME to think about that. Pokemon Go keeps me busy! Keeping busy keeps me happy!
Pokemon Go will improve your mood! Exercise creates endorphins which are scientifically proven to create feelings of happiness and euphoria. It also as I mentioned helps “clear” (or otherwise occupy at least) your mind which makes you forget about your worries and troubles. It gets you out into the sunlight and sunlight is also scientifically proven to boost your mood. It helps you connect “spiritually” with nature, or helps you connect “emotionally” to other people. It reminds you you’re not alone. Pokemon Go is a comforting experience for anyone dealing with loss, death, grief, heartbreak, or other traumas.
Yes, there have been some scary stories in the news recently about Pokemon Go, either from neglect and a lack of paying attention to one’s surroundings, such as walking into traffic, falling off a cliff, or criminals using Pokemon Go to identify Poke Stops and wait for passer by to mug/rape/attack/whatever. There are also cases of people playing Pokemon Go at inappropriate times such as while working or driving. – but these incidents are few and far between when compared to the millions of players who are benefiting in some way from playing this game.
Pokemon Go means different things for different people, but for me, it has given me that little boost of motivation that I need to be more active and get out in my community.
Virtual reality headsets are here, and for the right price you can own one now. For most of us, however, the transition to VR remains just around the corner as the leading headsets are only just being rolled out, the price point remains high in most instances, and the lists of available games are still evolving.
However, we have a pretty good idea of what kinds of games we can expect on various VR devices, so in this post we wanted to take a look at 10 titles that look like they can’t miss.
Project Arena
Designed for Oculus Rift and HTC Vive, Project Arena should be one of the more exciting new concepts for early VR. Designed as a TRON-like competition, it will enable you to hurl light discs at your opponents while dodging and shielding yourself from other projectiles. Given that TRON has already inspired successful adaptations like a retro-style mobile game about light cycles on a grid, it goes without saying that there will be a built in fan base for this one.
Star Wars: Battlefront
Star Wars: Battlefront for PS4 was an extraordinarily well-reviewed addition to the franchise, and set the stage perfectly for a transition to VR. This will be one of the more ambitious early VR games given the detail of the settings and the amount of character movement involved, but a first-person foray into the Star Wars universe is going to be hard for most people to say no to.
Tilt Brush
One of the curious things that’s happened in gaming in recent years is that our fascination with HD visuals and highly responsive controls has led to a wave of titles focusing on creativity. Consider that there’s a whole game based on tending a zen garden, and you’ll get the point. Tilt Brush will look to capitalize on this trend by allowing players to paint and design with light strokes in a virtual reality.
Casino VR
The fact that there’s already a top online casino that simulates a real-life casino experience by way of virtual interaction with live dealers bodes pretty well for this style of gaming on actual VR. Simply put, online casinos have already established incredibly realistic atmospheres and gaming options, and Casino VR will represent the first attempt to duplicate that success on VR. The early demos have looked promising.
Lucky’s Tale
Many have wondered what a Super Mario game might look like on VR, and though we’ve heard of nothing like that actually being in the works, Lucky’s Tale isn’t too far off. Available alongside the Oculus Rift, it’s a 3D platformer adventure with a small fox character as its Mario. You don’t actually embody the fox, but you’re right there with it as it tackles the beautiful animated levels that comprise the atmosphere.
100ft. Robot Golf
100ft. Robot Golf is what happens when game developers stop trying to be too clever and simply go with a fun idea. Or at least that’s what it seems like. Basically it’s giant robots playing golf and/or engaging in combat, and it sounds like one of the best ways to take a simple VR action (swinging a golf club) and turn it into something bigger and better.
Minecraft
As mentioned, some of the most exciting early potential on VR is with games that are more about being visually creative than going through a traditional gaming experience. And given the fact that even a pocket edition of Minecraft’s creative version has become wildly popular, releasing a similar experience on VR seems like a no brainer. The thought of being in and among Minecraft creations is intoxicating even to those who aren’t fans of the traditional game.
Eagle Flight
Eagle Flight is pretty much just flying around Paris as an eagle, deciding your direction merely with your glances. Given that rumor has it even jumping off a building in VR gives you a tingling sensation in your spine (some say it’s even so unnatural that they have a hard time pulling it off), soaring freely sounds like a pretty wild adventure.
Rez Infinite
Rez Infinite will resurrect the Rez franchise that started on PS2. Known for otherworldly visuals and action-packed rail shooter gameplay, it could actually be the perfect series to adapt for Sony’s VR. That’s because in a rail shooter the character you control moves along freely, and you only decide where to fire. This eliminates the issue of having to run, jump, etc. and allows players to focus on visuals and action exclusively.
The London Heist
The London Heist could be a big whiff, or it could be one of the titles that helps to establish how a first-person shooter will work on VR. Set in the always intriguing criminal underground of London, it’s a shoot ’em up game. But instead of moving around the whole time, you’re mostly shooting from cover, which means ducking and shooting are the main focuses. The controls are also said to be among the most realistic for action or shooter games on VR. And sure, even if you end up looking dumb playing it, the game sounds like a blast.
Twitch and other social media platforms are helping professional gamers make money just by showcasing the game in real time or the recordings on their platforms. Other than this many other high pay-out games are helping the ordinary person make additional money during their free time, thus ensuring the optimum utilization of their valuable time.
There are a few more titles that could make the list, and many more smaller projects that have been teased or demonstrated for VR headsets. But these 10 are certainly among the most intriguing at this early stage.
Nekopalive, Nekopara, Nekoparadise, Neko, Catgirl, Catgirls, Idol, Idols, Idol Simulation, Idols Sim, Idols Simulation, Catcert, catcerto, Concert, Singing, Dancing, Rhythm Game, DDR, Parapara, Kawaii, Cute, Moe, Love Live, Love Live School Idol Festival, Love Live School Idol, Love Live School Idol Anime, Love Live Game, Free Game, VR, Virtual Reality, Free Virtual Reality Game, Free VR Game, HTC Vive, Occulus Rift
Look what just popped up on my facebook feed….
According to the official game page gameplay seems to be that of a rhythm game:
“What’s NEKOPALIVE? Why, it’s a “cat-certo!” The catgirls of La Soleil take to the stage and step into the spotlight with their very own live concerts. Dancing, singing, MIX’ing and purring, this is the NEKOPARA event that comes right home to you, and you’ve got the best seat in the house! No idol can compare to a catgirl! 🐾
I put together a quick little list of my research on the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift – I don’t have hands on experience yet, because I’m poor, and my blog is not popular enough to score me sweet free demo equipment LOL. — But I’m very interested in these – especially the Rift.
In my opinion, I’d buy the Oculus Rift because 1.) Exclusive Games – though it’s early days still, it’s estimated the Oculus Rift will have far more exclusives than the HTC Vive – I kinda view these headsets as actual gaming platforms (though they’re not because they still require a PC to play) – and we all know the most important thing in “living room gaming” is not the specs under the hood (which in the case of the Vive and Rift are pretty equal) – but instead, the importance has always been on Exclusives. — It’s why I have no console bias – If a console has a great exclusive that I want, I will buy the console. Now granted, these headsets are more expensive than a traditional console, but they’re also a lot more technologically advanced under the hood.
The other main benefit of the Rift is that it (supposedly) is much more comfortable than the Vive. This is a huge issue for anyone who does 6-8 hours of gaming a day or in one session (which I think most “gamers” do).
But their price point does make it so that one has to “pick a side” — unless one has a lot of money or one works in the gaming industry and gets products to review for free. So in the interest of helping you to pick a side, I’ve compiled some of my research here for you. I hope that it will be helpful for you.
Oculus Rift Pros:
Lighter Weight 1.03 lbs vs 1.2lbs
Sleeker Design
Includes (removable) headphones
Expected to host more exclusive games
360-degree positional head tracking
Price $600 vs $799
Easy Setup in 10 minutes or Less
Great for apartments or tiny living spaces
Several sources have cited that the Oculus is much more comfortable on the face (probably due to the lighter weight)
Comes with two actual full games for free bundled with the headset (compared to just some mini games on the Vive)
Oculus Rift Cons:
No adjustable screen distance
No Ability to connect to phone to display and answer messages
No Safety Measures to Prevent You from Running into Walls or Tripping over furniture
No Augmented Reality
VR Space is limited to 5ft X 11ft compared to 15X15ft tracking on the Vive
Controllers will cost $150 – $200 Making the price difference of the headset moot.
Designed to be played while sitting down (less immersive experience)
HTC Vive Pros:
Chaperon Safety System via front facing camera to prevent you from bumping into objects
Screen can be adjusted further or closer to your face via an adjustable knob
Able to connect to phone via bluetooth to answer calls and messages
The controllers are already available — and included for free with the headset
Designed to be played while walking around (more immersive)
HTC Vive Cons:
Heavier Weight 1.21 lbs vs 1.03 lbs
Bulkier Design
Expected to have fewer exclusive games
When the Oculus Touch arrives it will probably be better than the HTC controllers
Price: $799 vs $600
More complex setup and installation
Requires a lot of space for actually playing the games – not ideal for apartments, tiny homes, or mobile homes
Several sources cite that the Vive is not as comfortable as the Rift – probably due to the extra weight.
Comes bundled with some minigames to show off motion-control – but ultimately not as fun as the games bundled with the Rift.
Equal Footing:
Both are Tethered Devices (cords everywhere)
Neither Require a Phone (such as Samsung gear or google cardboard)
Both Require a high power Windows PC (Expensive and still an extra component)
Both are powered by two OLED panels that combine for a 2160 x 1200 resolution. That means each eye has its own 1080 x 1200 resolution
Editor’s Comments: Today’s Guest Post comes from Gamingbabe who wants to share news about Samsung’s new stand-alone VR headset. I’m excited to see another VR headset coming to market. Although it’s not available in the US yet, it recently released a much improved version of their Samsung Gear VR in South Korea for a price tag equivalent to just $350 which makes it less than half the cost of the HTC Vive or Occulus Rift. It’s also much beefier tech wise compared to Samsung’s current VR headsets – It will be interesting to see how it fits into the picture and how much attention and market share it will receive if and when it releases in the US.read more
Concept: 10/10 This game utilizes Live 2D, a new technology to bring 2d characters to life. Perfect for anime style games. You can get mega rare animated outfits. The picture here is of my character in the game. When you start the game you get one animated outfit for free. This card captor sakura-ish outfit is adorable and it was what I got for free. The other gacha items sometimes (most of the time) will not be animated. These animated outfits are very rare and set this game apart from Moe Can Change and Ambition’s other apps like My Animal Boyfriend which I reviewed here.
Gameplay: 7/10 So aside from getting outfits for your girl, you can also study, work, and take part in events to earn items and personality points. These personality points help your girlfriend evolve into different personality types such as Gentle, Flamboyant, Shy, Friendly, Studious, etc. This effects how she responds and behaves. Allowing you to create your perfect “dream girlfriend” just like the title suggests.
But the main thing is the dressup aspect. There are limited time events almost constantly with new items being added. You have many different slots for dressup such as hair, face, back, body, room, frame, accessories, and more. This ensures that your girlfriend is different and unique from all others.
You can also visit other players’ girlfriends and if they are working or studying you can offer advice to them which boosts your own xp. You can also make recommendations and see them wear your own items. At level 30 you get a 2nd girlfriend increasing your dressup potential two fold.
Really the gameplay can be repetitive though at times. Because of the repetitive gameplay I’ve deducted 2 points.
Also events can be difficult to rank in due to cash shop items which restore energy. You can get free in game currency by watching videos and taking surveys or installing apps. But even with these free offers I am only ranked 3000 and only the top 4000 players get prizes, and really only the top 200 get anything good. They really should put a limit on the amount of energy drinks that you can use in an hour. like 3 an hour or something to level the playing field. I deducted a point due to the over use of the cash shop items especially in ranked events.
TIP: You should always max your charm right away by exchanging event medals – I went from getting 200 points to about 2000 points each click by just trading in my medals. Also play the event gacha and wear as many tie-up outfits as possible to max your score. Complete free offers with Tapjoy and buy the rainbow dx drink if your total stamina is over 100. If it is 100 or less buy the half priced rainbow drink instead.
Graphics: 10/10 Clearly the highlight of this game is its super high quality super kawaii artwork and the whole point of the game is to make a cute or sexy girlfriend of your dreams. I adore the artwork in this game. Its better even than many console games.
I prefer the cute innocent look but there’s a lot of sexy items too. This is another animated item I received. (click to enlarge)
Music: 3/10 The music is cute, but it does not have much variety so you will eventually grow tired of it.
Characters: 8/10 There are a host of cute NPCs, and they have well defined personalities but not much backstory, I took away 2 points for lack of a backstory.
Story: 5/10 There is a story at the beginning of the game and some of the events in the game offer up a glimpse of a story, but the story quickly takes a back seat to the item centric nature of the game. The story is that you have gotten a new cellphone and discover an app already installed when you launch it, your dream girlfriend appears in your room and the sales people who sold you the phone, who are also all cute girls, come over to explain how to set it up.
Replay Value: 10/10 The plethora of events running constantly around the clock make this a game you keep coming back to and playing for long periods of time trying to get the rare items before they disappear.
Story: 10/10 Plastic Memories is a 2015 anime series about a futuristic society aided by companion android like creations known as Giftia. The giftia live together with humans, and often as an integral role of their family. More often than not, they serve as children for couples unable to conceive on their own, or taking the place of children who died.
Imagine what you would do to protect your child. Now imagine if you knew that your time with your child was limited. You knew at best you’d have 10, maybe 15 years together. You knew this before agreeing to purchase the android – but you didn’t know how attached you’d become and how human-like they’d be. Giftia also have feelings and emotions – or at least artificial intelligence has advanced so far that they perceive some type of understanding towards human emotion.
But technology still has it’s limits. It always will. Technology does not last forever – and Giftia are no exception. They will break. It’s just a matter of when. And when a Giftia breaks, they can become very dangerous, and they may even attack humans. Because of that – there’s a special task force that is sent out to retrieve Giftia who are nearing the end of their life.
This is no easy job. Imagine what you would do if someone showed up on your door step with intent to effectively kill your child?
These special agents only use force when absolutely necessary. They try to spend several days reasoning with the families and making them understand, that it’s much like when you put down a beloved pet. You don’t want them to suffer. You do it as an act of kindness and out of love.
Once reclaimed, they can be reprogrammed and sent back to their owners – but none of the memories of the past 15 years will exist. They will view you as a stranger. It won’t matter how much you talk about the past, or even if you showed them photos, or videos, their memories are lost forever.
Characters: 10/10 The story of the Giftia is just one component, and not even the main focus – the main focus actually is on the team which must retrieve the Giftia from their owners. To do this they work in pairs. One human, and one Giftia make up one pair. The task force has about 5 or 6 pairs working in the office. The story focuses on their newest recruit, a young man named Tsukasa. He is paired up with Isla, a broken Giftia who is nearing the end of her life span. She is aware that she has very little time left and that she has begun to slow down both in mental and physical capabilities. However her team members hate seeing her so sad, so they decide to put her back out in the field – for a long time she has been “out of action” after failing to prevent an accident that occurred and failing to recapture a rogue Giftia. Being given a second chance, she trains hard every day to not be a burden to her team members, especially Tsukasa. The team is worried about Isla pushing herself too hard, so they make the two of them live together so that Tsukasa can help watch over her mental and physical well being. Initially Isla is very cold and almost inhuman like. She is worried about getting attached to anyone when she knows she will soon pass away and cause pain to herself and everyone who cares about her. She has seen far too many times, the painful goodbyes when she has herself reclaimed a Giftia from the people that loved it (and that the Giftia also loved them). Unable to bear the sadness, Isla would rather isolate herself and just await her gloomy fate. — But that slowly changes with Tsukasa in her life. She finds herself wanting to please him, wanting to make him happy, and most of all, just wanting to be near him.
And the story doesn’t just solely focus on them either. The other team members also have interesting back stories. However, what I thought was even more impressive, is how they can make you cry and feel attached to a very minor character within 1, 2, or 3 episodes, before killing them off. All of the Giftia in this series… I really felt for them and their families. I really found myself crying in nearly every episode. The amount of character development, back story, and emotion put into even the tiniest characters who are only there for an episode or 2, that is some seriously good writing!
Artwork: 5/5 – The artwork is very nice given that it is a 2015 anime, using the latest animation techniques and drawn in the current modern style. Isla is cute, especially if you love Tsunderes or TsunTsuns. I still don’t think she’s as cute as Chii lol but she is still none the less adorable. And the production values are much higher than say Chobits or Time of Eve. The bright colors and flashy animation really make this one stand out.
Voice Acting: 5/5 – I really enjoyed the voice actors in this anime. They had so much raw emotion that was necessary to tell such a sad tale. Even the “extras” who were only in one or two episodes at most, they all had so much emotion. There’s no way to watch this anime without crying lol.
Music: 2/5 – The music is just sorta average in my opinion. It’s been less than a year since I watched this and I can’t really even recall the ending theme (I recall the animation that went with it, but not so much the music.) — On the other hand, the opening theme is very catchy. Background music fit the mood and theme of each episode well as well. It’s average to above average, but not as memorable as many other anime soundtracks out there.
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