The Blue Haven

I just added a event countdown plugin on the sidebar of the page. Only the closest two events will show.

If you forget when Late Arrival is or something, it will be there.

In other news…

This is AWESOME.

Title: Trace Memory
Type: Adventure
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: T
Available Files: 2
Special Notes for ESRB Rating: Mild Violence
Summary: As 13 year old Ashley Robbins, you find out that your father, who was presumed dead, is alive and wishes to meet you on your 14th birthday. What ensues follows the memories of Ashley and a mysterious ghost by the name D. You must find the truth of each characters’ past utilizing puzzle solving skills.

My Ratings:

Graphics: 8.5/10
The surroundings are well done, and the illustrations and animations are well done as well. However, the bottom screen, in which you play with an overhead view lacks the refined touch (no pun intended) that the still image areas you investigate have.

Story: 10/10
Really, this is the best aspect of this game. The more you play into it, the more you want to continue. I started playing at night and proceeded til I finished.

Gameplay: 9.5/10
The usage of the DS’s features is nearly unparalleled by other DS games as of right now. The microphone, touch screen, the fold cover… Everything was utilized. However, it is minimal, because the game is fairly short. Though fun, it doesn’t last long as the game doesn’t last long.

Music: 5.0/10
Not very impressive. At times, it is quite… annoying. Kind of distracting sometimes. There are points where the music suits the moment, but most of the time, it’s just… “there.”

Overall: 8.0/10
A slight brain teaser. Something that most games lack nowadays. Although the game would have been one of the best games out there, it was sadly rushed too much. The game is barely even 3 hours long. Way too short for a game of its potential.

Disclaimer: Trace Memory and the pictures associated are properties of Nintendo and Cing Inc.

Title: Nintendogs (All three versions)
Type: Simulation
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E
Available Files: 1
Special Notes for ESRB Rating: Comic Mischief
Summary: You own a pet puppy of the breed of your choice, which will never grow old. You can train it for competitions, teach it tricks, take it on walks.

My Ratings:

Graphics: 8.0/10
When you first play it, you might be impressed by the “realism” of the dogs. And perhaps you may be impressed by the surroundings as well. But after a while, you’ll notice a few graphical glitches, and that the dogs… don’t really have “fur”…

Story: NA/10
Story? This is a freaking simulation! YOU MAKE YOUR OWN STORY

Gameplay: 6.0/10
If you’re a fan of this game, don’t kill me for this score here. It’s fun at first, but after a while, the activities seem more and more limited, and also tedious… after winning the competitions 20 times in a row with a few dogs… it sort of gets old. Not to mention, the commentators comments just get overused. When it gets down to the nitty-gritty… this isn’t really a good simulation of having a pet. In real life, they’re full of surprises… here, it really does get old… I do have to admit that it was innovative though.

Music: 5.5/10
Not a very impressive aspect of the game. Even the records that you find as items don’t really sound that good.

Overall: 5.5/10
Fun for a while, then it just gets old. I only played for about two weeks before I just started to stop playing it. Not worth the money. If you’re wanting a pet, get a real one. Or, if you just want to try it, just rent it. It’s a much better investment in this case than to buy it.

Disclaimer: Nintendogs and the pictures associated are properties of Nintendo.

My Ratings:

Graphics: 7.5/10
The graphics seem a bit… GBA-ish. However, the color choices and background make up for it. There is also a detailed map on the top screen.

Story: 5.0/10
… Has there really been a Kirby game out there that has an excellent storyline? I mean, come on, Dreamland is in trouble, Kirby has to save it. Sure, Mario games are practically the same, but meh. At least there’s a new boss than Dark Matter…

Gameplay: 10.0/10
This is the first “full game” (as opposed to smaller applications like Yoshi Touch n Go) that has fully utilized the touch screen functions of the Nintendo DS. The controls with the Stylus, although one must get used to using one if they haven’t already, are very smooth and easy to work with. The only “working buttons” are the power switch and the start button.

Music: 7.0/10
The music in this game are comprised of remixed versions of the “newer generation” of Kirby game music. Many are recognizable from Kirby: Nightmare in Dreamland. I can’t help but be a bit biased in this one, because I mainly played the “older generation” of Kirby games, such as Kirby’s Dreamland 2, or Kirby’s Pinball Land, etc. For those like me though, after collecting enough medals, you can unlock the classic songs in the Sound Test menu.

Overall: 9.5/10
Simply a fun yet challenging game. A must have for Nintendo DS owners. The first full length game for the platform that fully utilizes the touch screen and the dual screens. A lacking storyline, but like most Kirby games, the gameplay and sheer fun of the game make up for it.

Disclaimer: Kirby Canvas Curse and the pictures associated are properties of Nintendo and Hal Laboratories.

If you are reading this, you have just witnessed the opening of The Blue Haven.

There isn’t much here, because I’m adapting to this software, but more will be up soon.

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