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Black Desert Online Remastered
Hi to all! Ever heard of the game Black Desert Online? It's one of the most visually stunning MMOs that came out. Recently the remastered update was released wherein the game has been improved on once again.
This MMO is a buy to play game; it means you need to buy one of their "packages" so you can have full access. I had bought the most affordable (read cheapest lol) package they have and so far I am enjoying myself. I hope you get to try it too. I encourage you to give it a try. It's free to access right now until the 5th of September.
Now while I am gushing about this game, like all else, there is no perfect game and there are also flaws that I would be discussing on. If you have some insight, please feel free to share it to me, too.
So here we go. I'll keep it short and sweet.
Graphics: 3.5 out of 5 stars
As I said above, it is visually stunning, especially now that the remastered update was released. The world (and Black Desert Online is an open world game so you can expect it to be quite wide) is lovingly rendered that you can waste time just admiring the scenery. The characters and costumes are well detailed too. In fact, you can design your character to look like a famous character. This may eat up your time when you're designing your ideal husbando or waifu. Lol
With that said, the remastered graphics will only work with high-end PCs. So if you're using a potato PC (I find that expression cute
) then you might want to think twice about upgrading. The graphics can be intense at times too and I find my eyes watering from time to time. 
Audio: 4 out of 5
The soundtrack is simply amazing; sometimes I just close my eyes and listen. Depending on the situation it can be relaxing (during peacetime) or adrenaline-pumping (during battles).
Gameplay: 3 out of 5
Battles are dynamic; skills can be done by pressing a combination of keys (shift + right click for example) or you can be assigned to a skill slot (press 1 to throw a bolt of lightning).
Grinding exists here too! Yes, there is no escaping the grind, no matter what MMO you are playing. The good thing about Black Desert is there are a lot of things to do: I go AFK fishing while reading a manga or watching an anime at times. I can go on a joyride on my horse or boat, I can stay at home and cook food.
Quick warning: in-game currency has weight. So your character cannot be a walking storage with a hundred or more silver coins inside the pocket. You have to store everything in the warehouse which is available in every town.
Cash shop: 3 out of 5
Yes, there is a cash shop too. Games need to generate revenue too or else it will close. While Black Desert Online is not blatantly "pay to win" (there is no uber powerful weapon in the cash shop that I can buy with a swipe of the card) there are items, pets, and costumes that can make life easier. Not necessary as you can go by without it (like I do) but yeah who wants to tough it out?
Enhancement system: 2.5 out of 5
Like every MMO game, you need to enhance your equipment. While Black Desert Online is forgiving (your armor and weapons won't go bye-bye if you fail to enhance, but the durability drops) it's still a pain to enhance your gear to the level that you want. Like all games, you have to farm for the materials. Keep a pad of Stresstabs near you.
Story: 3 out of 5
Very linear, rarely any plot twists, can be skipped if you just want to grind but not recommended as completing a certain storyline or mission will give good rewards.
Overall: 4 out of 5
While not flawless, I would still recommend this to all my friends. You can get satisfaction just about everywhere, whether if you like battling against monsters, engage other players in duels, or just admiring the overall scenery and ambiance.
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Panic! at the Disco: High Hopes
So here we are, Panic! at the disco's High hopes MV. Lets get into it, shall we?
Okay, so the video starts off with Brendon stepping out of a car (0:07), well-dressed as usual. His exit from the car is timed perfectly with the music and is the perfect time for his reveal. When first the words "High, high hopes" are sung we can see the camera moves upward and focuses on the sky-scrapers; this makes us think of how high sky-scraper's are immediately and prepares us for the rest of the MV very well, a great start.
The on-screen text fades but not before we see it pass behind Brendon (0:23), this serves better for the camera angle chosen seeing as otherwise we would merely see the tree behind Brendon; simply, it is more aesthetically pleasing. While Brendon sings "High, high hopes" we can see that he is looking upward, again, its the small things that make all the difference, this was very well choreographed.
As Brendon sing the line "I was gonna be that one in a million" (0:32) the shot is just perfect, with the people passing him by right in front of him and the cars and numerous people in the background it really shows how many people their are, yet he is still the main focus of the shot standing precisely in the middle of the shot; perfect.
As Brendon walks down the side-walk we can see him getting shouldered by many people (0:37); we can attribute this to the many hard-ships he has faced (many of which we can see in "Hey look ma, I made it") such as losing his other band members and many more hardships. We can see he is distressed as he turns around because it is written all over his face yet as he continues walking he takes yet another shoulder, this time however he does not look back at all and yet continues walking forward confidently; this shows us that he has taken control, he doesn't care what people say or what hard-ships get in the way, he is doing this. As the lyrics state in "Emperor's new clothes", "I see it, I want it, I take it" and as Brendon said in an interview on said song: "I wanted a song that says, 'this is mine. I do what I do because I feel that its my right. I own this, and I've earned it, and I deserve every bit that I put into this work". This is the kind of transformation I feel like we are witnessing in the music video for High hopes.
At 1:03 when Brendon sings the words, "Momma said, don't give up" he looks upward at the towering building before him, obviously symbolizing the challenges he would have to face in his career; Brendon looks intimidated at first but immediately gets down to it and begins scaling the building just as the Chorus breaks in again, simply fantastic!
The entire scene of Brendon's walk up the building is fantastic, this MV fits perfectly with the Lyrics and is just really beautiful to watch. As Brendon nears the end of the climb he slips and nearly falls (2:13) just as he start's singing "They say its all been done but they haven't seen the best of me", he then conquers the climb and makes it to the top of the building, solidifying his victory and new beginning. Again, just wanted to point out how wonderfully choreographed and performed this MV was, Brendon could honestly be an actor.
After he has reached the top of the tall building till the end of the video (just as the whole video was) is perfect. We can see his logo stapled atop the building, I believe this tells us he was always destined to make it to the top, like his momma said "Fulfill the prophecy" he has done it and accomplished his destiny.
Okay guys, so that was a rather quick and to the point review, I hope you liked it! Feel free to comment below and be sure to appreciate the beauty around you so you will realize just how beautiful your day truly is! ~♥
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1 Super Power?
1. What if one day an accident happens and suddenly had an awesome superpower?!
2. What role would you play with this newfound power?1. I'd want the ability to heal. The healing power would work on others and me.
2. I'd play the slightly mischievous heroine! I'm not a saint, but I have a warm loving soul.
I'll be best support gal! Kidding. I'd make sure to build strength, stay healthy, learn martial arts and whatever else. - 7
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Latest Entry
Favorite Anime OP!
Hello wonderful users! Post your favorite anime OP. ❤
Favorite one will get a free doodle made.
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The Hiatus Ends
Greetings and Salutations lovelies,
After hibernating in the hyperbolic time chamber, I have returned! There is so much going with anime, that I am dumbfounded as to where to start! Tell me what's going on in the anime world, what's new? What's back? What do you like so far? What should I look into?
Your friendly neighborhood Weeb Witch,
Yanu
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Latest Entry
Black Mirror: Bandersnatch Review
Oh boy. This is going to be hard to talk about...
...or that's what I thought at the beginning, before I watched the first five seconds of this episode. It pretty much spoiled the main gimmick of what made this episode 'special'. In short: it's an interactive movie.
That being said, it's a nice gimmick that's sure to get thousands, perhaps millions of people to finally subscribe to Netflix, right?
Right?
Whoopsie! One month free trial. Whoopsie! Cancelled immediately after finishing watching the episode. Whoopsie! So much for the piracy-aversion countermeasure, AKA PAC(man) [an acronym that's surely going to be important during the interactive episode]. Whoopsie!
But jokes aside, it's not a bad story. However, you could definitely feel that Black Mirror has lost its shine ever since season 3, especially when they had to incorporate such a "socially relevant" gimmick to get with the times, when games with choices are all the rage. Being an interactive movie, its central theme is naturally... can anyone guess? That's right - fate and destiny! Definitely wouldn't have seen that coming!
But to be fair, aside from one ending focusing on such a theme (and feeling like something outta that mediocre "Butterfly Effect" movie, a guilty pleasure of mine), it's also mixed with a few other themes as well. Because of our ability to control the actions of the protagonist, the story even goes meta a little bit and delve into parallel realities, and even delusion and insanity. So there's quite a bit of a mash-up of themes here that can feel oddly unsatisfying depending on the ending you reach. Personally, the most satisfying "ending" I reached was the aforementioned one that deals with fate. In the terms of a visual novel, you could even call it "the true ending" since it feels like it's the one that bears the most "closure". Furthermore, it's also the ending that feels the most like an ordinary Black Mirror cynical ending.
So what's my verdict on this? 7/10. Nice gimmick, and a good attempt to improve on the future of streaming services. I do feel tempted to encourage more interactive movies like this in the future, but at the same time, I can also see that it's a very problematic way of writing a story, and can leave the viewer unsatisfied depending on the kind of ending they reached, or the amount of time they spent to reach it. I spent at least four hours just rewinding the episode, hoping to get a happier ending.
Alas, such is not the nature of the twisted world that is Black Mirror.
Footnote: Hype for season 5 regardless! I'm still excited for the new episodes!
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Latest Entry
New Year, New You?
As the new year begins, what do people tend to say as they strive to accomplish their resolutions?
"New year, new me!"
But in reality, does that ever happen?
Most people give up after a month or two. Or sometimes, people quit within a week. But who can blame them?
Besides, you have to work for the 'new you'. It doesn't happen as soon as the new year starts.
So really, why is there such a saying if no one ever accomplishes it?
People may accomplish their goals/resolutions, but it seems that no one ever actually becomes the way they want to.
Let's say this year you want to improve your attitude or personality. It will take some time, but it's not impossible.
Let's say you accomplish this. Congrats! But do you feel like a new you? Or do you just feel better about yourself?
Maybe it's just me, but the whole "new year, new me" thing is ridiculous.
Let me know what you guys think about the whole thing.
Do you guys believe in the "new year, new me" saying?
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Latest Entry
Anime, More then Just... Part 6
We have seen that anime can take us on a journey through our imaginations. That our hearts and minds gets engaged as we live through the lives of the characters. Every once and a while we come across issues of morality (right and wrong). I was watching episode 8 of Saga of Tanya the Evil "Trial by Fire". In the episode the soldiers from the empire was ordered to fire upon and kill civilians. This brought up the issue of right and wrong and morality in warefare. Tanya's troops were ordered to kill the civilians that stayed behind in the city. However Tanya first anounced that anyone staying in the city would be considered enemy soldiers of the empire. I am reminded of a true story of Seargant Alvin York. He was drafted into the army during WWI. Also he was a conscientious objector becuase of his religion. He did not want to kill. In October 1918, as a newly-promoted corporal, York was one of a group of seventeen soldiers assigned to infiltrate German lines and silence a machine gun position. After the American patrol had captured a large group of enemy soldiers, German small arms fire killed six Americans and wounded three. York was the highest ranking of those still able to fight, so he took charge. While his men guarded the prisoners, York attacked the machine gun position, killing several German soldiers with his rifle before running out of ammunition. Six German soldiers charged him with bayonets, and York drew his pistol and killed all of them. The German officer responsible for the machine gun position had emptied his pistol while firing at York but failed to hit him. This officer then offered to surrender and York accepted. York and his men marched back to their unit's command post with more than 130 prisoners. York was immediately promoted to sergeant and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross; an investigation resulted in the upgrading of the award to the Medal of Honor. York's feat made him a national hero and international celebrity among allied nations. When asked why he killed, his response was, " I killed to save lives. I will continue later...
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Latest Entry
The way it was.
I remember the days when all you had to do was worry about going to school and watching cartoons. Your elementary teachers who gave out hugs as much as they gave out candy and good advice. Maybe you had some homework that you threw off for awhile or it was easy and you got it done right away. Your teen celebrities that you had a crush on growing up. That summer camp you went to as a kid. When the only real issues you had to deal with was offline bullies and chores that you didn't really want to do but you did anyway. Friends you'd make. Or didn't make. Authentic people who truly cared about you and you them.
Now everything has changed so much. The teen idols you grew with are either on drugs, considered obsolete, or dead. Rent and Bills are your indefinite companions. Bullies are now cyber as well as tangible. People seem either fake or unconcerned. Cartoons you grew up with as a child are considered old school. Music now sounds the same with no variety. Losing so much now than you ever have as a child. And now using nostalgia as a way of coping with a horrid future.
I miss the way it was.
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Super Detectives First 30 Seconds
So I was finally able to stop procrastinating and get stuff done. And here is 30+ seconds of my animated webcomic.
30 seconds is a lot of work for an animator. Although this isn't full animation just limited animation. And to be honest this is the easy part.
It gets harder from here.
It also feels weird as I don't know where to categorize it. It's a motion comic. But it's not Marvel or DC. There are no super heroes here.
It's not a web anime series as it's not 100% animated. It's not a web manga either as it's colored and has some animation.
It's not a webtoon as most webtoons have Asian settings. And focuses mostly on Romance.
But yeah I think I've rambled on long enough. Here is the link to the first 30+ seconds: (Let me know what you think)Le
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The Minnesota Shuffle
The Minnesota Shuffle
Losing a place to live due to shady landlords, "Minnesota nice" - meaning passive-aggressive, manipulative, shady housemates, or getting the building bought from under you and the new owners taking over your lease, or you're a family getting kicked out with only a month notice which is the legal minimum requirement
Changing jobs due to management micromanaging, manipulative shady employers, ignorant coworkers.
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Sugar and Spice & Everything nice
Sugar and Spice & Everything nice, that’s what Fall is made of.
When it comes to a favorite fall beverage, do you go on a hunt for the perfect Pumpkin spiced beverage?
Or are you after a hot apple cider?
To me, there’s nothing better than a steaming cup of spiced apple cider to warm you up on a chilly day. It started when I was little, taking a tour of an old historic township, where they displayed old fashioned mills and field games. Once we finished the tour, we lined up for a glass of warm old fashioned cider. The experience was one of a kind, and I find myself wanting to go back to have another taste of that famous cider. Or at least, my hunt for a good cider continues year after year to find a pleasing memory.
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Latest Entry
Anime changed our lives
Before my friends and I started watching anime we were just people who would play sports everyday talk and so on we didn't do much in our lives really...
Until one day my friends came back with a happy look one their faces different then most days they told me they watched something called "Anime" they began telling me how it was like how amazing and how amazing it was. Later that night I decided to watch anime for myself so I did I watched Totoro once I finished watching the movie it felt like i changed into a whole new person. The next day I told my friends I watched anime from their we found different new amines together such as
Totoro
Fairy tail
Naruto
Boruto
Angel beats
Attack on Titan
Tokyo ghoul
My hero Academia
Promised Neverland
One piece
Dragon ball z
Pokemon
Your lie in April
Kimi no na wa
and many more I have to say anime has brought me closer with my friends and has taught me so much like to all ways follow your dreams the life of a human sorrow and much more.
I'm really glad I started watching anime when I did now I know over 100 anime's. I'll continue to watch anime as there is so much more I still haven't watched yet!
Anyway that's all bye
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MMaM species: Shamblefluffs
Judging on their name, one would assume that a shamblefluff would be something fluffy that shambles... Well, you wouldn't be far from the truth...
So what is a shamblefluff exactly?
Well, let's have a bit of a gander. Shall we?
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Shamblefluffs:
Full name: Shamblefluffs
Other terms/Local names for the species: Cotton rollers, cotton fairies
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Factual information:
Appearance: Shamblefluffs are small, fluffy humanoids that are comprised of a stubby body. They have brown/tanned skin. And a thick layer of fur across their back and arms, which is extremely long and course, similar to that of sheep and cotton, giving them their name. Their eyes tend to be a solid black, and they have a small nose and mouth. Their features apart from this are usually bland, however they tend to adorn themselves with paints, accessories and styles in order to stand out from one another. They tend to travel as one large group, and as such look like a giant mass of shambling fluff (hence their full name)
Locations/Climates they are found in: Thick forestry areas that are subject to intense weather conditions. Such as extreme fluctuations of cold or heat.
Diet: regular Shamblefluffs are omnivores, however other subspecies within the group can either be carnivores or herbivores.
Nature (Aggressive, passive, exedra): They tend to be relatively social and rather pleasant, as they prefer to talk and barter with other humanoids (with the exception of the more tribal subspecies, that can sometimes hunt them for sport)
Culture: in general, a group of Shamblefluffs have their own cultural rules, histories and parts per group. However, for the most part, thir groups are commonly made up of individual professions with a single queen at the center. The queen is in charge, and is the soul leading force of the Shamblefluff group. If the queen dies, then the next queen is chosen on popularity and knowledge
Life span: 40-80 years
Other information:
They tend to vary a hollow, light weight homestead in the centre of the mass, which they use to sleep inside when either night rolls around, or when certain workers need to rest (this home is usually in the form of a wooden log, giant shell, or any natural/handmade source that can be squeezed inside as a home.)
Scout Shamblefluffs tend to be far smaller then the rest, while worries are much larger. This varies depending on group, however.
The smallest tend to be around the size of a human foot, while the largest can stand up to a humans waist
As part of a defensive mechanism, Shamblefluffs will drag an attacker into their bundle, pinning them down in the centre of them. They will then cause the individual to cook to death under the mass of fur, before then either stripping it apart if it was a usable animal or something they could use for food, or throw it away/burry it if it were a humanoid (although some will still use the first option, however it is commonly shunned upon, and is only ever done in times of need to prevent starvation)
Variations within the species:
They tend to vary in appearance based on their role within the shamble. Worries tend to be a bit larger and muscular, while groomers tend to have specialised tusks for parking fur, exedra
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List of subspecies:
Shamblefuffians
Shamblethorns
Cottonfluffs
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Shamblefluffians:
Appearance: just like ordinary Shamblefluffs, but their fur is a red/dark red/black rather then the standard shade of white, grey and gold. They also have sharper teeth and tusks in some cases
Locations/Climates they are found in: deserts, volcanic regions and forestry areas prone to sporadic climates
Diet: carnivores (the tribal groups are known to hunt and feed on other intelligent life too)
Nature (Aggressive, passive, exedra): aggressive for the most part, with the exception of those living closer to civilization, as they tend to be either friendly to other humanoids or at the very least avoid them. More tribal ones will eat intelligent life, however.
Culture: they tend to prefer hunting as a pack, utilizing small weapons and tusks to hunt and kill prey. Intelligent life in tribal variants tend to be seen as a more spiritual hunt, and thus gives way for warriors to prove themselves in battle.
Life span: 40-60 years
Other information:
Tribal variants are far more aggressive then those who are around civilization
They tend to enjoy places that are far warmer and more open
Although they travel as a group, they will fight other groups of shamblefluffians, and the winning group will take the losers in and use them as workers, only allowing them to become warriors when they prove themselves
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Shamblethorns:
Appearance: similar to Shamblefluffs, with the exception of their fur being more green, dark green and mint in coloration. Their fur also tends to contain thick, sharp thorns, as well as being far heavier and more course
Locations/Climates they are found in: thick forests, jungles and any places filled with crevices and foliage
Diet: herbivores. They tend to enjoy vines and other vine-like plant life and vegetation, such as ivy
Nature (Aggressive, passive, exedra): very defencive. They tend to huddle together when approached, and are overly cautious, even around other humanoids.
Culture: they tend to live in smaller groups, but are always looking out for one another. They will usually consume leaves, vines and other creeper plants until they need to move ,and will do so as a large group. Shamblethorns don't have a queen, and instead work as a services group, working with other groups of shamblethorns when needed, but otherwise sticking in smaller groups.
Life span: 70-88 years
Other information:
Their fur tends to be Incredibly sharp, accompanied by solid spines in their backs. These can usually cause immense lacerations, killing most species from exsanguination
They tend to work well with other species, oftentimes accepting protection from other humanoids in exchange for them eating pest creeper plants from taking over farmsteads and the like.
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Cottonfluffs:
Appearance: exactly like normal Shamblefluffs in base appearance, however they can vary drastically due to their introduction In to civilised life. This can include styles of hair; including trimmed variations, colours and even race-okenos (Due to parents being a mix of shamblefluff and any other variation of humanoid species) based on the area they have grown up in throughout life.
Locations/Climates they are found in: Civilised planets (or within civilization on many planets)
Diet: omnivores; tend to eat anything, so long as it fits into a regular humanoid diet.
Nature (Aggressive, passive, exedra): varies depending on upbringing and type of civilization. Brought up within. Varies from individual to individual.
Culture: varies based on civilization brought up in and their own family history.
Life span: average of 70-300 years
Other information:
Unlike other Shamblefluff species, Cottonfluffs don't travel as a group, and are independent (as such, no queens exist either)
They tend to be far taller then others. And are usually waist height, but this varies from individual to individual
Okeno Cottonfluffs tend to maintain their fur and their eyes, but will usually take in their other special traits, including normal height (but will always be slightly shorter then most, due to their overly short nature)
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