Video Game Review: Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days and Kingdom Hearts 2

On April 4, 2022April 4, 2022 By AllieS.In Video GamesLeave a comment

As I have been playing all of the Kingdom Hearts games on the 1.5 and 2.5 collection on the PS4 not all of the games are playable but are movie versions of the cut scenes and story information. This is how Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days is in the collection. Now, Days originally released after Kingdom Hearts 2 but the collection put Days first as the story timeline has Day occurring before the main events of Kingdom Hearts 2.

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So if you look anywhere on the best order to play Kingdom Hearts in some will say to play Days before 2 or after 2. I feel like most of the time its better to play in the order that the games where released in but Days doesn’t matter as much. The game focuses on Roxas and his relationship to Organization XII which does give clarity on the events of the three hour long prolong to Kingdom Hearts 2 but not much other important story information that is directly needed to play Kingdom Hearts 2. In terms on how your play through will change depending on what order you play in the major is how confusing the opening prolong to Kingdom Hearts 2 is and how much of the mystery of Roxas do you want. Days chronologically is set after the first game but before 2 and is set both during and after the events of Chain of Memories. For me I knew information about the later games anyways so I don’t think it matters much which one I played first but I do feel like the relationship between Alex and Roxas is better understood and you get more out the open of Kingdom Hearts 2 with the information in Days first. However, you do loose some of the mystery element that starts the game and is throughout with the Organization.

Before I get into Kingdom Hearts 2 I will make a note that I generally play on Beginner mode as I don’t feel that I’m all that good at these games but I love the story. Any information I miss playing this way, such as the secret endings I look up after I’ve finished playing the game. Most people will say this is not the best way to play these games but I just want to enjoy the story and get through the games in a timely manner.

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Kingdom Hearts 2 starts off with a prolog that is about three hours long focusing on Roxas who has a connection to Sora but its not explained until much later in the story. When we start playing as Sora he has been a sleep for a year and now must travel the worlds again to find Riku and King Mickey as well as stop the evil plan of Organization XII. I love these games but its in Kingdom Hearts 2 that you can tell the plot does start to get a little confusing if you aren’t paying attention as there are hints of where major plot points and events are headed.

In comparison to Kingdom Hearts, I find Kingdom Hearts 2 a much more enjoyable experience to play. Though you can tell the game was created for the PlayStation 2 the movement of the characters and the gameplay overall is much better. The Drive Forms are a great new way to add to the gameplay even though I don’t like things like double jump being connected to the Drive Forms. Overall, Kingdom Hearts 2 is one of the best games in the series both story and gameplay wise from what I’ve played so far.

I’m currently making my way through the rest of the series and since 2022 is the 20th anniversary I hope to have finished most of what we have currently before the end of the year.

February 2022 Fairyloot

On April 1, 2022April 1, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

Fairyloot is a Young Adult book subscription box focusing on fantasy based out of the UK. Each month you receive a new Young Adult hardback book and 5-6 bookish goodies. Like most book boxes the hardback are special editions and the items are a combination of both practical things and more decorative items. February’s theme is To the Moon and Back.

The bookish items included this month are a pair of Starless Sea socks, a Crescent City necklace, a Wicked Fox art print, a set of celestial bookends with the moon, sun, and starts, and a Daughter of the Moon Goddess tote bag. The monthly tarot cards feature character art from the Red Rising series.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan and also has digitally sprayed edges, artwork on the endpapers and foiling on the hardback. Inspired by the legend of Chang’e the Moon Goddess, the story follows Xingyin who has been hidden from the Celestial Emperor and raised on the moon. When her magic is discovered she flees and must leave her mother behind. In disguise she ends up training with the Emperor’s son but to rescue her mother she must challenge the Emperor and could lose all that she loves.

March’s theme is Threads of Fate.

Movie Review: Dune (2021)

On March 28, 2022March 28, 2022 By AllieS.In Movie ReviewLeave a comment

Dune (2021) is the first movie in the new Dune adaptations, staring Timothee Chalamet, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, and many other amazing actors. The story starts with Duke Leto Atreides and his family being given control of the desert planet, Arrakis also know as Dune. Arrakis is the only place that spice exists which gives users longer lives and other abilities. The main plot follows Paul, Leto’s son, and his mother Jessica after the family is betrayed and many are killed by the rival family the Harkonnen’s as they escape into the vast desert of Dune and met up with the local population the Fremen. This movie is only part one, so it ends with Paul meeting and joining the Fremen. I expect that the sequel will continue from this point and tell the rest of Paul’s story.

Personally, I liked this movie but I don’t feel like its a good adaptation. If you have never read Dune or seen any of the previous attempts at a good Dune movie you will be very lost while watching this. This adaptation seems to expect that you know how things about the world and technology work, and to some extent who the characters are and the background of why House Harkonnen is planning to assassinate House Atreides.

This movie is visually amazing and very well acted but not movie should require you to know everything before watching. For example, I often see some of the Marvel movies with my dad but he doesn’t watch all of them. When we went to see Avengers: Infinity War he didn’t know everything but was able to understand enough to enjoy it without having seen everything that came before. Dune is one of those movies where you need to know at least the basics of the world to really understand which could be a detriment to those who just want to see the movie. Even if you haven’t read Dune and want to see the movie you should try it but go in knowing that you might be confused and you might not get all the answers that you want.

February 2022 Illumicrate

On March 21, 2022March 17, 2022 By AllieS.In IllumicrateLeave a comment

Illumicrate is a UK based fantasy and science fiction book box that has monthly boxes or just a monthly book only subscription. Each box also includes a selection of bookish goodies some more practical, others more decorative set around a monthly theme. February’s theme is Bad Blood.

The items included in this box are A Memory Called Empire inspired tumbler, a fabric pouch, a Medusa trinket tray, a bath bomb, and a set of magnetic coins.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is A River Enchanted by Rebecca Ross which follows Jack who is returning to Cadence when girls start disappearing. With the help of Adaira, Jack’s childhood enemy they hope to find the missing girls and appease the spirits but darker secrets are lurking which could undo everything. This edition has an exclusive cover, foiling on the hardback, artwork endpapers and printed edges.

Mach’s theme is A Life of Its Own.

January 2022 Monthly Wrap Up

On March 18, 2022March 16, 2022 By AllieS.In Wrap UpLeave a comment

In January I read four books and finished two video games. I haven’t been watching that much except for a few documentaries, The Return to Hogwarts Special on HBO was the only one that I loved.

Books:

The first book I finished for this year was Dune by Frank Herbert which I had started in October but it took me a long time to finish. I feel like Dune is one of those stories that you hear a lot about but is still kind of hard to explain. We follow Paul as his family is given control of Arrakis, a desert planet know as Dune. When his family is betrayed Paul and his mother escape into the desert a way from the cities and join the local inhabitants the Fremen. Paul becomes a chosen one/messiah know as the Muad’Dib and plans to take over the galactic empire. Dune is one of those books that can take a while to understand what is happening due to all the information that is parceled out through the story but its also very readable. Personally, I found the ending weird and somewhat confusing though I like the book overall. Dune is the first book in a series but it reads well as a standalone and I don’t plan on continuing. I feel like if you are interested in reading Dune you should give it a shot but its not this amazing must read and it might not be for you.

Next I read Greek Myths: Meet the Heroes, Gods and Monsters of Ancient Greece by Jean Menzies which is an illustrated children’s books about Greek Myths. I bought this primarily for the art and to support the author. Since its a children’s book I knew most if not all the information in this book but this one of those books that I wish I had as a kid.

Siren Queen by Nigh Vo is an adult fantasy novel set in 1930s Hollywood in a world where the worst monsters are not on screen and immortality can be gained by being in the movies. I received an early review copy through Netgalley and I also have a full review posted. Luli Wei is a Chinese-American girl who wants to be in movies but would rather play the monster instead of the maid. When the studios own everything Luli is willing to do what ever it takes to become a star. Siren Queen is an amazing critical and magical take on old Hollywood. Luli is one of those characters that you love but is not the best person. This book made me want to read more of Nigh Vo’s work.

Hide by Kiersten White is a contemporary horror/thriller where fourteen people are in a competition to play hide and seek in an abounded amusement park to win enough money to change their lives. The main character Mack feels like she can beat the others but when people start disappearing two a day it becomes clear something else is going on. I loved this book and it reminded me somewhat of the movie Cabin in the woods. I received an early review copy through Netgalley and I also have a full review posted.

Video Games:

I finished two video games in January Persona 5: Strikers and Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight which I have full reviews posted for both.

Persona 5: Strikers is a hack and slash Dynasty Warriors style fighting game that combines game play elements from Persona 5. The plot is set during the summer break after the events of Persona 5 where Joke and the rest of the Phantom Thieves are planning a camping trip but end up having to go back into the Metaverse to destroy newly created jails where the shadow of the jails ruler is stealing desires. This was a fun game that I loved but I’m not a fan on how the stealth works in the game. If you are a fan of Persona 5 you should give the game a try.

Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight is a rhythm dancing game that is very light on the plot. The twins bring the Phantom Thieves into the Metaverse through their dreams to try to win a dance competition between the siblings that help in the Velvet Room. This is one of those games that you will like only if you are both a Persona 5 fan and don’t mind rhythm games. I liked it but its one of those games that I don’t think I will ever play again.

January 2022 Fairyloot

On March 7, 2022February 28, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, FairylootLeave a comment

The bookish items included this month are a James Herondale Trinket dish, a Scythe enamel pin, a metal bookmark with a character from this months book on it, a These Hollow Vows tea towel, and a puzzle featuring August Flynn from This Savage Song. The monthly tarot cards have character art work form the Red Rising series.

All Fairyloot books come with exclusive covers, signed by the author and include a letter from the author. This month the book is Only a Monster by Vanessa Len which also has stencil sprayed edges, art on the endpapers, and foiling on the hardback. This is a fantasy story set in London with monsters, hidden powers, and romance where the main character might not be the hero of this story.

February’s theme is To the Moon and Back.

Video Game Review: Persona 5 Dancing in Starlight

On March 4, 2022February 28, 2022 By AllieS.In Video GamesLeave a comment

Persona 5: Dancing in Starlight is a rhythm game where you control the Persona 5 characters in dancing challenges and includes a very basic plot. The plot essentially is that the twins, Caroline and Justine, learn about the events of Persona 4: Dancing All Night in which Yu Narukami used dance to defeat the villain of that game. The twins are jealous and challenge their sister to dace off to see who has the better guest. The characters are summoned to the Velvet room for the dance off and will not remember the anything after they leave.

While Dancing in Starlight really doesn’t have a plot you do learn insightful things about each character and its a fairly fun game overall if you are already a fan of Persona 5. I have played both the Persona 4 and the Persona 5 dancing games between the two I preferred the Persona 4 game. Persona 4: Dancing All Night is much more of a plot driven game and as that is what I like in video games I enjoyed it more. However, if your a fan of Persona 5 I think you will enjoy Dancing in Starlight.

January 2022 Illumicrate

On February 28, 2022February 22, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, IllumicrateLeave a comment

The items included in this box are a We Hunt the Flame Puzzle, a set of fluffy socks, a phone holder inspired by The Prison Healer, and a spinning pendant inspired by The Never-Tilting World.

Illumicrate, like other book boxes, include a new hard cover each month and most months a letter from the author. This months book is This Woven Kingdom By Tahereh Mafi which follows Alizeh, the heir to the Jinn Kingdom, who is hiding as a servant and Kamran the crown prince who is prophesized to die and doesn’t realize that a servant girl will change everything. This special edition has a exclusive naked hardcover and digitally printed edges.

This month Illumicrate also included a softback copy of The Ivory Key by Akshaya Raman which has sprayed edges, an author letter, and is signed.

February’s theme is Bad Blood.

December 2021 OwlCrate

On February 25, 2022February 18, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, OwlCrate1 Comment

Owl Crate is a young adult book subscription box where every month you receive one new hardcover book and an assortment of bookish goodies connected to the monthly theme. Some of these items are very practical and some are better suited as décor or for a pin/bulletin board. December’s theme is Beneath the Waves.

Each box includes different bookish goodies that fit the theme of the month and are connected to other books. This months items include the reading planner that was missing in November’s box, a wooden ornament, an oversized mug that finishes the 2021 drinkware collection, a magnetic dry erase board, a necklace inspire by A Darker Shade of Magic, a cleaning cloth, and a foldable reusable shopping bag.

Every month Owl Crate has a new young adult hardback book that has an exclusive cover, is signed and comes with a letter from the author. The enamel pin that is in every box is also inspired by that months book. This months book is Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen and this edition also has art on the reverse of the dust jacket, a full color hardback, and gold gilded edges. The story follows Simi a Mami Wata, a mermaid that collects the souls of those lost at sea. However, when she saves the life a a boy thrown overboard she must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. Though there is something that wants to see her fail which could risk the fate of the world.

January’s theme is Thrill of the Hunt. Personally, I have not been that impressed with the items or book selections that Owlcrate has made lately. Because of this I have cancelled my subscription for now but I could see myself getting boxes in the future.

Obsidian Moon Crate December 2021 Box

On February 21, 2022February 18, 2022 By AllieS.In Book Box, Obsidian Moon CrateLeave a comment

Obsidian Moon Crate is a newer book box based in the US that focuses on adults with interest in the darker elements of life and books. Each box comes with a new hardcover book, one crystal, one candle, and four to six other items.

The items included in this box are a full size bath soak inspired by the Winternight Trilogy, a Snow Maiden wood wick candle, a wooden sign, a His Dark Materials enamel pin, peppermint hot cocoa mix, and an opalite crystal star.

The book included was a hardcover copy of The Midnight Girls by Alicia Jasinsk. This edition also came with an author letter, a signed book plate, and purple sprayed edges. The story features two rival women who each want to steal the pure heart of the prince. If one consumes a pure heart they will gain immense power. But as their attraction to each other grows their rivalry might cost both of their lives.

Overall, if you are interested in a darker aesthetic or darker book this could be the book box for you. I do plan to order other boxes from them in the future.