#like it's already hard to have a consistent timeline within the game series alone

[katewalker]

remember when microcro announced a syberia anime show and that they wanted it to be something similar to arcane??

yeah so i hope this is still happening btw, but by "similar to arcane" i hope they mean the art style and how it is animated and not how the fandom seems to suffer lmaooooo

[jmsebastian]

Vampire Hunter D’s Lone Video Game Adaptation

When people talk about PlayStation era 3D games being hard to go back to, Vampire Hunter D is the one I most often think about. Something of an alternate timeline version of the Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust animated film, the game has you play as the vampire hunter, himself. Throughout the adventure, you explore the castle Chaythe to rescue a woman, Charlotte, from having been kidnapped by the vampire lord, Meier Link. I say it’s an alternate history because while the general plotting of the film (itself an adaptation of the third novel in Hideyuki Kikuchi’s series), the events of the game take place entirely within Chaythe, whereas only the last act of the film is set there.

The decision to condense the story to all take place within the castle is a brilliant move and makes for an interesting and thematically consistent setting. You work your way from room to room, finding items and solving puzzles to open up more of the castle to explore. All the while you must slay or evade enemies that stand in your path and battle the occasional boss. If any of this sounds familiar, it should. It’s the formula for the classic survival series, Resident Evil.

Vampire Hunter D does its best to disguise itself as a survival horror game. It has pretty much all the staples. There’s the spooky mansion setting, the keys and puzzles, the backtracking through areas to open previously inaccessible locations. There are pre-rendered backgrounds and static camera angles. Last and for many, definitely least, there are tank controls.

My feeling is that tank controls are perfectly fine for survival horror games where the player has no control over the camera. It makes sense that your directional movement would be absolute rather than depend upon the view of whatever area you happen to be in. The drawback, of course, is that precision movement is difficult and you often move a bit slower because it takes time for your character to turn to face whatever direction you want to go.

Vampire Hunter D is not a survival horror game. It’s an action adventure game. It’s an action adventure game with platforming, fast paced melee combat, and plenty of ways to keep yourself fighting fit in the form of consumable items. None of these things are made easier by way of tank controls and they are, by far, the biggest barrier to entry for players who might have otherwise really taken to the game. All it takes is getting stuck against a wall while being wailed on by an enemy or missing a jump due to a poor camera angle to sour the overall experience.

The game seems to be aware of just how inappropriate tank controls were as well, as other aspects of the game seem to exist purely to compensate for the movement. The platforming I mentioned earlier rarely has you leaping over dangerous gaps. Even the instances that do only set you back a few seconds or reset the current room with no penalty to your health points. Really, most of the time you just need to hop onto a box or a knee high ledge, which kind of makes you wonder why they bothered including it.

Tank controls really have their limitations in the combat. To compensate, by default, you lock onto the nearest enemy when you draw your sword. This alters your movement a bit as pressing left or right will have you circle around your target in that direction rather than having you turn your body to face that direction. This works fairly well in rooms that provide good visibility and aren’t too cramped, but can be pretty useless in tight hallways or if you're trying to work around more than one enemy at a time. Again, the developers at Victor Entertainment Software seem to have been aware of these limitations and generally limit the places where you face multiple enemies to specific sections of the game, many of which you can just run past if you need to. It’s no surprise that the bosses are all fought in more open rooms where you have ample room to run around, side step, and circle around while locked on.

It’s a shame that tank controls were what we were given. I understand why it was designed the way it was, but if any game could have been improved by having more standard 3D movement enabled, it would be this one. Perhaps most amusing is that there is analog support, but like Resident Evil, all it really does is map the tank controls to the analog stick rather than give you true freedom of movement we’ve become accustomed to over time. I have plenty of complaints about the movement in Devil May Cry, but something like that would have been a huge improvement over what ended up in the game.

While the movement controls may be frustrating during combat, the mechanics around combat are actually where Vampire Hunter D shines the most and why I think it’s a game worth exploring despite its shortcomings. Being half vampire, D’s prowess depends upon having a steady supply of blood. That vampire power is represented by the VP bar under your HP.. Overtime, your VP depletes and causes your attack power to drop and your magical abilities to weaken. You can recover VP in two ways: consume blood capsules that you find throughout the castle or be splashed with the blood of enemies you strike with your sword.

I love this idea because it provides incentive to engage in combat when you would otherwise be tempted to just run past as many enemies as possible. If you avoid fighting, you have to consume blood capsules. While they aren’t exactly in short supply on the normal difficulty, they are best served for boss fights or other tough enemies so that you can recover some health and your VP and deal as much damage as possible.

It’s not as balanced as it really should be, unfortunately. Your VP drains at a pretty slow rate, but it’s also hard to get back up to a high level through the blood splashes alone. It would have been interesting to have the meter drain more quickly, but also refill more quickly, adding a bit of urgency to the game and really encouraging you to take down any monsters you come across.

A similar mechanic is used for D’s magic abilities, which are made possible thanks to the parasite that lives within his left hand. There is an option to heal, an attack based magic that surrounds enemies and drains them of health, and the ability to absorb the souls of enemies. That soul absorption replenishes your magic meter, so while you want to refill your VP with sword strikes, you also want to make sure you inhale as many enemies into Left Hand as possible as well.

Again, this is a mechanic designed specifically to encourage killing the monsters in the castle and it’s a perfectly reasonable goal for an action game. Unfortunately, it has a bit of an opposite effect as absorbing enemies is not a guarantee and you’re likely to take damage when attempting it since you need to be in close proximity for it to work. If you try it and you can’t absorb one, you’ll almost certainly take a hit that would have otherwise been avoidable. It’s a shame the VP and magic replenishing systems weren’t all that complementary as the intent behind them really has a lot of merit and offers a glimpse at what could have been complex and satisfying combat mechanics.

If you know what you’re doing, Vampire Hunter D is a fairly short game with a fair bit of replay value, as there are three endings you can achieve depending on a handful of choices you can make. I find the story to be one of the more compelling things about the game. It’s told through standard in-engine cutscenes and they’re acted fairly well (several of the actors from Bloodlust reprise their roles). Your enjoyment of that probably largely depends on whether or not you’re already a fan of the Vampire Hunter D source material or your feelings on sci-fi action horror in general, but there’s a lot to like about it.

I feel a bit bad for those who just aren’t able to enjoy older games due to feeling archaic. I can’t really defend the issues Vampire Hunter D has, as there are legitimate limitations and design choices that make the game frustrating at times. However, I also don’t want it to be dismissed as an old game not worth playing. You can tell just how much the people who made it really seemed to care about making it true to the Vampire Hunter D series. It’s about as faithful a video game adaptation as could be and one well worth spending some time with.

[jemmasmithinterior]

19 Ways to Live the “New Year New You” Trend in 2019

It’s that time again—the early time of year where we make resolutions and trends that will set the stage for the rest of 2019. Naturally, the most popular trends include eating healthier, exercising more and saving money. This has evolved into a “new year, new you” trend (#newyearnewme has over 1,200,000 posts attributed to it on Instagram alone at the time of this article) that everyone hops on every January.

While fads come and go, treating yourself to a better life means you’ll always be in style! We want to help build a better you with some inspiring ways to carry it on past just making a resolution:

#1: Make mini goals you can accomplish every day. 

Forget “get fit” as a goal—that’s not helpful at all! Instead, start off with a goal of doing 5 sit-ups a day, and when you have that down, increase the number and gradually add in other exercises as you’re able to. Being able to complete this every day will make this a habit that you’ll come to love! Apply this to other areas in your life, and you’ll be able to see tremendous progress as the year goes on.

#2: Time your tasks.

How long do things typically take you on a day-to-day basis? Make a list and attribute it to hours (where 2 would be 2 hours, etc.). That way, you can plan your day knowing what to expect, as well as what’s realistic to accomplish in a week.

#3: Try 1 new activity a month.

How do you know you’ll like something unless you try? Go on a site where you can get discounts on things to do, and try something new with a friend! Go rock climbing, or take a nice dinner party excursion on a boat. Not only will this help you find new things to do in your area, but it will get you motivated and out of your comfort zone! That sounds like #newyearnewme to us.

#4: Throw away clothes you haven’t worn.

Take the time to go through your entire wardrobe. Do you really still need that top you bought in 2004 and haven’t worn in 3 years? Probably not. Though some T-shirts or clothing items may have sentimental value, consider turning them into a fun quilt or framing and hanging them on the wall—just get them out of your closet! This will help you make room for fresh, newer pieces as your style develops. This is feasible for all budgets, and really helps with clutter! (We all know Marie Kondo is trending right now, so why not take a few pointers from her new Netflix series?)

#5: Clean out your social media.

Okay, hear us out. We know you have a lot of Facebook friends, but how many do you really talk to on a regular basis? While it’s good to stay in touch, if there are people on your timeline who are giving you majorly negative emotions, consider at least unfollowing them so you’re not constantly exposed to any kind of toxic behavior. For a true #newyearnewme mentality, you need to eliminate roadblocks and things that bring you down. Do this with all your social media, and you’ll find your feed to be a brighter, more exciting experience going into this year.

#6: Learn to say “no.”

Despite how much we love watching superhero movies, we can’t always don the cape ourselves and do it all. Take a step back, and don’t be afraid to say no to plans if you’re not in the right headspace. A self-care day can do wonders to relax the mind and put you at ease. This may be hard at first, but you’ll find it’s going to be so rewarding to only agree to things you actually want to do!

#7: Read 1 book a month.

While this is one of the popular resolutions of “read more,” there’s so much you can gain from setting a realistic reading goal of 1 a month! Pick whatever resonates with you—it could be a mystery thriller, self-help book or even a short story compilation—and take 15-30 minutes a day to tune out the world and your smartphone. If you don’t like visual reading, audiobooks are easily accessible from libraries and even online memberships. Continue to work your mind, and it will reward you in so many ways!

#8: Volunteer and give your time to those who need it.

There’s so much fulfillment to be had helping others—not only is volunteering a humbling experience, but it helps you realize how much of an impact your contributory efforts can truly make. Go to a soup kitchen, local animal shelter or even your neighbor to see how you can make a difference and improve someone’s day.

#9: Run an obstacle course.

You’ll learn a lot about yourself once you have to push past your limits—especially physical. Get a group together and run a Spartan or other obstacle race, since it’ll give you something to look forward to, and a goal to work towards. If the course is 4 miles, then you’ll know to work up to 4 miles of endurance on a treadmill or elliptical. You got this!

#10: Grow herbs at home.

Sure, we can all buy dried herbs in the store, but why when you can have it fresh in your home? Whether you live in a house or a dark apartment, there are tons of planter options to help you sustain and grow your very own assortment of herbs indoors, complete with LED grow lights and reminders. This can totally be a game changer for your meals!

#11: Drink 8 glasses of water a day.

Let’s be honest—we’re all quick to dismiss self-care—probably more than we’d like to admit. You only have this one body, so take care of it! You can start by drinking more water. The average adult should have about eight 8 ounce glasses a day. Although that sounds like a lot, it’s not! Get a water bottle that has notches timed to your water intake. By 10AM, you can check and strive to regulate your intake. You may use the bathroom more, but it’s for the good of your body!

#12: Knock out one of your bucket list items.

Everyone has a nagging list of things they want to accomplish in this life. Don’t ignore yours for another minute! While it’s always wise to set realistic, measurable goals, pinpoint one you want to nail down this year and commit to doing it. This particular item doesn’t have to be a huge one; it could be something as simple as treating yourself to a massage for the first time! If something isn’t attainable within the year (such as traveling to India, for example), take the whole year to save and plan every detail. Every step toward achieving your dreams counts as a victory!

#13: Put all your important documents into a fireproof container.

We wouldn’t exactly call this a glamorous item on the list, but it is important! How easy is it to lose track of insurance cards, passports, birth certificates and other vital documentation? Too easy. Set your mind at ease by filing everything away into a fireproof container that stays in a safe place. That way, tracking that pesky passport down the night before a flight will be easier than ever.

#14: Simplify packing with easy luggage totes.

“I love packing!” said no one ever. Don’t make packing any harder than it has to be. The right methods (such as rolling clothes vs. folding them) paired with a compact packing system will totes simplify your life immensely every time you have to make a trip. Say sayonara to shoving things in a bag and hoping for the best in 2019.

#15: Glow up (literally) with a consistent daily skincare routine.

When’s the last time you kept up with a skincare routine? If you do, kudos, but if not, definitely start! Keep in mind any allergies you have, or go to a dermatologist before starting any expensive products. Chances are, though, with the right ingredients and steps (it’s always cleanse, tone and moisturize!), your skin will be radiant—even without a selfie ring light.

#16: Don’t put limitations on your happiness.

We all fall into negative patterns of delaying happiness because something is supposedly missing in your life. There’s so much zen in finding happiness in your current moment, because let’s face it: you’ve already come so far from last year! Take pride in that, and don’t reinforce thoughts that threaten self-doubt. As long as you’re trying your best, know that in itself is enough.

#17: Update your resume.

Chances are, with how fast the job market moves, yours most likely needs an update. Even if you’re not job hunting, keeping your job history and portfolio samples up-to-date will save a lot of time when you DO find that dream job unexpectedly (it almost ALWAYS happens out of the blue). Reconnect on LinkedIn, take new headshots if you’ve got a new haircut and add any new accreditations or skills you may have acquired over the year(s).

#18: Learn 1 new skill or hobby.

Although we did mention trying something new, perhaps you’ve got an old skill or hobby that’s a bit rusty around the edges that you’ve left behind due to lack of time. Carve out 30 minutes once or twice a week to revisit these. If you played piano, refresh your knowledge of chords; for coding, take that free course on HTML or SQL. You may even find that you missed doing these things, and that you just lost touch!

#19: Find your inner peace.

Every day, we get caught up with friends, family and even co-workers, but at the end of the day, being happy with yourself should take precedence. Take a stroll by yourself or settle into a relaxing bath—anything that will help you discover doing things by yourself is totally A-Okay! Put the “you” back in “New Year new you.” Whatever that means will have you questioning and re-evaluating things, which is completely normal. Nobody said achieving goals and dreams was easy, after all!

  Did these tips help you? We sure hope so! Tell us what you’ve done so far to make the New Year great. Whether it’s redecorating or finding a new exercise regime, we hope it’s everything you’re looking for and more!

The post 19 Ways to Live the “New Year New You” Trend in 2019 appeared first on XO Ashley.

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