Soda Dungeon

Say hello to my latest addiction... 

by Armor Games

Basically, you're a nameless coward who can't fight. But there's a dungeon waiting to be explored. But you're nobody. Nobody wanders into a local soda tavern until Somebody hyper was sighted. He was so hyper that he was willing to do dangerous things for you just for soda. So Nobody is a businessman. So Nobody realised a business model.

..and whether or not Somebody thrives. It depends on Nobody. You.

The tavern and the dungeon.

I love how simple it is and its challenge. You hire people to fight for you. You either command their actions or of course, there is always Auto-Combat.

It's somewhat a combination turn based Final Fantasy gameplay and going through stages like in Tap Heroes.
Or maybe there are already games like these but I haven't been playing enough.

As you progress, you'll find spending the gold you find wisely is essential to how fast you progress to the game. Also, if you're serious about completing the game, I do not recommend Auto-Combat. Auto-Combat also takes of the fun of planning your attacks.

Your progress also depends on how you invest in the Tavern.

I particularly like how the developers added an efficient Liquidate feature to the merchant, which allows you to quickly sell away any loot that you carrying more than five of. I love considerate developers.

One of the elements I like in the game is its surprise factor.
What's good is there are times that you can manually choose if you want to be surprised.
Just continue on your path.. and risk being ambushed occasionally.

Some monsters' designs are repetitive, but it's good enough for me.

These.. guarantee plenty of replay value.

Uh, this may be a spoiler. But it's too nice to not be posted.

I stumbled upon this boss through a warp (surprise!). I was concerned if I could beat him. But I did! ..proves that as long as you build your party well and strategize your attacks, it is still possible to win. Plus, victory is sweeter that way.

Soda Dungeon will be on Android starting November 7th this year! Enjoy! :D

Finally, because I'm nice, here are some tips:

1. Invest on your first stool and table as soon as possible. Then, the next best Soda you can afford.
2. Invest on beds (you can refresh your Tavern for as many times as your gold allows you to), and then casks. Remember to ensure that you will have enough gold to hire a party of five AFTER upgrading the casks you have.
3 Always ensure that you have enough gold to hire the strongest character possible.
4. Wean yourself off Soda Junkies as soon as you have better characters....
5. Always ensure that you have a party of five - fill your party up with junkies in the beginning.
6. As you progress, you will have characters with different skills. While I mention that you should hire the strongest characters possible, it is also important to have an arsenal of characters with different skills.
7. Arm your Conjurers with staffs, wands, and items that improve their magic stats.
8. I recommend not getting or using the wizard's services - you get more gold and loot (which also means more gold) if you start from Level 1. Yeah, I'm patient and hardworking like that. Patience is a virtue. Also, by cruising through the dungeon from the beginning, you'd also have fun with fantastic surprises at the fork.
9. Always use the Liquidate function. It's there for a reason.
10. Once you've set up your party nicely and have enough gold for a banker, invest your gold on him so that you're still earning gold even when you're having a life.
11. Always invest on reputation from time to time, especially your Sodas. Also, even if you have a particular Soda, the character your want won't come until you have achieved the sufficient amount of reputation.
12. Invest on the Kitchen when you've explored till about Level 70.
13. When you stumble upon relics... choose wisely. Also, spend all your gold before moving on to the next dimension.

Their main website link is here. More spoilers heh~

I didn't cover everything, but I covered everything I want to cover :P
I prefer that people discover things themselves.
Have fun!

Lumo Deliveries

Yesterday I was trying to order dinner. But instead of foodpanda, I wanted to see if there were any other similar services I could use. So I searched delivery on the App Store.

I found a game called Lumo Deliveries and I was instantly attracted to its artwork:

Coffee HAHA. I find game art like this refreshing.

When it started, I realized that it could just be a fancy tap genre kinda game:

tap tap tap~ to make delivery

I simply thought it'd be about leveling up your driver, vehicle and after that, more tapping. You know.. like Tap Titans. These kinda games always occupy me for about a few days, after which I'd be lazy to continue tapping and finally delete it.

But this was different. ... of course it's different. Otherwise, I wouldn't be writing about it.

Lumo Deliveries is set for world domination ~ through delivery.

As you can see, I just started.. and I already dominated China. Yep China.

While this was an indie that stood out for me, I am not particularly hooked to it. But I am still keeping it in my phone, for the amount of effort that has been put upon it.

For starters: 

What an awesome Options screen.

Next: this is a domination through delivery game - which means you need to have drivers and vehicles. Your drivers need to stay loyal, and your vehicles needs reliability and of course, coffee cup holders. For every unique driver that you hire, they are delivered to you in the most sinister way possible. 

How grand. Plus.. 

Doesn't the character art somehow rekindle childhood memories? ^^

The fact that little details are emphasized on is a plus point for me. 

As you explore the game, you'll realize that there are a lot of things that you can fiddle with. 

For instance - your driver's loyalty is dwindling? 

Mindfuck them.

Have some time to spare? Tag your driver along during their delivery journey, and collect some coins and heck, some coffee cups!

The background varies according to the location you are delivering to. Also note that you can tinker with your vehicle's stats on the spot as you are making delivery. That said, your drivers too, of course have their profile which you can improve. 

I find this to be a nice game to fill up time.. especially if you're stuck waiting on something e.g. your girlfriend in the changing room, or your friend's getting a tattoo or simply just because you want to take a break from work. So on your break you wanna dominate the world in another dimension. That's not too shabby. 

The only weakness of the game is that the developers did not attempt to make it more engaging. With the power of their little efforts, they could easily make the game more interesting by adding funky daily quests, unique ways to maintain each unique character's loyalty etc But of course, I'm not the developer, I may be spitting out difficult suggestions, but as a casual gamer, these would be the things keeping me hooked - your originality. 

I searched for more games from the developer, but Lumo Deliveries was the only one thus far. I hope they're still in the field making more games~ 

If you stumble upon this post, and is trying to cure boredom, give this game a try. It could've been updated (the older this post gets, the higher the possibility :P) and I pray for awesome updates! 

This is a beautiful game which may or may not be on its way to getting improved. 

Finally, 

Lots of love. They're loading. Please wait.

Temple Run Oz

Once again Disney has collaborated with Imagi Studios to bring you the latest.... Temple Run Oz. Unlike the classic Temple Run and the still pretty new Temple Run 2, TRO brings in a fresh kind of thrill and excitement you have.. or rather, I have never felt...

When Temple Run Brave was first released, I was so excited. I had no second thoughts even if there was a .99 price on it. But as much as I wouldn't say I was disappointed, I didn't have the drive to finish every goal as I did in the classic Temple Run. I didn't have the urge to run again and again. But this post isn't about Brave, it's about Oz.

Ironically, when I saw Oz I was skeptical... because Temple Run 2 too didn't give me the drive. Mind you, TR2 was a great improvement. But I guess time passed, I've grown old, and I didn't have the urge to play like a geek as I did for its classic. Yet guess what?

Oz gave me the thrill again. I'm playing again and again again. :) From its improved gameplay, to new ways to make you stop running, reasonable and consistent goals to legendary achievements.... this was a 0.99 cents very well spent.

I'm not going to spoil you on what new TRO has to offer. But as you can probably see in the picture.. the monkeys have ran too much.. they've gone thinner and they've grown wings. And yes, they can fly. Anyway, I'm just going to emphasize on how Oz is thrilling, it is exciting, it might make you wince at times... and it's most definitely a better version of TR2.

..and it's only .99 cents. NINETY NINE CENTS.

BUY IT IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY. 

No, I'm not working for them. I'm just sharing.
This isn't a review. This is an biased opinion asking you to support Imangi Studios and buy the goddamn app so that they can create more awesome games.

kthxbai

Lil' Kingdom

This is an app I've been getting really addicted to. It's available for the iPhone and Android.
Credits to Mel for introducing me to it! :D 

It's been taking away hours of my sleep... because I feel too guilty to play it during working hours,

Funny how I don't feel guilty about blogging it during working hours... welp... my job now is taking nice pictures and blogging about them anyway. Heh!

So here are some tips I learnt... just in case there are any Lil' Kingdom players out there! :D
Mel stopped playing it already because it eated all her gems/coins after an update...
I hope if I ever update the game it won't eat all my efforts...

Anyways, here goes!

*Update*
I'm surprised with the amount of views I got o__O
So to ease up your eyes... here's a...

Summary (and Additional Tips):

I. Evict people you deem unworthy.

II. Invest on Dragon eggs for ease in stocking up Collectible floors as well as items that take more than two hours to restock.

III. Always remember to check if there are Citizens with Ideal Jobs that match with your newly built floors.

IV. Invest on Elevators... pray for Sales. ;p 

V. Invest on the Unicorn Ranch (refer to point 5 below).

VI. Upgrade Collectible Floors. 

VII. Always remember that a floor is fully employed if you're stocking it up with a Wizard's help.

VIII. Patterns recommended to stock up floors that take less than two hours: 3-2-1 or 3-1-2 (I like the latter because I'm twisted). Fully stocking a floor (without Dragon/Wizard's help) will earn you gold and an occasional gem.

IX. Don't waste gems on moving in Citizens. Be diligent and move in Citizens yourself. It'll earn you extra gold and gems. Also if you're lucky you'll get lots of visits from special characters (Wizard/Elf/Dwarf).

X. Always tap on Citizen's thoughts. You earn gold and sometimes gem for paying attention ;) 

XI. If you get Citizens of which Ideal Job matches with a floor you already have, but his/her stats are too low for your liking - first earn the three gems you get from matching Ideal Jobs, then EVICT.

XII. Remember that Citizens will give you gems on their birthdays... so before you evict, check if their birthdates are near ;p Harsh I know but oh well...... I'm twisted.

1. Be merciless when it comes to evicting people ;D Why?
When you evict people - it means you're allowing other Citizens to come in and stay. Different Citizens have different ideal jobs. For each matched ideal jobs you gain three gems!

So evict and bring in new Citizens whenever possible.. unless you haven't matched their jobs or unless they have really high statuses for their ideals, or if they have multiple high stats in different areas. Useful when you need to hire people for newly built floors.

You can be flexible on this though, think for yourself, don't just follow what I say, aye? 

2. Everytime you get a new floor, always check if it matches with any of your current Citizen's ideal jobs.

3. I'm not sure if you like upgrading floors, but it isn't my thing. I am doing it, but I think gems are wasted on upgrading floors. I instead invest on Dragon eggs since a Dragon restocks all three products whether or not you have three Citizens hired... plus there's a half-price sale now!! ..and I got a White Dragon egg WOO HOO!

4. If you're a diligent Lil' Kingdomer like me.. you should have a lot of gems. So invest also on elevators. I got lucky and was around during the elevator sale for the second elevator (got it for the price of 30 gems).. but I had to save up for the third one.... which is 120 gems =__+

It's definitely worth it though, especially when you're already having 30+ floors and your elevator is just too slow for Princess missions. Do what the Princess requests of you, because she rewards greatly! :D

5. One way to earn gold to dig new floors quickly (the word quickly here is uh.. it depends though) is to.. invest on the Unicorn Range, and I hope you already have the Dragon Hatchery (I don't remember whether it's a compulsory prompt from the game).

Next, it's to have some luck, or invest effort to unlocking the exclusive floors which are only accessible when you complete a set of collectibles; e.g. Smuggler's Den, Counting House.

Finally, put someone on that floor... and hope a fresh Dragon is ready to stock up the floor for you. If a Wizard comes along, then make sure that floor has three Citizens hired.

When the floor gets stocked up... pray that your Unicorn walks over to it to turn all your stock into kaching! (yeah, this can be frustrating if you have many many floors....) but seriously..? It's worth it. I've tried it a couple of times.. and it feels good when the gold shoots up from 33 333 to 333 333 so quickly :D

6. Always restock the 3rd product first, and then the 1st, and finally the 2nd. It's a pattern I follow to make sure I can get each floor fully stocked... because you get gold when you fully stock a floor, and sometimes, gems! :D

I usually use Dragons to stock up floors that have products that take more than 2 hours to prepare though.
Nevertheless, always make sure each floor has one product all stocked up so that you have your gold flowing in.

7. Never move in Citizens into dwelling using gems. It's a waste. Instead be hardworking and move in Citizens who come knocking at your door. Time-consuming yes, but sending people to floors sometimes earn you gems as well, and the deeper their destination, the more gold they pay.

So yes, definitely invest at least on the Infernovator......

8. I'm planning to save up to 150 gems... and pray for a half-price Elevator sale again. Of course, you can use real money to pay for the gems (it's an option I'm not keen on, but something I won't object to either; some people think investing real money on these games are a waste of money, but I think that if it makes you happy, if you think it's worth the value, then just do it). I don't do it because I find more satisfaction saving up on gems and finally getting something.. it's like an achivement.. y'know? ^__^

9. Okay, last tip before I go for my 'driving lesson'........

HAVE LOTS OF FUN PLAYING LIL' KINDGOM :D :D

Ipsen's Line

You don't have to feel so responsible, Dagger. 

But I do!

Nobody wants you to feel that way. They didn't do it all for you, either. Each was following his own path. 

His own... path? Well, what about you?

Huh?

Why did you come with me?

Hey, that's Ipsen's line. 

Ipsen? Who's that?

Ipsen is a character from a play, but he's a real-life adventurer. I think the play is based on his adventures. It kind of goes like this...

Ipsen and his good friend Colin worked at a tavern in Treno. 

One day Ipsen got a letter. 

The letter was so wet from rain that most of the writing was illegible. 

The only part he could read said 'Come back home'. 

Nowadays, we have airship and stuff, but back then, it was really hard to travel. 

He didn't know why he had to go back, but he got some time off, gathered his things, and set out on his journey home. 

He walked a thousand leagues through the Mist.

Sometimes he was attacked by vicious monsters, but he made it, because his friend Colin was by his side. 

And then, after much time on the road... he had to ask Colin something.

"Why did you come with me?" 

And? What was Colin's answer?

Only because I wanted to go with you.

Games

My brother just finished Final Fantasy XIII.
So he's contemplating on the new game he should play: StarOcean, Resonance of Fate, Okami, Revenant Wings or Persona 3.

So he asked me to choose for him.

So I said Resonance of Fate.

But he had to go pray so I played it first.

As I grab control of the character,
I was walking around,
IN A TOWN.

I went:

RPG!!! IT'S A BLOODY RPG!!!!!!

Hmm, I don't think any of you would understand how it feels,
how the gaming world now lacks RPG.

Last Window: The Secret of Cape West

Finished this game yesterday night.
Took me a total of 15 hours... excluding the time I reset the game due to Game Over, and my reluctance to tap on "Retry" (I prefer a perfect game... if you know what I mean).

Bought my copy (Europe version) from Play-Asia.com

Great novel game with an engaging storyline, great sequel to the fantastic Hotel Dusk: Room 215...
but sadly its developer Cing has gone into bankruptcy. ):
Pretty sad if you ask me...
Let's just hope Nintendo hires their talent...
and we can all hope for a third installment.
Kyle is too awesome to stop at age 33.

Oh, and while I'm at it...
here's my pitiful attempt in drawing Mila.
Bad picture quality too (mobile 2.0 megapixels :P)

...this game could offer schweet replayability during Christmas ;)

and I love it for keeping me company while I indulged in my creamy carbonara and tiramisu at Dave's! HAHA!