Wukong is getting ridiculously easy in chapter 5. Yesterday I beat 11 bosses in one sitting - 10 of them at my first attempt, and one at second try. Today I breezed through another 4 bosses. I hope the final ones are more of a challenge.
EDIT: No, they weren't, not really. The final boss from the secret area was pretty cool and actually forced me to respec my sparks but he fell after just three attempts (which still made him the biggest challenge of the chapter). The final boss of the chapter, though, was a complete push-over. On to chapter 6.
Currently put Visions of Mana on hold while I play through The Plucky Squire. It's such an original concept and I love how it's executed. Should have it finished by the end of the day.
@Kraven Do you prefer IX over VIII? They're both really good, but I found that there's something special about VIII that IX can't top. I'm really looking forward to playing X next month!
@Bentleyma I love VIII and got the platinum trophy for it. I understand your sentiment — it’s hard to top. I think there is this cozy charm about it that makes it hard to resist. With that said, I am enjoying IX more because I’m engaged with the story and characters. And I think the dungeon design is amazing. But yeah, I can’t for X next month!
I was just messing around to see what I wanted to do next, I have enough to make Ireland the Kingdom of Briain, but I thought i'd leave it until i'd made a really nice base off operations having still not decided between Munster or the Dublin area. So I was just skipping time, gathering funds, doing regular non war stuff like letting a Vassal, that has annoyed me from day one, eat corriander at a feast while i laighed at his allergy, and thus he became KBII's rival hahaha. But I only threw the feast as the Pope decided it'd be fun to do a crusade, and it was a farewell feast for RP purposes, as KBII is getting older and I didn't think he'd survive an all out holy war.
Long story short, the Albino super daughter is now a fully fledged Queen 😅😅😅 and I have the option to take over as her now. (I might experiment and see if KBII can denounce his son so she can go on to be queen of Ireland and Maldavia) or just choose her and go back to Ireland if I have a claim at any point.
Can't believe how well we did in the Holy war. I think we took 5 or 6 counties and castles due to nifty routes I stumbled across that meant we could ford rivers and avoid freezing to death and sneak in away from the main war area 😛
This weekend I’m attempting to finish Ys IX: Monstrum Nox. I’ve been on a LoA for the last week and a half to mourn the loss of my father a month back. In this time, I found solace in this game—so much so I find myself more deeply immersed in the game than I ever anticipated, to the point where I now regard it as one of the best RPGs I’ve ever played.
What makes the game stand out isn’t just the combat, world-building, or the familiar Ys charm—it’s how everything comes together in a game that feels both expansive and intimate, polished and emotional. From the depths of its storytelling to its brilliant level design, the game represents a new height for the series, one that far surpasses its predecessors and rivals even the best games in the genre. In many ways, it became more than just a game for me—it was a much-needed companion during a difficult time.
Unlike many other games in the series, where the narrative serves mainly to support the action, here the story takes center stage, and makes you question what is real and isn’t in ways I won’t divulge due to spoilers. The city itself becomes a character, with its winding streets, hidden alleyways, and towering walls that make you feel like you’re constantly being watched. The setting complements the plot's tension, making each step in Balduq feel heavy with purpose.
One of the most remarkable shifts in this entry is how deeply it invests in its characters. While past entries in the series have introduced memorable characters, they often served more as companions to Adol’s journey rather than being fully fleshed-out personalities with complex backstories. This is drastically changed this time. Each party member is not only integral to the story but also represents a deeply personal and emotional arc that adds new layers of depth to the game.
Throughout the game, you gradually assemble a team of six party members, each of whom is introduced in a dedicated chapter. These chapters not only focus on the character joining your party but also provide a window into their past, motivations, and goals. This structure gives the game a rhythmic pace that allows you to invest in each character individually. Their personal stories unfold alongside the main narrative, creating a sense of connection that grows stronger with each chapter.
The exploration is enriched by the Monstrum Gifts, special abilities unique to each party member, that you unlock gradually throughout the game. These abilities are not just simple skills but crucial tools that transform how you navigate the world. For example, one party member can glide across rooftops, another can run up walls, and another can use a grappling hook to swing across wide gaps. These abilities open up new paths and secrets, adding a layer of verticality and movement rarely seen in action RPGs. What’s brilliant is that once you unlock these abilities, any character in your party can use them, allowing you the freedom to explore however you like without being tied to a specific character.
The design of the dungeons, particularly within the Prison City, reflects this. Each dungeon feels uniquely tailored to the abilities you’ve gained, forcing you to think creatively about how to navigate the environment. The prison itself is a labyrinth of underground passageways, trap doors, and hidden chambers, constantly keeping you on your toes as you try to unravel its mysteries. The developers clearly put thought into making each dungeon feel distinct, challenging players not only with enemies but also with environmental puzzles that require full use of the Monstrum Gifts.
I have barely scratched the surface as to why this game is incredible. In a genre filled with heavyweights, this manages to carve out its own identity. It honors the long tradition of Ys games while elevating the series to new heights, standing as a beacon of what modern RPGs can be. The game’s intricate world, compelling characters, and thoughtful design come together to create an experience that feels both classic and contemporary, breathing new life into familiar RPG conventions while delivering an experience that is uniquely its own. To end, Falcom has created something truly special—a modern RPG masterpiece that will remain in my mind for years to come.
High King Brian III, mac Brian Briain took over the kingdom at the ripe old age of 3.
Navigating everyone hating him while not being able to do anything to sway them, was pretty intense. By the age of 4, 3 vassals rose up to try and defeat him. They failed, due to a large army and solid allies, and all 3 were jailed. One was released as spymaster as his holdings are small and worthless and he shall be no more trouble, the other 2, well one is rotting in jail still, and the other has been very much beheaded, for he was the son of the constant pain in Brian II's side, and even worse.
Since then Brian III was actually able to get everyone to love him over time, due to his much more diplomatic ways, and being a much more likeable and handsome fellow than his father. But now at age 19 he is bored with all of his vassals holding him in such high regard, all of the wealth he has amassed and all of the peace in his lands. All there is left to do is strengthen the armies and tax the peasants, tax and strengthen, strengthen and tax.
His half brother Patrcick mac Brian Briain is an even more adept ruler, with ridiculously high stewardship, and is completely happy with his Dublin seat.
Their Uncle, however, is a vile contemptuous being. While Brian III was aiding some Scottish Allies abroad, Uncle Ued decided to murder the wife of BIII's most trusted Vassal, Knight, Martial, and the Petty King of Connacht, Carlus. This man was Brian II's most trusted servant and best friend too.
Uncle Ued was jailed, of course. But as a landed vassal and Heir to parts of Ireland he could not simply be stripped of his lands and titles. Instead, he was forced to relinquish all claims on the Kingdom and be released to run a few of Brian III's counties.
Brian is not best pleased. But has since married his older sister to Carlus to redefine an era of peace in our kingdom. And he now waits for any excuse to strip Uncle Ued of any lands he still holds.
This game is an absolutely mad story creating sandbox 😅 and I feel like together, Brian III, Patrick and Carlus (if he survives long enough) will be able to stake claims on Scotland, and Wales in the future. And there is also a chance of a few titles in Bohemia, Hungary, Southern France and Denmark opening up for various reason later on, with certain courtiers, vassals and arranged marriages being, potentially, very lucrative.
And all of that is without the tales of Waggy mac Dog, and the establishment of the city of Ballybriain 😅
Brian III's 4th son, Colman mac Brian, is now betrothed to his best friend, expert Chancellor, Earl of Dublin and... half brother's second child. They will be combining beauty, genius and, you know, inbreeding 😂
That's the problem when one part of the family is incredibly good looking and the other is incredibly smart, there's only one solution, really. And, if they come up with the goods, then they are definitely being named Heir to the Kingdoms of Ireland, Wales and beyond.
I've finally finished Black Myth: Wukong and I've also beaten Erlang. I have to admit I thought I wouldn't be able to finish the game, when I bought it. I've never played any souls-like games and I generally consider myself a casual gamer, so I was expecting to hit a brick wall at some point. But it didn't prove that punishing and I've enjoyed the journey a lot.
Oh no, good King Brian III has finally had enough of his murderous wife, accepted the advances of his niece, divorced his wife, sent her to a monetary and married said niece. Said niece is also heir to a rather large kingdom, so I imagine old Brian is going to be looking to, ahem, solidify his legacy for his bloodline as quick as possible 😬😬😅😅
Finally finished Visions of Mana. I liked it, but I think Trials of Mana is superior. My next game is an anime Metroidvania called Fortune Hunter: Erza's Wheel of Fortune. With the exception of some poorly translated dialogue I think it's a well made indie game. It can look graphically pretty good at times, too.
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