English
XevSM's Notebook(20)
XevSM
Why not just play Genshin or WuWa?
Before I begin, disclaimer:
I really, really, truly don't enjoy open-world games. I don't play Genshin and/or WuWa and any of hoyo games anymore.
I just gave quick shot at the game, at it wasn't really all that bad... but is it better than Genshin or WuWa in anyway?
Not really from my shallow experience of playing Genshin and WuWa for few days when it was launched.
Especially in battle, I think WuWa tops them all, followed by Genshin.
I'm not saying this game has bad battle experience, but it surely wasn't fun enough for me to stick around.
Character designs are good imo. Also I do like that you can actually customize how your character looks, unlike WuWa or Genshin.
Optimization was not bad. It did run smoothly without much heat on my old phone. Read Note
I really, really, truly don't enjoy open-world games. I don't play Genshin and/or WuWa and any of hoyo games anymore.
I just gave quick shot at the game, at it wasn't really all that bad... but is it better than Genshin or WuWa in anyway?
Not really from my shallow experience of playing Genshin and WuWa for few days when it was launched.
Especially in battle, I think WuWa tops them all, followed by Genshin.
I'm not saying this game has bad battle experience, but it surely wasn't fun enough for me to stick around.
Character designs are good imo. Also I do like that you can actually customize how your character looks, unlike WuWa or Genshin.
Optimization was not bad. It did run smoothly without much heat on my old phone. Read Note
XevSM
Server merge kinda killed the game more
I know that some of the servers were suffering with almost no active users, including the one that I was in.
It was almost just the club I was in that was active.
So devs decided to merge some servers so that each server would get more active users.
But they didn't really consider how much it would hurt each servers' power creep.
Now, suddenly there's like 20~30 more people above my level, bringing any reward I could get to half of what it used to be.
Also, they started going mad and full on squeeze players' wallet mode.
I won't say that this game was f2p to begin with, especially since lot of gacha tickets for limited time things can only be bought using real money, but it is getting worse every event they hold. Read Note
It was almost just the club I was in that was active.
So devs decided to merge some servers so that each server would get more active users.
But they didn't really consider how much it would hurt each servers' power creep.
Now, suddenly there's like 20~30 more people above my level, bringing any reward I could get to half of what it used to be.
Also, they started going mad and full on squeeze players' wallet mode.
I won't say that this game was f2p to begin with, especially since lot of gacha tickets for limited time things can only be bought using real money, but it is getting worse every event they hold. Read Note
XevSM
Since this is a work of Com2uS, I was very skeptical about this game to begin with.
Let's be honest, Com2uS has been nothing but company going downhill eversince Inotia.
This game made me think that Com2uS might actually have cooked up something decent in a decade (literally).
I wouldn't say that this will be for everyone and/or for even those who enjoyed Inotia, but this has a charm on its own.
Story is generic, but so was Inotia.
Gameplay is quite decent, but it surely need some more fine tuning to get it just right. Right now, it's just level up your character and put it on auto type. Though some challenges and trials have auto blocked by the system, which could be frustrating for some.
Burst/Break system from battle was somewhat unique and fresh, but it almost forces you to keep on watching the screen even when you put the game in auto, and I think that is a huge downside. Not that I can't understand why they made this manual only, but still, I think this system will be something many people will have contradicting opinion on it.
Something that disappoints me is that they have used AI for art and doesn't even try to make it look 'better'.
There are some arts where human anatomy is obviously off, but didn't care to even fix this.
They are currently holding last open beta until Dec. 08th, so check it out if you're interested.
https://starsailors.com2us.com/ko?r=p14 Read Note
starsailors.com2us.com
스타 세일러 공식 사이트 - Com2us Holdings
아티스트 콕스(Cox)가 참여한 JRPG 애니메이션풍 턴제 수집형 RPG, 스타 세일러에서 다양한 조합과 전술을 경험해보세요!
Let's be honest, Com2uS has been nothing but company going downhill eversince Inotia.
This game made me think that Com2uS might actually have cooked up something decent in a decade (literally).
I wouldn't say that this will be for everyone and/or for even those who enjoyed Inotia, but this has a charm on its own.
Story is generic, but so was Inotia.
Gameplay is quite decent, but it surely need some more fine tuning to get it just right. Right now, it's just level up your character and put it on auto type. Though some challenges and trials have auto blocked by the system, which could be frustrating for some.
Burst/Break system from battle was somewhat unique and fresh, but it almost forces you to keep on watching the screen even when you put the game in auto, and I think that is a huge downside. Not that I can't understand why they made this manual only, but still, I think this system will be something many people will have contradicting opinion on it.
Something that disappoints me is that they have used AI for art and doesn't even try to make it look 'better'.
There are some arts where human anatomy is obviously off, but didn't care to even fix this.
They are currently holding last open beta until Dec. 08th, so check it out if you're interested.
https://starsailors.com2us.com/ko?r=p14 Read Note
starsailors.com2us.com
스타 세일러 공식 사이트 - Com2us Holdings
아티스트 콕스(Cox)가 참여한 JRPG 애니메이션풍 턴제 수집형 RPG, 스타 세일러에서 다양한 조합과 전술을 경험해보세요!
![[不滿]](/cdn/img/transparent.png){kind=spacer}
XevSM
Some news from the dev interview
This is more like a roadmap, not a patch that has already been applied, please take note of that.
First, they are going to reevaluate some BM. Basically more stone for same price.
Condition for unlocking more interaction with character will have different condition. It required x3 uncap for unlock, but it will require 10lv of favor instead.
Also, unlocking character icon will require 5lv of favor, instead of 30.
After this patch, all users will be provided with gift to lv up favor up to 30 for single character.
They are also going to work on reroll system.
Devs intentionally blocked reroll in order to keep 'factory' running, as well as saving server resources.
However, they will provide with easier rerolls, which will take about 5 minutes in general, also allowing dupe names, as well as providing with name change ticket.
Along with the patch above, tutorials will be patched as well. They will simplify and make things much more obvious so that players won't be bored to death by it.
Also, condition for unlocking main story will become easier, as well as fixing UI for easier access to game contents.
Last, but not the least, they are working on improving battle system as well.
They are aware that long CD and lack of strategy is making battles boring and tiresome, so they are working on to cook up something. Read Note
First, they are going to reevaluate some BM. Basically more stone for same price.
Condition for unlocking more interaction with character will have different condition. It required x3 uncap for unlock, but it will require 10lv of favor instead.
Also, unlocking character icon will require 5lv of favor, instead of 30.
After this patch, all users will be provided with gift to lv up favor up to 30 for single character.
They are also going to work on reroll system.
Devs intentionally blocked reroll in order to keep 'factory' running, as well as saving server resources.
However, they will provide with easier rerolls, which will take about 5 minutes in general, also allowing dupe names, as well as providing with name change ticket.
Along with the patch above, tutorials will be patched as well. They will simplify and make things much more obvious so that players won't be bored to death by it.
Also, condition for unlocking main story will become easier, as well as fixing UI for easier access to game contents.
Last, but not the least, they are working on improving battle system as well.
They are aware that long CD and lack of strategy is making battles boring and tiresome, so they are working on to cook up something. Read Note
XevSM
Taking a deeper look
i did simple review of the game, so you can check that out for first impression of the game I had.
There will be some spoilers of the story, so be aware.
First of all, biggest issue of the game is that it really isn't polished enough to be published.
I would have accepted it if it was just CBT/OBT, but as an official release? I'm pretty disappointed with the overall balance and pacing of the game.
This game is basically Umamusme with turn based battle. So you have to go through training as you do in Umamusme to get a 'script' for your character to equip in order to boost their stats.
Basically, it's almost a never-ending grind over a 'Journey'.
This, I can accept, actually. However, the real issue is, it will take you long time, I mean really long time to unlock second Journey if you are going F2P.
Also, Cygames knew that a grind for better stat was boring, so they actually took lot of care and love to have players enjoy the race. They have done fantastic works with the race that can get you immersed into the story and character.
Since this game replaced that race with battle, it should have been something that people could enjoy.
But on the contrary, I would say this game has one of the most boring turn based battle system among the games that has launched recently.
On top of that, they didn't think grinding for better stat wasn't enough of grind, they also added equipment grind, which is pretty normal these days, but going double grind is just too much, honestly.
Meanwhile, even though this game has double grind system, there isn't really anything to do early in game.
This is an issue with pacing of the game.
If you are story skipper, then you'll have nothing to enjoy after 30 minutes of gameplay on your first day.
Having too much things to do from the start isn't good, but it goes the same the other way.
Now to the most important part of the game, the 'Journey'.
This is what you play to earn scripts that boosts your characters' stat.
You have to choose a main character for the script with 2 support characters and 5 Arcana, which is basically a support card from Umamusme...except, there is no borrowing from a friend.
In Journey, there are 3 major story flows.
First, mainstream of the journey itself, which is the same for all characters.
Second, story of the main character.
Third, story of Arcana equipped.
First, main stream being the same for all character is undetstandable, but at the same time, not really.
First journey available to you is heavily battle-based, which means a support/healer characters going through this is just pain itself.
You would want more HP, DEF or some other stats for support characters, not ATK, but you are forced to at the beginning in order to get through.
This problem won't be there if the game allowed you to play with support characters from the start, so you can have an attacker, at least, but they join later, further deep in the story.
But since there is also skip function, which unlocks when you clear the Journey once, you can still get script for them easily anyways... just not the best one. Also, you won't be able to enjoy their story, and what's the point, if you can't enjoy the story?
(Spoiler alert)
Second, story of main character.
Basically, all of them is about how they grow up mentally as a Star Savior, ending with you, leader of Journey disappearing into thin air, forgotten by everyone...except for the main character that went through the Journey going on like "Wasn't there someone here with me?". While others say there was no one else, MC would go "No, there surely was someone, someone special to me." and says some touching lines and stuff, ending with a short vid that shows their back, walking in the plains.
Watching this once or twice was fun, but once you play through more characters... since main stream of the Journey is the same, it feels like you are just reading the same story over and over again. It gets old real quick.
Third, story of Arcana.
This is where most of the stories are just goofing around, something that helps you ease the tension.
But... well, let's be honest.
This game has one of the worst gacha rate, you won't have much Arcana available to play with, so you'll end up just skipping all the stories.
I mean, don't get me wrong. I did enjoy the story when playing for first time, but it's like one-time use only.
I really don't have any idea about how to fix this, so I won't grunt much about this one.
Now, after talking about story, let's talk about elephant in the room.
Gacha rate.
2.5%.
It's shit.
I will say that.
I mean, 2.5 for the character is somewhat undetstandable imo, but they could, no, should have gone with better rates for Arcana.
In early games, you will suffer a lot during the Journey since you got no Arcana that gives you decent amount of stat boost.
This causes a huge setback to pacing of the game.
There are handful of contents, but only very few you'll be able to actually enjoy due to not having better scripts, which is available only through better Arcana.
I mean, sure, there's also an issue with character balance itself. This is what every game suffers at the beginning, so I think it's only fair to give them some time and wait for some balance patch and/or balance of new characters incoming.
Personally, I think this game has potential to be better. But they will need to really put in lot, I mean A LOT of work into this game to make it work. And I'm not sure if the devs will be willing to take down that road.
Since they are the same devs of Counterside, I do have some hopes up. I mean, Counterside was just a shit, not even a game when it was freshly launched, but it surely got lot better later on. Read Note
There will be some spoilers of the story, so be aware.
First of all, biggest issue of the game is that it really isn't polished enough to be published.
I would have accepted it if it was just CBT/OBT, but as an official release? I'm pretty disappointed with the overall balance and pacing of the game.
This game is basically Umamusme with turn based battle. So you have to go through training as you do in Umamusme to get a 'script' for your character to equip in order to boost their stats.
Basically, it's almost a never-ending grind over a 'Journey'.
This, I can accept, actually. However, the real issue is, it will take you long time, I mean really long time to unlock second Journey if you are going F2P.
Also, Cygames knew that a grind for better stat was boring, so they actually took lot of care and love to have players enjoy the race. They have done fantastic works with the race that can get you immersed into the story and character.
Since this game replaced that race with battle, it should have been something that people could enjoy.
But on the contrary, I would say this game has one of the most boring turn based battle system among the games that has launched recently.
On top of that, they didn't think grinding for better stat wasn't enough of grind, they also added equipment grind, which is pretty normal these days, but going double grind is just too much, honestly.
Meanwhile, even though this game has double grind system, there isn't really anything to do early in game.
This is an issue with pacing of the game.
If you are story skipper, then you'll have nothing to enjoy after 30 minutes of gameplay on your first day.
Having too much things to do from the start isn't good, but it goes the same the other way.
Now to the most important part of the game, the 'Journey'.
This is what you play to earn scripts that boosts your characters' stat.
You have to choose a main character for the script with 2 support characters and 5 Arcana, which is basically a support card from Umamusme...except, there is no borrowing from a friend.
In Journey, there are 3 major story flows.
First, mainstream of the journey itself, which is the same for all characters.
Second, story of the main character.
Third, story of Arcana equipped.
First, main stream being the same for all character is undetstandable, but at the same time, not really.
First journey available to you is heavily battle-based, which means a support/healer characters going through this is just pain itself.
You would want more HP, DEF or some other stats for support characters, not ATK, but you are forced to at the beginning in order to get through.
This problem won't be there if the game allowed you to play with support characters from the start, so you can have an attacker, at least, but they join later, further deep in the story.
But since there is also skip function, which unlocks when you clear the Journey once, you can still get script for them easily anyways... just not the best one. Also, you won't be able to enjoy their story, and what's the point, if you can't enjoy the story?
(Spoiler alert)
Second, story of main character.
Basically, all of them is about how they grow up mentally as a Star Savior, ending with you, leader of Journey disappearing into thin air, forgotten by everyone...except for the main character that went through the Journey going on like "Wasn't there someone here with me?". While others say there was no one else, MC would go "No, there surely was someone, someone special to me." and says some touching lines and stuff, ending with a short vid that shows their back, walking in the plains.
Watching this once or twice was fun, but once you play through more characters... since main stream of the Journey is the same, it feels like you are just reading the same story over and over again. It gets old real quick.
Third, story of Arcana.
This is where most of the stories are just goofing around, something that helps you ease the tension.
But... well, let's be honest.
This game has one of the worst gacha rate, you won't have much Arcana available to play with, so you'll end up just skipping all the stories.
I mean, don't get me wrong. I did enjoy the story when playing for first time, but it's like one-time use only.
I really don't have any idea about how to fix this, so I won't grunt much about this one.
Now, after talking about story, let's talk about elephant in the room.
Gacha rate.
2.5%.
It's shit.
I will say that.
I mean, 2.5 for the character is somewhat undetstandable imo, but they could, no, should have gone with better rates for Arcana.
In early games, you will suffer a lot during the Journey since you got no Arcana that gives you decent amount of stat boost.
This causes a huge setback to pacing of the game.
There are handful of contents, but only very few you'll be able to actually enjoy due to not having better scripts, which is available only through better Arcana.
I mean, sure, there's also an issue with character balance itself. This is what every game suffers at the beginning, so I think it's only fair to give them some time and wait for some balance patch and/or balance of new characters incoming.
Personally, I think this game has potential to be better. But they will need to really put in lot, I mean A LOT of work into this game to make it work. And I'm not sure if the devs will be willing to take down that road.
Since they are the same devs of Counterside, I do have some hopes up. I mean, Counterside was just a shit, not even a game when it was freshly launched, but it surely got lot better later on. Read Note
XevSM
Both game requires you to dl from playstore in order to get it working.
if you are willing to go through the hassle, you can download OpenVPN Connect, grab your jp/kr .ovpn from vpngate to get you to said region.
Create new Google account while you are connected to VPN and download the app from playstore. Read Note
if you are willing to go through the hassle, you can download OpenVPN Connect, grab your jp/kr .ovpn from vpngate to get you to said region.
Create new Google account while you are connected to VPN and download the app from playstore. Read Note
XevSM
Edit : game will be releasing on 25th of Nov. utc-7 (which would be 25th of Nov 3pm JST if my calculation is not wrong.)
Delayed due to some critical bugs, according to devs.
I'm just editing this since I'm still getting likes on this, and I don't want ppl to get wrong info based on my post.
game should be releasing today, Nov. 13th.
But it seems like they are running on UTC-7, which is NA timezone, normally, so I guess they will open up around evening or even midnight of 14th for Asian folks? Read Note
Delayed due to some critical bugs, according to devs.
I'm just editing this since I'm still getting likes on this, and I don't want ppl to get wrong info based on my post.
game should be releasing today, Nov. 13th.
But it seems like they are running on UTC-7, which is NA timezone, normally, so I guess they will open up around evening or even midnight of 14th for Asian folks? Read Note
XevSM
Game does provide with decent returning gifts and all, but the biggest problem is that most of the event that gives you decent rewards are heavily PVP-based, which means there is literally nothing you can do to get good amount of rewards if you're returning noob or just starting out.
Read Note
XevSM
Game that could have been better
Game was very disappointing.
For a game that was advertising as "probably the most punishing game that has and will exist", this game is just way too easy and there isn't anything 'punishing' about it, except for a HORRIBLE script. (yes, all caps on horrible)
Gameplay itself is heavily inspired by DD and StS with heavy fan service designs, which can either be pro and con depending on your preferences.
However, I honestly find this game as half-made.
I'm not sure how to put this in words, but there are lot of rough edges as well as mindless nurf by deleting the meta on characters from CBT, instead of trying to balance them.
However, as someone who loves to read the stories of the game, story is the biggest issue this game has.
You, a player, are a captain of the ship. However, the story of the game does not play around you.
Instead, it decided to play around Owen, just a character that you are given during tutorial.
While Owen has all the elements of being protagonist, an actual protagonist, which needs to be a player, is just like a cameraman. There is almost nothing that captain actually does, making it really hard for a player to get immersed into the story.
Honestly, there will be almost no problem, if none, even if captain didn't exist.
It almost feels like they wanted to go for a Nikke's commander vibe and failed horribly in all aspects.
Honestly, there is nothing worth from this game, except for some fan service designs, but lot of arts look very AI generated with those disgusting glossiness it leaves behind.
My wait and anticipation for the game was truly for nothing but just another huge disappointment and disgust for Smilegates.
They already knew they were going to suffer this problems, but didn't gave a shit about players' opinion when they had the chance. Read Note
For a game that was advertising as "probably the most punishing game that has and will exist", this game is just way too easy and there isn't anything 'punishing' about it, except for a HORRIBLE script. (yes, all caps on horrible)
Gameplay itself is heavily inspired by DD and StS with heavy fan service designs, which can either be pro and con depending on your preferences.
However, I honestly find this game as half-made.
I'm not sure how to put this in words, but there are lot of rough edges as well as mindless nurf by deleting the meta on characters from CBT, instead of trying to balance them.
However, as someone who loves to read the stories of the game, story is the biggest issue this game has.
You, a player, are a captain of the ship. However, the story of the game does not play around you.
Instead, it decided to play around Owen, just a character that you are given during tutorial.
While Owen has all the elements of being protagonist, an actual protagonist, which needs to be a player, is just like a cameraman. There is almost nothing that captain actually does, making it really hard for a player to get immersed into the story.
Honestly, there will be almost no problem, if none, even if captain didn't exist.
It almost feels like they wanted to go for a Nikke's commander vibe and failed horribly in all aspects.
Honestly, there is nothing worth from this game, except for some fan service designs, but lot of arts look very AI generated with those disgusting glossiness it leaves behind.
My wait and anticipation for the game was truly for nothing but just another huge disappointment and disgust for Smilegates.
They already knew they were going to suffer this problems, but didn't gave a shit about players' opinion when they had the chance. Read Note