Hey buddy! I finally got around to sending you friend requests on all of the platforms. I even registered your 3DS Friend Code too! Mine is: 4468-2254-9551

Woo!

Abyss is one of the better games as well. The plot moves a bit more quickly than Symphonia, but the main character takes some getting used to (personality-wise, at least - he's fine gameplay-wise). Abyss does have my favorite character ever, Jade, so I hope you enjoy him when you get to it! Xillia actually has 2 protagonists, and they are both pretty cool in different ways. There are some slight differences depending on who you choose, up until the last section where they deviate wildly. Jude's presents more of the story at that point, while Milla's fills the gaps that are in Jude's, so I always suggest playing Jude's story first. It's up to you which one you do first, but Jude 1st seems to make more sense in the long run.

The iOS/Android versions of the first three games are basically the exact same as the GBC version, but with better sound and graphics. The first is pretty cheap (and pretty short, as you know), so it might not be a bad idea to check it out before moving on to DQII and DQIII to see if you'd rather play them on your phone or on the 3DS.

I haven't looked too into DQVIII on the phone, but I'm with you - I have no idea how the transition happens, because it's a lot of stuff to put into such a small device.

That's really the only game I regret selling. My brother and I have been pretty good about hanging on to games. I do have a bunch I've sold recently, but none of them are games I'm interested in going back to (and some of them were duplicates from when I got married; we don't really need 2 copies of Zelda: The Minish Cap, for example), so I don't feel too bad about getting rid of them.

Black was my only Nuzlocke so far where I got through the E4 and beyond without losing anyone (did get close a couple of times, though). I remember facing Clair in SoulSilver - I used my Parasect to Spore/Slash/Giga Drain my way through, and he nearly swept the gym. It was kind of hilarious.

I don't really have any recommendations. I was on a few forums sporadically, including the Nuzlocke Forums (fun, but kind of elitist) and Zelda Dungeon (never became to active there, but it looked cool). The one I was most frequently on was Kakariko Graveyard, which isn't terribly active now (or at least when I last checked), and I don't frequent any forums anymore thanks to here and Facebook. I hope you find something!

I'm hearing more and more new people to the franchise aren't hot on Symphonia, which always surprises me because I always really liked it. It was my first Tales game, but I'm always up for going back and playing it because I rather enjoy the characters and plot. That said, Vesperia is still my favorite, for the same reasons you mentioned. Graces f has some of the best skits in the series between the characters, and Xillia is pretty easy to pick up. Berseria is a bit of a left turn from the other games in the franchise, just because it's so dark, but the gameplay is awesome and the characters are quite compelling. I have a feeling you'll end up enjoying them all once you get the chance.

I played the iPhone version of DQI - I liked the revamped graphics and sound, but I did kind of miss the nostalgic beeps and chirps of the original (which I had for Game Boy Color once, but I sold it like a fool). I LOVED DQVIII. It's far and away my favorite Dragon Quest game to date. The cast really helped get me into it, especially Yangus (COR BLIMEY).

Yeah, Black 2 Nuzlocke was a rough ride. I didn't get a death until pretty far in, but that made replacing the spot more difficult. I lost my Lucario right on the final battle, too, which pissed me off, but I still beat it, so his death wasn't in vain. I'm thinking of continuing and doing an X Nuzlocke, since that's the only region I haven't done besides Moon (which I won't do until the next gen comes out, because I don't want to lose all of my progress). We'll see, though!

Looks like you're enjoying the first Dragon Quest!

And TALES OF VESPERIA WOO!

Yeah, I'm excited to continue my Dragon Quest... quest. Just finished VI, so I'll be starting VII soon and getting VIII after that. I probably won't pre-order it, but I'm DEFINITELY excited to play it. My wife played the PS2 version, and I thought it looked pretty cool, but I never got around to it. Now that it's coming out on 3DS, I figure I might as well get it for that.

I guess for me, I felt like they got rid of a lot of outdated mechanics in Sun/Moon - HMs in particular - to help the game feel less confining. Like, you don't HAVE to learn Cut, and you don't have to keep a Pokemon with Cut on your team in case you come across one of those stupid bushes. I definitely agree on the gimmicks. I am still not a fan of Megas and only have one in my competitive team because otherwise I'm generally outmatched. Same with Z-Moves. Ugh. I wish they'd just stick with the core mechanics and be creative with those. I thought the plot at least steered away from the tired old formula of 7-Gyms-catch-a-Legendary-stop-the-bad-guys-get-your-8th-Badge-beat-the-Elite-Four that's been plaguing the series since Gen II. Some of the plot twists were actually interesting to me, though the Ultra Beasts seemed forced. It's like they wanted to add a bunch of Legendaries like back in Gen IV and V, but they wanted to sneak them in so that people wouldn't think they're Legendaries. Kinda silly. I also think the customization was significantly better in X/Y, but then, I was hoping to see some kind of ability to change your age, too. Overall, though, to me, the good points outweighed the bad points, which is why I enjoyed it so much.

Skies of Arcadia is pretty amazing. It took me a bit to really get into the game itself (the plot moved a bit slowly at first), but the aesthetic and exploration are excellent. I'd definitely recommend it if it comes out in some sort of Virtual Console.

Woo Dragon Quest V! It's my favorite one so far, followed very closely by IV. Admittedly, I still have to finish VI-IX, so that could change.

What didn't you like about Pokémon Moon? Almost everyone I've talked to so far has loved it, so I'm interested in hearing a differing perspective.

Good deal!

Oh, forgot to add you back - did now, though!

Ahoy! Do I know you from somewhere, or is this a random add? It's cool either way - I just know people use different usernames on different sites.

Yeah I live in Santa Monica, CA now!! I'm here doing work for the fighting game community. I'm basically an intern for a commentator duo who does the play-by-play stuff for all the big tournaments for Street Fighter and stuff. I'm gonna start doing the post-match interviews at tourneys soon!!

AND YESSSSSS I'm so much back into Pokemon now! It's nice living in this area cause we have a ton of Japanese import stores and I go and stock up on PokeGoods regularly. I have a gigantic Oshawott, Mincinno, Victini, a Pikachu backback, and a little Oshawott, Jigglypuff, Eevee, Pichu..... so far. STEALING ALL ME POKEBUX

OMMMGGGGG I LOVE THE POKEMON CENTER. They have one in Umeda, Osaka too, that's the one I used to go to. I bet the Tokyo one is waaaay bigger and cooler though, so jealoouusss!!

What are you up to nowadays, like your day-to-day stuff? I MISS YOOUUUU


I'll PM you my address nowish!! GIMME YOURS TOO!

RIIIIICH HOW ARE YOU

HAY BRO

Riiiiiich

Ah, that makes sense! I was using Scizor for that, although his x4 weakness to fire was a bit of a pain. He is resitant to quite a bit though. And that's okay, I honestly only pop on this site once every few months.

Lv 50 Beedrill? That's pretty hardcore.

Want me to make you a banner, darlin'?

I really wish someone could help me make a banner.