The Ongoing Fantasy

The main reason why I haven’t been tending to my blog these few days is not because I’m lazy, but because I’m currently preoccupied in an RPG game called Final Fantasy XIII. (What an excuse!)

I’m sure most people have heard about Final Fantasy (FF), which is the most successful RPG series in the gaming realm. It has already progressed to the 13th installment! The most well-received and highly rated FF game would be FF7, which is released in 1997 Its touching storyline and captivating gameplay led many gamers to start playing the FF series and follow up the installments. It attracted the most fans and thanks to it, FF is able to gain recognition and popularity up till today.
This is the theme music of FF7. This popular overture has been performed by many orchestras. The beautiful tune still warms my heart till today.



However, my journey with FF did not start with FF7. The game mechanics were too difficult for me to comprehend at that time. (kept getting Game Over) I started with FF8 much later, before playing FF7 next. The most prominent aspect of FF8 to the general public would be its theme song. It was sung by Faye Wong, titled ‘Eyes On Me’, which still can be heard over the radio today.

This is the MV of the theme song. You would probably appreciate this song more if you had played the game before.



Then I proceeded to FF9, after confiding in the FF series. I am not like those ardent fanboys who will buy and play the game immediately after its release. But the problem is, the moment I start playing, I will get addicted to it quickly. I will have the urge to progress the game until completion. Furthermore I am quite a perfectionist when it comes to RPG – I will try to complete every side mission, collect every item, battle every optional bosses, and attempt to excel in the gameplay without missing anything. This can be rather time consuming, so the addiction basically sucks most of my time for a month or so, depending on how fast I finish the game.

This FF9 theme ranks as my favourite MV of all. Like I said, you’ll appreciate the video more if you had played the game. But anyway, just watch the video if you like.



Since FF10, the characters have become more realistic. Watching the cut-scenes feels like being in a movie. No more polygonal structures and cartoony characters. Characters have voices now, so you can really feel their emotions. Being immersed in the beautifully created world greatly enhances the playing experience. FF10 is indeed a huge step above the previous ones, though some people claimed that the plot was comprised as a result.

The most romantic game MV I’ve ever seen haha.



I don’t think I will ever pay to play MMORPGs. In case if you don’t know, MMORPG refers to online RPG, usually associated with its mindless and time consuming activity of leveling up the characters, such as Maplestory. FF11 made a breakthrough in the series by being a MMORPG. However people like me didn’t mind giving it a miss. Even though my bro used to playing this game actively, it didn’t interest me at all.

Introduction to FF11. If I were you, I would skip this video haha.



FF12 is one of the few video games I bought for myself. I bought it to reward myself after my first JLPT attempt haha. (another excuse!) Other than the battle system, I don’t have much memories about this game unfortunately. The story is too forgettable. Either that or I completed the game too fast for it to leave any impression. (since I was so free during NS)



After 4 years, the long wait for the next game in the series has ended. FF13 is my first RPG played entirely in Japanese, thanks to my bro who travelled to Japan. Relieved that I was able to understand 90% of the dialogue with Japanese subtitles. However reading the names of items and spells was a little difficult. Most of them only make sense in English but not in Japanese haha. Aiming to complete the main game before the new semester starts.



Wonder how far can the FF series continue. Will it ever reach FF20? As long as there is demand from the gamers, the developer can always capitalize on this popular brand.

Random Images

Was organising my photos when I discovered a lot of interesting pictures that I've saved over the years. It would be a waste not to share with anyone. So here they are. I might have posted some before though, can't remember which.

Yes... 玉出 in Japanese really reads as 'tamade', but not in a way we normally say.

The waitresses are not doing their job! Haha...

How is this structure even possible?? (Actually there's a trick behind this...）

Seow Char Bor(s)

夏雪 really got so inspiring meh?!

Best Actress...

Best Supporting Actress... (not for this show though)

Poor thing.

That NDP pic reminds me of this drama...

This new denomination of Singapore's currency was invented few years ago.

What are children learning nowadays?!

The Concrete Garden

It has quite some time since I posted my own photos. I shall post a few (a lot) of them which I've just transferred to my computer. Wished that uploading of photos in blogspot could be much easier.

Hi, I'm a golden retriever. Look at how cute I am!

--------

The following photos were taken from a very high place. It should be pretty obvious where it is. Sit back and enjoy the scenery. =) (*click on picture to enlarge*)

There was no one picnicking but I saw someone lying down on the floor and reading a book. Isn't that very distracting with so many visitors walking about?

Marina Barrage can be seen at a distance. Feel like flying kite there again haha. And what's the shell-like structure at the foreground?

Sadly the Changi Airport Control Tower can't be seen from here. Probably the weather was not clear enough. Planes could be seen landing though.

That stretch of greenery along the sea is East Coast Park. The patch of land in front will become a garden in the future. (Gardens at the Bay)

Smooth traffic in the ECP. No accidents =)

A good spot to watch NDP. Too bad it's at Padang this year. Another wacky structure at the foreground.

The iconic skyline of Singapore. That's what I like about this place: It's not too close to the other skyscrapers so the view won't be obstructed, and not too far such that the buildings can't be seen clearly. Just right to give an overview of the city urban landscape.

The sky is getting dark. And the anchored ships offshore are illuminated really brightly.

Looks like those kind of photos on postcards. =p (Am I complimenting myself?)

Dark clouds are looming! By the way a refund can be claimed if it rains within one hour after entry. (Hmm...How big must the rain be?)

The Flyer is dwarfed by the roof. I wonder who will pay for the ride now, considering it is more expensive and the time is limited. Moreover a carriage only spends a minute or so at the highest point of the cycle.

A perfect spot to watch fireworks. Hope there will be Fireworks Festival this year...

Be careful not to fall off the edge when swimming!

What a classy pool. There are even poolside beds too. Wonder what happens if the cushions drop into the water haha.

If you feel that the photos aren't doing any justice to the view, you can watch the videos I've taken. The videos will probably give you a better idea of how the view is like. (No need to visit there liao haha)











-----

Let's compare to the view from another very high point.

Singapore's busy port. Resort World Sentosa can be seen at a distance.

A giraffe zoo with many colourful lego blocks.

If I were to live here, I would jog at this roof garden everyday.

A bird's-eye view of Chinatown.

The iconic skyline from another angle. The traditional shophouses at the foreground contrast with the modern skyscrapers at the background.

We're supposed to see Marina Bay Sands in this direction, but the view is blocked by several buildings. So many buildings under construction in the Raffles Place/Marina area.

----

Yup that's all for my photos. Hope you will start appreciating Singapore's urban landscape after looking at these pictures/videos.

No more pics liao....haiz.