Anyone up for another PSP-focused post?

I hope so, because here's another one.

I also picked up this import-only PSP release some time ago, by the way--after someone on Twitter made me aware of its wonderful box art (which can be seen in the photo below).

The game in question is Onore no Shinzuru Michi wo Yuke, a ukiyo-e-swathed puzzler (of sorts) that was developed by Silicon Studio and published (in 2009) by From Software for the PSP.

I can't tell you much more about it than that, though, because I've yet to play it. (Of course!) I'll do my best to rectify that in the coming weeks, and if I do I'll try to share some impressions of it here.

See also: 'Is that a copy of Airu de Puzzle (PSP) in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?'

Is that a copy of Airu de Puzzle (PSP) in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?

OK, so the header above is kind of lame. I couldn't think of anything better, though, so I'm sticking with it.

I do have a copy of Airu de Puzzle, the Monster Hunter-themed match-three puzzler that Capcom released for the PSP some time ago.

I actually bought the copy seen in the photos above and below shortly after it was released (some while ago), but I haven't mentioned it here until now because, well, it took me a long time to snap some photos of it.

Would you believe that I've yet to play the damn thing? Yeah, I'll bet those of you who've been coming here for a while now would believe it.

Anyway, its cover illustration is pretty nice, don't you think? I also like the art that appears on the back of its instruction manual.



The illustrations that appear inside the manual are pretty cute, too. I wish there were more of them, especially since the manual as a whole isn't all that exciting.

I have a feeling the game itself is more exciting--or at least more interesting. I'll let you know one way or another after I've finally played it, which hopefully will happen shortly.

Aino's (and Bryan's) Adventures in Animachi, Weeks Nine and Ten

Were Aino's and Bryan's ninth and tenth weeks in Animachi as adventure-filled as the ones that came before them? That depends on what you thought of those previous weeks, I guess, but I think both of the aforementioned citizens would say they were filled with at least a bit of adventure.

They certainly were filled with a smidge of intrigue, as it was revealed that Barold, Rodney and Snake all are gay.

OK, so maybe that's a stretch, but the conversations above at least suggest they could be gay.

Hamlet isn't gay--or at least I don't think he is--but he is a bit fidgety, as evidenced by his recent urge to leave the, er, hamlet of Animachi for greener pastures.

Being the meanies they are, Aino and Bryan didn't try to stop him, even though they like him quite a bit. Unfortunately, he's one of two hamsters in Animachi, and one of two jock villagers, and Aino and Bryan prefer Rodney and Snake when it comes to hamsters and jocks, respectively, so ... Hamlet had to go.

Only he didn't. Move out, I mean. The day before he was about to do so, Aino checked in on him and when she did she was informed that he would be sticking around for a while longer. (Yeah, right; she's heard that before.)

Which would've been all well and good, but around that same time Filbert wandered into town to make use of its campground. With Hamlet staying put, the adorable blue squirrel wasn't able to fill his spot as Animachi's tenth villager.

Aino got over her disappointment rather quickly thanks to the professionally shot photo Ankha gave her after she completed some gargantuan task (like catching and handing over a coelacanth).

What do you think of the fan-made Mother 4?

I ask because I'm not sure what I think of this creation myself. I mean, I really can't fathom an Itoi-less Mother game having even a modicum of the charm and wit that can be found in the series' first three entries, but I also have to admit I really like how this release is shaping up in terms of its aesthetics--which are shockingly (in a good way) reminiscent of Mother 3's visuals, in my opinion.



The question is, will the final product--which is expected to be released late next year for Windows, OS X and Linux--feature a script that's anywhere near as charming and emotional and intelligent as its predecessors? As I've already said, I'm not at all sure it will, but my fingers are crossed in the hopes that I'm wrong.



To see more screenshots of Mother 4, or to keep track of its progress, check out the game's official website, mother4game.com. Also, let me (and everyone else who frequents this blog) know in the comments section below what you think of this fan-made sequel.



See also: 'A fascinating look at EarthBound's localization'