A Shorty but Goodie /// Music Monday #68

Oh, would you look at the time? It's time for . . .

Today's song is going to be . . .

"Echoes" from Fire Emblem Echoes: Shadows of Valentia

Composed by Takeru Kanazaki and Yasuhisa Baba

(Just a warning: this song is super short, and the post will be the same, because I'm pretty tired right now.)

So I'm not one to usually showcase a song that's much under two minutes or so (probably a minute and a half at the shortest). I had to make an exception with this one, though, because of just how beautiful it is.

It's the main menu theme for the Fire Emblem game Echoes: Shadows of Valentia, a remake of Fire Emblem Gaiden. I have not played very much of this game at all, which is a shame because I do really want to get into the FE franchise. From what little I have played, I already knew it was incredible. It had me crying within the first few minutes of the game, thanks to an emotional cutscene that somehow managed to strike me right in the heart even though I had literally just met the main characters. An emotional bond was created instantaneously; I have never experienced anything else quite like this.

The music captures the tone of the game masterfully in such a brief amount of time. The emotional piano, the militaristic drums, and the heartrending vocals blend together and tell a tale of woe and tragedy, as two childhood friends are torn apart by war and must fight each other from opposing kingdoms.

Dang . . . now I'm really wanting to get back into this!

Sorry for such a short post today. What'd you think of the song? Have you played Echoes before, or any other Fire Emblem game?

The Music Monday 2019 Awards - Round 1.2

It's time to return to the Music Monday Awards, folks!

In the previous round, we had nine people submit their votes for the best songs of the first four months of 2019! Let's check out the results, which may or may not surprise you.

January: It was close, so very close . . . but 5 people preferred A Hat in Time's "Main Theme." But c'mon, what's there not to love about an upbeat song that'll get you pumped for an adventure?

February: It appears that 6 of the voters would prefer to visit "Dragon Roost Island" over riding a dragon. The song just makes you wanna visit a quaint island and go exploring while it sets the mood in the background.

March: Another close win with this one. 5 out of the 9 participants thought "The Kraken" was the better choice. I mean, if it grabs onto you, it's definitely not letting you go, so the track kind of covers both bases.

April: Yet another hairsbreadth of a victory. "Grape Garden" was slightly more popular with 5 people. Who can blame them? It's an absolutely gorgeous and relaxing piece of music.

Your participation so far is greatly appreciated, but the show is far from over! The time has come to move on to the next four months. Why don't we check out the competition?

May

"Beyond the Mirror" from the Zelda Cinematica album

versus "Instruments of Cyanide" by DAGames

June

"Venice Rooftops" from Assassin's Creed II

versus "History Maker" by Dean Fujioka

July

"Pursuit - Cornered" from Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney

versus "Rainbow Road (Synthwave Remix)" from the Mario & Chill album

versus "Brave Enough" by Lindsey Stirling

August

"Yoshi Village" from Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time

versus "Fireworks" from Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Well, it's back in your hands! Which songs will you vote for? Don't forget, you only have two weeks to vote, which means that February 2nd is the last day you can submit any votes for this round. Thanks for your continued participation!

Enjoy! Do tell me if you think this round is easier or harder than the last one. (I definitely think it's more difficult, and I already know I'm gonna have to make some tough choices . . .)

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy /// A Video Game Review

Good things come in threes.

There are three Lord of the Rings books. We got three Star Wars trilogies. The Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney OST has three discs.

And then there's the Ace Attorney Trilogy, a collection of some of the greatest games I've ever played. I knew as soon as I finished the final case that I would need to write a review. After all, I seem to have a habit of doing one video game review a year (Undertale in 2018 and Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright in 2019; I somehow ended up doing them both in March, almost exactly a year apart).

I don't want to waste any time, so let's jump right into it!

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Overview

Phoenix Wright has just arrived on the courtroom scene, fresh out of law school. His first case? An old friend, Larry Butz, is being accused of murdering his girlfriend. With the help of his mentor, Mia Fey, Phoenix proves his worth by showing that Larry is actually innocent. It should be a great victory, but it turns sour when Mia is brutally killed by the same murder weapon a month later. Now Maya, her younger sister, is blamed for the crime, and Phoenix will have to face against the undefeated Miles Edgeworth, a prosecutor who will do whatever it takes to get his guilty verdict.

With Maya at his side, Phoenix takes on hopeless cases, ranging from theft to murder. He will defend innocent people, question crazy witnesses, and go up against Edgeworth, the whip-wielding Franziska von Karma, and the mysteriously-masked Godot. It's all leading up to the toughest, most personal case of his career . . .

The Ace Attorney series is an old one. The first game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, originally released in Japan on the Game Boy in 2001. It got a North American localization for the DS in 2005, with a fifth case having been added that utilized the DS's touch screen and that better bridged the gap between the first two games.

The second game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All, came out in Japan for the Game Boy in 2002, being localized on the DS for North America in 2007. The third game, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations, has a similar story. It came out in Japan on the Game Boy back in 2004, and was released in North America for the DS in 2007.

In 2010, all three games were brought to WiiWare for North America. It wasn't until 2014 that they were bundled together in one collection with updated graphics for the 3DS. Finally, in 2019, the games were given another graphics overhaul and launched as a collection for PC, Switch, PS4, and Xbox One.

As I mentioned in my review of Layton vs. Phoenix, I enjoyed both characters so much that I purchased games from their respective series before I had even finished their crossover. The Ace Attorney game I purchased was the original trilogy. Sometime after I had finished the crossover in March last year, I started playing the first title in the trilogy, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney. I only played the very first case before putting it down for a while. At the time, I was finding it hard to transition from the 3D, plot-driven, orchestral-scored Layton vs. Wright to the 2D, seemingly non-plot-driven, retro-scored game.

Fast forward to June, when I was on holidays with my family. I decided I should keep playing Ace Attorney--and I was hooked. It became my obsession; I would play multiple times a day for an hour or two at a time. I played the vast majority of the game on that vacation. I finished the last bit in July and waited until September before starting Justice For All. Not sure how long it took me (it was either October or November), but I jumped into Trials and Tribulations almost right after, finishing the trilogy on the 30th. I had a set a goal to complete the collection in 2019, and that's what I did.

Now I'm a massive fan of the Ace Attorney franchise. I'm currently collecting all the games and playing them in order. I want to obtain as much merch that I can and am just obsessed in general with the series. So how did the trilogy get me so crazy about Ace Attorney? Well, you're about to find out--but keeping this review spoiler-free isn't gonna be easy . . .

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Negatives

As with my other game reviews, I like to get the negative stuff out of the way so we can focus on the good aspects. You might recall that in my previous two game reviews, I've listed the fanbase under this category. To be honest, I haven't encountered too many fans of the series. They seem to be generally positive, but I do know that some people ship Nick and Miles and draw art for it, which I'm obviously not impressed about. I don't understand why people will take two characters--of the same gender and who have some form of a non-romantic relationship--and ship them. People can just be friends, y'know!

There's some mild swearing in here. Just your standard h-ll, d--n, and d--mit. I don't think anyone took God's name in vain? But I don't quite remember. Either way, language isn't severe, and it doesn't happen all that often.

The trilogy does have some sexual content, with some double entendres and whatnot. I believe the first game had the most, particularly in the second case, but there are a couple scattered throughout the other two titles. Larry's girlfriend is mentioned to have had some sugar daddies. A patient at a clinic is a bit of a perv; even more so is an old man in "Recipe for Turnabout." Not only does that character make that particular case one of my least favorites, but there's also an overtly effeminate, homosexual, drag-practicing chef by the name of Jean Armstrong. (This game was obviously made before these issues became really big in society, so I'm not sure what the purpose of it was.) There's a nun named Bikini, but she only mentions the swimsuit on occasion and never actually wears one. Some female characters are not always, shall we say, fully covering their chests. For example, April May (one of the witnesses in "Turnabout Sisters") is showing a good deal of cleavage and is, er . . . a bit bouncy, if you know what I mean. The worst case (aside from Jean) is Mia herself, as her top shows off a lot. It gets worse when she's dead and channeled by Maya or Pearl.

Oh yeah, an element of the game that might bother some people is the whole "spirit channeling" thing. Female members of the Fey family are strong in their connections with the dead, and are often spirit mediums. This is how Mia sometimes shows up to help Phoenix again, or how some cases are solved. I personally wasn't ever uncomfortable with it, because it just felt like it was simply part of this fictional world. If you're super cautious about this because of real-life possessions or whatnot, I understand. But I think you should also consider that this is also just a story, and stories can include stuff like this as if it were a natural aspect of that world.

Finally, in terms of violence: most of the cases are about murders. Therefor, you will see some blood on objects, or pools of blood. As far as I remember, the actual killing is never shown; only the aftermath is seen. It should also be noted that suicide is sometimes mentioned, and at least one case ("Farewell, My Turnabout") deals with the topic. An image in the game shows a man finding a woman who's hung herself; we only see the lower half of her body dangling above the floor. Suicide is never glamorized, but rather presented as a sad reality.

Positives

Where to start, where to start . . . First of all, the plots and writing in the trilogy are superb. Seriously, you could pull a lot of writing lessons from the three games. Each individual case (which always has interesting scenarios and environments) stands on its own, but some end up being connected to the others. They start off simple enough, getting more intense and more complex as you go along, not just in each game, but in the collection as a whole. Then the final case of Trials and Tribulations tops it all off by being the most intense, most complex, most personal case of them all. Every loose thread you thought had been ignored are all wrapped up and concluded. Lemme tell you, that was a thrilling experience.

The writing is also fantastic when it comes to characters and their arcs. Every major character seemed to have some arc throughout the games. Edgeworth's is one of my favorites, because of just how really well-done it is. Godot was another personal favorite, and it saddens me that he only got to be in one game, Trials and Tribulations. Seriously, all the characters, from Nick and Maya to Gumshoe and Franziska to even the one-off witnesses, were given quality attention when it came to writing them. You can't help but love them, or love to hate them. Okay, some characters don't fit under those two extremes, but seriously! They're just that good.

Finally, in terms of writing, the humor almost always landed with me. If you enjoy puns, there's a lot of them in the game--and most of them come from the characters' names! The Japanese tend to love their puns, and they didn't hold back with some of the names. There's the abovementioned April May, a police officer named Dustin Prince, a detective called Luke Atmey . . . you get the idea. There's plenty of others. One of my favorites is Detective Dick Gumshoe. "Gumshoe" is another word for detective, and investigators used to be called private dicks. Therefore, his name is literally Detective Detective Detective. It's pretty clever. Actually, if you choose to play the games, do yourself and look at the name meaning for each character on the Ace Attorney wiki. The developers put a lot of thought into the names.

But yeah, going back to the subject of humor. The game often had me laughing to myself, and sometimes even out loud. It could've been from Gumshoe's bumbling, or Franziska constantly whipping people, or Moe the clown's terrible jokes, or Godot's obsessive coffee guzzling, or any number of things in between. There's a lot of strong comedy, and that's one thing that really endears the games to me.

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How about the gameplay itself? Well, I think it should mentioned that these are kinda like visual novels (not sure if they exactly fit into that category or not). There's a lot of reading involved, and not much in terms of what you "do," per se. The most gameplay comes from the puzzle-solving aspect. Apparently the Ace Attorney titles are considered adventure games, but I feel like it's a mix of that with the visual novel genre and puzzle games.

Anyway, gameplay is split up into two types: investigations and trials. Investigation periods are a bit like those point-and-click adventure games; personally, they've always reminded me of those old Club Penguin missions. You click around the different environments to gather clues and evidence, and question various people on various topics related to the case. In Justice For All, Psyche-Locks were introduced. When a person is hiding something really important by lying, these locks appear. To break them, you have to present the right evidence that you've collected to get all the info. Once you've done all that you need to, you move on to the courtroom.

While investigations are definitely fun, I've always enjoyed the trials the most. You cross-examine witnesses, who always tend to either lie or forget stuff. You have to present the correct evidence on the right statement to prove that their testimony is bogus. It can get a lot more complicated than that during some cases, but I can't divulge the how or why without entering spoiler territory. Trust me when I say it's so satisfying when you present evidence and the music stops. It means you're on the right track, which is definitely confirmed when the "Objection!" or the "Pursuit" theme begins to play.

Speaking of music, the trilogy's soundtrack is HECKING DOPE. Okay, so Ace Attorney's soundtrack will probably always feel like the classic one in the series. As I'm playing the Ace Attorney Trilogy HD on my Switch with Chloe and Kaitlyn, the music is giving me serious nostalgia--and I only played the first game half a year ago! (Maybe it feels that way because Layton vs. Wright used music from that game.) Justice For All and Trials and Tribulations both had great OSTs as well, changing up what was already composed while still maintaining the same feeling, and sometimes using the old songs when they fit. I also love how the "Objection!" theme from Trials and Tribulations has become Phoenix's main theme. Definitely fits, especially once you've played the game and know how it ends.

What about any resounding themes or messages? Obviously the games don't set out to teach you anything, but there are things you can draw from your own ponderings and conclusions. Allow me to share some that I've found:

1. Believe in people and their potential for good. Nick learned from Mia to always believe in his client. That's why he's defending them, isn't it? Because he believes that they're innocent, and that they didn't commit the crime. Now, that doesn't mean this won't come back to bite you. There's a certain case--won't mention which one 'cuz spoilers--that really challenges the idea of a client being completely innocent. But Nick refuses to give up the ideal, and that's one reason why I like him: he can be very optimistic, even in the face of terrible odds.

2. Always pursue the truth. That's a really important theme that comes up quite often. Phoenix reminds Edgeworth that their goal is not a verdict, but to uncover the truth. That's what's most important, that the truth wins at the end of the day. Never settle for a comfortable lie, even when the truth can become very uncomfortable.

3. There are times when you'll need to buckle up and be strong. Mia tells Nick in his first case that a lawyer "can only cry when it's all over." Maya puts aside her grief over her sister's death to be strong for Nick, so that he can stand strong in court. There'll be a time for crying or mourning later on, but you may have to hold back the tears and keep your head held high.

4. Learn to forgive yourself. Won't say who, but a character blames themselves for something that happened in the past and acts out in anger toward others, accusing them because they themselves can't come to terms and deal with the past. There are things that are out of your control, and you have to stop beating yourself up about them and move forward.

5. Anyone can change; they just sometimes need a little push or reminder. At least a couple characters do this, and it's really touching how things turn out with them in the end. You can never force people to change, but you can always be the force that they see and are inspired by to change themselves.

I'm sure there are other messages you can pull out of the games, but these are just a few really good ones that I've gathered. I always love when a book, movie, or video game can give you some food for thought without banging you over the head with it.

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What else . . . I've covered the writing in all of its aspects, the gameplay, the music, the themes. The art style works really well for the games. I always love seeing what the new characters look like, or how the design of the old characters might change or evolve. Other than that, I don't know what else to add. This post is getting long anyway, so let's wrap things up!

Conclusion

I think a good story is tested in the aftermath.

Sure, you might've had a blast along the way. You were hooked and kept coming back for more. You had to find out how things ended. But what happens after the end, when the credits roll? Are you happy with where the characters are at (or at least satisfied to a degree) and how the conclusion played out, but still feel saddened that it's over? Does that bittersweet feeling rise up when you think about the story later?

For me, a good testament to how I feel after finishing the trilogy is the emotions that stir within me when I hear the end credits music from Trials and Tribulations. When I bought the Ace Attorney Trilogy HD on my computer, I purchased it with a special soundtrack. One of the tracks is the credits music, which I actively tried to avoid listening to before hearing it in-game. Now when I listen to it, it ignites that emotional "great story hangover" in my stomach. Knowing that the Ace Attorney series doesn't stop with the first three games is nice, but it's still the finish of that story. It makes me happy that I spent nearly 75 hours of my life with the trilogy and heartbroken that it had to end.

Are the games perfect? No, of course not. Like I said in my Undertale review, there will never, ever be such a thing as a 100% perfect form of entertainment. And even though it looks like there's a lot of negative content thanks to my big paragraphs, spread that out over three games and you'll find it really isn't all that bad.

At the end of the day, I had a freaking great time. I always had a blast playing the trilogy.

I fell in love with wonderful characters. I felt their joy and their pain, and inwardly cheered for them to get back on their feet, even when the situation looked overwhelmingly impossible.

I laughed at the jokes and was greatly entertained.

I tapped my foot to the beat of the fantastic tunes that burst through my headphones.

I was intrigued by the storylines, and my jaw dropped at some of the twists, chills racing up my spine.

I was moved by the themes that I gathered, and I contemplated them a good deal afterward.

I loved being able to say "Objection!" into my 2DS's microphone at the end of each game

And now I can cry because it's all over.

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Well, there's my enthusiastic fanboy review of the Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy. I truly I hope I did it as much justice as I could (yes, pun intended). What're your thoughts? Would you now pick up a copy of the game? If you've already played, feel free to chat about it and your experience with me!

One More Snowy Tune /// Music Monday #67

It's the first Music Monday post of 2020! Woo-hoo! *throws confetti in the air* (And no, the Awards post didn't count.)

I figured I'd do one more wintery-sounding song before moving on to anything I feel like. So today I chose . . .

"Toy Day" from Animal Crossing: New Leaf

Composed by Manaka Kataoka, Atsuko Asahi, and Kazumi Totaka

Let's be honest here: Animal Crossing music is always a win. It's so gentle, so soothing . . . It'd be great if a playlist of AC music could play for me when I'm having a stressful day. I'm sure it would calm me right down.

This one in particular is for Toy Day, or Christmas Eve, in New Leaf. The track hits all the right notes. It sounds like you're walking outside in a gentle snowfall, enjoying the beautiful weather. But it also fits perfectly with the festive mood of the event as Christmas is almost upon you. I don't know if I had ever noticed the banjo briefly appearing the middle there, or the soft acoustic guitar accompanying the melody but I love those touches. They give me some Stardew Valley vibes.

I unfortunately didn't have the time to participate in Toy Day in my town of Kakariko this last year, due to busyness of life and gatherings and finishing Trials and Tribulations and whatnot. It's gonna be a long time before the next one rolls around, but maybe I can join in then. If you've never played New Leaf, allow me to explain.

Toy Day doesn't just happen on the 24th. No, it requires preparation the days of December leading up to it. You've got to talk to all of your villagers and find out what they're wanting for Christmas. This was always serious business for me, since it can take a while for you to get everybody's requests. I'd make a note on my phone of who wanted what. Not only that, but you've also gotta buy the full Santa suit at the clothing store, and only one article appears a day. Thankfully, once you have it, you never have to buy it again--or you can just order it from the catalogue if need be.

Come Christmas Ever, Jingle the reindeer shows up in town and needs your help delivering presents. Disguised as jolly old St. Nick, you deliver the right gifts to the right people. If you succeed, Jingle will give you a reward. Toy Day has always been one of my favorite events, so I really don't wanna miss out this year. Fingers crossed!

That's my ramble about the song and the event it plays in. What did you think of the music? Do you play New Leaf? Also, you've still got a week left to vote in round 1.1 of the Music Monday 2019 Awards!

My Top Ten 3DS Games of 2019

It's no secret that I'm a gamer. I feel like in today's day and age, people who game can often be looked down on. But I'm proud to be one. Gaming helps me relax and unwind. It allows me to experience worlds that are wild and filled with adventure. I can live out stories that entertain and move me, or I can just enjoy a bit of a fun or a good challenge.

One of my favorite, if not my favorite, ways to game is by playing my 2DS XL with my headphones on and just getting lost in the moment. I bought the system back in the summer of 2017; it's the only gaming system I have purchased on the release day. I preferred it over the 3DS XL, which I had borrowed from a friend prior. It didn't have a great battery life (though I never checked the brightness level to see if it was too high), and I didn't care for the 3D feature. The regular 2DS is a clunky piece of stiff plastic that doesn't fold, so the 2DS XL was a great compromise. I mean, playing all 3DS and DS games, plus having a huge online store? Sign me up!

I've played it a lot since the day I bought it, and whenever I go through seasons where I just don't have time to play it regularly . . . I feel it. It does wonders in terms of taking care of my mental health, as it allows me to stop for a while and just breathe. One of the best purchases I've ever made, for sure.

Now, I asked on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter if I should write a blog post about my top ten or fifteen 3DS games of 2019, with ten being a nice number and fifteen being more content. Surprisingly--yet not surprisingly--more people voted for the top ten. This list comes from an application on my device that records each game I play, how long I've played it in total, how long the average play session is, etc. For my detailed and nerdy sides of my brain, this is absolutely genius, and more consoles should do this.

I can also check to see what games I've played in a day, week, month, or year. That makes it really easy to do posts like these. So based on playtime for 2019, here are my top ten games of the year and why! (Some of these are surprising in different ways, and others are no surprise at all.)

#10: Kirby: Planet Robobot (5:54)

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The game starts out with Kirby at his best: sleeping under a tree. As he does, a terrifying shadow blocks out the sky. It's a giant ship of sorts, the base of operations for the Haltmann Works Company, and it begins to terraform Planet Popstar into a fully mechanized world. King Dedede and Meta Knight both attempt to stop the company, but fall quickly. When Kirby awakes, he finds himself in a strange world. Determined to save his homeworld once again, he sets off on a mission to prevent Haltmann's machinations from seeing their full fruition. But is he too late?

Every Kirby game has their gimmick. Kirby Mass Attack was about Kirby being split into ten mini Kirbys. Kirby's Epic Yarn saw him become an outline of yarn saving a fabric kingdom. In Planet Robobot, it's about using a mech suit that can absorb thirteen specific Copy Abilities that are used to solve puzzles.

Why this game? Well, first off, I just love the Kirby series as a whole. This one has a really unique plot and gimmick, and I'm a sucker for robot battlesuits. I think this is honestly one of the best Kirby titles I've ever played. There's just something about it that really shines. (Also, it has a fantastic score. Go look up "Vs. Star Dream" right now and tell me I'm wrong. If you do, you're lying to yourself.) Now, it definitely feels a bit easier and shorter than some other Kirby games I've played, but at the end of the day, it provides me with sheer joy, and that's all that matters.

#9: Kirby: Triple Deluxe (6:35)

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Like the previous game on the list, this one also begins with Kirby sleeping--in his home this time, though. He gets up in the morning to find that a giant beanstalk has taken his house way up into the clouds. Spying Dedede's castle higher up, he races over to see if the king is behind this dastardly trick. When he reaches there, however, he finds a strange creature named Taranza, who kidnaps Kirby's rival. Choosing to save Dedede and find out what's going on, Kirby pursues the strange foe further up the beanstalk to lands unknown . . .

The gimmick for Triple Deluxe is twofold. First, it has the Miracle Fruit, which Kirby can eat to gain the Copy Ability known as Hypernova. It maximizes his inhalation and allows him to solve puzzles by sucking up pretty much anything. The second is the introduction of 3D elements. Obviously, a game like Kirby's Return to Dream Land is already 3D, but not quite in the same way. Triple Deluxe was made with the 3DS in mind, as it added background areas instead of there just being foreground areas. Bad guys can hop from one to the other or attack you from one side. Sometimes there'll be other things--like giant, spring-loaded hands--in the background that can pop out and smash you against the screen. It's really quite clever.

Why this game? Well, it's truly a stellar Kirby experience--probably my second favorite, with Return to Dream Land being the top. It's more challenging than Planet Robobot, and it reminded me a lot--in a good way--of RtDL. Again, the music is incredible, and you're only kidding yourself if you think it isn't. Plus, I loved being able to play through the whole game as Dedede later on. The bosses were challenging, especially when doing the True Arena and whatnot. Also, Taranza and his boss both had interesting backstories/motivations, which really adds something to the experience. Just a fantastic game all around.

#8: Kirby Battle Royale (6:38)

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I swear, this is the last Kirby game on the list. It kicks off with Kirby and Bandana Waddle Dee receiving an invitation from King Dedede to join his grand tournament. The prize? A gigantic cake! How can Kirby resist? But when they get there, they find that there are other Kirbys. In fact, the king has been using a device called the Kirby Printer to create colorful clones of the hero. Dedede intends to humiliate Kirby once and for all. Will the pink puffball win the tournament, or will he be defeated by himself?

Kirby Battle Royale is very different from other Kirby titles, in the fact that it's really just a bunch of battle minigames with different goals. One is a straight-up arena brawl; another has you tossing crystals onto a moving train; yet another sees you taking on the boss known as Robo Bonkers to score the most hit points. You can either play a match by yourself, do multiplayer (both local and online, though online doesn't allow you to specifically play with your friends), and take on story mode. Meanwhile, you unlock costumes, music, Copy Abilities, and minigames.

Why do I love this game? Mainly because it's a fresh spin on the Kirby franchise. The minigames are surprisingly fun, and the story mode is pretty entertaining. Even the animation style is a bit different from some of the recent series entries. I didn't think I would enjoy it as much as I did, but it seems that wasn't the case in the end. My two main gripes are that I can't play with Preston--one of my Kiwi friends--online, because that's actually one of the main reasons why I bought the game; and that the online playerbase is pretty much completely dead at this point. Other than that, it's a fun little game that's best in short bursts.

#7: Mario Party: Island Tour (7:05)

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Obviously, this game doesn't really have much of a plot, since only the single-player mode has any story to it. I suppose that's like Kirby Battle Royale, but the occasional Mario Party game (like Mario Party DS) did have a plot that included the party boards. Anyway, the story here is that Mario and friends get a letter inviting them to the Party Islands; the letter explodes into bubbles that surround everyone and takes them up to these fun, floating isles. Jealous that he wasn't invited, Bowser creates his own tower and begins make his own evil bubbles. (That has got to be the weirdest thing I've said today.) Mario and company have to stop Bowser before he takes away everyone's fun. Yes, this is the plot, and no, I never said it was a good one.

Mario Party: Island Tour ditches the car from Mario Party 9 (as well as 10 later on) and goes back to having several boards with different objectives and time lengths. For example, Perilous Palace Path is like a "regular" board where you simply have to reach the end, but you receive Mario Kart-esque items along the way to use against your opponents. Star Crossed Skyway requires that you gain the most Mini Stars to win, whether you finish first or last. Shy Guy's Shuffle City is only playable if you have three or four human players. Plus, you can play various minigame modes, take on Bowser's Tower, etc.

Why this game? I've always enjoyed the Mario Party series, especially if I'm playing with other people. That's probably how I got most of those seven hours, by playing with Kaitlyn and/or Chloe. (I don't recall if the game allows for online multiplayer, so I don't know if Preston and I could play together if he owned it as well.) Would I say it's the best Mario Party game I've played? No, I don't think I would. But that doesn't mean it isn't entertaining.

#6: Animal Crossing: New Leaf (9:07)

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Animal Crossing games never have grand plots, but they don't need 'em. You arrive at a town filled with friendly animals who seem to think you're their new mayor. Soon thereafter, a letter arrives from the anonymous person who was actually supposed to be the mayor. They're content to let you take on the role in their stead. Now it's up to you to create your own happy community with the help of your assistant, Isabelle.

There are tons of life simulation games out there, but none of them are as charming as Animal Crossing: New Leaf. It's one that I never get tired of playing. There's always so much you can do. You can chat it up with the town residents and help them with errands or requests. You can hunt down every last fossil, fish, insect, and painting to donate to the museum. You can travel to an island run by the former mayor, Tortimer, and play fun minigames to get special items. You can tend to your mayoral duties and do things like raise money for public works projects. You can invite your friends over to play together. Heck, you can even . . . pay your house's mortgage! (Which thankfully has no interest on it.)

Why do I love this game? This is one 3DS title that always really relaxes me. Something about it is just so calming, so soothing. The whole atmosphere of the game, from the chill music to the art style to the fact that you're living out a dream life, never fails to get me calm. It's pretty much perfect in every way. My only regret is how little I played it in 2019. Seriously, nine hours would've been several play sessions. This honestly makes me want to play it more this year. If you're looking to try an Animal Crossing or a life simulation title, I can't recommend this one enough. IT'S HECKING ADORABLE.

#5: Mario Kart 7 (12:19)

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So obviously the Mario Kart series never has integrated a plot into any of the games. But they don't need to, because that's not the point of the franchise. The point is to race against your loved ones and get super competitive, talking louder and louder the more you play, and screaming in rage if you get hit by either a red or blue shell right before the finish line and someone else steals your win.

This one added a lot of new features and ideas when it first came out. It allows you to customize your kart by picking the body, the wheels, and the glider; this affects your stats, so you wanna pick the right parts to get the best car possible. Courses allow you to drive underwater one moment and then soar through the air in the next. You can even race in a first-person perspective, if you so desire.

Why this game? It's another one of those that's just a good ol' time, whether playing solo or multiplayer. Again, I think a good portion of those twelve hours came from playing with Preston, as well as some with Chloe and Kaitlyn. I'd have to say that, based on the Mario Kart games I've played, this one's the second best (Mario Kart 8 being on the top of the list). Sure, the online multiplayer occasionally has connection issues, but other than that, this is a top-tier Mario Kart experience. The series is truly one of the best racing franchises.

#4: Mario & Luigi: Partners in Time (13:44)

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(This is technically a DS game, but I played it on my 2DS XL, so it counts.) It's just another day in the Mushroom Kingdom. Professor E. Gadd has just unveiled his newly-created time machine. Princess Peach decides to take part in this momentous occasion and uses the machine to visit the past. When it comes back, however, out steps not the princess in pink, but rather a hostile alien. A time hole opens up in the castle, and Mario and Luigi use it to visit the past. They discover that a race called the Shroobs are invading the Mushroom Kingdom of bygone years. In order to save both past and present, the bros must team up with their baby selves to take on Princess Shroob and her vast army. And the enemy is not afraid to do whatever it takes to win . . .

I'd played this game before, but I never was able to beat the final boss. I found myself kind of disappointed by the experience and left it for a while. Eventually, I decided to restart it, and I ended up enjoying it a lot more than I did the first time, now that my expectations were better. It's full of colorful locales, challenging foes, tough boss fights . . . all of that good stuff!

Why do I love it? First off, like most--if not all--of the Mario & Luigi series, it's freaking dark! Like, would you expect a Mario game to strongly imply that UFOs are shooting Toads, or to show that aliens are sucking their life forces for power? The plot is very solid, as it's part time travel, part alien invasion. If you don't have anything about the final boss spoiled for you, there's a great twist close to the end. The music is obviously phenomenal, because Yoko Shimomura. The callback to Yoshi's Island is perfect and hits me right in the nostalgia, since that was my first Mario game. I only wish that it had been remade in the new art style, because right now it's the only title in the series that wasn't. However, with the 3DS being a now-dead system, and with the developers, AlphaDream, filing for bankruptcy, that's never going to happen. Other than that, this is most definitely a fantastic experience.

#3: Miitopia (15:13)

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The world of Miitopia is a happy one. Everyone gets along with each other, and peace reigns over the land . . . until the Dark Lord shows up one day to steal people's faces! To make matters worse, he puts these faces onto monsters he's created. Who will save the day and take back the faces of Miitopia?

Well, that's where you come in. One of the greatest, most entertaining aspects of Miitopia is the fact that you choose who every single character is. You can either create Miis, use ones you've already created in the Mii Maker or Tomodachi Life, or use ones that people have made and shared online. Want the Dark Lord to be that in-law you despise? Done deal. Feel like saving the world as your favorite celebrity? Not a problem! What I did was play as myself, then had a couple of my friends, YouTubers I like, and several Undertale characters join my party. It was absolute blast fighting off monsters, leveling up, and doing other RPG things with my hand-selected team.

Why do I love this game? The casting element is obviously a huge selling point for me. Even though there can be a fair bit of grinding involved (like any RPG, honestly), it was still thoroughly enjoyable. The amusing storyline had me hooked, and I always looked forward to seeing whose face would end up on which boss. The music is surprisingly good, and the level/world design was solid, even if some parts might be considered simplistic or stereotypical. All in all, a fun game that had me staying up late often because I just had to play "one more level."

#2: Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney (32:36)

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Oh, look! If it isn't one of my favorite games ever. And it's more than double the time spent in the previous game on the list? No surprise there. The plot is more a bit more complex than one might assume, so let me try to summarize briefly . . . Espella Cantabella is in trouble. On the run from witches, she turns to the two titular characters for help. In doing so, Layton and his apprentice, Luke, as well as Phoenix and his assistant, Maya, end up being transported into a medieval world via a magical book. The town of Labyrinthia has no place for logic and truth, and the people would instead plunge any witch into the hellfire. Layton and Wright must work together to uncover the darkest secrets of the town, but things are never what they seem . . .

How Professor Layton vs. Phoenix Wright works in terms of gameplay is pretty straightforward. It's divided into two sections: Layton's investigation and puzzle-solving segments, and Phoenix's court trials. That doesn't mean, however, that Phoenix can't help out with puzzles, or that Layton can't lend a hand in court. The two different game styles are meshed together quite well here. There are some new elements added as well, such as multiple witnesses testifying all at once in court. It definitely makes the trials even more interesting.

Why do I love this game? It introduced me to both the Professor Layton and the Ace Attorney series, which I'm very thankful for. The plot was absolutely incredible, keeping me wanting to come back on a very frequent basis. There are some great twists, one of which I accidentally spoiled for myself. (I hate it when that happens.) The characters were all unique and interesting in their own right. The themes really resonated with me and still give me food for thought to this day. Did I mention that the music is freaking epic? BECAUSE IT IS. Actually, scratch that: the whole game is freaking epic. Can't recommend it enough. If you want a full review, I posted one here.

It's time for the top game of 2019, and it shouldn't really be a surprise to anyone! Clocking in more than double the time spent playing Layton vs. Wright, it's . . .

#1: Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney Trilogy (74:19)

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If this is shocking to you, you probably didn't know me all that well since June of 2019. I have become obsessed with the Ace Attorney series, and I made it my goal to finish the original trilogy last year. Some might argue that it's not fair, since it's technically composed of the first three games--Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Justice For All, and Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney - Trials and Tribulations--therefore averaging about 25 hours per game and being less than the previous one on the list. However, I'll still keep things as they are, especially since I don't know the exact time I spent on each game in the trilogy.

Obviously, because of the nature of the collection, it's hard to talk plot, but let me see if I can try . . . Phoenix Wright is new to the court scene. His first trial goes well, thanks to his chief and mentor, Mia Fey. But when he finds her brutally murdered, his world changes. Now he ventures forth with her sister, Maya, who's a spirit medium and can channel the spirits of the dead. They must take on new cases and help more innocent defendants as they face off against rivals both old and new. From a former classmate to a literal whippersnapper to a masked coffee addict, the prosecutors won't let Nick and Maya win easily. As cases become more and more complex, will Phoenix be able to prove that he is indeed an ace attorney?

Totaling fourteen cases, most of which are murder-related, the collection will have you meeting all sorts of crazy and colorful characters. The first game helps you get on your feet, and the following two titles have a tutorial case at the beginning, but don't expect things to be easy for you. By the time you reach the end of each game (especially Trials and Tribulations), you just might be scratching your head when the time comes to present the right evidence. But the satisfaction of getting the right answer is so worth it.

Most cases are divided up into several trial and investigation periods. You search the crime scene, the surrounding area, and related locations for clues while talking to people to get more answers. Then you'll stand in court and cross-examine witnesses and their testimonies, pointing out the contradictions. Honestly, it's a fairly simple formula, but it works really well.

Why do I love this collection? Because it exists and it is wonderful and everyone should play it. Seriously, the plots are addictive, there are plenty of twists and turns, the characters are either really lovable or really hateable (well, there are a few in between, but you know what I mean), the music is nothing short of stupendous, there's some good challenge involved . . . What more can I say? I guess you'll find out when I write a review of the trilogy. (Edit: future me has added the link to this review. You're welcome.)

There you have it! Those were my top ten 3DS games of 2019! Have you played any of these? Do you want to? If you're looking for recommendations or want to give some, I'm here for either one!

The Music Monday 2019 Awards - Round 1.1

Oh ho ho! Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the greatest music awards show that hardly anyone knows about! It's running for its third year now, and it's renowned for its incredibly difficult decisions, according to those who have participated in the past. Yes, it's the Music Monday Awards, the 2019 edition!

We will be doing this like we have the previous two years, but for those who are new, allow me to explain. The Awards will run for the course of the next several weeks. During that time, you vote for the top song of 2019 through process of elimination in three rounds (the first of which is broken up into three separate parts so as to not overwhelm you). Each round runs for two weeks, and two weeks only. Any votes placed after the two weeks will not be counted toward the grand total.

For round one, we'll be choosing the best song for each month. That is why it's divided up, so that you don't have to listen to 26 songs all at once. Just compare the songs and comment which one is your favorite for every month. You can leave a comment here or on any of the other social medias I'm advertising this on (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and even Discord). If I had a preference, having them all on my blog would be simplest. But if having those other options available means getting more voters, so be it.

Enough explaining! Let's get into the action!

January

"Main Theme" from A Hat in Time

versus "Stronger Faster Braver" from the Two Steps From Hell album Battlecry

February

"Dragon Roost Island" from The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD

versus "Dragon Rider" from the Two Steps From Hell album Archangel

March

"The Kraken" from Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest

versus "I Won't Let You Go" by Switchfoot

April

"Grape Garden" from Kirby's Return to Dream Land

versus "Iron Man 3" from Iron Man 3

And there you have it. The Awards are now in your hands. As was said, simply comment with your favorite song for each of these four months. (In case you were curious about it, yes, I'll be voting too.) Sunday, January 19th, will be the last day to vote for round 1.1; once it's the 20th, there will be no more eligible votes for this round.

Like I've said in years past, feel free to share this on social media with anyone who might be interested. The more people who vote, the more fun the Awards become as the uncertainty of which song will win rises. I, of course, will do my part, but I always appreciate you all chipping in and helping out. Thanks in advance for your participation!

I hope you enjoy the first eight songs!

Monthly HapPENings: December

Well, here we are. A new decade lies before us, the old one left behind. I suppose now's as good a time as any to look back at the last month of the 10s, with a few stats from the whole of 2019 thrown in.

Life was pretty normal for December. Well, as normal as it can be for this time of year. I celebrated my birthday, which was a lot of fun! Actually, my whole birthday weekend was absolutely wonderful. One of the best birthdays that I can recall.

I had several Christmas parties/gatherings to go to. My mom's side had theirs fairly early on in the month, while my dad's side had theirs later. I went to one work banquet, then to a party thrown by some of my coworkers. While it was a lot of different things to attend, it was fun!

My Christmas break was a relaxing time at home with my family. I couldn't have asked for a better holiday. It was so lovely to sleep in and just chill most of the time, and I got some wonderful gifts for Christmas. It was a much-needed break, and honestly, I wish it could've been a little longer.

Oh yeah, I also performed in a skit on stage at my church. That was a thing that happened. I was told by several people that I'm a really good actor, so maybe I should look into any acting/voice acting opportunities?

Bookish HapPENings

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I don't usually read books in a series too close together, but I didn't want to forget what had happened in Malice again, so I read Havoc shortly thereafter. It was quite enjoyable! I'd say it was probably better than the first book, but it still wasn't "perfect." That being said, I would still recommend this duology to people who are looking for unique stories. The blending of novel and comic book were done really well, and I'd honestly love to see more authors try new things with their novel's format.

With that, I have read 22 books in 2019. Not as much as I would've maybe liked, but hopefully 2020 will be a more productive reading year, especially if I'm going to be writing more frequently.

HapPENings on the Screen

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I had no doubts that Toy Story 4 would be a worthy entry in the series, and I wasn't wrong. With all the heart and charm of the previous films, it ended the story very well. I fell in love with the old characters all over, grew to love the new ones, laughed a lot at all the humor and jokes . . . and yes, I did cry when the final scene came rolling around. I can see why Tom Hanks and Tim Allen couldn't even look at each other when they were recording their last lines. Well done, team.

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I've been watching a bit more of Once lately, and I'm now getting into the second half of S4. I'm not sure if I really care about the three villainesses so far, but they did do something pretty clever in the last episode I watched. And there was a twist with Maleficent that I wasn't expecting, so props to the writers for that. I'll have to see more before I can fully give my opinion on the second half, as well as the whole season overall.

I finally finished S1 of Trollhunters, and what a finale that was! I mean, the first half of the season was great, but the latter half became even more fantastic. Now I just need S2 to come out really soon (*glares pointedly at Netflix*), because the first season ended on a cliffhanger. Highly recommend this to anyone who's looking for a show that captures the spirit of an incredible middle-grade fantasy.

Have I mentioned that S2 of Avatar is somehow better than the first? Because it is. I am very much enjoying the direction it's taking, and I can sense that epic stuff is going to go down as the season progresses. Also, I loved the Ace Attorney flair the last episode I watched had. (Seriously, if anyone wants to get me to like something, just make sure it has some Ace Attorney vibes. I'll probably love it to pieces.)

I knew that S1 of My Hero Academia was going to get more intense, but I just didn't know the when and how. Well, those questions have been answered, and now I am eagerly await how things are gonna end for the first season over the course of the last few episodes I have left to watch. Also, the villain with all those hands over him is both super cool and super creepy, which is what I'd hoped for.

So Attack on Titan is a pretty intense show in general, but holy heck, these last few have been extra thrilling. Especially the last episode I watched. I kid you not, I was actually clenching my hands together or tightly grabbing the couch cushion the entire time, as I sat there upright and stiff. I was so nervous for all the characters, and I have no hot clue how in the world they're going to give the first season any sort of satisfaction in its conclusion.

I have just two episodes left before I'm finished The Flash's fourth season. Things are so up and down for the characters that I feel like everything's going to get messed up in the final two episodes. I know I've said this before, but I really don't know why people have said that this is a sub-par season. It really isn't. I've thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think it's added some amazing characters and built up character arcs very well.

This means that in 2019, I watched 9 TV shows and 14 movies (I did not add any times I saw a movie more than once this year). I'm kinda surprised at how close those numbers are, and yet somehow not.

Gaming HapPENings

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I've enjoyed all of the games I've played on my Switch, but Super Mario Odyssey has to be one of my favorites so far. I know people compare it to Super Mario 64 as that's nostalgic for me, but for me, it brings to mind memories of the two Galaxy titles. I loved--and still love--those games with all my gamer heart, and this feels a little bit like the third entry we never got. And the graphics! I can hardly get over just how jaw-dropping this game looks. From the thread in Mario's clothes to the vast worlds, everything is graphically stunning. I can hardly wait to keep playing!

I decided I wanted to finish the Ace Attorney Trilogy before 2020 rolled around, so I made sure I finished the final case in Trials and Tribulations over Christmas break. Wow . . . my mind is still blown from that conclusion. It was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. The case was the most intense, the most complex, and my favorite in the whole trilogy. People could honestly take writing lessons from this series.

And no, there's no way I'm gonna be able to figure out just how many games I've played this last year. So don't bother asking.

Writerly HapPENings

Well, I didn't write at all in December. Whoops. I mean, it was a mix of being busy for most of the month (or at least feeling busy) and then just wanting to relax over my break. Ah, well. Hopefully this next month will be more productive in that regard.

If I calculated everything correctly, I wrote approximately 53.2k words in 2019. Seeing as I've never calculated this for any other year, I don't really have anything to compare it to. I think it could be better, but I'm gonna try my best to be satisfied with the progress I did make. After all, any words written is better than none at all.

Well, there you have it. That was my December; how was yours? Did you do anything fun, or did you chill the whole month? Got any fun gifts for Christmas? Any yearly stats you wanna share?