2011年7月6日水曜日

Japan PSN finally back online

So, as some of you may know, the Japanese government was a little more strict about letting Sony start the PSN back up again.  Today, however, the PSN finally came back up.

Dude, Sony must totally hate Japan.

In the US, Sony let people download games like Infamous and Little big Planet FOR FREE!!

Here in Japan... no such luck.

Oh, we get free games, alright.  But...

Well, they suck.

Locoroco is the best one on the list.  All the other games... like the lowest rated PSN-only games around. 

I mean, yeah sure we get the Playstation Plus 30 day free stuff, but the lineup just isn't as robust as that of the US and Europe. 

For every Nintendo fan out there who was angered by the announcement of no US version of Xenoblade and the last story, I feel your pain.

While Nintendo hates the non-Japanese audience, Sony seems to be the opposite. 

2011年7月4日月曜日

Tales of the Abyss 3ds first impression

Ok guys, here in Japan Tales of the Abyss 3DS has just come out. 

So, I haven't had much play time with it, as I do actually have a life (blasphemy!!)

So, as you can see in the picture, the Japanese version comes with a drama CD, which I have just finished listening to.

Well... it's a drama CD.  Not much extra story or character development.  Not bad, but not awesome.

This is a remake of the Ps2 title of the same name, which I haven't played.  So, for me this is practically a new game.

Now, I haven't played enough of the game to give it a good review, but I can tell you this: It looks very nice.  The graphics are great, and the 3D is much like Avatar's 3D.  It makes the room go around you, or like you are watching all the events through a window. 

Music is great, voice acting is good.  So far, I have no complaints at all.  So, we'll just have to see how it turns out in the coming days as I get further into it.

2011年6月27日月曜日

Back from a long haitus, and changing the blog

So, a LOT has been going on with me here in Japan.

I have since decided to refrain from writing about life in Japan, at least as the main topic, and focus more on things that most readers of these kinds of blogs are interested in: Gaming

Being in Japan, I have access to a lot of information and games (read: Xenoblade and The Last Story... suckers) so I figured I could review and talk about gaming news in general.


Be warned, however, that I will NOT be talking about ANY games that are not Japanese.  Although I certainly enjoy Fallout, Elders Scrolls, and what not, I'm not going to be talking about them... because I'm an apathetic bastard. 

2011年2月18日金曜日

Thursday - News!

So, turns out that Sumo Wrestlers have (gasp!) ties with the Yakuza!

Who'da thunk it?

Starting a few weeks ago, the police have been investigating their money/gambling/match-fixing practices.  It's gotten so bad that the police are thinking about confiscating their cell phones and see who they were corresponding with.  (A big  no no in Japan.)

Speaking of Sumo, it is a bit interesting how, over the last 10 years or so, the number of Japanese sumo wrestlers has dwindles to almost nothing.  The most famous wrestlers in recent memory have been Russian, Hawaiian, and 2 Mongolians.  The pride of Japan has been taken, like almost all things here now, by foreigners.

this brings the question... what does 'Japanese' even mean anymore.

Stay frosty!

2011年2月17日木曜日

Wednes day - Engrish!

This has SOOO many layers to it I can't even begin...

Stay frosty!

Tuesday Kanji day!

Alright guys, it's the Kanji lesson you've all been waiting for!

遊女 this is pronounced two ways.  One is Yuujo, and the other is tawareme.  They both mean the same thing... harlot, prostitute, etc.

Then there is 娼女 which is pronounced shoujo and it, of course, means the same thing.

The ironic part of this last one is that it is pronounced exactly the same as 少女 which means 'little girl'... oh my dear Japan...

Stay Frosty!

2011年2月14日月曜日

Monday - Stay a while

So, you have decided to stay for as long as you can?  Really?  you willing to give up your home, familiar customs, and food and live in the srange, new world that is Japan?

Well, then go for it!

Living in Japan is actually quite easy.  If there is one thing that Japanese people do well, it's making everything as convenient as possible. (Well, almost everything...)

EVery bill you have (Water, Gas, Electricity, Cellphone, Internet, TAxes) can be paid at any of your local convience stores.  (Like 7/11 for example)

Also, since Japan is reletively small, at least compared to countries like China, America, etc, getting things by mail is VERY fast and you can COD everything!

When my computer died, as I stated last post, I ordered everything via a website called http://www.dospara.com/ and had it delivered to my house within 24 hours!  And I just paid the mailman cash and I was good to go. 

It's the little things that make all the difference.

Now, if you want to live in Japan for a long time, you need to find a good place to live.  By good, I mean one that you can stay in for as long as possible.  In Japan, there are two kinds of security deposits when you move into an apartment.  One is called 礼金 (reikin) which roughly translates to THank YOu money.  this money you do not get back!  This practice started in Japan after WW2, when no one had any money or anything and to get a place to stay, they would 'Thank' the owner of the house/room with money.  70 years later, they still do it.  It will typically be about 1-2 months rent.

Something to look forward to, however, is that the practice of charging 'Thank you money' is disappearing.  (What?  you mean people don't like paying for nothing? Imagine that...)

Then there is 敷金 (shikikin) which is just like a regular security deposit.  This is also typically 1-2 months rent.

So, everytime you move to a new apartment, you end up paying about 5 months rent in advance.  That is why is it VERY important to find an apartment that you feel you can live in for a long time.  Of course cost is an issue but also be sure to check for cracks and hole for cockraoches etc. 

I was once living in a rural place and had an apartment that cost 330 bucks a month.  (In or near Tokyo, that the cheapest I have ever found)  But, the space between to door and the floor was rather wide, and every night was like a cockraoch barmitsva!

So, be sure to check for things like that.

Stay frosty!!!