Hey all, Rigel here. So, today is the release of the the new 2DS-XL. Took them awhile didn't it? Anyhoo...way back I tried to get into Az's good graces...and what better way with a portable gaming system! So yeah, he's had it for some time now, and I figure now's a good a time as any that he share his thoughts on his first dive into the current portable gen of this planet.

Lets see...where's that file...ah! Here it is...and the hologram dive bit an...oooh...he may not want me to...oh no no no, RESCIND! RESCIND!
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So, after awhile, I finally got myself a 2DS. Well, it was a gift sorta, by Rigel. I was in debates to whether support the full 3DS or not, but in the end I went with the 2, because, reasons. (Though I am a little ticked that the 3DS XL had a huge sale sometime later *gripe* *gripe*)

But I like my little 2DS. For those wondering if it's better or worse than the 3DS, personally I couldn't tell without owning one of those. But personally, don't so much care. The 2DS does what it's suppose to, and I haven't had a problem with it yet. Sure, you won't be able to play SOME 3DS games (yes, it's untrue you can play ALL of them, more like 98% maybe. Try playing Xenoblade or Issac on it), but I can deal with that as a first investor.
I don't have to worry about broken latches (which is what lowered the use of my previous DS), have a nice carrying case to protect it, and has a decent preinstalled game with tit. That's what THIS is about.

For bundles, there were two if recall. One was Mario Kart 7. I think I've played the original Mario Kart before, and yeah, it was fun. But I'm no real racer-player, so I went with the other bundle...which includes another monster-grabbing RPG....

Called Yo-Kai Watch!

...honestly, I never really heard ot it. Sure, I was a late-comer to the next generation DS, but hadn't really seen it (probably doesn't help that Disney XD somehow is taking a lot of animation that...doesn't really feel right with them. Digimon anyone?). But what the hey, it drew me.
So the premise is somewhat influence by the actual concept of Yokai, supernatural entities in Japanese folklore. If you've ever seen a Ghibli film, you've probably seen some things that you can point out as being Yokai.

Yokai Watch, however, takes things in a more carefree, subdued way. Playing as Nate, a boy with a serious bug hunt obsession, who comes across a capsule machine (which I've seen on occasion, but I guess they're popular in Japan) just sitting in front of an old tree for some reason. When he opens one of these capsules, this ghost-looking Yokai named Whisper comes out and gives Nate a weird watch (nice, free loot!), that lets him see and befriend Yokai.
It's been a bit since the beginning of the game, but essentially Nate ends up becoming a problem searcher looking to stop the "bad Yokai" that mess with everybody. From spats between his parents caused by a female version of The Blob, to a stalking suit of armor in a museum run by a mouse, to memory-eating living hats...there's a lot of weird stuff that happens.

Game-play-wise, I was pretty intrigued. Half the time, you can search for Yo-kai to fight and possibly recruit in the large town (and it's sections) of Springdale on your own terms (looking in trees, under cars and houses...and the other half, you're exploring dungeon-like settings where the Yokai are walking out and about for you to encounter or avoid at your leisure, while you take on a variety of quests (some repeatable) for items and money (and yeah, Nate's ONE RICH KID by the end of this thing). The game sorta "evolves" as you go on as well. Through the chapters, you get the ability to go out at night, upgrade your watch (letting you see new Yokai, get new quests and open locked doors), get a bike, and access a fast-travel system.

Combat is interesting. In a type of reverse from Pokemon (which is kind of condescending anyway, always ordering those guys around), your Yokai fight on their own. Sure, they have "personalities" that influence their actions (which you can change with book items), but it's up to them whether they defend, attack, or use their techniques (or loaf around, which is, for the most part, something you don't want).
You can direct their attention to specific enemies (or enemy parts), use items to heal your own party or to try and befriend your enemies, and use Soulmate moves when your Yokai's meters are full (think of them as ultimate attacks).
You can have a total of six Yokai with you, and use a sort of "wheel system" to manage them, rotating at your leisure to have the front three participate in the fight. Later on, you'll use it more often to "purify" Yokai that get negative "Inspirits" (think of them as status effects).
While it's a bit limiting for you to not participate as much, it's actually quite a balance. You don't have to handle everything yourself, your Yokai know what to do, and you support them as...well...an actual kid WOULD. You're not going to take a bat to fire spewing, boulder-throwing, death-inducing calamities at age 8 (I assume....) are ya?

Overall, I enjoyed the game. There's lots of Yokai to collect (though I'd wish the recruiting were easier somehow, and that some weren't exclusives), and a lot of quests to do and discover. The ending of the main story is a bit weird (octopus as a final boss? Really??), but overall, it's a refreshing journey. You don't get real penalties for failing, heal-management is easy, and a save-almost anywhere feature (limited in dungeons) make things quite pleasant. It's a good, simple adventure for monster-collectors and a good-different take on the oh-so-many Pokemons out there.

One of the areas you frequent (or rather, choose to frequent), in the game is probably somewhere nobody really wants to go. I'm talking the Sewers. Yep, the Sewers are vast, with a lot of items and locked doors, and, ironically, the supposed "super boss" of the entire game waiting behind a three-lock door. I actually managed to beat this guy before completing the main story (difficult to do, won't say it ain't. The key? Being quick with items, managing purification, and managing to inflict some poison-like inspirt on him, taking off a huge chunk of his HP.)

Anyway, I didn't enjoy my personal trek into the sewers for items...the place is dank and damp, and I have to envy Nate for not complaining about WHY this was in the game, but oh well. Of course, getting into the sewers ranges from ladders and actual pipes sticking out of ground, and let me tell ya, it ain't like Mario. You'll fall. And sometimes you may break your watch...
...and having some back-talking ghost on your back doesn't help, even if you KNOW you're right that there's a Yo-kai around inspiriting you...

Oooooh...please no sewers in Yo-Kai Watch 2....
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....Rigel...

Uhhhh....you know how...uh...funny it is that the Send and Rescind buttons are stacked on each other...and that, sometimes, your claw may slip and hit the wrong thing heh...heh...

...sure. You know how funny it is when a fist "slips" into a person's noggin', rendering them unconscious?

Oh yeah! That is funny, see it a lot in those human action films aaaaaaannnnndddddd you're talking about me right...uhh...heh....heh...

*rearing shoulder* Yep.