Status update- 8/13/2013 & more on VVVVVV

My data is still not yet recovered, since to do so I need to physically remove the hard drive from my old laptop.  I should still be able to resume posting in a week or so.  Lastly, I managed to pull off another V rank in VVVVVV- Space Station 2.  I  was getting the frame perfect flip strategy for Gordian Knot every time today, so I went for doing it twice to avoid having to do Backsliders at all.  The first time took me to Manic Mine, the 3rd trinket, where I died stupidly.  The second success was foiled...by automatic update costing 20 seconds, so I had to go for the fast strategy in 'Just Pick Yourself Down' to have any chance of meeting the 3:20 time limit.  I failed it, and then couldn't get to Gordian Knot for a while out of frustration.  Then, I finally strung together a run.  Gordian Knot, And Veni Vidi Vici both fell first try this was my first time doing VVV today too! From there, I was a nervous wreck and could feel the adrenaline pumping.  I remembered where V stitch was and didn't charge headfirst into spikes, played it safe in Down Under, and nearly died in Shenanigan but hit the last possible frame I could flip on.  If I had died there, it would have been heartbreaking.  That's not an exaggeration either-I flipped AFTER Viridian had fallen off the edge.  As it was, I didn't die on the last possible room and finished with 17 seconds left on the clock with 0 deaths and all 5 trinkets for the V rank.  Just the Lab remains until I have all 6...

It feels good.  That's definitely one of the harder things I've done in games.

Status update- 8/8/2013

My laptop recently died, leaving me without my FFV save and minimal access to a computer. I'm working on resolving this and regular posts should resume to in about 2 weeks. Until then, I managed to pull off a V rank on 'The Final Level' in VVVVVV in the short period of time I've had access to the game- got to The Villi People and choked, then got it the very next attempt.  The amount of nerves was ridiculous.  Also, 27:30 100% with a bit of messing around to show my sister some stuff in the game with a 2 death Gravitron.

See you on the other side of the month, my data is all intact on my hard drive and I just need to recover the rest of it.

Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta, Run 2-11

Now in the Third World, or the Merged World, there's a lot of optional things Team Sidequest has to do.  But first, we have to stop by Tycoon and throw a huge banquet for the safe return of Princess Sarisa-better known as Faris.

Fittingly enough when Faris left the party she was in her Dancer outfit, and still is in this scene.  You'd think Bartz would be used to it by now, she's nearly mastered it.  Anyway, Krile the walking talking plot device gets a 'feeling' from 'Galuf' from beyond the grave, saying to leave Tycoon.  Reina wouldn't want to leave, and Bartz can't get through the dancing people to reach Faris, so he and Krile head off.

Don't fret townsperson, I'm sure the sky looking strange means nothing at all.  Absolutely nothing at all.  Also, I finally found my way into the tower on the right!  There's 2 Cabins in there, and you have to walk through the castle wall.  Like that makes any sense, but free treasure is free treasure.  While looking around for this passageway I spoke to Faris' teacher, who reminisced about what a sweet little girl she was.  Of course, the scene also shows how nice of an older sister she was to Reina.  I suggest watching this scene if you haven't already-words won't do it justice.

Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta, Run 2-10

I realized I had forgotten to pick up the Shoat summon, so I returned to the forest were I found Koko to pick him up.

The Shoat summon petrifies a single enemy on the battlefield, at base 99%+(caster level-target level) odds, capping at 99%.  Could be useful, but I'm finding attacking more generally useful than cheap instant kills.  The boss encounter with Shoat is similar, countering any damaging attack with Demon's Eye, a petrifying attack.  On its turns it will either attack, or Drain at 1/3 odds.  Altogether not that threatening to mow through 5000 HP, especially since Faris is immune to Stone through the Ribbon.

Shoat is the last of the Level 3 Summons, which can currently be cast by Reina or Galuf.  Bartz picked up Throw around here, so I shuffled jobs around a bit to maximize potential damage-Bartz became a Summoner with Throw and Reina switch to Ninja with Summon4.  Scrolls were doing base 1000 damage to all targets-I wanted more of those now!  and so Team Sidequest returned to Kelb with 3 million gil and purchased 99 of each Flame, Water and Lightning Scrolls-and 99 Shurikens too.  They then finally trekked off to the Forest of Moore to stop Exdeath.

Final Fantasy V Four Job Fiesta, Run 2-09

With the Hiryuu Weed in tow, the party returned to Bal Castle where Galuf's guards mistake them for Exdeath's monsters.  Not sure how they could confuse their king and his friends for monsters, but at least Galuf has a secret entrance through the moat.  There's a pretty well hidden Epee sword which I can't equip, but I do have a use in mind for its high attack power.  Krile's plot telepathy makes her sick in bed but at least we know to go to Guido's (Gill) Cave for advice.  The Moogle really likes Faris, hugging her through the short scene.

Of course, the Hiryuu is still sick, and since the Hiryuu Weed is why the dragons were all dying, it doesn't trust it.  Reina eats some to show that it's safe, but it's poisonous to humans!  Reina even knew that...but thankfully plot convenience Krile runs out of bed and has the antidote available!  She was sick in bed, and now she's running around?  Anyway, the Hiryuu gets better and the party flies off to Guido's Cave.  However, Exdeath sinks the island where it is before the party can enter, so we make a detour to Zeza's fleet by Barrier Tower.  Team Sidequest catches a Few Zs below deck, and Gilgamesh attacks!