Aiko's Gazebo of Thoughts

#Shining_Nikki new UI #rant.

So the new UI came to global yesterday.
I saw it in TW/CN before and my opinion is still the same: I hate it. I hate it even more now that I have it in my game.
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Sure, I admit it looks cleaner and more modern now, that the old icons look outdated. I also hate how crowded the right side (from where I look) is, to the point there's even an arrow for just ONE more menu - I always think that's stupid.

But at least the old UI is usable, has a clear identity, and are cohesive with everything else. There might be a lot of icons, but it looks somewhat balanced as both right and left sides have icons. This new UI clashes with the other unchanged screens that it feels jarring when I switch between screens. Yes, the UI change is only for a few screens. If you want to change the UI, at least change everything so it'll all be cohesive, please!!

They didn't even bother to edit this screen where there's clearly a missing spot (there used to be another game mode there, but everyone hates it so it got removed):


In the home screen, the menus' positions got moved. It's just a matter of getting used to it. My main problem is how small the icons are and how they look similar to each other, especially the bottom part. I can barely tell what the icons are supposed to be at first glance. They look more aesthetic but it's more confusing. At the very least, I'd much prefer the "Start Journey" icon to be bigger than the rest like the old one. Why is the hide toggle icon (the circle) even bigger and more noticeable than the more important menus/icons??

Here's a comparison between the new VS old (I didn't take a screenshot so I took it from u/meadowofwildflowers):


As a comment said, it feels like "what happens when designers prioritize aesthetics over usability":


Yes, it's not just me - plenty of other players also hate it. The only thing I like is how the "Ark" screen looks, though I think it lost some identity.


For the "Design Center", I personally just prefer how the old one looks a bit like a magazine. And again, it's more cohesive with everything else.
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The new costume batch, including Gin's second and first live 2D costume is here, too...I want it, after all...

I thought I couldn't get it, but through hard work and a little ingenuity, I MANAGED TO GET GIN'S COSTUME AND UPGRADE IT TO LIVE 2D!!!! SO HAPPY!! 🥺💕 I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS...IT'S SO GOOD TSKR I LOVE YOU AAAAAAAAAAAA 😭😭😭

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Hard work: Going through "Enigma Black Hole" to get projection vouchers.
Ingenuity: I need more Quartz to upgrade the costume to Live2D, so I bought the cheapest $0.99 USD package (with the last bonus so I got 120 Quartz). Except I used Google Play Balance I got from doing surveys and converted Google Play Points so it's free!! I didn't actually pay from my wallet!!! I feel so big brain and tensai for this lmao. Me when I used 100% of my brain. 🤯

#Neural_CloudFold

Bonneville is here!! Honestly, I just want to get the free oath certificate in "Search Integration: Darktide" (getting a bit too lucky in the collab gachas might've backfired lmao) but Bonneville looks cool so I quite like her, too.

Got spooked by Vee (50 rolls) and Bansxy (100 rolls) as usual. Got Bonneville in 140 rolls, welcome home!!
Decided to roll one more time, so 150 rolls in total, to get the oath certificate in "Search Integration: Darktide". I'm very chill about this because I still have a lot of rolls and other than Penumbra, I don't know who else I want to roll in the future lol.

Wonder who I should oath now, Dupin first or wait for Penumbra...? 🤔
(Speaking of Penumbra, I lamented if Penumbra got released after/overlapping with the collab like in CN, but now I wish that's the case instead lol. It'd be killing 2 birds with a stone, but alas.)

#Neural_Cloud

So I FINALLY gave in to play LnDS again, baited by the upcoming update (there's a lot?? I'm a bit lost)
Ofc there's guilt trip for leaving lmao
Holy shit the flurry of messages?!?! 😭😭😭 That's a bit too realistic!!
Yay for returnee gifts & missions though


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I think I failed to mention it here before, but yes, I quit the game...somewhere around February iirc
Returned a bit on March, just logging in to get free Xavier card, then left again LOL

#Love_and_DeepspaceFold

The #Neural_Cloud x Steins;Gate collab event is finally here!!
Rolled on the limited collab banners just because I can
Welcome home, Kurisu (40 rolls) and Mayuri (80 rolls)!!
Got 3 dupe spooks in Mayuri's banner lmao (Florence in 10 rolls, Erika in 60 rolls, Evelyn in 70 rolls), so 3 3⭐ back-to-back including Mayuri omg
Lucky!! 😎 I'm very happy but also a bit scared ngl lol

Reverse: 1999 Roundup So Far

I realized I've been way too lazy to post anything about this game on my social media despite playing it every day, so here's a roundup of my gacha rolls so far from the newest, taken from my journal.

Actually, honestly, I've been considering quitting the game due to the lack of husbandos and other reasons. I was set on quitting after getting Getian so this post was supposed to be the first and last, a farewell of some kind.

But then...the day after (21 June) I got Getian (20 June), CN dropped patch 2.0 news (Reddit / Twitter)...and it has a new 6⭐ male character named Joe. An actual man, not a kid!! The husbando we all (a lot of people in Reddit at least) have been waiting for!! Not my type, but he looks cool. Damn. Lmao. Guess I'll be sticking around for a bit more...
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My gacha history of 5⭐ and 6⭐ in limited banners from Kornblume summon tracker (it should be more or less correct):


Summary:


(2024-06-20)
After a long wait, Getian is finally here!! AND I GOT HIM IN 20 ROLLS OMG!!! WELCOME HOME, GETIAN!!! I forgot that I lost my 50/50 to Pickles before, so Getian is guaranteed lol. Still very nice, though.


(2024-04-09)
After debating about it for a while, I finally decided to roll again in Eternity's banner for just one more Charlie dupe. 10 rolls, got Baby Blue. 😱 Thankfully, I got Charlie right after that in another 10 rolls. Yay!! Finally, Charlie P3!! \o/ 5⭐ isn't a lie for once, thank god. So I rolled 30 times in that banner in total. I lost the 50/50 to Pickles (good boy, I don't mind) so my next 6⭐ is guaranteed to be the one in rate-up, hehe. This is great. Let's not roll anymore until Getian come.


(2024-03-28)
6 is finally here!! In 40 rolls (reached pity 70 rolls since I rolled 30 times in 37's banner without getting any 6⭐), 1 Sweetheart, 2 Baby Blue, and 🆕 6!! I won 50/50 again omg, yay!! Welcome home, 6!!


(2023-03-03)
Ended up rolling 20 times in 37's banner AND OMG I GOT DIGGERS!!! WELCOME HOME, DIGGERS!! 🥺🥺🥺 Thank god I haven't selected him yet (free 5⭐ selector), I was afraid this would happen after I selected him lol. And I did think "Well, Diggers can spook me anytime", to think it actually happened! Yay!! So I invited Charlie for her P2. Now how to get P3...


(2024-02-08)
Shamane is finally here! I already mulled over it before and I decided to roll.
In 70 rolls...I WON THE 50/50 OMG!!! WELCOME HOME, SHAMANE AND BALLOON PARTY!! 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏 I want Balloon Party too, so I was happy when she's in the banner. I sure didn't expect to get so many of her, though. Lmao. Not complaining.
Results: Shamane 🆕, Balloon Party 🆕 P4, Satsuki 🆕, Click P2.


(2023-12-30)
Did 40 rolls in "Invitation From the Water" event banner. I got Golden Thread II with Medicine Pocket in it, the one I wanted the most omg!! Welcome home, Medicine Pocket!! 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏


(2023-12-07)
Got Tooth Fairy in 70 rolls lol. Hit hard pity/guarantee. 😂 Also got 3 Blonney, Bkornblume dupe, and Tennant dupe on the way. 5⭐ rate-up isn't a lie for once.
(Lost my screenshot, RIP)

(2023-12-06)
I'm having a hard time clearing Limbo V, so I thought, "Damn, I really need a second reliable healer". Tooth Fairy banner is just tomorrow, but upon finding out that Voyager, X, and Balloon Party banner is already here, I impulsively decided to roll...and got Centurion in 10 rolls. OMG?!?! WTF?!?!? This is the first time I rolled after Pickles, so that's 2 6⭐ back-to-back...that's lucky but damn, I REALLY want a second reliable healer. 😭 Though this isn't too bad, since I am indeed lacking in beast (red) DPS too. She may help me in Limbo V since that's where I struggle (specifically against an enemy weak to beast afflatus). Still, I just raised Pavia damn it, and my prospects of getting Tooth Fairy seems grim...😭😭😭

 ...Or wait. Actually, this might be god for me. I basically lost an early 50/50 (got a non-rate up 6⭐), so that means the next 6⭐ I get is guaranteed to be Tooth Fairy (rate-up in her own banner)! And I have enough rolls for pity if it comes to the worst! Shaky prayer hands. 🙏🙏🙏

(2023-11-23)

Got Pickles in 30 rolls!! Got 2 Baby Blue too lmao so now she's P3.

(2023-10-29)
I'm still playing!! No phone? No problem, PC it is! I've been playing it on PC when I came back home yester-err, 2 days ago. God bless native PC client, it runs so smoothly, I love it!! I wish more mobages have it
ALSO FINALLY GOT X!!! TWICE AT ONCE OMG. BLESS.



(2023-10-28)
Finally rolled 30 rolls in the beginner gacha!! Omg, got Eternity who is meta!! Nice.
OMG GOT VOYAGER AND PAVIA TOO?!



(2023-10-27)
I'm enjoying Reverse: 1999 so far and there are plenty of things I like. It's smooth. I want to like and keep playing it but even in the lowest settings it overheats my phone quickly, maybe due to the gyroscope that can't be turned off. And that's such a deal-breaker 😩😭

Even Shining Nikki in medium setting doesn't overheat my phone that quickly and it's a freaking 3D game with detailed textures!! Meanwhile R1999 isn't 3D so why is this happening?? 😭😭😭 I searched and found out that I'm not the only one with this problem

#Reverse1999Fold

IN 50 ROLLS...WELCOME HOME, DEGENBRECHER AND LETO!!! 😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏
Didn't even use any Orundums, very nice
I once again forgot to farm chips so I'll E2 Degenbrecher later lol tehepero sorry
Also got 3 Kafka, she is pot 5 now lol

Results in 50 rolls: 🆕 Degenbrecher, 🆕 Leto, Kafka pot 5

#Arknights

#Arknights Contingency Contract Battleplan # 1 Pyrolysis Roundup

The new system that nobody likes came back and continued lol. BLEGH. If there wasn't Flamebringer's costume, I wouldn't bother at all. The only good thing about the new system is how we don't have to do new rotating maps daily anymore, just every 3 days.
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(2024-06-08)
Map: Fortified Pass

I'm honestly still very lazy, I did this bedgrungingly, but thankfully, it was a breeze with Oyuki's strats.

FINALLY got Flamebringer's costume!!


(2024-06-12)
Map: Federal Prison

Edited Oyuki's strats to be maleknights. Fun. Didn't need Lessing but I just wanted to use him lol.

(2024-06-14)
Map: Beach Repair

With Executor Alter solo, copied Sunny Senpai's strats. Mine is not fully solo since I added Castle-3 for the last part, just in case I was unlucky and he died again. I said I wouldn't bother with maleknights in this CC, but I want to use them when I can, after all, even if it means some pain.

Permanent map: Ashen Swampland

FINALLY did the permanent map. In the end, I just used Oyuki's strats lol. Easy. I actually have Hoshiguma's modules, but I somehow accidentally took it off and didn't realize it. 😂 No wonder she seemed so squishy and died in the end! Thankfully, everything worked out.

I just used Oyuki's strats instead of doing maleknights as usual because I think it'd be hard for maleknights to reach 620 (trimmed medal). It's possible, but I don't have the time and energy to exert such a painstaking endeavor, nor do I want to. If only Harold is here, it might be a bit easier...

(2024-06-19)
Map: Area 13 Ruins

Oyuki's strats.

Completed the medal set!!
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#Love_and_Deepspace [First Impressions]

I was hesitant because I don't like the semi-realistic 3D models but my sister pushed me to try Love And Deepsace
I had a hunch from the vibes and style, but it's made by Papergames, after all! No wonder they have the budget. Infold is a cute name ngl (cause paper folds...lol)
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Papergames made Shining Nikki (3D dress-up game) and the player customization is very detailed here (even voice!), but sadly, it doesn't have a lot of hair styles. Can't even change the color
I tried to make Serena from "Charming the Duke of the North" manhwa lol (go read it 🫵)


You have more hair options in photo-shoot for some reason (I didn't change the hair style though)
(Yes ofc I picked Xavier...maybe for now)


I wish the text box isn't scroll able, it's messing me up. Just cut off the sentences or enlarge the box, please
Though at least it doesn't overflow, unlike in Shining Nikki (it doesn't happen a lot, but it happens) lol


This game heats up my phone even in medium graphics but at least it loads quickly and it's pretty smooth all-around
WHY ISN'T SHINING NIKKI LIKE THIS?? THAT GAME TAKES 5+ MINUTES TO LOAD. SOCIAL MEDIA IS HEAVY AF TOO 😭😭😭
I am begging Papergames to optimize SN, thank you

Closing thoughts
I dunno if I'll keep playing it
The gameplay is cool and I'm very glad we have this kind of husbando/otome game, but I'm not very interested in the romance aspect (weird coming from an otoge player who also played Tears of Themis, I know)
Only time will tellFold

#Arknights Contingency Contract # 12 Basepoint Roundup
At long last, the curtain is closing down on this event...let's go out with a bang (or not)
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(2023-10-03 - 2023-10-15)

Day 1-2

I wanted to do maleknights, but it was way too hard! I don't know why I kept failing 😭
Maybe DP issues (caused by lack of pots)...
I'm too lazy to try to figure things out myself so Oyuki it is in the end

Day 3


First is d도롱's strats, chaotic
Second is a combination of that and いもの倉庫's strats (cause I want to use Vigil and Chongyue), it's much cleaner but I leaked one anyway lol
Yes I forgot to S1M3 Enforcer and Puzzle, I'm sorry 🙈 S2M3 already though. On it now

Day 4

d도롱's strats cause I want to use Vigil 😆 and it's like the usual strats I did many times before. God bless Lee, Lumen, Passenger, and Ebenholz as always
I love this map, it tends to be a breeze lol

Day 5

d도롱's strats - fun, neat, and easy
I never thought of having Lee hold the left lane before. He did it well. It's funny to see him pushed the enemies like going "one by one, kids!" lol
And Hung once again got blasted on his face 😂

CC#12 RISK 18+19 WEEK 1 MALES ONLY ACHIEVED!!!! MALEKNIGHTS SUPREMACY!!


It's the last CC so I tried going over risk 18 for once
Using Hellagur to fight avengers, praying for his dodge RNG...(CC Beta war flashbacks)
It's better this time thanks to Gnosis' help, thankfully

Original strats: https://bilibili.com/video/BV1gm4y1k7Ne/
The original strats is risk 20 so I tried it but lack of pots hurts ;w; so risk 19 it is...for now. I might try other things later, who knows
My risk 18 run was breezy, in one try, but I screwed up the timing on risk 19 lol
Recorded video:


Day 6

d도롱's strats again
Mizuki got blasted on his face lol I'm so sorry 😂😭
I did an oopsie and let 1 leak lol but no problem~

Day 7

d도롱's strats again
I can probably whip out something of my own but eh, I'm too lazy lol. This works well. Easy

Day 8

d도롱's strats as usual
Puzzle is now S1M3!! \o/
I thought I S2M3'd Qanipalaat already, whoops. But it doesn't really matter here. Whatever works~

Day 9

Oyuki's strats but maleknights cause I was too lazy to replicate d도롱's strats lol (seems fun but too lazy)
Kinda messy and Sesa can be kicked out but whatever works~
I managed to get a clearer run! It's so fun lmao. Kicked out Sesa, replacing him with SA (for his talent only)
The sheer damage Vigil did, holy shit, I forgot he could do that
Recorded video of a clearer run:


Day 10

d도롱's strats but I added SilverAsh just because
Kinda messy and I used everyone here lol but whatever works
This time, the tags didn't spark joy (;w;)

Day 11

Inspired by d도롱's strats, just changed Stainless to Thorns (sorry, too lazy to use him lol) and added Elysium, and changed the tags
I kept Flamebringer cause I haven't used him in a while and it's funny to see him getting blasted 😂

Day 12

d도롱's strats, just changed Courier to Elysium, and let 1 leak lol
Got kinda chaotic but whatever, whatever works (my mantra lmao)
It's interesting to use Chongyue here

Day 13

At first, I wanted to use d도롱's strats as usual (maybe modify it a bit), but then I saw Oyuki's AFK strats and it's surprisingly maleknights?! So used that instead. There's Iceman 2 (SilverAsh) anyway. Perfect! Easy and chill! 😆

Medal set complete!


Day 14

d도롱's strats, a revenge for day 1! I did an oopsie so it got chaotic and I leaked enemies lol but whatever works~
That Corroserum lane is very nice

And thus the curtain closes on CC...goodbye, I won't miss you, thanks for granting me a chance and avenue to be a (seasonal) maleknights player though. Dunno if I'll do maleknights after this, I'm too lazy for that lol but I'll keep collecting and raising them as I always haveFold