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Fantasy Favored
It's a new year and a new set of items are already here. One's a multi-quip set, which I hope nobody failed to see coming given the US's economy at the moment, and the other appears to be a recoloring of a past item. I have a feeling that one will be a hit if you can afford to buy more than one letter and the other will be a dud. But, then again, I have been wrong before. <span id="test25224905">. . .</span><br/><div id="post25224905" style="display:none; margin-right:75px;">
Red Fairy?
If you have the Pixie collectable from a long time ago, please do me a favor and post int he comment if you agree with what I'm about to say. These items have got to be the same. They are so close to each other that their differences are not enough to overlook the fact that they are practically alike. What are the differences?
The default option is as the sprite by itself. It glows red and flies in front of you guiding your way. Compared to the Pixie, it may look the same, but it actually sits a little lower than its white counter part. Oddly enough, it is also at a different angle, opting for a 3/4 position than one that is symetrical. Odder still is the fact that you cannot equip both the Sprite and the Pixie at the same time. Why not? They don't block each other.
Speckled Crown gives you a ruby-like crown with the Sprite as the center gem. It is nearly identical to the Pixie Circlet sans the ear ring. It is also here that we get to see that the Sprite has slightly more detailed wings than the Pixie. Both sit in the same spot on your head, so in the end it boils down to if you want a white crown with ear rings or a red one without ear rings.
Vixen's Veil is an option that the Pixie cannot perform, but its design should be familar to anyone who collects these items. Which one? Can you say Gothic Veil? While it is shorter, the same general design is still there. What's interesting about this design is the fact that the Sprite still sits in its Speckled Crown option, suggesting that this option is suppose to be like a bride's veil where the wearer can lift it ever-so slightly to tease the viewer.
Scarlet Scarf is a better version of the Pixie Dust Scarf. In this version, you can actually see the scarf. It looks like a shorter and female version of the CN Scarf, but with the Sprite sitting on your shoulder where the Pixie does. You're even treated to a ruby necklace! It may not have the nice set of decorative sparkles as the Pixie, but at least others will know you're wearing a scarf.
Scarlet Cloak gives you a rather short but torn-looking red cape. While it is not as noble in its design like the Pixie Dust Cloak, you are still given the same basic idea. It is also more visible, but with the vast number of capes and cloaks you can pick from, this may be one of the least popular. I mean, if you want a torn, red cape, you could always go with the much-better-designed Spatan Cape.
Finally, Scarlet Gown gives you the first original pose. A very sensual toga dress held by the Sprite over a single shoulder. It's draped over the wearer in a way that is both conservative but revealing. The flow of the fabric suggest silk, and the color evokes a hint of romatic eroticism that is all but loss for my generation. With the right items, your avatar can be as sultry and sexy as those romantic beauties from a fictional world of a by-gone era. Like Rome or Milan. Now, the gown is semi-see-through, which means sharp eyes will be able to tell if you are wearing underwear or not. Use this to your advantage. Or not. Your choice.
Overall, this item could have been more than just red versions of past options. With only one real unique pose, it's hardly worth the investment. However, fairy fans (such as myself) should still pick it up if only to add another winged imp to your collection.
The Lost Order of Atlantis: Dragon Steak, Medium Well
Of all the legends of Atlantis I've been exposed to, I don't remember them having an army. Oh well. Minor detail considering what kind of armor we get with this.
The default option is as a dragon helmet. The design suggests a water dragon with a hint of sea serpent. There is no face guard due to the low arch of the creature's nose. It bet this looks really odd from a profile view, like a dragon-shaped baseball cap that stops a few inches in front of the wearer's nose.
The next option is a pair of Dragon Gloves. Here, you are given matching gauntlets that have some rather nasty-looking claws. But out of all the gauntlets I have so far, these are definately the most detailed. The gold trim is very ornate, suggesting that these gloves were never meant for battle but for military ceremonies. But in the world of fantasy, the most beautiful armor tends to be the most powerful.
The torso armor comes in two flavors. While they don't really protect anything but your stomach and a single shoulder, it does provide the option to have a silk cloak attached to the gaurd. Those could be for several reasons. Maybe you want to pull a Ninja Gaiden and have a white scarf trailing after you destracting anyone who may follow you. Or maybe it is to pull rank and remind your underlings that you are in charge because you have the cape and they don't. Or it could be just for look to make an even hotter built that much more attractive.
The Horned Boots provide armor for those that have feet, though if we were to go with the post-sinking Atlantian, those may be very rare. The design elements from the gloves are mirrored for the boots, minus the individual claws for each toe. Those have been replaced by a single horn to give a swift kick to the balls that surgical touch.
The Dragon Spear, strangely enough, doesn't look like a spear at all. Yu-Gi-Oh! fans are not seeing things; you now have in your possesion the very staff of the Dark Magician. And as a hand-held item, my standard critique pretty much applies. There's nothing really here to write home about. One staff after another, they all look the same no matter how you hold them. Well, almost.
As a set, it suffers from the same problem as past armor in that it is rather large and bulky. But that fault is mostly on the helmet. Without it, the rest of the armor is actually very wearable. It's also very pleasing to the eyes with the blue/purple with gold trim. While finding pants to match it will be the challenge for most users, the bulk of the set is actually very compatible with nearly everything. Except maybe the Dark Elf skin, as I've found out. The armor tends to get lost since it is so close to the same shade of blue.
Overall, this item does offer a nice addition to the armory of Gaia. Those who have collected all the armor from Gaia released thus far will find this set just as attractive and appealing. Those not into armor will find its compatibility rather nice, as each individual part can be utilized outside of its original intent.
I guess I was wrong.
Both of these items are rather average. When I say that, I mean that neither of these items make me go "OMG! Must have!!" But at the same time, they aren't epic failures due to their copying of a preivous item or genre of items. They're average.</div>
 Zeek Slider · Thu Jan 15, 2009 @ 09:42pm · 3 Comments |
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