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June 2006 Donation Item Critique |
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This month's items are the G Blade and the Dark Halo. 
And so it begins...
It looks like all the whining in Site Feedback finally paid off. We now have a Kingdom Hearts item and another Halo. But how do they shape up as something to please the masses? Let's find out!
Eat your heart out, Mickey!
This Keyblade parody is nothing really to write home about. Yes, it's nice that, once again, the Gaia admins found a way to skirt legal issues and provide an item that won't result in a law suit. Yes, I can appreciate the little details they put into it like the shine it makes with each of the different poses.
What I don't like is that it has nothing else to offer outside of the cosplaying prop that it is. There are no other modes, no special positions that do something cool, and the only redeeming thing about it is that you can duel-equip it if you want.
Indirectly, however, this item will have an effect on the ElfTech Gloves and maybe even the first line of Jacked UP shoes. Every other part of the cosplaying costume you need can be bought at the NPC stores.
If you are a fan of Kingdom Hearts, you probably already have two of these. If not, skip it.
It's a Halo! It's a Devil Tail! It's a Nitemare top for guys?!
That's right! It's all that and then some!
The Dark Halo is pretty much the all purpose replacement item for some of the much older donation items out there. The other modes are also a nice way to round the demon out, making the dark side of Gaia more attractive in the process.
Default mode is pretty straight forward. You get a black halo instead of your traditional golden one.
Eye of the Demon, however, turns your avatar's head into the eye from Lord of the Rings. A trail of blue sparks travels upwards through the middle of the halo. While impressive, it's rather strange mask. It also limits what you can wear since your entire face is the same shade of black as the Soot Face. (I wonder if that's what it was suppose to replace.)
Demon Headdress I recommend to those with hair that isn't dark or black. Reason being you can't see it if your hair is too dark. The headdress is designed after all those animes where the good girl goes bad and ends up nearly destroying the world. Those that have played the remake of LUNAR: Silver Star Story will understand what I'm talking about. I want to say I saw this same design in another anime (Slayers maybe?) but I'm not sure. It does provide a nice alternative to the Demon Horns, albeit this mode is a bit on the femmy side.
Demonspike turns you into Spyke from X-men. Your arms end up producing spikes that, while not really threatening, are rather intimidating in the right gear. Again, with this mode I reccomend light hair and light clothing. It's the only way you'll be able to see it. If you have the Island Girl Wig (AKA Sasha's hair), don't bother trying to use it with this mode. Apparently the wig is in the same slot as the spikes. Don't ask me why.
Darkclaws turns you into yet another X-men, Wolverine. In this mode, you get a pair of black claws on both of your hands, each of which are compatible with the various hand positions. I expect a lot of cosplayers to use this mode as well as some other items to try and look like this popular mutant or some form of him. And while I don't recommed doing this, you can still equip hand-held items while wearing these claws. Strange, huh?
Demon Neckpiece, I have to admit, is probably what I've been looking for all this time to compliment my Dark Cape and my Jack UP Cape. It also looks rather nice on some of the darker jackets I have. Basically, you get a Demonic Choaker. It's not really a collar like the Nitemare collar, but at the same time it's nothing like the Demonic Pendent. If anything, it's like a smaller version of the Ice Tiara in Necklace mode only black. Rather classy.
Darkhold mode is probably going to be the real shocker for the male avatars. Why? Because on males, this mode is about as close as us guys will get to a certain Rare Event item that the girls have had since I was a member. I'm talking about the Nitemare Bustier (or however it's spelled). This item is not only a more revealing version of the Rare Event item, it's also the only mode that actually gives guys less material than the Dancer Bottom! Seriously! From behind, only a single piece of of the item covers our little a** crack from being shown to the world while in front we are practically wearing a codpiece! Combine this with the Web Set, and Gaia Crossdressers have something to celebrate for.
Darkbind and Dark Step are the conservative but yet stylish bracelet and anklets that are no doubt the much wanted counterparts to the Angelic Bracelets and the Wing Anklet. While they look nice, they would function better as accents rather than features of an outfit. Like their stylish slant, it's best to use these modes conservatively yet fashionably. In other words, don't use them unless you think it will make what you are wearing already look even better.
Dark Tail is the Devil Tail replacement to end all Devil Tail replacements. Up until now, our replacement options have not looked anywhere near the original, both in position and in relative style. Now, with the Dark Tail, we get a more serpent version of the old Devil Tail!! While some may argue that it's not as good as the original (and what is?), it's still a better replacement alternative than what came before it.
East and West Arch mode are, in my opinion, for the Final Fantasy fans. Why? Because each mode gives you half of what appears to be demonic wings. A nice, guitar-neck-free alternative to the Guitar of Demona and the Demonbow. No doubt the one-wing angels out there will appreciate this mode. However, I can't. The "wings" don't look like such at all. In fact, they look exactly as their name says they are. They look like part of an arch that you are wearing out of your back for no reason other than to look stylish.
Individually, these modes are nice to look at. However, this item really excells when each mode is combined with another mode. The two Arch modes can be put together to for a rather impressive yet large back orniment. The Dark Step and Darkbind can be worn together with the Darkhold to produce a nice and sexy demon outfit. Add the Dark Headdress for a fantasy flavor, and you'll have the powers of evil at your control! At best? You could buy up to eight of these and produce a rather impressive demonic character. However, if you don't like sets, you probably only need two at the least.
Come to the Dark Side
No contest here. The G Blade sucks unless you are a Kingdom Hearts fan. It has no variety and no flare outside of the fact that it's Gaia's version of the Keyblade. The Dark Halo offers more than its companion by a long shot! While it may not replace the older items some of the modes are modelled after, it does offer more bang for your buck.
So yeah. Get the Dark Halo.
 Zeek Slider · Fri Jun 16, 2006 @ 04:14am · 3 Comments |
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