[Game Recommendation] Great games I played recently

Let's just say that I have some time to kill. And I decide to catch up with some great games I missed in recent years.

[Wii] Xenoblade chronicles - $39.99

Best RPG ever! It has everything I expect from a great RPG. The Japanese version released in 2010 and the English version released in 2013.

1, Fascinating main story line

Every time I entered the next chapter I am actually anxious to know what's happening next?!

2, Huge Free-to-explore maps

It gives me EXP every time I found a new location makes it rewarding to explore the map as much as I can. 

3, Beautiful soundtrack

I personally think it is important since we have to listen to it through out our gameplay.

4, Loads of optional tasks

Mixed feeling on this one. Somebody loves it, somebody hates it. Well, it is part of the game, plus some hidden personality/item would require completing certain tasks.

I spent more than 99 hours on this game. It kind of worth its price tag which is $39.99 by the way. But there's not much to explore after clearing the game. Unlike a lot of Japanese RPG, there's no hidden/new story in "New Game Plus", which is quite a disappointment.

[iOS/Android] Framed - $2.99

Great game play! 

The idea of changing the order of the frames to change the outcome is a pretty fresh experience. It's $2.99, but I'd rather pay for the game comparing to pay later with money sucking in-app-purchase of some "freemium" games.

It took me several hours to clear all the stages. The puzzles are very well designed and a lot of fun. 

[iOS/Android] Puzzle and Dragon - Free

OMG, I hate and love this game! It's so addictive and yet so much fun!

I love its game play a lot. 

1, It has this "collecting and evolving monsters" part like pokemon. 

2, Build a team with members' skills compliment each other is also important part of the game.

3, Its new match-3 style attack takes time to practice. It makes you feel in control of the game.

I honestly don't know how much money/time I spend on this game. It has been 2 and a half years since I first downloaded puzzle and dragon. I seriously thought about sell the account and move on from this game forever. And yet, it always finds its way back to my phone.

Well, try it if you have some time to kill. But I hope you have better self control than I do. I suck at self-control.

[iOS] Agent A - A Puzzle in Disguise $2.99

This is a nicely-done puzzle game on iOS platform featuring how to catch an international spy! My complain is, the story is too short for a "paid" game! It only takes 1-2 hours to clear all the stages. 

However, it does not have a hint system built-in. Here's a blog that have screenshots illustrating the complete walk through of the game. 

Have fun!

[Fun Fact about China] Top 5 household appliance you won't find in China

If you get to pick, which one of the household appliance can you live without? 

-Dishwasher? -Hell No!

Growing up in China, I can tell you that up till now, some of the appliance you considered necessity is never widely adopted in China. Bear that in mind if you ever get to travel there.

1, Dishwasher

-How do you do your dishes?

-By HAND! With a little help from detergent and a sponge. 

-Is that a lot of trouble?

-Well, giant wok won't fit in the dishwasher anyway. Plus, think about it, it saves energy and water. Do you really need to dry your dishes completely?

-Some friends of mine do hire helpers to help them with grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning, laundry and of course dishes. 

-Aren't that supposed to be a housewife's thing?

-Great question! China 101, homemaker is rare, I mean, panda rare. Almost every average income household has double income. Otherwise, mortgage is simply not affordable.

2, Dryer

-The good news is most urban area do have washer, but not dryer. 

-How do you dry your laundry if most of Chinese live in condo with no yard at all.

-Well, hang them! Let the sun do its job. It's called solar power, clean and sustainable energy!

-Lucky you don't live in Seattle, otherwise you will find yourself underwear-less.

3, Furnace/Fireplace

-Short answer: Yes, it is cold in winter. One more sweater and you will be just fine. 
-Or, turn on your AC and switch to heat!

-At least there's AC!

-Well, pretty recent story, 2010 to be precise, a college student died because of excessive heat (100+ ºF)! Yes, no AC in school dormitory. I clearly remembered that news because after that, our university finally agreed to install AC in our dormitory (at our own cost).

4, Oven

-In short, Gas Cooktop + Microwave oven = Great Chinese food.

-Oh god, I miss great Chinese food, a lot.

-FYI, I've never heard of General Tso's chicken my entire life. Wiki reveals the truth about it. General Tso's chicken is a sweet, slightly spicy, deep-fried chicken dish that is popularly served in most Chinese and Asian themed American restaurants.

5, Garbage Disposal 

Garbage disposal units are widely used in United States households, but far less commonly used elsewhere.

BTW, in China, basically, garbage collection is free of charge with no obligation to sort your waste as well. 

All you need is a giant bin to toss "anything you no longer wish to see again" in.


If you ever get to plan for a business trip or even a short term relocation to China, it is fun to know these beforehand. Thanks for reading.