Day 139 - Final Fantasy X-2

Currently Burning: Bouquet

Had to do a throwback today. I really loved this game when it came out years ago. Replay value is also really good for me. I've tried maxing out my costumes several times, but never quite finished it. Basically this is the sequel to Final Fantasy X. This was the first in the series to feature a female in a lead role. In fact, all three playable characters are female. The leveling system is based on different costumes that are the various roles in the game (white mage, black mage, warrior, thief, etc).

Now onto the daily review!

Bouquet (3): This one surprised me because I thought it was going to be a lot stronger than it was. It is a mixture of sweet pea and magnolia. I'm not the biggest fan of magnolia scents, but I do get both notes in there. The magnolia is a bit stronger though. Probably won't be reordering this one. 

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 132 - Minecraft

Currently Burning: Banana Walnut

I tried playing Minecraft on PC a few times, but I only have a laptop and the controls without a mouse aren't very fun. However, it was recently released on XBOX 360 and I love it there! It's a sandbox game where you can basically create your own world. Everything is based on blocks in the world of different materials. You can craft different items, build a house, grow food, etc. Pretty fun way to kill a few hours :)

Now onto the daily review!

Banana Walnut (1): I was really hoping this would smell more like Banana Nut Bread because I remember seeing a review where someone said that it did. On cold throw, it wasn't too bad, but when I warmed it up I had to take it off the warmer because it was making me nauseous. I've said on here before that I can't handle nutty scents and this is one of those. Even though I love banana, the nut note in it just killed it for me. Throw was pretty strong. 

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 125 - Fallout 3

Currently Burning: Hyacinth

This is another older game (released 2008) but it's one that I've been playing a lot recently. Once again Bethesda delivered with Fallout 3. Awesome RPG. Also, different from typical RPGs in that it isn't a fantasy-based game. It takes place in post-apocalyptic Washington D.C. It basically assumed that American culture stagnated in the 1950s so even though the game takes place in 2277, the way people dress and act is very much like the 1950s. The game is on the gory side, but other than that the game play is really good. The replay value is also really good since there are so many different missions and side quests.

Now onto the daily review!

Hyacinth (4): This one is really good! It's a really light, sweet floral. I wish the throw was stronger (totally surprised since it's a floral!) but other than that it's nice. Pretty true to the flower. Not sure if I would go for the candle, but maybe a 4 oz!

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 118 - Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4

Currently Burning: Mango Sorbett

This is a super easy game and really fun if you're into Harry Potter at all. I like a lot of the Lego games but this one is definitely my favorite. I have the sequel to this game that I'm playing now and it's really good too. It's sort of a puzzle game where you have to use the different abilities of character to collect everything. Check it out if you love Harry Potter!

Now onto the daily review!

Mango Sorbett (5): This is easily one of my Top 10! So good. Sweet juicy mango. It smells a lot like a mango lip gloss. The throw is medium/strong. I have an 8oz candle and I will definitely order it again!

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 111 - Oblivion

Currently Burning: Reese's Peanut Butter

This is the Elder Scrolls IV. I've already posted about The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, so I figured I should post about this one. Oblivion was the first in this series I played. I really love these games. They're ridiculously long and they have awesome replay value! Bethesda is one of the best video game companies out there. They make very involved and massive RPGs. 

The Oblivion story essentially centers around the death of the emperor and the opening of Oblivion gates (portals to hellish realms). The main character has to close the Oblivion gates and find the person that has the emperor's blood line (since he died without an heir). It takes place in Cyrodiil which is in the center of the continental map (south of Skyrim). While I like the gameplay of Skyrim better, I really like the location of Cyrodiil better. There's a greater variety in the types of terrain in Cyrodiil, since most of Skyrim is snow and mountains.

Overall a really awesome game and definitely worth checking out if you haven't already!

Now onto the daily review!

Reese's Peanut Butter (4): This is a really good scent true to its name. I get both the chocolate and the peanut butter. I was so happy to see this one in the Round Robin because I've raved about the Reese's Peanut Butter Delight candle! It doesn't smell exactly like that one, it's definitely heavier on the peanut butter. The throw is medium. I probably won't be getting this one in a candle because I love the RPBD candle more :)

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 104 - Eternal Sonata

Currently Burning: Vanilla After Dark

I could have sworn I already wrote a blog post about this one, but I guess not. This is a really cool game. It's an RPG and it takes place within the mind of Frederick Chopin. Everything is music themed from the characters names (Allegretto, Beat, Polka, Salsa, March, Falsetto, etc) to the towns and locations (Fort Fermata, Castle Forte, Ritardando, etc). The score is really nice because it features much of Chopin's music. I really love this one!

Now onto the daily review!

Vanilla After Dark (4): This is a really dark, sexy vanilla scent. It's like the grown up version of a vanilla. I really like this one and can definitely see getting a candle in it. I think this one would also make a really good mixer. It almost smells like it has a coffee note in it to me, but it's definitely vanilla. The throw is medium on this one.

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 097 - Fable III

Currently Burning: Heavy Metal

I've had this game for a long time and finally went back to playing it this past week. The Fable series is about a person that has to become a hero (technically he/she already is one, you just have to unlock pieces of the puzzle). Fable III takes place several years after the events of Fable II and you play the youngest son or daughter of the main character from Fable II (the King). You have to travel the hero's path to claim the throne from your tyrannical older brother. It's a really good RPG and I really enjoy the series a lot.

Now onto the daily review!

Heavy Metal (2): This scent shot was filled to the brim with wax! I'm not a huge fan of this one. It's EXTREMELY sweet, but at the same time, I get a smell almost like a mechanic's shop. It has this grease note in it that is really throwing me off. Of course, I'm not really a fan of the scents in Candleman's Closet to begin with (I've found). The throw on this is really strong. I won't be reordering it. 

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 090 - Prototype

Currently Burning: What Goes Around Comes Around

Prototype is a really weird game. The main character wakes up and doesn't remember any details about what happened to him other than his name. He soon discovers that he has the ability to morph his body into weapons and is able to absorb other people. The main story has you absorbing people to gain memories to try to recreate his experience.

The setting is in New York City and there's also this element of zombie apocalypse because of a virus outbreak that's changing all the humans. Not my favorite game, and I didn't really finish it because I got bored with the story.

Now onto the daily review!

What Goes Around Comes Around (2): This one is an insane color of blue! It's a powdery mixture of dragon's blood and patchouli. Not a huge fan. The throw is surprisingly not very strong for a patchouli fragrance though. 

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 083 - Left 4 Dead 2

Currently Burning: Bermuda Triangle

 Left 4 Dead 2 is a survival horror game. The concept is 4 people are left behind after an evacuation and have to make their way to a different evac point. It's a first-person shooter, but also has the option of melee weapons. The campaign is pretty fun to play with another person but single-player can get a little hairy. There is no leveling system and you don't really get a choice as far was what weapons are available. The zombies become more difficult to kill the further you are in the story.

To me, this game is better to play with other people, but not so great by yourself. It does have quite a few options for online play and those are generally fun. The replay value is really good on this game because the story isn't really linear.

Now onto the daily review!

Bermuda Triangle (4): This one is a really pretty dark blue color. It's also a really nice fragrance for summer. It's a mixture of melons and citrus with just a hint of apple. The throw isn't as strong as I would like, but it is really good. I mostly get melon when it's lit. I currently have this in an 8 oz and will probably be ordering this one again.

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 076 - Batman: Arkham City

Currently Burning: Summer Crush

I posted about the first game in this series here.

Arkham City is similar to Arkham Asylum, but the game world is a LOT larger. There's also a ton of side quests that weren't really in Arkham Asylum. Of the two, I definitely preferred this one. Much better graphics (of course) and a ton of new gadgets for Batman. Plus, there's this whole side story with Catwoman (playable) that's a really cool companion to the main story.

I don't really feel that the replay value is that high for me, because I'm not really into the ranked missions that are additional to the main plot. I rented this game through GameFly and probably won't be going back to purchase it. However, it is a really good game, so I do recommend you check it out!

Now onto the daily review!

Summer Crush (3): This one isn't my favorite. It's not very strong at all. I mostly get pineapple when it's warm, but if I keep smelling then I get more of the apricot/plum. I probably won't be getting this one again.

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 069 - The Sims 3

Currently Burning: Pink Bubblegum Crush

 I've played the Sims 3 on both the PC and the XBOX 360. The PC version has a lot more features of course, but I prefer to play it on XBOX because I think it's easier to control. I don't have a desktop computer so playing on a laptop is not ideal.

The Sims 3 is basically a simulation game for the life of a person/family. You buy and build a house, decorate it, take care of Sims (people), raise a family, get jobs, etc. It's pretty fun, but it can get kind of slow. There are multiple skill trees to master so that helps to keep it from being too boring. 

Now onto the daily review!

Pink Bubblegum Crush (5): This is a Lush dupe for Candy Fluff. I've never tried Lush products personally, but from what I've been told almost all of them are dead on dupes. I didn't really like this one when it first came in. However, I've had it for about 2 months now and wow can scents change! It smells like a very sweet The throw on this one is really strong too! I could smell it all throughout my apartment with just 1/2 of a scent shot.

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 062 - Dead Island

Currently Burning:Viva La Juicy

 Dead Island is an RPG survival-style game. It takes place on the island of Banoi in the South Pacific. Something has caused a zombie outbreak and 4 survivors are found to be immune to the infection. My dad bought this game when it came out back in September, so I played it on/off at his house until it FINALLY came in the mail in January. I really like this game a lot and the replay value is actually really good.

The four main characters each specialize in a type of weapon: sharp weapons, blunt weapons, firearms, and throwing weapons. That adds a fun element if you're into changing up your play style. I was really excited for this one to come out and it definitely lived up to the expectation. The voice acting is horrendous, but the game play is good.

Now onto the daily review!

Viva La Juicy (3): This is the dupe for the perfume and it is pretty much dead on. I do like this, but after awhile it makes my eyes start to sting so I think there may be something in it that I'm slightly allergic to. However, if you love the perfume, definitely get this because it is a dead on dupe. The throw is strong on this one too. I probably won't be ordering this one again due to the eye reaction, but it does smell nice!

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason

Day 055 - Final Fantasy XIII-2

Currently Burning: Sophie Belle

Final Fantasy XIII-2 is the direct sequel to Final Fantasy XIII. Typically, the final fantasy series are completely different from each other, but SquareEnix does, on occasion, release direct sequels. The first was Final Fantasy X-2.

This game is similar to Final Fantasy XIII in terms of battle tactics, but the leveling system is pretty different. It's still based in the "crystarium" but instead of leveling each battle role on a different path, you choose which battle role to level on the same path. I'm not sure that I'm a fan of this, but it is what it is.

This time around, there are only 2 characters that are playable and controllable. Serah and Noel. Serah is Lightning's sister from Final Fantasy XIII who was trapped in crystal. Noel is from 700 years in the future. Essentially the game is about time travel. A lot of areas from Final Fantasy XIII are explorable in different time periods. Serah and Noel have to travel up and down the timeline solving paradoxes.

Instead of having a third party member, this time around you can capture monsters to play for you. They level up in a similar way, and each have a particular battle role. This helps with creating paradigms which are configurations of different battle roles (such as Medic (healing), Synergist (buffs), Saboteur (debuffs), Commando (phys attack), Ravager (magic attack), and Sentinel (defense). )

Overall, the game is not my favorite Final Fantasy game, but it is definitely worth checking out if you're into this style of game. I really liked the tie back to the Final Fantasy XIII storyline, but I think that I liked Final Fantasy X-2 better as a sequel.

Now onto the daily review!

Sophie Belle (5):  This is in the same vein as Bella Swan and Butterfly Kisses in that it is a sweet, complex floral. Victoria lists the following as the scent description: "A wonderful fresh aroma of carnations, baby's breath, and rose petals, with middle notes of cyclamen and muguet, underlined by apples, peaches, pears, fresh cut grass and white musk." I'm not sure what some of those things actually smell like, but I really do like this one. It's a very pretty scent. The throw on it is pretty strong too.

Remember to keep those wicks trimmed!

Jason