Arcticu Kitsu's blog

Hello again!
Thought I’d up a game article this time featuring Shinki-Net. I had too many Figma photoshoots going on and need some variety.

Shinki-net is an online game featuring miniature scale robot figures fighting 1 vs 1 with other highly customizable robotic figures. These figures (digitally and actual 1:1 scale) are mainly female and can be customized into any type of unique character. It’s up to you how you want to treat your Shinki, and how you want them to fight.

(Link – MySite)

(All images taken from Shinki-Net.)

I’m aware that there is a large enough group of individuals already familiar with Shinki’s since 2006. There have been many releases of figures since then, an MMO (this article) and a recently released PSP Game – Battle Masters. I’ve just recently got attached to the Shinki line with the help of Persocom and Shinki Renge.

I  (jokingly) blame Persocom for getting me attached to these Shinki’s ^^. Shinki Renge incoming!

Site’s of interest:

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– Homepage:
http://www.shinki-net.konami.jp/

– Client Download page (I hope):
http://www.shinki-net.konami.jp/battlerondo/start/download.html

– English Wikipedia:
http://battlerondo.wikia.com/wiki/Busou_Shinki:_Battle_Rondo_Wiki

– Busou Shinki fan-site:
http://www.busoushinkiworld.com/viewforum.php?f=16

– My Archive thread:
http://forums.swgbex.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=491

– Persocom’s Shinki-net (Battle Rondo) Article:
http://animaticfigmation.com/?p=1928

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I’ve downloaded the game’s client in less then 2 hours. Not bad. The update is the worst part of it as it takes either 8 hours or a full night and a quarter of a day installing. It basically steals a day/night out of your life. I’m unsure at the length of the update as I had to interrupt mine.

For those that do read this and that do download, make sure to click the second option in the main menu (after installation) as the first one is “diorama” to pose your Shinki’s. I’ve got more about how to play this at my archive thread (listed above).

Once you do get in you’ll basically want to sign in with a Konami ID. You might be able to try your Canadian, American, German, Russian, Australian, or whatever ID. If it doesn’t work then sign up for a Japanese one. I have a Canadian and a Japanese one since it told me to sign up on the Japanese one. I could of used my Canadian one but didn’t think that far ahead.

Once in, you’ll be in “your room” putting together a newly acquired Shinki of yours – Fubuki (above – first image). Fubuki is your default Shinki,  unless you acquired some other Shinki through figures or online. If you didn’t catch that part – You get more Shinki’s by buying them and entering in a code or purchasing them online. Some of those might go to the diorama part though.

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Battle Rondo – Opening 1:

Battle Rondo – Opening 2:

Battle Rondo – Opening 3:

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With that, once done with the tinkering of your Shinki, take her to the Battle Arena (The building/skyscraper building icon) to do “missions” or battle with other players. Your guide shall explain everything. Make sure to read through your newly acquired game’s guide that you acquired from waiting an eternity for the update to complete. Study it if you want.

(Link – MySite)

After each battle you get this “Result” screens. If you did very well you could unlock various achievements and items. I happened to do well in PVP, and worse in NPC missions. Irony? It’s usually the other way around for me. I don’t mind PVP as long as the playing field is pretty much even. Most of the battles “Talia” participated in, she won…but only just.

(Link – MySite)

My Shinki – Fubuki. I named her “Talia”. Actually, OptimisticPenguin gave her that name as I couldn’t come up with one.

Her personality is a bit “stiff” because she’s basically a Ninja type. Everything she does goes by the “honor” code; something quite similar to the “Bushido” code that the samurai go by.

(Link – MySite)

Shinki’s are basically figure sized robots – 15 cm tall – that are meant to be desktop sized battle figures.The battles are turn based which takes up to 10 turns. Whoever falls first loses and if both stay its a draw. All you have to do is praise or scold them, equip them, level them up, gain equipment, and fight. You’re basically raising a figure sized robot with artificial intelligent for combat. Their personality depends on what you do with them, how they’re programmed, and on other external influences.

Would be neat to have something similar for the “go” (travel) or an actual figure that would behave in a similar way (no gimmicks or cheating). For those that watched Chobits might see where I’m getting at.

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

The catch is that your Shinki runs out of batteries after a few battles. They use up two bars per battle. Solution? You have to send them to their recharging station to recharge them if you want to use them for further battles. For the people who have cheap point and shoot cameras will know how irritating that could get.

This minor issue may even out when….

1)  you obtain more Shinki’s.
2) you’re at school or at a workplace.
3) you gain freebies battery chargers. Use them wisely!
4) you play every “verses” round ever 2 hours?

“Oyasumi!~” – Shinki

(Link – MySite)

Since I just joined I got a freebie where I can instantly recharge her battery cells 10 times. It’s best used when your Shinki’s battery cell is fully drained and when you’re absolutely desperate to get back into combat. It be recommended to use them sparingly as well. Probably use them once every few weeks or so. Maybe save them up for special events?

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

If you don’t have a cardboard suit yet, obtain one by fighting someone as cute as this heh. You’ll get the three part suit if they have the three part suit. You may get two if they have two…

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

After the battle you’ll obtain an achievement screen telling you what you have and haven’t unlocked.

(Link – MySite)

Cute boxy Fubuki/Talia which is quite punny.

(Link – MySite)

I happened to meet another boxy gal heh.

(Link – MySite)

I forgot to mention that the Shinki’s talk during battles. You probably saw such examples above, but here is another one. Luckily, I can understand what they’re saying. Well, maybe the general meaning of whats being said.

Guess I’ll let you look at the rest of the images, enjoy!

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

(Link – MySite)

“Oyasumi!~” – Fubuki/Talia.

(Link – MySite)

She gained a new Fox Mask from a recent victory.

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Pros:

– Free to play. You can choose to purchase digital clothing & characters or the actual figure for enter-able codes.
– Your Shinki has artificial intelligence. You can raise your Shinki into a great fighter or a sloppy hateful owner hating lazy robot.  The way you treat your Shinki has an effect in battle.
– You gain XP and achievements per battle. Even if you lose you can still gain XP from online versus battle. If you do very well you may gain some amusing unlock-ables.
– You can customize your Shinki’s any way you want. If you unlock various accessories you may customize your partner with it. Same goes with actual figures.
– The game  behaves in a battle enthusiast manner. You modify things in “your room” and bring them over to a “battle arena” in the center of town. The menu feels that way with the 2D wallpaper background.
– If servers do get wiped out you could still interact with your figure Shinki, if you have one (or many).  Shouldn’t be an issue for a long while.

Cons:

– Only one default Shinki to choose from -> Shinki Fubuki. Buying figures may cost a fortune when buying imported.
– Game is only online. Any server wipes may resort in lost Shinki materials.  That shouldn’t be an issue though.
– Japanese dialog: Shinki’s speak in Japanese, with follow up text.  Understandable as it’s aimed for a Japanese audience.

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Thanks for viewing my article and hope you enjoyed the contents within. I hope you would take the time to try this MMO out, the PSP game, or to obtain a few Shinki’s. Anything I need to be corrected on?

I’ve seen a Shinki Samurai at my local Animestop once. I think she went for $60 CAD, something around there..too much. I will be getting Shinki Renge when she comes out in September as I got to get something to theme up with my blog! Wonder how she’ll behave. She might end up chewing my hand off for every defeat.

Side-message:
If there are any Otakus in the Ottawa region owning Figmas or Shinkis can you take the time to take a picture of your collection and post them up on my archive forum? If you do that be much appreciated and extremely helpful to the both of us.  We could both then see how healthy the Anime world is within the Ottawa region. Just trying to help you guys and gals out! This is also open to my fellow lurkers and followers as well, don’t be shy :).
-> http://forums.swgbex.com/

Hope to see you in-game as well!