Lead Ropes

So I’ve been playing SSO for almost a year now. And for the past two or three months I’ve been reading that people want lead ropes to be implemented in the game. Well, that happened this week’s wednesday. And I’m one of the few who just don’t see what the hype is all about. I mean, yeah, okay, looks cute when you’re leading your horse, but that’s about it. Because it’s slow and I don’t do slow.

Why would I wanna lead my horse when I can ride it to my destination.

And the argument of someone about loosing your horse, well, someone said it before me, but there’s the pick-up option that will transport you and your horse to your home stable.

The new lead function has, in my opinion, two major disadvantages. One, it costs a one-time payment of 135 or so star coins, which is, frankly, ridiculously insane and two, it doesn’t give you anything.

Like I said, looks cute, but that’s all it is.

So yeah, I’m part of the small group of people that will not be buyign the lead ropes and I’m happy to be part of that group. I just don’t see myself using the lead ropes.

I mean, yeah, if it was part of a quest or something, but the way it is now, not a chance in hell that I’m using it.

Now, if any of my readers are SSO players, I would like to know what you think of the lead ropes and wether you’re part of the group that’s using it or part of the group that isn’t.

~AnnElfwid

Star Stable Online

Okay, first of all, the abreviation (SSO) is really similar to SAO and it is very confusing.

Now, what is Star Stable Online? Well, it’s just the best horse game available. Sure, it is not free (only up to level 5), but I think the money you pay is well worth it.

The game is a sort-of direct continuation of Starshine Legacy games. Those are kinda old and while not bad, story vise, the gameplay was not the best.

After that there were Starstable for PC and I played those too.

And then, several years after I stumbled on SSO. First, I didn’t play it because I was discouraged by the paying, but then I got curious and decided to install it and if I like it, I would pay for the full version. So, I did install it. I played for a little while and then I went to see how to unlock the full version, the so called Star Rider status. Well, there was this offer back in February. For 15 days of Star Rider status only an insignifant amount of money so I went for it and then I decided that yes, the game is super cool and that I will pay for the lifetime membership, which in the end is cheaper. So long as you play for more than a year. Which I’m defeinitely planning to do.

So, how does it work?

You create your account, for which you need an email or your facebook account. Which obviously needs email too.

Then, you download the client (previously you could play in your browser) and start it. You log in and let the thing download all the updates. Then you start the game and create your character. You get to pick from a bunch of looks that can be later on changed in-game.

The bad thing is that you can only pick your name from predetermined selection. You can combine it anyway you like, but only so long that there isn’t anyone else using the same combination.

After that you customize your starter horse. But don’t worry if you don’t like him. If you’re a starrider, you’ll eventually have enough star money to buy the dream horse you want. After you customized the nag, you can pick it’s name, it is the same principal as the character name.

Then, it’s off to Moorland stable.

There you will be walked through the basics, like driving your horse, parking it, caring for it and all that.

For those of you who know the games I mentioned at the begining, this might be a bit boring, but when you get through it, the interesting quests will come. Some of them are weird, but most of them are really interesting.

However, there are only limited amount of quests available to non Star Riders. As well as only two locations being available. That’s why it’s better to spend the money on being a Star Rider. You have the whole game unlocked and if you’re high enough level, also all the so far available locations. There are some, that are not accesible yet, but I’m sure they will be soon.

You will meet some of the characters from previous games, including Herman, Fripp aka the white squirrel and the Soul riders. Also, the bad guys will make their appearance.

So be ready to sneak into their hideout and discover their neffarious plans and perhaps stop them before they can finish them.

What I think of the game? Well, apart from the fact that new quests are only added every Wednesday and not more often, I love it. Like, really love it. So far, it’s the best online game I’ve played so far. Simply because I don’t count some of the games as online games. But if you want to get technical, it’s the best MMORPG I’ve ever played.

I’ve managed to acumulate quite a number of horses and I’m still planning to buy more. Though I hope that by the time, they all reached their max level, the max level will be more than the current 15. Because seriously…

I also hope that the new animations that are so far only on the American Quarter Horse will be implemented for all the horses soon. Can’t wait to see my black Arab with this new anims.

It will look great!

And if you didn’t figure it by now, that black Arab is my prized horse. My bestest most favourite horse ever!

Okay. Now a bit of a question for you.

Do you have experience with the game? If yes, do you like it? If no, are you going to try it? And most importantly, do you even like horses? Because if you don’t then I would really like to know why you even bothered to read this.

Oh, and if you know of any similar games, I would be delighted to know about them, so please share. :) Kay?

~AnnElfwind

The Saddle Club

Yesterday, I saw the last episode of the series Saddle club. I’ve been watching it on and off for a while now. I’m not sure which season I like the most… I mean, all have some better and some worse episodes. Though if I really had to choose, I’d probably pick the part where Dorothee is. Which means the first part of season 2. But I prefer the actors from season 3. At least for the saddle club girls. And I like Simon. He livened things up. 

On the other hand, I was kinda missing Red and Kristie from the last season. Though Trouble the donkey more than made up for them. And Jack wasn’t bad either. 

So, what is the series about anyway? 

It is about three girls who love horses and form a club together. During the series they encounter different problems, be it Veronika, the annoying rich girls or some problems between them. 

Each season has a strong ending, and most of the episodes are pretty interesting. If I remember correctly, I only skipped one episode. And that was because that one didn’t interest me. 

Sure the show is ment for kids, but it is pretty decent. It’s definitely watchable even if you’re not a kid. On the other hand, the books it is based on, are pretty terrible. I gave up after not even a full chlapter. If I were to say what it was like, I’ll qoute my mom: “It’s a badly written horse-riding guide.”

And I agree with that.

The books are not worth it, but the series ain’t bad. 

So, the main characters are Carrole, Stevie and Lisa. The main antagonist (who sometimes does the right thing) is Veronica and then there are some of the more minor characters. In the first series it’s Red, Kristie, Melanie and Ashley as well as Phill (NOT COULSON :D). In second series, we gain Dorothee for the first half and some other characters make repeated appearance. 

And finally, in the last season, apart from the cast being completely new, we have no Ashley, but gain Jenn as well as Trouble the donkey. We also switch Red for Jack and gain Dezi during the season. 

Oh, and for Thor maniacs, in one of the episodes (I think it’s in the second season), young Chris Hemsworth plays a new vet. Well, young… Younger. But it’s interesting. You can recognize him for his eyes and lips, but other than that, he looks completely different. And has short hair!

So, if you’re into horses, this is a pretty decent thing, even though it has girls as pretty much every important character. I’m not much for things where main characters are girls, but this one is not that bad. Though if they did a version where the main characters are guys… Or out right a gay version, I’d be watching it in a heartbeat!

See ya!

~AnnElfwind