Wednesday, February 25, 2009

RKS, Pixiv, and You


This picture is so badass I had to post it. Found here.

Some of you may be familiar with Pixiv, and if you're not, there are a few tutorials around that show you how to register and work with it. It's actually quite the treasure trove for RosenkreuzStilette artwork in a world of RKS obliviousness, but sadly, there really isn't a lot of it, especially when compared to the ranks of, say, Touhou. Maybe we can do something to send this ship in a different direction.

And so, I encourage Schwer and Schwer Alike readers to try their hand at their own RKS fanart! I know many of you will probably say you can't draw, but seriously, go check out Pixiv. That really doesn't stop a lot of people, and it shouldn't! Be creative with your work. Digital art, hand-drawn creations, even a quick Photoshop like some of the RKS Challenge banners! We need to make the English RKS fandom known, and what better way than through artistic expression! And yeah, this includes fanfiction too. >_> Maybe we can host all this stuff in the inevitable Wiki.

Grollschwert!

Sunday, February 22, 2009

RKS: Freudenstachel Rumor Mill

While RosenkreuzStilette's fanbase may be smaller than most, that hasn't stopped some of the more devoted fans from speculating about what the future of the series holds. We here at Schwer and Schwer Alike have been combing the internet for the latest rumors about RKS: Freudenstachel just to bring you the best out there, whether they're all but confirmed or just wishful thinking.

First on the list is just how the four new bosses could be handled. For the record, these are Pamela Arwig, Eifer Skute, Schirach Fühler, and Lecht & Rink Refraktia. One fan believes that RKS:F will involve the Doc Robots in some way. For the uninitiated, after defeating the first eight Robot Masters in Megaman 3, the Megaman 2 Robot Masters came back as ghosts in the form of Doc Robot. Going by this theory, after killing the eight main bosses, the four Doc Robot-analogues will appear. This will give the player one last challenge before finally getting to the fortresses.

Another theory is that [erka:es] is holding back the names of four more bosses. This one is also not without a foundation, since the Doc Robot stages of MM3 came two MM2 Robot Masters to a stage. But where would the other bosses come from? Either [erka:es] is keeping something of their own up their sleeve, or there are more winners of the boss creation contest than we first thought. Both options would lead to a much more challenging game, as the creators have stressed before. And if either is true, there's definitely more speculation to be had.

This brings us to the most enigmatic and strangely persistent of rumors. It all begins with Axelle Blitzdonner, a character created by someone known only as Mint Mania IIDX. Attempts to contact Mint have been unsuccessful, but this has not deterred the fans, who remain firmly convinced that Axelle will appear in the game. RKS fans on 2ch seem to be most vocal about this, saying that it would be unfair if all the winners were Japanese if an American likes the game enough to enter the contest. Could she be one of the unannounced bosses, if indeed there are any? Considering the name Axelle Blitzdonner is positively charged with references to electricity and we haven't had one boss of that nature yet, it's a possibility.

Will the Doc Robots appear once again? Is [erka:es] holding out on us? And what about Axelle? We'll find out as the release date for RKS: Freudenstachel gets closer. If any other rumors surface, we'll certainly bring them to you as well.

RosenkreuzStilette Grollschwert Mod



I've made a graphics mod that gives Grolla the alternate Grollschwert wielded by Raimund Seyfarth, as seen in RosenkreuzStilette Freudenstachel. It also alters her slash and desperate charge sprites to give them a redder shade to better match her new weapon. Hope you Grolla fans like the change. As usual, special thanks to TDOMMX.



(Download temporarily removed.)

Monday, February 16, 2009

RKS Fan Facebook Group

Apparently, Facebook is popular or something, and I've started using it again for reasons beyond my own comprehension. I guess it's alright. So, I decided to create a Facebook group for RosenkreuzStilette fans that you can find right here in this very link. For those of you who use social networking sites more than you use anything else, I will be posting updates there as well as here on the latest news concerning the game itself and the Darkside-Zeppy Translation Project, which is definitely currently in progress.

Oh, here's something I found a while back on the uploader. Enjoy.

Tiger Lilli Results

I have to hand it over to this Miles character. As the only entrant to the challenge, he is automatic winner of the RKS Tiger Lilli Challenge! Tanin made a replay or two, but he's lazy and decided not to really do anything about submitting them, but that's okay. Thanks for showing me that someone still cares, Miles.

The next challenge might have a prize, and that prize might be money. Maybe that'll get you people motivated. Start training! It'll be a doozy!

Friday, February 6, 2009

RKS Challenge 005: Tiger Lily



Poor Lilli didn't get her chance to shine in Silver Force One, but all of that is about to change! The newest RKS Challenge is dedicated to our fine fairy friend!



Enter the password above to have Lilli available from the start, and head over to Zorne's stage. Complete the stage with the fastest time to win!

Rules and Conditions:
- Spiritia cannot fire Seelegewehr or summon Lilli during the stage.
- When Zorne is encountered, Lilli must be summoned. When Lilli runs out of weapon energy, Zorne must be defeated with uncharged Seelegewehr shots.
- Damage taken will add 10 seconds to the final time.


Are you ready? It's cool! Let's enjoy a great show time!

To submit your replays, please use the RosenkreuzStilette Uploader Site. Please follow these easy instructions.



1) Name the .rpy file whatever you want, ZIP it, and upload it here. (Note: Please make sure your replay is in a .zip archive.)
2) Enter "Tiger Lily" or "Tiger Lilli" in the comment box.
3) Click here to upload the file.

Please leave a comment with your name and the number of your upload. Thanks, have fun, and good luck!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Item Hunter/Silver Force One Results

1st: Tanin - Completed Silver Force One
2nd: Mint - 1'54"95
3rd: GammaShade - 2'25"74

And the winner of this RKS challenge is Tanin! Unchallenged by anyone else, he successfully completed Silver Force One, probably one of the hardest parts of a no-shot run of RKS. Following him are yours truly and GammaShade, who were less patient and did Item Hunter. It was fun, and I hope that more people enter the next challenge!