Raindrops is a Q&A series that examines the contributors of Operation Rainfall. On this edition, we cruise just outside the Motor City to get to know contributor Ben Hafen.
How long you have been at oprainfall and/or what got you started here?
I started writing for oprainfall just last month after responding to an open call for new contributors. I’ve been following the site for a few years, and jumped at the chance to help out with a favorite news site and get some writing experience.
How long have you been a gamer?
Almost as long as I could read! My older brother had a Gameboy Color that I coveted dearly, and he was kind enough to let me use it on occasion. The first game I ever played was his copy of Pokémon: Yellow Version; it was a couple of years later that my parents got me my first game from Blockbuster: Pokémon: Crystal Version.
Favorite genre?
RPG!
Favorite game?
Pokémon: Crystal Version.
Favorite character?
Hmm. I’m gonna go with Aqua or Riku from the Kingdom Hearts series. The former is an awesome master warrior-magician who nearly takes out the big bad on her own, and cares very much for her friends; the former is similarly awesome in being a Keyblade Master, and also fought against some powerful inner demons and won, even if they did keep him down for a while.
Last game you bought?
Pokémon Shuffle! Really, it’s better than you’ve been led to believe, especially for being free to download.
Last game you played?
Still Pokémon Shuffle. I’m playing it right now. It’s addictive.
If you could make one character come to life to hang out with, which character would you choose?
Sora from the Kingdom Hearts series. He’s a fun guy!
If you were stranded on a desert isle with just one game song in your iPad, which would it be?
Oh my goodness do you know what you do when you ask this question to musical people
Uh um uh okay let’s go with this one that I like right now:
Favorite Anime?
The Rolling Girls, Ouran High School Host Club, or Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood.
Favorite animated show (non-anime)?
Up until this last week, it would have unquestionably been Avatar: The Last Airbender/The Legend of Korra. But now I’ve watched the entirety of Steven Universe. And this choice suddenly got a whole lot harder.
Favorite live-action TV show?
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the moment.
Game You Don’t Like, but Everyone Else Does?
…I want so much to like Bravely Default. I really do. But the demo just didn’t pull me in, and playing it felt like a chore. I expect to be notified of my termination from the staff any moment now.
Game You Most Want Localized?
I’m still sour about Ace Attorney Investigations 2 not being localized. Up until a week or two ago I would’ve loudly complained about Etrian Odyssey 2 Untold, but now Atlus has favored us and answered our prayers.
Game you regret not playing earlier?
The Etrian Odyssey series, oh my goodness.
What is the disc/cartridge that is in all of your consoles at this very moment?
- 2DS – Pokémon X
- DS Lite – Brain Age: Brain Training in Minutes a Day (I think? It’s been a while.)
- Wii – Mario Party 8
- GameBoy Advance – Super Mario Advance
- GameBoy Color – The Little Mermaid Pinball
What is the one thing you would like to do in your life that you haven’t done yet?
I’d like to go to a foreign country (Ontario doesn’t count). Probably somewhere like Switzerland, or the UK, or Norway.
