Video game news and reaction

[Number Three]

And by more, we more different books.

[Crafty_Pat]

At long last, a remake I can get behind...

Final Fantasy VII

[Nepenthe]

My plan for taking thu-> off due to the impending euro release of Dragon Age 2 was somewhat wrecked by the fact I have to be TAing on thursday. Oh well, Thursday 2pm onwards off, then.

[Number Three]

You have an extra 1 on there, Pat.

[foproy]

that would be an I, but back to dragon age 2. from playing  both demo's and now the full game i realy like it. i like how i can micromanage my hero, and leave my companions to their devices.

(click to show/hide)

i thought i saw a model for sandal when you first arrive at kirkwall, was that just me?

[Nepenthe]

Of course, I just got an e-mail from the store, saying that "they are still waiting for product". So either it was an unfortunately-placed automated message, or this will be the third Bioware game in a row where the special version won't be availabel on release day.

[Krensky]

that would be an I, but back to dragon age 2. from playing  both demo's and now the full game i realy like it. i like how i can micromanage my hero, and leave my companions to their devices.

(click to show/hide)

i thought i saw a model for sandal when you first arrive at kirkwall, was that just me?

(click to show/hide)

Yep. His father's next to him too.

Frankly, the game is lousy with people from Origins and Awakenings.

Let that be a hint to you folks. Use your Awakenings save if you have one.

[Aziraphale]

At long last, a remake I can get behind...

Final Fantasy VIII

Sorry to bust your bubble Pat, but check the date on the story.

A man can dream... though i'd still prefer a remake of IX

[MilitiaJim]

But some folks did in fact remake the Starcraft Terran Campaign for Starcraft II.

[Krensky]

At long last, a remake I can get behind...

Final Fantasy VIII

Sorry to bust your bubble Pat, but check the date on the story.

A man can dream... though i'd still prefer a remake of IX

VI.

Even just redraw the sprites and backgrounds for a HD release.

[foproy]

x2 kren, i love my some ffVI probably one of the best stories in the series.but VII was the more popular.

[Crafty_Pat]

You have an extra 1 on there, Pat.

I did indeed. Fixed.

[Crafty_Pat]

At long last, a remake I can get behind...

Final Fantasy VIII

Sorry to bust your bubble Pat, but check the date on the story.

A man can dream... though i'd still prefer a remake of IX

Grr. This actually cropped up on one of my regularly read blogs. Guess I'll have to start curating that one a little more closely.

It's a shame, as Final Fantasy is one of those series that's gone so very far off the rails. The latest installments, especially the latest one, have just been utter and complete garbage - unplayable, unfun, trash.  VII was glory, as were the classic titles. Perhaps they'll have to stand alone.

[Krensky]

It's a shame, as Final Fantasy is one of those series that's gone so very far off the rails. The latest installments, especially the latest one, have just been utter and complete garbage - unplayable, unfun, trash.  VII was glory, as were the classic titles. Perhaps they'll have to stand alone.

Yeah... I'm going to have to disagree with your opinion in the strongest possible terms.

Well, XI and XIV are utter crap. It's inherent in the MMO genre to me, but I understand even compared to other they're sad and pathetic.

XII had style and pretty much invented programmable tactics for your party members. Plus, the usual story and production values. Plus it was probably the only FF game to come close to being a non-linear game, verging on being a sandbox.

XIII though. XIII is hands down the most innovative, rewarding, and deep battle system I have ever seen in any RPG. It was the first FF game I've had to pay attention to and actually got my heart pounding in a fight. XIII's main 'failure', which it shared with X, was that it didn't bother to pretend you could go screw around and not follow the story. It's secondary failure is that it basically drags the tutorial out too long for a lot of folks because it wants to make totally sure you understand concept 1 before it introduces concept 2 and that you get that and how 1 and 2 interact before discussing 3. Basically, the battle system tutorial runs for a bit longer then the first third of the game. Not because it's obtuse, but because it's so damn different then what came before.

[Crafty_Pat]

XIII though. XIII is hands down the most innovative, rewarding, and deep battle system I have ever seen in any RPG. It was the first FF game I've had to pay attention to and actually got my heart pounding in a fight. XIII's main 'failure', which it shared with X, was that it didn't bother to pretend you could go screw around and not follow the story. It's secondary failure is that it basically drags the tutorial out too long for a lot of folks because it wants to make totally sure you understand concept 1 before it introduces concept 2 and that you get that and how 1 and 2 interact before discussing 3. Basically, the battle system tutorial runs for a bit longer then the first third of the game. Not because it's obtuse, but because it's so damn different then what came before.

Well, count me among those who couldn't be bothered. I threw in the towel 2 hours in - and I still wish I could have those two hours back. The experience was as repetitive and pointless to me as the very worst Atari 2600 titles, and the story wasn't near enough to make up for it. I get that there might be a better game 20 hours in but that's just madness. It's like telling someone to tough it through a full network season of Cop Rock to get to the Shield. I loves me some Vic Mackey but not that much!