Final Fantasy II on GBA

Is there a way to view a map?
Do I get one later in the game?
why is the world so huge if there's no way to orient myself?

Oh, and here are my Super Smash impressions:

It's like Melee with more characters.
Bring it on.

_ethan

Jesus in the Future

I realize that with a title like that, nothing I write could live up to it but I couldn't pass up the chance.
Instead of Jesus flying through a futuristic world strapped to a jetpack, this entry is a brief update about some goals for Jesus in Jail.
My partner has started talks with a local university so that we can formally propose the production to them for a 2009 run.
So what does that mean?
We want a top notch recording of the opening medley, and a full rough version of the entire production done by the end of the summer.
Just putting it out there.
Wish us luck.

_ethan

Chrono Trigger

So Chrono Trigger is one of those games that I've been wrestling to beat for too many years now.
Not in the Final Fantasy VIII "it's just so mediocre but I have to finish it out of some kind of loyalty" way. But in the "I keep starting this amazing game but get distracted and buy new games and don't return to it for months and then just want to start a new game" way.

But this time I've actually been making it pretty far.
But I did lose track of it for a while.
And then I lost my memory card.
So I was worried when I finally found my save last night.

Would I remember the story?
Would I remember the way it plays?

And I was impressed that after only a few minutes I was right back into it.
I think I might actually be able to beat this one.
I just defeated Magus.
For the first time at least, I'm not sure if I have to again.

Either way, it's nice to know I might actually start getting through this intense backlog of RPGs I've been meaning to beat forever.

Jesus and Jail progress has been made and you'll be updated soon about it.

_ethan

In response to "Let's Play Doctor: Role Playing Games"

This reponse can be found in the comments section of the original article on IGN Insider, but since you won't be able to access it without Insider and since 
everybody won't read that article, AND since this is something I've wanted to rant about anyway,
I'm posting it here.
You'll be left slightly without context, but it should make sense for the most part:

"It's always enjoyable to read Mike's articles because he is extremely intelligent and articulate, but I have yet to be on the same page as him.
I can't disagree that these are the rules to gain a bigger audience for the genre, but I know for sure that if my favourite series' were to adopt many of these rules I would be extremely frustrated.

Like Firebyrd is saying, I love the fact that WRPGs are heading in the suggested direction. I love the ability to choose, but I think FFXII made so many incredible steps in the JRPG realm that prove there is a need for the segregation.

As hard as it is for me to say, I disagree with Clayman when he says moments in VII and XII (and IX for me) would be more impactful if playing with others. These games are intensely personal experiences for me and I would like to leave the multiplayer experiences for Smash or Halo or Kart or Tetris or Mario even.

I love discussing the impactful moments from a great RPG with others, but in the same way I love discussing a powerful book with others. I'm glad nobody was reading over my shoulder, but I'm also glad I can share my take on the experience afterward.

That's why I love games, there are so many amazing experiences to be had. So I'm terrified of the homogeneous nature more and more people seem to be suggesting that games adopt.

Give me Fallout 3 without numbers or cutscenes or dragons in a rich, dense world and I will likely adore it.

But please also give me a sprawling FFXIII with countless cutscenes, and numbers to pour over after each battle and I will likely also adore it.

There is room for both.

But I will agree that it is the characters that are important and that's why I'm glad that apparently FFXIII is NOT about saving the world."

So what do you think?
Do you prefer the WRPG or the JRPG? Would you like to see the birth of smaller, denser, numberless, cut-sceneless multiplayer RPGs? Or would you like to stay in your room crying to yourself while Aeris dies?

_ethan

Five Worries for Brawl

I'm going to pick up Super Smash Brothers Brawl tomorrow.
Rather: I and twenty billion other people are going to pick up Brawl tomorrow.

Now I've been following the game, but not quite intensely enough to have done full research.
So if one or more of the items on the following list are objectively not reasons to worry, it's because I want to find at least somethings out myself.

So here goes:


1. Gimped Peach

I haven't seen too many previews on Peach and she was my secondary character in Melee. And although I'm looking forward to learning the new characters and potentially having new "go-to" people, I still don't want to see an old classic lose her touch.

2. Final Smash Handicap

The final smashes look really cool but I'm worried that it will throw the balance of the game way off and toss a lot of the skill out the window. I mean, I'll have items turned off whenever I can anyway, but if I want to see some badass special moves the matches shouldn't be reduced to whoever can destroy the smash ball first.

3. Event Matches

Okay, so this is one that I probably didn't do the research for. Do event matches make a comeback? They had better!

4. Samus

I never really played as Samus, but the whole "Zero Suit" thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. It's just such a random way to add a "new" character. I suppose it's all these things left up to chance that worry me most.

5. Stats Tracking

Another one likely easily solved by research. But still, I want the thorough stats tracking that Melee had plus more. I love numbers and if I'm not going to get leaderboards online, then at least keep detailed stats for the different profiles.


Well there we go! Looks like a meager list, really. I'll hit back soon with full impressions like everybody else!

_ethan 

Will they do the same for the PS4?

Okay, this might be an extremely old subject, but hell I liked the old PS3 boomerang controller!


C'mon! It's not bad! A little self-indulgent maybe, but when isn't Sony?

But it is interesting how quickly Sony changed the design assumably based on the intense negative reaction.
How does Nintendo manage to do the opposite?
Examples:

Nintendo: "Here's a new cel-shaded Link!"
Fans: "We hate it!"
Nintendo: "Fuck you!"

Nintendo: "Here's the Wii!"
Fans: "What the hell? What happened to the badass name 'Revolution'?"
Nintendo: "Fuck you! Also, we're going to make it so your mom can play and we'll cut off the nuts of hardcore fans who still plan to defend us!"
Fans: "What? C'mon! We kinda like our nuts!"
Nintendo: "Fuck you!"

I mean, Sony got cocky, but its still the bitch of its fans.

...I can't tell who I respect more.

_ethan

Tales of the Smash Trilogy

There's only so many times that I can make reference to how many posts I've made in the title before it starts to get beyond bogus.
You can tell that I'm already getting self conscious about it since I justified it in my first sentence.

In any case, I might join the horde of bloggers talking about Super Smash Brothers Brawl upon its release just over a week away, but until then let's consult on Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World.
From the little media I've seen, it's shaping up to be a cinematic, robust title.
But before we get into it, let's talk about the original.


Tales of Symphonia

Considering the fact that both the main hero and main heroine of the game are annoying, shallow twats, it's a surprisingly good experience.
The battle system is engaging, the quest is long, most of the graphics are pretty and there are all the sidequests, details and easter eggs that a good RPG should have.
Sounds solid right? Right. However, there are some extremely frustrating elements that showcase the inability of the genre as a whole to grow up and be relatible.

Love Stories

Lloyd and Sheena (although she's too good for him), Presea and Genus. Hell, even Kratos and Raine. There were possibilities all OVER the place here. But Lloyd was way too caught up in over-the-top save-the-world jargon that he never became a real character with, you know, a penis.
Even more frustratingly, sometimes it was set up a little bit. There would be lines that led you to believe that these people had real, subtle emotions and thought processes. Including the complications of having feelings for a woman in the body of a girl, or having multiple feelings for a best friend and a new, older ally.
Granted, there's something to be said for not giving too much away, but you can achieve tactful subtlety without completely dropping a love story that was intentionally set-up.
This point is very similar to my next point.

Believable dialogue and characters

It's like they hired one really good writer to throw in 10-20 lines of powerful, subtle dialogue and left the rest to a chimp.
The major problem with most games with a lot of writing isn't necessarily the characters. It's the fact that these character's personalities are written on their sleeves. I feel like the dialogue would be pretty unchanged if Lloyd just went around saying "I'm determined and pure of heart!" and Collette said "I'm sweet and apologize too much".
There is potential even in these characters that are pretty much a staple in any RPG anyway.
Lloyd could actually struggle with his cause. Question why he does what he does and maybe get lonely like a real human being.
Collette could show real signs of how she likes to carry everybody's burden. Show how much pressure is on her shoulders. Maybe even lash out.
And when these struggles DO happen, the characters just seem to either spell it out completely or be brooding and say nothing at all.
It's like so  many moments are on the verge of packing an incredibly powerful punch but they just jump to the superlative and miss it.

It's a common mistake. People assume that the biggest premise will be what entices, but nobody will give a shit about saving the world if they don't care about who is saving the world.
That's why I'm excited about FFXIII not having a "save the world" story. But that's a whole other post.
So those are my major gripes, really. Don't have characters just read out their character descriptions, let them actually have thoughts beyond saving the world.
It's what FFIX and Radiata Stories did really well.
So moving on to the sequel...


Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World

First things first, the monster collecting thing has me full of dread.
I love that the cast is practically doubling, so why would you add a stupid Pokemon element to confuse the whole thing? I love Pokemon, but leave it alone. Let it be its own thing.
But I won't judge that too much until I see just how necessary it is to the gameplay.
More importantly...

Hire new voice talent or at least a new voice director.

Mediocre dialogue delivered with mediocre conviction just didn't cut it last time. If the writing is going to be better (which it damn well should be) then don't drag it down with voices that just seem to want to finish their day and get paid. It wasn't as bad as the Baten Kaitos voicework, but it also wasn't good. Which perhaps the exception of Sheena.
Which brings me to...

More Sheena.

Okay, so this is just because I love her. But seriously. She's awesome.


Okay, maybe I talked more about the first game, but overall, I'm optimistic and excited for the sequel.

Smash soon!

Looking forward,

_ethan