Level Up! Seize the Experience!

…IN JAPAN. ONLY.

So disappointed.  You know what makes me even more disappointed? Square Enix has made ZERO plans for it to release in the US. The only thing that is keeping me undaunted is the fact that the exact same thing happened with Kingdom Hearts Re: Chain of Memories. It was released for the PS2 in Japan with no inkling at all that it was coming to the US. About nine months later, it was announced. Same thing with Crisis Core.

So there is hope, albeit a small one since none of the other FF series released for the PSN store has made their ways to our shores. I’m really wanting to play this game on my PSP. I’ve gotten so used to modern graphics, that I’m just having too hard of a time playing this game on the big screen. I think it would make a huge difference on the smaller screen.

So for all interested, stay tuned. You know I’ll be keeping my eyes on this like a HAWK.

Kombo has reported that PlayStation is planning to add a “steady stream” of PSP game downloads to the PSN store. Some will be new, but PlayStation One classics were also mentioned. And the above referenced picture was offered. It’s a little difficult to pick out Cloud rushing with the Buster Sword in the background, but that’s undeniably Tifa and Red XIII in formation. They didn’t mention Final Fantasy VII per se in Kombo’s article or in PlayStation’s press release, but this picture pretty much says it all.

I’m guessing that this is as close to a “remake” of the game as we’ll ever get. The end credits from Crisis Core really hinted that a PS3 remake was in the works, but maybe Square Enix really has no desire to ever remake that game. If this is all we get, I’ll still be happy. I just hope that my ancient PSP can download these games just fine and I won’t have to spend the money on a PSP upgrade. I know it’s probably worth it, but if I don’t have to spend the money, I’d rather not.

Now my next question is whether we can use the analog stick in the PSP download. If so, I may shelve the PSOne version until this PSP release.

One issue about being a copy editor for a gaming site is that sometimes I gloss over articles instead of read them. I’m looking for spelling errors, punctuation errors, poor sentence structure, as well as coherence, cohesion and general sense of the article. Most of the time after I proofread and edit, I have no idea what the article was about. And then someone always asks me what new games are coming out, and I have to look it up on the site’s front page, because I have no idea what I just read. It’s sometimes a necessary quality to be a good copy editor, but it’s a bad one when it comes to being a gaming fan.

So I have known about Dissidia: Final Fantasy for some time, and at the same time, I hardly knew anything. I thought it was another branch game, like Crystal Chronicles or Tactics, but I was so, so incredibly wrong.

I visited the Square Enix blog today and they posted a new trailer for Square Enix members only. I’m sure it will be on YouTube eventually, but it’s not yet. When I saw Squall and Tidus amongst the mix, I was sold instantly. I’ve already visited Amazon and put in my preorder. Now I know what the conundrum has been about this game and Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days releasing on the same day. I’ll definitely be torn between which game to play first.

Well I guess it’s official. I’m walking down the dark side.

There is no doubt that the soundtracks to video games have come a long way since the games for the original Nintendo Entertainment System, let alone the Atari 2600. Ten years ago, I probably would never have thought about even looking for a video game soundtrack. My first game soundtrack was Kingdom Hearts, and then I picked up the soundtrack to Katamari Damacy not long after. A couple of years ago, I added the second Kingdom Hearts and Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker soundtracks to my library. This week, the soundtrack to Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII showed up on my doorstep, and it’s definitely the best gaming soundtrack I have ever heard. More than that, it’s the best soundtrack I have ever owned.

For me, personally, it’s everything I could ever want in a mix CD. I’m a huge fan of both classical music and hard rock, and the tracks on this CD flip back and forth between the two genres. One minute, I’m head banging to a piece from one of Zack’s many combats, and then the next, I’m listening to a sweet violin and piano ballad. One of the best things about it for me is that it doesn’t sound like a video game soundtrack, with the exception of one or two pieces. When I listen to the Wind Waker soundtrack, there is no doubt it’s a video game soundtrack. The “YOU GOT THE ITEM!!” chimes don’t help, but you can pick any tune off of the CD and hear similar game-like tones. I could probably get away with never telling anyone the music they are hearing is a video game soundtrack, except for my friends who are Final Fantasy VII fans since a few of the tracks are ripped right out of the original game, but with an orchestral upgrade.

I’d recommend this CD to anyone who likes gaming soundtracks or to anyone who likes the same mixture of genres I do. I will be playing the hell out of this CD. I’m not sure it will ever leave my car CD player, unless I trade in my car.

For those wondering, it is an import so it is more expensive than most soundtracks. However, if you poke around some of the sellers on Amazon, most of them are selling the CD set for less than half of what Amazon.com asks for.

Totally stealing this idea from another gaming friend, but that’s how all the good ideas are fostered, right?

This list most likely says that I didn’t play much in 2008, meaning that I didn’t play many games that were RELEASED in 2008, but I think I did fairly well especially with having a baby in May. I played almost everything I wanted to play that came out this year, except for Lost Odyssey. I need to make that a priority for 2009. It will help now that I have the Kingdom Hearts 2 monkey off of my back.

But without further adieu, here they are, my big gaming moments of 2008. Be forewarned, some spoilers are contained within.

1. Zack’s Last Stand - Crisis Core

Of course I knew how the game would end, but I wasn’t prepared for the incredibly long and beautifully executed ending sequence. At this moment, it is plainly drawn on Zack’s face that he knows he will not survive this attack. After everything he has been through, after everything he has done for Shinra, he will die at the hands of their army. I’m not sure I’ve seen a more powerful ending sequence, especially not one where you continue play as Zack in his futile attempts to take as many infantrymen down with him.

2. I thought I lost my dog - Fable 2

I can’t remember exactly where I was in the game, but I was in a cave with the Hero of Strength and these nasty, tough monsters were coming out of the woodwork, literally. No matter how many we killed, more materialized. When we finally found a way out, I bolted towards the exit. Upon surfacing, I realized that my dog was not with me. I panicked. Was he killed? Was he hurt? Did he get lost? Where was he??? I tried to go back into the cave, but the game wouldn’t let me. I sat still on the couch for a few minutes, not sure of what to do, but sure that I didn’t want to play anymore if my doggie wasn’t with me. Just as I decided to quit without saving and start over, my faithful pooch came limping out of the cave. The poor guy was injured and I didn’t see it at all in my haste to escape. I healed him and gave him a bunch of dog treats as my penance. Good boy… I won’t let anything happen to you ever again. Too bad I couldn’t stop you from getting shot in the head at the end of the game.

3.Trying to pawn off C-3PO’s head to Belloq - LEGO Indiana Jones

I had never played a LEGO video game before playing Indiana Jones, so I didn’t know exactly how silly the game would be. I found out rather quickly, from the very first mission Indy goes on in the Raiders of the Lost Ark chapter. When Indy escapes the Peruvian temple, he attempts to give Belloq C-3PO’s golden head instead of the golden idol. Belloq’s reaction was a real LOL moment.

4. Wait, I’m dead??? - The World Ends with You

Yes, I should have seen that coming, especially since there are Reapers in the Game, but I was still surprised. More surprised to learn Neku was dead than I was that Joshua was the Composer. Seriously, how cool would it be if the afterlife was like this?