So, I doubt anyone reads this anyways but sorry I've fallen so far behind with updating my gaming blog! I moved to Japan at the end of July and I've been pretty busy since. That being said, I'm in the gaming heartland...or what used to be. Anyways, I've had a chance to play a lot of games and I've devoted a lot of my time to playing games. (Shocking, isn't it?) I'll just give a basic rundown of my thoughts and feelings and what I've been playing since I arrived in order.
The Last Story
I'm really torn with this game. Granted I didn't go into it with high expectations even though it was directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi. He is the father of Final Fantasy. First off, you will notice this game is for the Wii but don't assume it's awful. I have to say, this is one of the first Wii games that actually kept my interest. It is rather short unfortunately, but it is a real game for hardcore gamers.
Without spoiling too much, The Last Story is a game about Elza and his intrepid mercenary friends. What starts off as a simple boy meets girl story, it evolves into something much more. You and your friends have to save the world, and ultimately remove a force from the world.
When you first start playing The Last Story, I recommend using the classic controller! I went through about half of the game using the standard Wii-mote and nunchuk and really regretted it after I plugged in the classic controller on a whim. The controls did take a little while to get used to. Even after I did, they felt a little stiff. The battle system was fairly interesting. It's an action RPG, but you have to control your character (and other characters) pretty carefully.You can command each character to perform an attack, and after their gauges have filled up you can make them perform a special attack. Especially towards the end, the final boss battle does spike in difficulty.
My biggest gripe with my game is I guess the lack of content and spirit behind the story. There is a story, but I feel like the game depended on easy plot-devices without really developing the plot, the characters, or the story at all.
In terms of the music, there are a few nice tracks here and there throughout the game. Nobuo Uematsu did compose the music for this game, but for whatever reason most of the tracks were arranged by different composers (again, not a good move!)
The Last Story
I'm really torn with this game. Granted I didn't go into it with high expectations even though it was directed by Hironobu Sakaguchi. He is the father of Final Fantasy. First off, you will notice this game is for the Wii but don't assume it's awful. I have to say, this is one of the first Wii games that actually kept my interest. It is rather short unfortunately, but it is a real game for hardcore gamers.
Without spoiling too much, The Last Story is a game about Elza and his intrepid mercenary friends. What starts off as a simple boy meets girl story, it evolves into something much more. You and your friends have to save the world, and ultimately remove a force from the world.
When you first start playing The Last Story, I recommend using the classic controller! I went through about half of the game using the standard Wii-mote and nunchuk and really regretted it after I plugged in the classic controller on a whim. The controls did take a little while to get used to. Even after I did, they felt a little stiff. The battle system was fairly interesting. It's an action RPG, but you have to control your character (and other characters) pretty carefully.You can command each character to perform an attack, and after their gauges have filled up you can make them perform a special attack. Especially towards the end, the final boss battle does spike in difficulty.
My biggest gripe with my game is I guess the lack of content and spirit behind the story. There is a story, but I feel like the game depended on easy plot-devices without really developing the plot, the characters, or the story at all.
In terms of the music, there are a few nice tracks here and there throughout the game. Nobuo Uematsu did compose the music for this game, but for whatever reason most of the tracks were arranged by different composers (again, not a good move!)
Here are some of my favorites:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wWQ44-ojjI Tone of the Town
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9On-fzHhFo ?????(Toberu Mono; The Flying One)
This game also has online missions which seems like a really fun way to extend the life of the game considering how short the main quest is. I haven't tried them out. I read online that many of the Japanese players have mastered the levels online.
Overall, I'm afraid this game lacks the spirit of Sakeguchi. It felt a lot like Chrono Trigger throughout the game but it wasn't all there. The characters were interesting, and they all had individual personalities (even if the damsel in distress was the typical damsel.) But the story did not hold the game together. With the strange controls, it felt dated. I think if this game was made 10 years ago, people would have really enjoyed it. It just can't compare to other RPGs new, or old.
Therefore I suggest renting this game. I bought it at about $20 and I would have to say it is worth $20. I'm not sure how I would have felt at $50 because it was rather short.
Overall, I'm afraid this game lacks the spirit of Sakeguchi. It felt a lot like Chrono Trigger throughout the game but it wasn't all there. The characters were interesting, and they all had individual personalities (even if the damsel in distress was the typical damsel.) But the story did not hold the game together. With the strange controls, it felt dated. I think if this game was made 10 years ago, people would have really enjoyed it. It just can't compare to other RPGs new, or old.
Therefore I suggest renting this game. I bought it at about $20 and I would have to say it is worth $20. I'm not sure how I would have felt at $50 because it was rather short.
Take Two Interactive announced two upcoming game titles have been delayed in Japan:
Capcom announced it's upcoming Monster Hunter 11 Festival Tournaments will all be cancelled, with the first one at Fukuoka has already been cancelled on March 13, the remaining 5 tournaments in Nagoya, Tokyo, Sendai, Sapporo and Osaka, and the final tournament in Tokyo have also been cancelled. The reason is concerns to participants safety.
Nintendo of Japan announced its 3DS title Steel Diver will be postponed from March 17 to an undetermined date due to various factors.
Capcom has cancelled the Super Street Fighter IV Tournament on March 27 at Chiba Plaza Capcom Naganuma due to the earthquake, but Capcom is looking to reschedule the tournament sometimes in future.
Sega's Ryuga Gotoku: Of The End producer Toshihiro Nagoshi mentioned in his blog that the reason for the game's delay was made after considering the earthquake state, he said "I believe the day will come when I will be able to delivery this product to the world". It makes you wonder if the delay is actually longer than just a few days/weeks.
Microsoft announced its Kinect Trailer tour Kinect Experience Caravan Car Event has been canceled due to the earthquake.
Sony announced they will donate 300 million yen to reconstruction and relief of victims of the earthquake. Sony will also donate 30,000 units of radio products to victims in the area.