Fine Fantasies

Note that the title of this entry is not "Finest Fantasies", as I want to keep that available in case I decide to make a blog/column saying, "Final Fantasy VI is the best, yo! And the rest are ordered as thus!"

Anyway, the dorms here tend to be blissfully quiet on weekends (I suppose the other residents are out having lives), and I've spent the better part of my waking hours thus far playing the two newest handheld Final Fantasy titles (released mere weeks apart): Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates on the DS, and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII on the PSP.





Crisis Core is the (very) long awaited sequel to Final Fantasy VII. I'm sure it'll be a better sellar than Ring of Rates, and - strictly speaking - is a better game. I confess, I was actually somewhat suprised at the quality level on this title. After all, another "Final Fantasy VII Compilation" addition, Dirge of Cerberus, wasn't exactly stellar, and there was a lot to live up to. But Crisis Core is easily one of my favorite PSP games to date, and one of the first to make me really "love" the little handheld system. From it's Final Fantasy VII-ish battle system (though I guess it's more like a 3D battle system from the "Tales" games) to the high quality cut-scenes with great voice acting to the great story, there's a lot to love here so far.



Crystal Chronicles: Ring of Fates was a game that the Easter Bunny decided to bless my basket with before heading back to school, and it, too can be very addictive. While the storyline is really nothing at all compared to the brilliance of Crisis Core, it's still got a lot of charm, as well as some voice acting here and there that - while not stellar - adds something to the experience. Apparently the game is even more fun with a friend or three, but as I don't know anyone else with the game I haven't been able to try the multiplayer out. Oh well, it's a lot of fun solo too.



Anyway, it's time to take a break from goofing off and get some work done. I've gotta write the rest of "The Awakening" (which I think is going well), write a myth (the myth of Tirvain and the Talebearers, if you're a lucky reader of my novel), write a short paper, read some of a book, and find a place to live for next semester.



I think I might read some of "The Dark is Rising" first, though... And maybe tune into the Nick Choice Awards tonight, just for kicks.