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.

GDC '08 Highlights - Part 2

- Too Human: I've been interested in this game for quite awhile now (though not it's entire, what? 10 year on/off development cycle?), and I'm extremely glad to see it finally coming together. Looks like it could be pretty awesome, with a pretty interesting Norse/Sci-fi storyline.

- Fable 2: It's Fable... #2. Mostly they announced an interesting co-op addition to the game, plus a gambling Xbox Live Arcade side game that will net you money in the real game. Neat idea, at the very least.

- Final Fantasy: My Life as King: One of the more interesting titles that will be downloadable via WiiWare at some point (I think March in Japan?), it's like Final Fantasy, but also like a strategy game... Or something. Sounds like it could be addicting for folks like me.

- Mario Kart Wii: It's Mario Kart... On the Wii! Lots of courses, online play, and bikes...

- Penny Arcade Adventures: On the Rainslick Precipice of Darkness Episode 1: I really hope this game - with a mouthful of a name - isn't entirely bogged down with super crude language and content like the comics often are, because it looks like a ton of fun. Half point-and-click adventure game, half RPG, it's based on the extremely popular web comic. As I said, it looks great. I'm interested.

- House of the Dead 2 & 3 Return: Mostly this Wii game brings back great memories of beating House of the Dead and House of the Dead 2 and Nicklerama (the arcade where games were a NICKLE TO PLAY!)... I'd like to pick it up eventually and play through it again with some friends, but even the "budget" $30 price point may be too much for such short games.

I think that's pretty much it. GDC is over. Go get some fresh air or something.