Hmm... funny how they didn't mention that the Sonic Mega Collection has the biggest saving and save file loading times of any PS2 disk I've ever played. Sure I'm enjoying all the Sonic games I never got around to beating (or playing at all), but the save file lag is my one major gripe about that disk.
Then again, maybe the author of the article got the GameCube or XBox version, and saving isn't so much of a headache in either one of those. Also, don't know about the other consoles, but the PS2 version should only be around $20... that's how much I paid for mine.
I do agree with the #1 pick, though-- even after all this time, Super Mario All-Stars is still a wonderfully put-together compilation.
I noticed this as well. In the way this story is presented, We Love Katamari is perhaps the most fourth-wall video game I've ever played, and not without a good reason. I was looking forward to this new game a lot, and haven't been disappointed with it so far, but the very idea that the original needed a sequel at all still seems strange.
Skimming through/.'s old Advent Children threads recently, I found something interesting. Apparently franchise-milking is a strong aspect of the "Enix" side of the company (you know, the one that did the Dragon Quest V remake not too long ago?). I'm afraid those old posts might be right, as I certainly don't remember FF being milked this rampantly before the merger.
At any rate, as long as it's faithful, but with decent embellishments (*cough*morechocoboracingcourses*cough*), I wouldn't mind an FFVII remake (and for the record, I highly enjoyed FFX-2).
I kept telling him, it is different liking something as the consumer and liking it as the manufacturer. I love sports cars, but the one summer I spent working in an automotive factory was pure hell.
It's different, but it's the same, in a way. I always liked cartoons, so I became an animator. I love the work, but I watch quite a bit less animation than I used to (most of what I watch these days are in the theaters, at festivals, and special events), and prefer to spend my leisure time with comics and video games instead. I assume the same would hold true no matter what field I go into-- it's hard to be completely devoted to something 24/7.
And people wonder why there are so many of these "female gamer" stories. For some reason, women and girls who play games-- hardcore, casually, or somewhere in between-- aren't taken seriously, or are otherwise treated as anomolies.
I like to play RPGs (Final Fantasy games, Skies of Arcadia, Dark Cloud 2, etc.), puzzle games (Puyo Puyo, Tetris, Tetris Attack, Katamari Damacy), and at least one adventure game (ICO) and one life sim (Harvest Moon). However, I also like time-draining SRPGs (Final Fantasy Tactics, Nippon Ichi games, Front Mission 4), platformers (Mario series, Sonic series, Jak & Daxter, etc.), rhythm titles (Bust A Move/Groove series, Samba de Amigo) and the occasional fighting game (Mortal Kombat series) and FPS (Unreal Tournament series). I've played UT online and in LAN parties quite a bit, mostly with guys, and it's been cool-- I find myself being just as fiercly competitive as they, but also find I prefer team-based play modes like CTF, Onslaught, and the Carball mod.
Fact is visuals and sound are the two senses that video games have to deal with. Ignoreing one is just silly.
Not to be nitpicky, but what about the sense of touch? I would think that would be incredibly important, especially with today's hardware (vibrating controllers, pressure-sensitive buttons, etc.) and peripherals.
But even so, a third is still a lot. Seeing as how voice acting is a given in so many games these days, I agree that it should be done well whenever possible.
Thank you so much for that. I'm sick of all the posts on Slashdot declaring "Final Fantasy has gone downhill since..." Every time a new game in the series comes out, it seems that there's something new for "fan"boys to bitch and moan about.
Every game in the Final Fantasy series is different in some signifigant way (I agree that FFIX was probably the least different-- though it did have some novel elements of its own). Honestly, the games wouldn't be "Final Fantasy" if it wasn't for said variation; in fact, it's what keeps the series consistently interesting.
Disney has to ditch the current management in Feature Animation before it can go anywhere-- the bean counters who are more likely to follow others' trends than to create their own (remember when Disney was the animation trendsetter?). There are still a couple of good creative types at the studio (such as Chris Sanders, who directed the quirky Lilo and Stitch), but such creatives also need management who cares about and understands animation. It's no surprise that Pixar, and not Disney, is Ghibli's biggest cheerleader in the states:P
PS: Here's an excellent series of articles about what went wrong with Disney feature animation.
Thanks for that. As you seem to be new here, I might point out that there's a thread like this in every thread about Final Fantasy on/., almost without exception. It usually starts off with someone saying that "the series has gone downhill since (blank - usually VI)," and goes on from there.
We need more comments like yours, IMHO. The series has its ups and downs, but as you've duly noted, people are still buying-- including some of these whiners, no doubt.
FFX-2 has always been contraversial among Final Fantasy fans. I'll admit that it's never been my favorite installment in the series (this would be FFX - and yes, I've played the whole "main" series, including FF6). However, this isn't to say it's without merit. In many ways, it's a return to more traditional gameplay, with a much steeper difficulty curve than other recent games in the series and a job-based character system. If you approach it without expecting it to be "more of the same" from FFX, then it's actually a very good RPG. A lot of tormented, gothy Final Fantasy fans felt they had to dislike FFX-2 out of principle, because it's actually quite upbeat. Personally, I'm secure enough that I can play a game like this without it making me "doubt my masculinity" (author's words).
Probably the best defense of FFX-2 I've ever read. Although it has its share of flaws (like every other Final Fantasy, natch), the gameplay is tight and the non-linear elements are a welcome departure from the rest of the series. I love the job system especially-- all those people who complain about the wardrobe changes apparently have forgotten about FF5 and FFT...
I'm looking forward to FFXII myself, and am not the least bit surprised by the delays. Many of the games Square makes never come out when they're originally intended to.
Agreed. I've bought many a game soundtrack in my time (including quite a few Final Fantasy ones), and believe me, the iTunes prices are nothing to sneeze at. This is especially true for the arrange albums ($10 as opposed to $25-30).
Just realizing in the first place how close Cloud was to killing her in the first place brought me to a bit of shock.
Any time Cloud did something that was beyond me control kept me interested (but yeah, that scene especially-- it still gives me the chills). I wanted to know who the character was and how he got that way.
(PS: Your username looks familiar. Were you on Gaming FM's forums by any chance? ^_~)
Well, in my case, the ending of Final Fantasy X was ruined for me in some of their articles. One was a preview of FFX-2, so that was to be expected, but the other article was one of their "top (number)" lists where the original FFX was recommended (!). There were no spoiler warnings or anything-- it annoyed me how they recommend this game while giving away significant plot twists in the process. I let my subscription lapse after that -_-
Slashdot Mirror
Nope :)
Then again, maybe the author of the article got the GameCube or XBox version, and saving isn't so much of a headache in either one of those. Also, don't know about the other consoles, but the PS2 version should only be around $20... that's how much I paid for mine.
I do agree with the #1 pick, though-- even after all this time, Super Mario All-Stars is still a wonderfully put-together compilation.
*been playing waaaay too much StarCraft lately*
I noticed this as well. In the way this story is presented, We Love Katamari is perhaps the most fourth-wall video game I've ever played, and not without a good reason. I was looking forward to this new game a lot, and haven't been disappointed with it so far, but the very idea that the original needed a sequel at all still seems strange.
At any rate, as long as it's faithful, but with decent embellishments (*cough*morechocoboracingcourses*cough*), I wouldn't mind an FFVII remake (and for the record, I highly enjoyed FFX-2).
Teen Titans and KND are not done in Flash. If you want to know which shows are, here's a fantastic place to start: http://coldhardflash.com/
Hopefully not, but I can completely see that. And going back to the grandparent, perhaps Frederick Wertham is a more apt analogy here.
It's different, but it's the same, in a way. I always liked cartoons, so I became an animator. I love the work, but I watch quite a bit less animation than I used to (most of what I watch these days are in the theaters, at festivals, and special events), and prefer to spend my leisure time with comics and video games instead. I assume the same would hold true no matter what field I go into-- it's hard to be completely devoted to something 24/7.
I've been digging his art for a few years now, but more because of Puffy than Parappa...
And people wonder why there are so many of these "female gamer" stories. For some reason, women and girls who play games-- hardcore, casually, or somewhere in between-- aren't taken seriously, or are otherwise treated as anomolies.
I like to play RPGs (Final Fantasy games, Skies of Arcadia, Dark Cloud 2, etc.), puzzle games (Puyo Puyo, Tetris, Tetris Attack, Katamari Damacy), and at least one adventure game (ICO) and one life sim (Harvest Moon). However, I also like time-draining SRPGs (Final Fantasy Tactics, Nippon Ichi games, Front Mission 4), platformers (Mario series, Sonic series, Jak & Daxter, etc.), rhythm titles (Bust A Move/Groove series, Samba de Amigo) and the occasional fighting game (Mortal Kombat series) and FPS (Unreal Tournament series). I've played UT online and in LAN parties quite a bit, mostly with guys, and it's been cool-- I find myself being just as fiercly competitive as they, but also find I prefer team-based play modes like CTF, Onslaught, and the Carball mod.
Yes (and for the record, I'm a girl). Note to the media: let us be just-plain "gamers", no gender explanations involved.
Not to be nitpicky, but what about the sense of touch? I would think that would be incredibly important, especially with today's hardware (vibrating controllers, pressure-sensitive buttons, etc.) and peripherals.
But even so, a third is still a lot. Seeing as how voice acting is a given in so many games these days, I agree that it should be done well whenever possible.
Every game in the Final Fantasy series is different in some signifigant way (I agree that FFIX was probably the least different-- though it did have some novel elements of its own). Honestly, the games wouldn't be "Final Fantasy" if it wasn't for said variation; in fact, it's what keeps the series consistently interesting.
I didn't see any gender bias implied in the story's lead-in. Maybe in the Slashdot header, yeah, but not in the 1up story itself...
PS: Here's an excellent series of articles about what went wrong with Disney feature animation.
We need more comments like yours, IMHO. The series has its ups and downs, but as you've duly noted, people are still buying-- including some of these whiners, no doubt.
Probably the best defense of FFX-2 I've ever read. Although it has its share of flaws (like every other Final Fantasy, natch), the gameplay is tight and the non-linear elements are a welcome departure from the rest of the series. I love the job system especially-- all those people who complain about the wardrobe changes apparently have forgotten about FF5 and FFT...
I'm looking forward to FFXII myself, and am not the least bit surprised by the delays. Many of the games Square makes never come out when they're originally intended to.
That, and I personally insist on a (more expensive) ergonomic keyboard for my PC, since I've had a history of wrist problems.
Agreed. I've bought many a game soundtrack in my time (including quite a few Final Fantasy ones), and believe me, the iTunes prices are nothing to sneeze at. This is especially true for the arrange albums ($10 as opposed to $25-30).
Maybe you should see what kind of time machine he has...
Any time Cloud did something that was beyond me control kept me interested (but yeah, that scene especially-- it still gives me the chills). I wanted to know who the character was and how he got that way.
(PS: Your username looks familiar. Were you on Gaming FM's forums by any chance? ^_~)
Oh, absolutely. It was fun just to see what characters each console represented (and some of the choices were ingenious).
There's one in Connecticut next month, which seems to be the only stop in the Northeast so far...
Well, in my case, the ending of Final Fantasy X was ruined for me in some of their articles. One was a preview of FFX-2, so that was to be expected, but the other article was one of their "top (number)" lists where the original FFX was recommended (!). There were no spoiler warnings or anything-- it annoyed me how they recommend this game while giving away significant plot twists in the process. I let my subscription lapse after that -_-