Final Fantasy XIII unt The Last Story

Here's a regular scene in Final Fantasy XIII, an example of the "story" if you will.

"Focus! L'Cie! Focus! Destiny! Focus!"

"Cocoon! L'Cie! Fal'cie! SERAH! Fal'cie!"

"Cocoon! Pulse fal'cie! Pulse! Cocoon!"

"Focus! L'cie! Cocoon! Pulse! l'cie!"

"L'cie! Focus! Pulse fal'cie! Fal'cie!"

"L'cie..."

WHAT THE FUCK! As I've clearly displayed here it's just the same six or seven words rearranged and with different inflection. That doesn't constitute a story. I'm severely, severely disappointed in this game. I never thought that I would find a Final Fantasy game so... obnoxious! I didn't even think it would be possible. I took the series for granted. This shit makes Final Fantasy Mystic Quest look like a diamond. It's graphically impressive but the story, which Final Fantasy games have been legendary for, is the absolute worst of the main series. The worst. In fact I've never felt so disconnected from a story in any RPG ever. Other than Sazh, the rest of these characters are wooden and even boring. The gameplay is pretty good, the battles are more challenging than we're used to certainly and the world is uninspired. The graphics and sound are good. But the story... OH GOD THE STORY. I don't think there is much more to say without falling in to a stream of mind rant. So I'll just leave it with what I've said before. This series may have hit it's zenith and is on the downflow.

There is, however, a game on the horizon that has got me excited about the JRPG genre despite my recent misgivings with them. That game is The Last Story by Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakuguchi. The game promises to breath new life in the stagnant JRPG genre. The Japanese gamers are resistant to change which has led to the Japanese gaming market to plateau. This in turn led to a western disaffection with games from the land of the rising sun.

The Last Story may be a symbol of changing times. It's being created by Mistwalker, the studio that created the sublime game Lost Odyssey. From the artwork I've seen in will be one of the most beautiful and artistic games to ever be released. The landscapes are brilliant and reminiscent of Miyazaki. A far cry from the tired anime characters that permeate the standard JRPG. The designs released for The Last Story so far have been colorful, vibrant and whimsical. The game world seems to be the sort of stuff out of a Molyneux promise. A dynamic and ever changing world is one of the highlights of The Last Story, with cities that react to your actions in the game. The game sounds great but there's one problem. It's a Wii exclusive. Who knows I might have one by the time this game is released.

Until then, I'll keep chugging away at Final Fantasy XIII and try to get to the point at which everyone says it picks up. I don't think I'll finish it anytime soon since I don't really want to. I've picked up Final Fantasy 12 again and I'm going to finish it for real this time. I have one dungeon left. Just hammer it out and call it good.

Got Nothing to Say? Fix it Bastardo!

So what the fux is going on with me you might ask?  Well nothing of course.  I'm stuck in yet another dead end job.  I've been upgraded to useless electronics peddler.  I must admit I rather enjoy answering questions about video games (even if I can barely get myself to play them lately), though most of the questions are of the very basic variety.  Most often asked? "Do you have Wiis?"  No fuck off you white trash wanker.

Before this becomes yet another post in which I constantly bitch about my shitty, dead end job I'll change the pace.

I still can't write.  I don't know why I can't write.  When I have a good idea, or am in a creative mood I don't get going.  Sadly it's very easy for me to lose my creative or productive moods.  I simply don't seem to have enough time.  It's all about perception, however.  I don't think I have time, so in the end I don't do shit.  I either have ADD or I'm just a dumbshit.  And I don't think I'm a dumbshit.

Changing the subject yet again, let's talk about soccer!

The Good - Liverpool remain on top of the Premiership despite opening the door for Chelsea so many times.  Thank god for Chelsea botching the job at every opportunity.  It's been damn near TWENTY years since the last English championship for one of the greatest teams of all time.  And with a team so epicly amazing, there's no reason that they should screw this up.  Liverpool needs to keep form through the second half of the season!  This is a championship caliber team, it CAN be done.  Let's pray Chelsea fumbles and Man United don't quite hit their stride.  And FUCK Cristiano Ronaldo.

The Bad -Manchester United wins the Club World Cup.  Let me just say, blah.  It should've been Gamba.  Eventually it UEFA or CONMEBOL won't win this damn thing, but sadly this wasn't the year.  Adelaide or Gamba would've been cool to win.  I wouldn't have even complained about Pachuca.  It's single elimination, one game, and so few teams.  One of these years, the underdogs will win.  Kashima Antlers in 09?  I certainly think so!

The Whatever - David Beckham going to AC Milan.  Who cares?  AC Milan have a powerhouse team, despite underperforming at the moment.  I don't think that Beckham going to AC will do much more than increasea revenues.  If the man can fill out the stadiums in the US, then he can certainly do that much in Italy.  Will he rise to the challenge and help AC get to the top of the table?  Probably not.  Will he make an impact on a star studded roster?  Probably not.  Will he bring in some money and wayward Italian fans? More than likely.