Matt Demers - 18:08 EST

PANIC TIME is upon me. Yeah, I only have two days left to finish my final exam. Yeah, I'm only about half-finished. So why in the heck am I sitting down to do Q&A right now instead? Because procrastination is the spice of life for the student population. I'll get around to it tonight. I just wish that I didn't have to worry about it at all, as impossible as that may seem. I can always hope that a fluke meteor might smack the earth sometime tomorrow morning. Hmmm, humanity endangered versus finishing exam? That's more difficult to weigh than you might believe...

Hello Matt,

Ah, I can't wait for finals to be done. So close, then all the RPGgaming I can handle! So many games so little time. Hmmm, in a post-apocalyptic world nothing could stop me from playing all the games I wanted.

Right now I'm working my through FFXII, hopefully I can get done before Christmas break, otherwise I could spend too many hours customizing and doing side quests. I found that usually which ever game I start out Christmas break on I finish with. I don't know if it's cause I have more time on my hands and therefore spend more time doing the little things instead of just trying to get it done. That's why I want to start Disgaea before Christmas.

I figured out last night what aspect I liked so much out of FFXII; the low level stats and the fact that a new weapon or spell makes a difference. Too many times in games leveling up doesn't really do much for stats, nor does getting a more powerful weapon. But in FFXII it seems that every time my characters level up or attain a new technik I see a direct result in fighting. Maybe it's just me, or I haven't played enough games yet. I do remember vaguely some topic similar to his a long time ago, but which game it was about I don't remember.

Since people started talking about evil villains in other FF games I realized that there really isn't an evil presence in FFXII. Granted there's an "evil" empire, but are they really that evil. There's no tyrannical dictator that's trying to eradicate a species or race. Most of the people get along just fine with the empire. Maybe a little pushing around, but that's not that bad. I need a villain!

I think in my first letter I made a reference to architecture in games and how it, like the soundtrack, can make or break a good game for me. Let's just say that it definitely helps in FFXII's case. I've always loved medieval lifestyle and FFXII is the first that I've played that was truly medieval, not some half ass futuristic setting with medieval elements. After FFX, FFXII is far superior.

Wow, that was more than I wanted to talk about FFXII for. I probably should put a question in here. So, I need a game with strong story elements. All my previous titles have been more about gameplay or customization. I was eyeing Valkyrie Profile 2: Silmeria, but wasn't sure if I need to play VP1 first. Also, I was thinking about Xenosaga, but wasn't sure if it was too much to take on. Three long games seem like a lot to try to tackle with my current schedule.

Thanks,

The Dark Chevalier
*Can't find a Wii but wants one SO bad*

Well, I wouldn't really call them long, per se. The creators like to boast something like 80 hours of gameplay on the back of every box, but they're lying to you; you can beat each one of them in 40 without trying too hard; I'd say they're average length, for RPGs. If you have some extra time, you really should think about giving them a try. They're original and challenging; you might like them, but you might not. Let me know if you DO decide to take them on!

Hey! As I sit here with a nasty cold, unable to sleep, I figure I may as well send a Q and A letter. I hope it's not contagious (!!). Anywho, my thoughts on recent topics:

(1) Living in RPG-land. As someone pointed out, if you're living in RPG-land, someone is probably plotting to destroy/take over the world. Which rather lowers the property values, I should think. But I'd stump for some real estate in the gingerbread village in Baten Kaitos. I'd be just up the block from the trippy storybook village, too, which would be a nice place to raise the kids after their teeth fall out.

(2) As for tattoos, I already have the only tat I'm in the market for. But I suppose if I had to get an RPG-themed tat I'd get Frog (from Chrono Trigger, duh), with sword drawn.

(3) As for plot in FF 12, I wouldn't necessarily agree that the game has substantially less plot than other FF installments. It just feels that way, I think, because the game has so many tangential side-quests you can participate in right from the get-go. And once you've taken a 5 hour detour hunting marks -- or exploring huge new areas, or filling out your clan primer -- the plot can seem rather distant. But my sense is that this will always be an issue when you have a non-linear RPG, because (by definition) you aren't being shepherded along a single plotline.

[MILD SPOILER] For example, people love the complete freedom you get to explore and undertake sidequests at the end of FF 6. But by that point in the game, the main plot points are already complete, so it doesn't really affect your sense of the pacing of the plot. [end MILD SPOILER]

I think FF 12, in contrast, gives you a lot more freedom thoughout the game. So you have the option either of stickly closely to the plot or meandering off on tangents. (After I complete my slooooow meandering trip through the game -- I'm 80 hours in at this point -- I'll try a no-sidequests/no-wandering-around runthrough and see how I feel about the plot then.)

(4) The Wii's market share. The 12/4 *The New Yorker* contains an article ("In Praise of Third Place," p. 44) discussing the new-console war, and makes the insightful point that higher market share does not necessarily mean higher profitability. To the contrary, the article asserts, Nintendo has actually been much more profitable than either MS or Sony, precisely becuase it has declined to compete head-on with those companies for market share and has focused instead on developing its own market niche. That fact may make it less attractive to third-party developers. But given Nintendo's financial success following this strategy (its stock has risen 65% in the past year), it seems unlikely to change.

Okay. That was long, and I feel awful. But I'd be glad for any Esuna cast in my direction. :)

Laters, Foolicus

Ah, it wasn't too long at all. I'm glad you wrote to Q&A again, sir Foolicus, and I hope you decide to do so again soon!

Matt attack! What's up my good q-n-a (er)! Long time reader, occasional writer here. Just dropping a line to ask a few, and give a few.

So when FFXII first came out I played it out. Busted out 80 hours in the first two weeks, and now I have stopped. This usually happens with all FF's I play, and I think it's because I like to savor the last few bits of it. I'm in the Ridorana Cataract, the final level of that dungeon which is second to last I believe. I'm a little bit bugged though. In most games of that beloved series, you often come across the best weapons in the game througout the final dungeon, which greatly help you defeat your final foe. But here you have to do tons and tons of hunts to get great armor, and by the time you're done with your hunts, your level is so astronomical that the point of having these weapons is rather nil. But other than that, I think that the game is the most brilliant in the series, and my props to Yasumi Matsuno for another masterpiece.

I hear he's doing a title for the Wii now, which makes me super happy. It will be a sad day on Earth when such an Artist passes. In my opinion I don't think there is a greater Artist alive today.

So, I'm really upset with Sony. I think that they have caused a lot of distress in the gaming community, causing people to be shot and killed by civilians and even police officers. They have created such a demand for their new system that is causing a lot of evil deeds. If they would have had more of a supply, there would be less casualties I believe. I think everyone should boycott that system until there is more available, or the price point is lowered. Cheers to Nintendo for offering new, innovative gameplay, while keeping it affordable for the average gamer and middle class. Sony has given their new to the rich, i.e. Paris Hilton and Pharrell. Why? Sony...why?

So what do you think is the better game, FFIII or FFV? I'd have to say that V is definately a better game. I do so enjoy FFIII but it seems to me that the original version had a lot more glory. I love the 8-bit sound, and only a handful of colors. Yes I know I'm evil, I played the DeJap NES rom of III but it was like a smoker without nicotine trying not to download it. And to all who have played through the DS version, you should definately check out the original as it has much more flavor. And that's all I have for you Matt. I good you bid evening.

Guitar Hero Ian

There's no doubt in my mind that Final Fantasy V is the more polished game of the two, but you have to be able to appreciate both of them for what they are. FFIII represents a huge leap forward in the FF series; it's more lighthearted than the previous two games, setting the stage for the fun moments of the 16-bit era, but mechanics-wise, it was giant as well. So many of the traditional jobs were more or less "invented" in FFIII, and abilities such as Scan, Jump, Steal, Terrain, and Summon, among many others, made their very first appearance. In that sense, FFIII really deserves a "most improved" award for really raising the bar and setting a new standard for the series (and all other RPG series, too). Of course, we're so used to Final Fantasy being the bar-raiser by this point, perhaps that should go without saying.

And hey, I can't exactly endorse hunting down illegal translations of the game online, but it would be very cool to compare the original to the flashy DS update. So, if you do it, don't tell me about it, and don't be surprised if tall guys in dark glasses come knocking at the door someday soon.

Thanks, Ian! Take care.

Hey Matt,

I gotta say that I'm surprised at your FF party. Irvine for eye candy!? Seriously, if you're going to pick someone from FFVIII for eye candy, Zell is a much better choice. Way hotter. And besides, Selphie's already got dibs on Irvine; Zell's free.

As the owner of both a PSP and a DS Lite, I felt obligated to answer your PSP questions. Both portables gain equal shares of my time. In fact, I have 9 games for my PSP (4 RPGs) and 8 games for the DS (3 RPGs, 4 if you count Castlevania which I don't). As for the future, I'm only looking forward to one DS game (Heroes of Mana) versus 3 for the PSP (Crisis Core: FFVII, Gurumin, & Wild Arms Crossfire). I will honestly say I'm enjoying the PSP more, as there's only one game in my collection that disappoints me, as opposed to 3 for the DS.

As for PSP games I would like released, probably Devil Summoner and Suikoden I&II. The Shin Megami Tensei series always has so much depth and I'd love to play one of the earlier games in the series. Suikoden I&II I'd buy just for Suikoden II, same reason I bought Valkyrie Profile: Lenneth. Both original games are extremely rare and very good. I'd rather pay $40 for a portable version than more than $100 for something not guaranteed to work. Plus, it'd be nice to see a retranslation of Suikoden II, the only game with a translation bad enough to rival Final Fantasy Tactics!

I'm not going to delude myself into thinking the PSP will trounce the DS, it's not. But it's most certainly not on it's way out either. Unless Sony won't settle for anything less than being the portable market leader, I think it is entirely possible to see a sequel to the PSP in 4 years or so. The system appeals to a different market than the DS does. Gaming doesn't have to be innovative to be interesting. I like how I can just boot up my PSP for a "traditional RPG" instead of something gimmicky.

Finding he gotta run before he's on the wrong end of Freya's Divine Assault,
venus577

You're probably right. Final Fantasy III was a first for the DS, because even though you can play the entire thing with a stylus, it manages to escape a gimmicky feel by reeking of old-school gameplay. The DS could definitely use a few more games like it, though hey- the nice part about the DS is that it will also play all of the great RPGs that were/will be released for the GBA, too.

Hopefully, both systems have a healthy future!

Hi Matt

I actually bought one of those PSP thingies at launch. Ha, what a mistake. The dang thing has sat unused for most of the past year. I have only played one game, Daxter, on it for any significant amount of time and even then we are talking about less than 20 hours total. I find that it is not very comfortable to hold and while the screen is gorgeous keeping that same screen clean is next thing to impossible. Overall, if you are looking for a portable game platform stick to Nintendo. Personally I get more time in with my DS than any other portable I have owned since the original gameboy.

So that is my two cents.

A

In all fairness, it's really easy to get crud on your two DS screens, too; I often find that I'm scratching little stains off the touchscreen with the stylus as new areas, etc, are loading while playing Final Fantasy III. It's a problem that poor handhelds will never escape, I'm afraid.

I'm sorry that your investment hasn't gone so well. While there are a few games that I'd like to try, there are far more that I just can't wait for on the DS, with Zelda, Pokémon, Yoshi's Island, Final Fantasy XII's sequel, and more on the way; I'd rather put my $250 towards DS games instead of investing in a system that doesn't show quite as much promise, in my eyes.

But hey, that's the way I see it. There are, after all, millions of happy PSP owners out there, and there are many games (and a few RPGs) on the way, too. It'll be interesting once we get towards the end of next year, to see if the portables have the momentum that they're carrying right now.

Thanks, Angus, for your letter!