Josh - 6:36 EST

If you've played FFVA, you know what that refers to. Sheesh.

So I just went to my last college football game...it was a win, but the overall feeling was depressing. No more tailgating, no more random acts of violence, and no more jumping to Zombie Nation and causing damage to the structural integrity of the stadium due to the frequency of our jumps. Ah well...hopefully my bro gets accepted here, that way I can con him into getting me tickets in the future ^^.

Okay, as I've mentioned in another letter you may also have, I'm 111 hours into FF12, with access to the final dungeon. I'm mopping up some hidden areas and hunts. Trouble is, I'm at an impasse. There's a puzzle in the Garamsythe Waterway that I'm having difficulty figuring out. As for the hidden areas, the enemies are doing so much damage to me (1500 or so each hit) that I feel like I need to level up some more from the average of 60 that I'm at now. Trouble is, not only is defense entirely dependent on armor, I really don't know any good places to level up at this point that won't kill me!

Of course, the easy answer to all of my problems is a strategy guide or FAQ. Problem is, I don't WANT to look at any of them. The least of the problem, for me, is that I might look at something I don't want to look at right now.

So. Do you have any advice for me? The impasse (not being able to figure out the puzzle and faced with a lot of leveling up in places that's probably too low level for me) is kind of draining my motivation to take the final steps, and after 111 hours, that's not good. Thoughts?

Stupid school made this kinda a rough week for gaming. Fall break...finally... One question I had was do the ranks for marks in FF12 mean anything? They really aren't very accurate measures of difficulty, which was what I assumed they were for. There are some tough marks with low ranks and some softies with high ranks. What's the deal?

Seem to remember you said Wild Arms 4 was on your shelf. I was pleasantly surprised with that one. I had played through the rest of the series but wasn't planning on picking up WA4. I happened to find it cheap, and it turned out to be a good buy. The story and characters are trash, and the still-frame cut-scenes are lame. However, the quirky battle system is actually rather entertaining. The puzzles are little sub-par for a Wild Arms game but better than those of most RPGs.

I'm trying to figure out what I've missed this year, so I can try to catch up a bit between semesters. Okami's on the list for sure, as well as Splinter Cell: Double Agent. Can't wait for God of War II either! What are some of this year's better RPGs to check out? I missed the new Shadow Hearts, but I enjoyed the rest of the series. Is that worth looking into? And don't mention Disgaea 2...not into Nippon Ichi's one same game that comes in several different covers released every year or so.

Hey Matt,

Long time reader, first time write.
[Mist Quickening stuff...]

As for my question. I agree that one of the best parts of this game is the ability to roam freely throughout the world and choose where you want to go. And although I hated the battle system at first I really enjoy it now that I sort of understand what gambits can do. Do you think we'll see some of these new systems implemented in FFXII in other games now? Is this the future of RPG gaming or will we still get more of the old decide and wait format?

Cheers,
Jared

Matt,

[More Mist Quickening Stuff...]
If you get three you receive an additional attack, Inferno. That's the best that I've got.

Now, still on FFXII, I have run into an extreme level curve. I don't know if it is just me or not, but it is really annoying. *Possible Spoilers* I fought the boss in the Viera forest at level 23ish and survived, then I go to the next place in the story and suddenly I'm fighting level 30 guys. Like 4 of them, against my small three person party. I hate games that require you to level up several times just to barely survive against foes. It is quite frustrating. Not to mention that you have to use the people in your party for them to level, so now I've got 3 level 25 members and three level 15. Which, if I were to level my guys evenly would double my time I spent leveling.

Ah, well. That was my ranting for the day. Time to get back to the game!
Matt

Hi guys!

Great move limiting letter size. I found myself reading less and less as the letters got fewer and longer. Just a quick question: Which are you more looking forward to playing; Twilight Princess on GCN or Wii? I’m going for the traditional left-handed Link on GCN myself.

iehley

Everybody seems to have their issues with FFXII, be it Mist Quickenings, hectic battles (Wait Mode all they way, baby!), or whatever. I can tell that you all are decent non-fanboyish gamers that can get over it and enjoy this great game. Am I the only one, however, who is annoyed by Square's design decision regarding the cut scenes?

I don't know about those with 4:3 TVs, but the game supports 16:9 widescreen, which I have. Why do the cutscenes (especially the CG scenes) not fill the screen? I, and I'm sure plenty of other people out there, have subtitles turned off. That means that every time there is a voiced cutscene, I'm alerted to it by having a sixth of my screen blacked out and used for absolutely nothing! I can get over it. I'm a decent, non-fanboyish gamer. But it is annoying.

I'm probably answering my own question when I figure that Square designed everything with 4:3 in mind and changed to 16:9 at the last minute. But still, I'm sure they could have fixed that. We are gone from the days of the Saturn when CG was in a small box in the center of the freaking screen. Can't you tell I'm a complete audio/videophile?

Jonezy

I need to know if my girlfriend (ex girlfriend) and I will be getting back together soon... I feel like I have no air to breathe and she says she loves me, but that she needs time to heal from her ex-girlfriends that have wronged her in the past. Please let me know what to do! Thanks
-Dying slowly

Well, not only am I an authority in the textile industry, but I'm apparently a love doctor as well. Here we go.

If she says she needs time, give her time. If she says she loves you, then it's up to her to show that. If she comes back, then she meant it. If not, then don't worry about it. Go eat a tub of ice cream, cry for a little bit, and then go back to the bars (or if you're underage, the...uh...school?) and see if you can't find someone else! It'll all work out in the end!

Luca Phase:
Luca Blight takes a moment to rest (3.7% HP remaining).

Movement Phase:
Bainick moves to Tile 5.
Leaper moves to Tile 36.
BLG moves to Tile 25.
Arros Raikou moves to Tile 2.
Draconn moves to Tile 40.
Alan Tse moves to Tile 19.
Slashlen moves to Tile 35.
JuMeSyn moves to Tile 26.
Arpijy moves to Tile 32.
JDX moves to Tile 38.
Aurelius moves to Tile 33.
Aylee moves to Tile 26.
Tabor moves to Tile 38.

Wow, did we really already have 60 questions?!?

Answer to #L30: B. Ted
Ted Woolsey performed the translation for Final Fantasy VI, and mistakenly translated "Biggs" as "vicks."

#L31.
Which of the following has not been portrayed in the infamous FF logos?

A. A giant frickin' meteor
B. A dark paladin wielding his sword
C. A girl in a giant robot
D. A shining crystal
E. A large dragon
F. An evil enforcer of the law

JuMeSyn takes the stage with me on Monday, so be sure to send in your letters to him! I'm absolutely positive there are plenty of you that want to harass him, so by all means, here's your shot (just kidding. Ask him actual questions too! :P).

Did any of you have any stories to tell if you bought a PS3 or a Wii (by the time tomorrow's column is up, it'll be out)? Were you victims of any of those drive-by-shootings? I certainly hope not. But, as you all know, these systems are now upon us...for better or for worse.

And if you don't want to blab about the new systems, how about something goofy? If you could live in a place in an RPG, where would it be? Galbadia City? Miltia? Let's hear it. :)

***Josh can't wait for Thanksgiving!