Roku - 15:27 PST

As you have no doubt guessed by now, I'm filling in for Ouro today. Unlike the times I usually fill in, this is only a one-day-thing this time, though. There isn't a whole lot to say here since I've been just going through a lot of paperwork and coding since I got back from vacation, so...let's get to the letters, shall we?

Those of you who are feeling apprehensive about FFXII's story. You are not far enough into the game. There are some revelations about the characters coming. They're not huge, but they're there. I will say that I somewhat enjoy the minimalist narrative, however. I get a sense that these characters are just normal people caught up in a bigger conspiracy rather than superhuman world-savers that we've been used to in RPG's past.

Also, I feel that Square-Enix is dealing with a double-edged sword brought on by the fans. Fans whined about the too large cast of Final Fantasy Tactics. They whined about the over-developed plots of other RPGs that include scenarios that don't have much to do with anything (I personally feel that FFVII would have been so much better without Weapon). So they scaled back the characters and the plot. I feel that what is there, however, is better written and acted than any other RPG out there. And sometimes, it's better to leave some things to the imagination rather than just add some cliched character device for the sake of exposition. We know Vaan and Penelo are orphans of the war. We don't need an overlong flashback showing how their entire families were killed. Square gave us just enough with Reks and the rest of the game seems to follow suit.

With all these praises, however, I still say that FFX is my favorite. Its polish outshines its flaws, and I feel less lost. Personally, I feel better guided along the path. In FFXII, I have this constant nagging feeling that I'm missing something as open as the world is.

Hey Guys!

So I got a question for you all! Raise your hand if you've played and beaten every single Final Fantasy game to date?

And by that I mean all the official (truly named) North American releases, not emulator or whathaveyou. I know I haven't.

For the Record:

FFI --NES/PSone (FFOrigins)/GBA (Dawn of Souls)
FFII--PSone (FFOrigins)/GBA (Dawn of Souls)
FFIII--NDS
FFMystic Quest--SNES
FFIV--PSone (FFChronicles)/GBA (Advance)
FFV--PSone (FFAnthology)/GBA (Advance)
FFVI--PSone(FFAnthology)/GBA (Advance--Coming Soon!)
FFVII--PSone/PC
FFVII Compilation: Before Crisis (Phone)/Dirge of Cerberus (PS2)
FFTactics--PSone
FFVIII--PSone/PC
FFIX--PSone/PC
FFX--PS2
FFX-2--PS2
FFCrystalChronicles--NGC
FFXI--PS2/X-Box360/PC
FFTacticsAdvance--GBA
FFXII--PS2

In any case, I won't fault you if you haven't played the likes of Chocobo Racing or Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon or Ehrgeiz, but at least being able to play and beat all the Roman Numerals is quite an achievment...especially if you pull it off in order!

Lastly, a while ago someone asked me if the Final Fantasies were in any way related at all? Well, here's my answer:

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/7628/fffamilytreeuy8.jpg

Oh...and P.S.

WHEEEEE!

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/4852/ffwheeeeeekw3.gif

~Blade

Greetings!

Another comment on the Wii controller--Although the motion sensing is cool, I think the real pragmatic application in terms of RPGs is the light-gun-style pointer aspect of the controller. I can envision tons of cool Mario-RPG-style timing action by "shooting" a certain mark at a certain time, in addition to easier menu navigation and Nintendo-DS style movement. Also, using the DS as a controller seems like an ideal way to play Wii RPGs as well since they can pop a keyboard or otherwise dynamic control data on the bottom screen but without the limiting factors of the DS hardware capabilities. I would be excited by all these fun ways to utilize this previously-engaging system, but after today I'm not really too interested anymore.

I had somewhat of a mini-revalation today. I was waiting in a 30-person line for EB games only to have them give tickets to the first 5 people (I was number 12 or so) and break the hearts of the remaining 25. I realized that I have completely lost interest in the Wii simply because of the difficulty I've had trying to obtain one. I've heard people say that when you have to overcome seemingly hellish circumstances to obtain something, you appreciate it that much more in the end, and I'm not disputing that claim. My issue is that I've now been through 2 really aggrivating lack-of-Wii-acquisition experiences, and it's just soured the feeling of the console. When I think about the Wii, the motion-sensing frenzy no longer comes to mind. I think of hitting Refresh for 6.5 hours only to never even see the purchase button, just a "Unavailable" to "Sold Out" between minute-refreshes. Now I think of the little douchebag whose dad was literally linebacker-charging through the mall at 4 a.m. to spoil his ugly little demon.

Is this typical? Back before I switched my major from psych to business/communications, I remember learning about classical conditioning and I think I'm a victim of negative Wii classical conditioning. Has this happened to any of the other have-nots thus far? I'm gonna have to get one as a gift or just wait til they're as commonplace as virgins playing WoW, because I don't even have the desire to try and track one down anymore. I'd rather think happy thoughts about my girlfriend--even our nastiest fights can't outweigh the happy memories....then again if I had to hit refresh on her every minute to no avail I'd think differently... Keep doin your collumn thing--first time I've read it regularly since Thor Antrim used to completely regulate RPGamer. Hope he's doin alright these days...and that he's cut that damn Fabio hair.

-Dan, Doby G, Swerd Murderous, any other nicknames I'm forgetting

Hi Roku,

I had an interesting experience the other night I wanted to share with y'all. I went out on a date with this guy -- no big deal, but I was enjoying myself. We're about halfway through dinner when it comes out that he goes by his middle name, and his given name is Marcelo. After which the only thing I can think for the rest of the night is how frustratingly egotistical he is and how bitter I was that I couldn't finish him off after the battle at Neos. Not his fault of course!

Have you ever had an unjustifiable prejudice towards someone because they share a name or similar habits with an RPG character? Or am I the only one just a little too attached to the games I love?

JDX

Guten tag, Herr Roku! Wie geht es fuer dich?

A quick note about the retail situation; some people despise Mondays, but since I have today off and my father is treating me to Casino Royale, I feel pretty damn good about Monday. And I appreciate your shopping online... if only so many others would emulate you. It took only one crabby bitch to make a significant stretch of yesterday unpleasant. Now then - you're learning Japanese in a classroom environment, correct?

Would you feel good about taking it out for use in the field, so to speak?

How far along are you?

Probably shouldn't be in Q&A but what the hell - did you get the 'different' SMRPG review I sent in a few days ago?

I asked this of Matt (very brief answer) and Josh (somewhat lengthier) so I'll now ask it of you. Can you annotate all your Sega system experience for me?

Leave it to me to uncover ANOTHER game I have interest in with no RPGamer coverage. This time it's Arcana Strikes, a 1997 title for the Saturn done by Red, makers of my newest love in the RPG world, Sakura Wars. I'm a little leery of trusting one GameFAQs review, but it seems to be a card-combat title with the same appeal as Pokemon in that there are a whole lot of cards to collect representing spells. Can you come up with more information?

Actually, here's another one, although rather less obscure. Langrisser: Dramatic Edition is a redone version of Langrissers 1 and 2 on the Saturn. Graphics are spruced up a bit (Langrisser is not about looking good, though), music gets the CD treatment, voice acting inserted, plots retouched a fair amount. Or so I gather. What say you? Worthy of classification?

I'm bidding on eBay, so in good time I'll get to the thing. My incredible ability to spend 96 hours on the Saturn Grandia and only be arriving at what I THINK is the final battle now makes me ask - what title have you spent the most time on (non-tactical)? And was it in the positive or negative sense (if these are separate answers, details please!)

I noted that in Japan the Virtual Console has extra titles, among them Fire Emblem: Monshou no Naze. Think there's any chance that titles like these can be downloaded (translation or no) for the greater world market?

Actually, here's another semi-obscure title you may know (or be able to unearth information about via your undisclosed sources) to recommend or not: Soul Hackers: Devil Summoner in the Shin Megami Tensei series. A fairly good write-up on Hardcore Gamer made me curious, and since the PS version is essentially the same thing as the Saturn I might as well get the Saturn when it goes for sub-$5 prices on eBay. Or, y'know, you could talk about everything you know regarding Shin Megami Tensei titles, since I haven't tackled one yet?

Ergh - and why not ask you about Black/Matrix. This is the last one though - I think. It's a tactical-type entry on the Saturn, ported to the Dreamcast with some minor enhancements. My understanding is that it would have been a tough one to port thanks to an incredibly violent plot. Do you have a recommendation, or would it require copious amounts of work?

This one truly IS the last one. Lunar: Magical School. I don't think it needs an intro, so would you seek it out devotedly, snap it up under a certain price, or leave it alone in the corner? Justify, please!

I've moved beyond JUST talking about the super-obscure stuff lately, though. Give me your picks for the movie(s) you feel most deserving of a QUALITY RPG treatment, and possibly the ones you would run screaming from rather than have to face.

My GBA-SP recently stopped recharging. I THINK I can survive the four and a half weeks until Xmas to see if someone gives me a DS, but would you recommend bowing to the pressure and getting one immediately? The odds of actually being given one are pretty slim given my family's disinclination to support my gaming desires....

And - I think, since Sonic is the same age Mario was when HE first jumped into RPGs, the time is ripe for a Sonic RPG. What say you on this subject? We're done! JuMeSyn

Whelp, that's it for now. My stay was very brief this time, but I hope you enjoyed it. Anyway, things return to normal tomorrow, so just pick up where they left off I suppose ^^.

Roku will maybe return in Winter...

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Phew...I need to fill in more often so I don't feel so rusty every time I do this ^^;;