Ben's Week In Review: September 28

Eternal Sonata

I know the whole world is gaga over LittleBigPlanet, but as that's not my type of thing, I'm going to address a few other topics of interest.

Don't forget the first good, true-blue PS3 JRPG

Yep, Eternal Sonata launches on the same day as LittleBigPlanet, and if I had to get one...well, you know what I'd pick, my fellow RPG-loving brethren. I've often complained about the lack of RPGs this generation, and while I didn't get the chance to play this one on the Xbox 360, I don't want to pass on the opportunity to try the best version on the PS3. The only thing that concerns me is that hybrid real-time/turn-based combat, which isn't my favorite thing in the world. I still prefer traditional turn-based but as that style is most certainly - and most unfortunately - DEAD, I'll have to settle for the battle mechanics found in JRPGs like Eternal Sonata. I do like the concept of the game, and even though I'm not a fan of anime, the artistic side of the production doesn't turn me off. I know a ton of unbelievably great games are on the way, so I won't be getting this one immediately, but perhaps it hits my Christmas list...

The reviews for the 360 version were good, I expect the reviews for the superior PS3 version to be even better, and in all honesty, I just really want to play an RPG over the next few months. Yeah, there's all kinds of action games like Resistance 2, Gears of War 2, Far Cry 2, Dead Space, MotorStorm: Pacific Rift, Bioshock, etc., but no high-profile RPGs besides Fable II. I liked the original just fine, but in my quest to find anything even remotely resembling an old-school RPG, I really only have one choice.

And speaking of RPGs, how's about that 1080p for WKC?

Last week, we learned that White Knight Chronicles would be the very first RPG - in history, we presume - to present its stunning visuals in glorious 1080p high-definition. And as I happen to have a TV capable of that resolution, I'm sure to benefit from that extra effort by Level 5. At first, I didn't really care too much about high definition; games were games, and I've always placed gameplay well above graphics on my priority list. I still do that, of course, but after seeing certain titles in 1080p HD, like Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Wipeout HD, I can't imagine going back to standard definition. Even the regular HD at 720p looks downright amazing (where would MGS4 have been without HD?), and when I hear about games that natively support 1080p; well, I get very...comfortable. There's just something about the amazing clarity and detail such a picture provides, and it does wonders in the game world.

On that same note, I wish there were more movies I wanted to buy on Blu-Ray. I only own four right now and while I do look around for new ones to buy, I just can't seem to find any I really want. I've found most films to be so insulting and stupid over the past few years that I really only watch like two a year, so that's probably the reason. But man..."Pan's Labyrinth" on Blu-Ray. Oooooh...

Personal gaming update

Well, I'm about 10 hours into Yakuza 2 now - expect a review soon - and I am enjoying it. I do hope to finish it, but now that I have Wipeout HD, I'm going to be splitting time between the two. Thing is, I may not finish both before some of the bigger October releases come out that I want to play, and if that happens, I may never complete Yakuza 2. Good game, though. As I said before, I'm not really interested in LittleBigPlanet, but I will want to play the PS3 version of Bioshock because the 360 version was basically my favorite game of 2007. On top of which, there's Eternal Sonata and Dead Space, the latter of which I continue to have high hopes for. And then, just as I have a second or two to breathe, Resistance 2 comes out on November 4 with Gears of War 2 not long after. Oh, and let's not forget I'm part of the R2 beta, which should begin in a little over a week.

I'll provide impressions on that, obviously. I think we're all super crazy psyched for the kick-ass FPS that will be Resistance 2. See you in the beta! :)