Ben's Week In Review: November 8
Final Fantasy XIIISo sue me if I care far more about Assassin's Creed II than Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 this month. I love FPSs and I'll play both, but one I just really wanna play now.
Could March be the month to end all months?
We've seen some big years and some big months in the past but the way it's shaping up right now, March 2010 might end up being one of the most amazing 30-day stretches in the industry's history. Of course, we still need final release dates on several mammoth titles and the big key will be if our prediction proves true, and Final Fantasy XIII does manage to launch in the US before the first quarter is over. If that happens, we know it'll have to compete with God of War III, which certainly has a March 2010 date and just between these two games, you're looking at the single most anticipated action title and the single most anticipated RPG of the generation. That's gigantic in and of itself. But if you toss in the most anticipated racer - Gran Turismo 5 - you've got the most unbelievable month ever.
Of course, FFXIII is still up in the air and while GT5 has a March date for Japan, that hasn't been confirmed for North America. Sony has said it'll arrive "not much later" than the Japanese launch, but that could mean April or May. However, I'm just sitting here wondering what that could be like...to have all three show up at about the same time. Good GOD.
Hey, where'd The Last Guardian go?
There was a time, not too long ago, when one of the single biggest rumors concerned whatever Team ICO's new PS3-exclusive project was but now, it has really fallen off the radar. Maybe it's just because everyone is focusing on the huge titles on the immediate horizon and there's really no knowing when The Last Guardian will finally arrive, but even so... You know, people really do know who Fumito Ueda is; the guy who has been responsible for previous Team ICO gems that don't require a mention here (you know what they are). I was very impressed when I heard Quantic Dream's David Cage name Ueda as "the most interesting author" in the industry today. And while Cage's Heavy Rain will undoubtedly be more story-driven, it's the entire artistic and creative appeal of Ueda's games that make them so memorable. And I'm really pining for some new Guardian info some time soon; perhaps once the Modern Warfare 2 craze has died down a bit, or something.
I'd throw this one into a downright crazy March if I thought the game would be ready that early, but there's really no evidence of that happening.
Personal gaming update
You know, I was really starting to wonder if my RPG days were behind me. Back in college, I almost exclusively played RPGs (man, wasn't the PS1 awesome?) and it didn't change much with the PS2, although I did expand my interests to most all other genres. But ever since pumping 120 hours into Final Fantasy XII and doing everything there was to do - with my old completionist mentality - I haven't done that since. I think the only RPG I completed was Lost Odyssey, and that's it. Demon's Souls was excellent but it just wasn't for me, I no longer have the time or motivation for a lot of those niche JRPG/strategy titles I used to love, and so...I wondered, had I just lost my love of the genre? Well, after 18 hours of Dragon Age: Origins since Tuesday night, I can honestly say that love hasn't disappeared; it was only hibernating for a while. I guess I just need a role-playing adventure that grabs me like this one.
Obviously, I'm quick to realize just how very, very similar Origins is to FFXII. In fact, I could almost say it really is FFXII in a Dungeons & Dragons setting. The combat is basically identical - real-time with the ability to pause and select from menus - and even the Tactics are identical to FFXII's Gambit system. Heck, running around and exploring feels very similar, too, as the areas are large and open and the cities and towns are scattered throughout. But anyway, I love it, and I have to repeat that anything you heard about the console versions being "too easy" isn't true; this game poses a definite and constant challenge on either the PS3 or 360. And I've tested the PC version, too; I'm not seeing how it's any different at all.
So yeah, I'm all about Origins right now and it proves once again that I will be all over FFXIII when it arrives, too. My RPG appreciation isn't gone! Yay! :)
11/7/2009 Ben Dutka
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Comments (67 posts)
www
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 3:53:46 AM
Last edited by www on 11/8/2009 3:54:17 AM
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Kevadu
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:24:19 PM
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bigrailer19
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 5:55:56 PM
the ps3 version boast a better looking game, textures, resolution, basically graphically. while the framerate on the 360 is better.
other than that they are the same game.
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The_R0gue_Ninja
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 10:32:27 PM
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johnld
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:34:33 PM
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Victor321
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 10:35:05 PM
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=D
P.S. Heck, everyday is a day for the PS3! With hardware sales being positive, games that deserve to sell great are the ones that do, and most importantly, more games than ever to play!
So, scratch out what I said about March.
Everyday Is.
Last edited by Victor321 on 11/7/2009 10:36:31 PM
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mike rlz
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 10:53:35 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 10:57:49 PM
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March does look like a wallet-buster, any idea if Heavy Rain is gonna be hitting us upside the head around March too? Well so much for the whole "lets wait till after the holidays to release our game" spiel we have been hearing out of the publishers.
Still need to sell DS before I can allow myself to buy Dragon Age, glad your RPG love didn't die Ben. Maybe you'll have to be like me and just not do and find every single thing in the game but stick closer to the story instead to save time, you can always do a second OCD playthrough later.
Last edited by WorldEndsWithMe on 11/7/2009 10:58:13 PM
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frylock25
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:04:36 AM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:20:42 AM
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Qubex
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 8:52:56 PM
Q!
"i am home"
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therabbitkinge
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:01:41 PM
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Ben I feel you on the RPG feeling fading although I dunno if mine is hibernating... I find that I can't finish these games things start getting repetitive for me to fast (played eternal sonota? The damn pirate ship stage drove me insane pirates here, pirates there, godamn pirates!!!)
And Ben if that's how you feel about Last Gaurdian I expect you guys at PsxExtreme to scoop any news on if first because other sites are seriously lacking any mention of it and I'd totally forgotten about it til just now.
Im hoping Demon's Souls does it for me or FF13 but I think I may play something online and try the enviorment for some RPG fun.
Gaming update: Wandering around bladehenge wondering what went wrong T^T I don't wanna fight Deviculous because his army is a douche (yeah I refered to it as one person.) And Eddie's one liners are starting to eat away at my soul (although I can't get enough of cradle of filth's ghost in the snow ^_^ and that damned kabbage boy song T^T)
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Alienange
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:02:38 PM
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As for Dragon Age, well, I'm glad to be hearing that it's the real deal. I'll be jumping into that one within a week.
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laxpro2001
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:53:57 PM
If it's true it will be my second favorite March next to March of 2006 AKA Kingdom Hearts II... at least I remember it releasing in March XD
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Banky A
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:08:24 PM
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Banky A
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:09:36 PM
1 up, 1 down
LegendaryWolfeh
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:11:14 PM
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Scarecrow
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:46:35 PM
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Just on design alone
That said loved Final Fantasy XII to DEATH!
Such a brilliant game
4 up, 2 down
laxpro2001
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:56:05 PM
I've seen game play for Dragon Age and it just doesn't appeal to me one bit :(
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Fane1024
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:59:08 PM
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Finally, someone says something that makes me excited for DA:O.
I have to finish Fallout 3 first, though.
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frylock25
Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 11:59:12 PM
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a few hours ago i was waiting to get my kid in bed so i could go play some more Brutal Legend. when i look up on the tv is Jack Black. he was on one of her little kiddie shows on Nick JR. i have no idea what show this was but it was very stupid. Jack Black was teaching everyone how to do some disco dancing. ugh. well after making fun of it i had to show my kid that he was in my game, which she thought was pretty cool.
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BigBoss4ever
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:14:57 AM
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Last edited by BigBoss4ever on 11/8/2009 12:16:39 AM
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LegendaryWolfeh
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 1:10:07 AM
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___________
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:33:10 AM
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i sincerly doubt crysis 2 though because, well, its crytek they take their sweet time.
and PSM3 did a short preview of it and said it wont be out till late 2010 if not 2011.
and according to EB GOW3 is not out in march, its out on the 5th of april, gamestop said 2nd of april too last time i checked.
o and battle field bad company 2 is out in march.
god im going to need to take out a mortgage to cover all that.
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frylock25
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:50:21 AM
and hey just cuz the game is out doesnt mean you have to go buy it right away. (i try to tell myself that one all the time)
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___________
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 7:35:22 AM
looking at the games that do have dates for next year our release is like 2 or so days after the US.
ill probably regret saying that, but at the moment thats the way its looking.
and heavy rain is suppose to be out febuary 12 ive been told.
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Scarecrow
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:49:00 AM
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Well that's what Gamestop has posted up. Yes I know Gamestop dates are BS a lot of times. But they were right 'bout SFIV's original release, so they're probably right on the late March/early April date for SSFIV
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NeoHumpty
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 10:10:09 AM
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Scarecrow
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 12:53:22 PM
Whine much?
SSFIV is a full sequel with all the new content you'd expect in a sequel. The only difference is that it's not labeled SFV
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johnld
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:37:14 PM
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Scarecrow
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 1:19:33 PM
Are you upset 'bout that?
Seriously, since when are gamers actually upset of sequels?
SFAlpha2 was great, so was SFAlpha3
SFIII had SFIII 2nd Impact and SFIII 3rd Strike
Heck, Tekken 5 got Tekken Dark Ressurection and Virtua Fighter 5 had Virtua Fighter 5 R
You guys are just bitching
PS: The game will cost less than $60
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Ultimadream
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 5:05:24 AM
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Qubex
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 8:54:30 PM
Q!
"i am home"
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Squirreldriver
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 5:45:52 AM
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That is Ueda san's way though, almost no information, pics or vids until a few weeks from street date. That's how it was for SotC and ICO too. I don't remember, but I beleive the Nico trailer came out shortly before the release, and even then it was a bit different than what went gold.
No matter when it comes out, it will still be an amazing experience! =)
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Karosso
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 8:16:42 AM
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GoW and GT5 first them will get FFXIII... Still trying to beat FF7 :)
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Perry Katy
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:36:41 AM
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fluffer nutter
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 10:30:18 AM
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Snaaaake
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:48:51 AM
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Alienange
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 10:41:48 AM
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Snaaaake
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:07:46 PM
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Snaaaake
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 11:45:22 AM
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"After the month of March, we as gamers can die without regrets, hurray to all developers who gave us so much, March was the month that ended all months and our lives with GOWIII, GT5 and FFXIII."
But then minutes later, GOWIV, GT6 and the news of FFIV being confirmed for release in April resurrected all those who commited suicide including people who aren't gamers.
Video games are so powerful.....
Last edited by Snaaaake on 11/8/2009 11:47:27 AM
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tes37
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 2:58:23 PM
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WorldEndsWithMe
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 4:46:11 PM
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randomname
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 6:11:40 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 7:42:14 PM
2 up, 1 down
frylock25
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 8:37:08 PM
Last edited by frylock25 on 11/8/2009 8:40:26 PM
4 up, 0 down
Naztycuts
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:32:23 PM
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randomname
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 3:31:13 AM
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frylock25
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 4:55:27 AM
when it comes down to it, if you are trying to pick one over the other, i would ask:
do you want to play first person or third person?
do you want to try the online co-op of uncharted 2? which in my opinion made half that game.
im pretty sure Ben and Arnold know we want to read a review of it, i would say give them til wed, maybe thursday at the latest. either way go buy uncharted 2
Last edited by frylock25 on 11/9/2009 4:59:34 AM
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___________
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 7:03:54 AM
i mean its kinda useless reading reviews when ive been playing the game for a few days.
the whole point of reading reviews is to see if you would like it, but um, i think i would know the answer to that question if ive played it for several hours.
thats one reason i hate it when devs and publishers place embargo dates so close or on release.
that and it shows a lack of confidence of the title, 99.99% of times if the review embargo is up till release the game sucks.
just look at ghostbusters, transformers 2, prototype.
they were all embargoed till there release date if memory serves me well, and they all sucked.
1 up, 1 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 3:27:58 PM
Secondly, if you're going to ask where a review is when we've been slammed with trying to keep up with them for about six weeks, you should expect a not-so-amiable response. We're doing our best.
Thirdly and finally, nobody is forcing you to get the game on day one, or even in the first week. It doesn't take much patience to wait for reviews; you see dozens within the first day or so of release for big games.
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randomname
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 4:08:31 PM
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Naztycuts
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:35:49 PM
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johnld
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:40:23 PM
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telly
Sunday, November 08, 2009 @ 9:56:58 PM
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CrazyIrishBoy
Monday, November 09, 2009 @ 5:53:38 PM
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piratedrunk
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Saturday, November 07, 2009 @ 10:20:09 PM