Ben's Week In Review: March 21
Just so everyone knows ahead of time, I'm going to be away next weekend (Fri - Sun) so there won't be a Week in Review, or probably as many news stories on Fri and Sat. Arnold might do a few, but I figured I'd tell you now.
The RPGs are everywhere!
It's both good and bad. It's good because I always like to give most RPGs a try, even if I don't have anywhere near as much time as I used to have. But it's bad because it's hard to get reviews done for all of them. Obviously, we've already done Final Fantasy XIII because that topped the priority list, but Last Rebellion, Star Ocean: The Last Hope International and Resonance of Fate all need analysis, which is going to prove problematic. However, that being said, I will have reviews done for Last Rebellion and Star Ocean within the next week or so. ...it's part of the reason why I'll need a break next weekend. ;) Looking down the road, I was interested to read about the new improvements and additions for White Knight Chronicles 2, and I was also psyched to hear about the map and airship in Final Fantasy Versus XIII. I'm not naive to hope for turn-based but I'll certainly hope for a great game.
I have to find a way to get my hands on Resonance of Fate, which could be tough. Sega's PR is useless and it might be a long wait if it has to come from GameFly. But this is annoying because I've been wanting to try it ever since I heard it announced; it appears to be pretty entertaining, and it might contain more of the traditional RPG elements I've been missing in FFXIII. Well, I'll get to it, at any rate.
L.A. Noire gets more intriguing by the minute
At first, I wasn't sure if Team Bondi's project would be like a cross between Grand Theft Auto and Mafia, which would be great, but I think the real explanation is better: it almost sounds like the idea of the interactive drama with the inclusion of third-person action and exploration. I'm sure it won't be quite as emotionally involving - I don't see L.A. Noire being quite as character driven, nor do I see it boasting as good of a branching storyline - but I love the idea of being a detective in 1947 Los Angeles. There's so much authenticity due to the real-life crimes they snatched directly from the LA Times headlines from that year, and they say there are multiple options for the gamer. Now, I don't know if we'll get the innovative "no Game Over" concept, in that if we fail to solve a crime, things just continue along. But either way, I'm definitely hoping to see L.A. Noire on store shelves in September, as they're currently predicting.
Personal gaming update
I've been busy so I haven't been able to put quite as big a dent in FFXIII as I would've liked; I'm only about 26 hours in. I just beat that big dude on the ship (the guy who used Destrudo); I actually beat him on my first try and I completely forgot to summon Odin. But I do go out of my way to beat everything I see when running around, and sometimes I fight a lot of battles over and over. It's the way I've always done RPGs; I like to stay one step ahead of the plot challenges. I've also decided on a final team of Lightning, Fang and Hope. In looking at the character FAQ and going into a lot of threads dealing with this topic, this appears to be the most popular and most effective party. Hope has the highest magic stat, Lighting is the best overall Commando/Ravager, and Fang is actually better than Snow as both a Ravager and Commando, although it's debatable in terms of the Sentinel skill. Fang also gets Saboteur and Hope gets Synergist, so all six Classes are represented with a Light/Fang/Hope party. Sazh appears weak to me and Vanille is good (high Magic stat, great Saboteur), but I'd rather have Hope.
After I finish, I obviously have to play GoWIII. After that, it's break time, although I will play the aforementioned RPGs for reviewing purposes. I'd also like to thank those of you who participated in my little survey and answered my question; I've already received around 25 responses and the vast majority of them are very encouraging. But again, if you know what that question was about, I have to ask that you keep it to yourself. At least for now. Thanks again. :)
3/20/2010 Ben Dutka
Put this on your webpage or blog:
Email this to a friend
Follow PSX Extreme on Twitter
Comments (65 posts)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:36:58 PM
frylock25
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:25:38 PM
Reply
played some more burnout paradise, i love that game.
i almost went out about 1230 last night to go to walmart and buy heavy rain. i want to play it so damn bad. keep tellin myself i need to finish what im playin first.
OtisFeelgood
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:32:33 PM
Milonakis
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:05:02 PM
Condemnedsoul23
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 8:13:32 AM
DeathOfChaos
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 8:14:34 PM
Beamboom
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 8:17:24 PM
BikerSaint
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:28:13 PM
Reply
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:40:22 PM
SnipeySnake
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:38:20 PM
Reply
johnld
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:56:58 PM
NeoHumpty
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:12:55 PM
SnipeySnake
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 12:56:39 AM
BikerSaint
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 1:05:17 AM
johnld
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:54:51 PM
Reply
Theres one thing i hate about the second part of ff13 though. It is almost crucial to have at least 1 sentinel in your party at all times in order to survive battles. Hell, i have my 3 members up to level 4 role levels, i still get beat down quite a bit.
Gamer Girl Gemo
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:13:01 PM
Reply
The same goes for me on the RPGs. I've been behind, which saddens me because everyone talks about the latest RPGs and here I am with yesterday's talk. For example, I'm currently in the middle of WKC and it is dragging... But, in a good sort of way dragging. Before that, I finished DA:OA with 6 hours then I tried my hand at AVP. I only played the Alien's storyline and just gave up. It was fun, but a little pointless to the overall standing.
I'm expecting to try and play FFXIII sometime in the future... Just as soon as it's available to rent at Blockbuster. I'm not really going to try hard to look for it, but I will get it if it's there. No biggy.
Anywho, my rambling is over with. We'll miss you next weekend Ben! Have a good break :)
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:39:25 PM
But as I always say, reviewing is only like 15% of this job. News, previews, features, maintaining the Comments and forums, uploading screens and videos, sending newsletters, etc...that's the majority of it. And not all of that is always fun. It's a job, like anything else...not that I'm complaining. ;)
Gamer Girl Gemo
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 2:44:52 AM
You're welcome :D I can imagine how much hard work it is to maintain this site. Luckily, the majority of the readers here are civilized and don't cause much trouble in the forums or comments. Whenever something goes wrong, Ben to the rescue, eh? :)
Anywho, more praise for this site continues, ever since I found this site I've been more update with new releases and what's going on with the systems. Which I applaud you immensely for all the hard work that is put into the reviews, news, etc. Anyway, before I begin to creep you out with all the praise, I just wanted to say that I someday want to become a reviewer for video games and the reviews put forth here are just great influences and models to look up to. I hope that someday I'll be able to have my own site or maybe even my own column in GameInformer?
Oh, I'm babbling again lol.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 9:16:46 PM
tlpn99
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:24:08 PM
Reply
My mate is playing it so I am determined to catch him up( he is about 8 hours in and I am about 5 hours in) I may try to balance the 2 games but it is hard as we both play in the same clan online with one another so when were not doing that were catching up on our single player games to compare etc. lol
I_defenestrate
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 9:14:02 AM
Shams
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:36:04 PM
Reply
Also, it is the first GOW3 that I immediately wanted to play again, after beating it. And that's the case even though I interrupted my play-through of Mass Effect 2.
So Ben, I'm impressed with your patience. I also think though it has to do with you having played and reviewed Dante's Inferno: like me, I'm sure you don't like playing the same kind of game back-to-back. But, allow me to suggest you this: Yes, they are of the same genre, but what GOW3 does, no game has done before it, or not nearly as well. Not even SOC. How Santa Monica pulled this off in only two years is just beyond me. But I'll say this. This game has been in the making for the past 7 years. It shows, and I'm sure David Jaffe, Corey Barlog, and Stig Asmussen can agree to that.
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 11:37:36 PM
darxed
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 11:03:17 PM
___________
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 1:59:13 AM
Reply
LA Noire is THE biggest budget 2K has ever spent on a game, EVER!
now think about that for a second, thats quite impressive when you think about it because well 2K are not exactly the stingy ones.
look at GTAIV, that cost a whole basket!
now what happens if it fails?
there are barley any developers here in oz so i would hate to see another one go the way of the dinosaur.
theve maid some big claims but than it is 2K were talking about, they have a mouth to put dan greenwalt to shame!
makes you wonder whos talking crap?
on one hand you have some developers saying its been a extremley rocky ride, and development really has never hit its stride and its been rushed and stitched together.
thats not exactly the procedure to making a AAA title.
than on the other hand you have R* and 2K making all these bold promises, so which one do you believe?
the one who is working on the game, and has spent the last 4+ years sleeping with it and has no reason to lie.
or the company who would see the game once in a blue moon, and has absolutely every reason in the world to lie.
guess only time will tell, i really do hope LA Noire live up to expectations and fill the massive boots 2K have given it.
but sadly i can not see that happening.
maybe team bondis eyes are bigger than their stomach.
it sounds like to me they took more than what they could handle, hence the million delays and well absolutely no info to go off.
LittleBigMidget
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 2:02:29 AM
Reply
Alienange
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 7:07:43 AM
SnipeySnake
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 2:25:21 PM
wakkaoaka
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 3:10:06 AM
Reply
And i keep on pressing L3 to switch to turn based mode... But to no avail.
Oyashiro
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 3:48:58 AM
Reply
World map, interesting steam punk story, towns, exploration, npc, side quests, battle arena, weapon and character customization, item crafting, very lovable main characters, fantastic battle system.
Tri-ace has been pretty down this generation but this seem like they looked back at there ps2 games and molded it after Valkire Profile and Radiata Stories.
FullmetalX10
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 5:30:27 AM
Reply
I'm really hoping for Versus XIII to hit us sometime next year, just can't wait for that, as long as it doesn't get scrwd up in any way. It just has to be the biggest most awesome, fancy looking Final Fantasy EVAR, even though it probably won't have a turn based battle system.
I just get amazed sometimes at how good God of War III looks especially Kratos, it looks as if he'd just pop his head out of your screen and yell something agressive at you.
Anyways, glad I could've helped with the personal survey thing ;)
JackC8
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 6:38:53 AM
Reply
Played a little bit of Tomb Raider Underworld. I just don't get that game. It's perfectly obvious what you're supposed to do, but how to do it? It's trial and error until you happen upon the thing that the developers had in mind. Not exactly fun.
Last edited by JackC8 on 3/21/2010 6:53:34 AM
Geobaldi
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 8:57:21 AM
tes37
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 9:57:58 AM
Reply
I'm using the pre-order bribes from Amazon for GOW and FF to reduce the price of Resonance of Fate. Like I_defenestrate stated to tlpn99 above, I too believe RoF could be hard to find if I wait too long. So I'm ordering it today and will open it up and play after I'm finished with FFXIII.
I hope you have fun on your break next weekend Ben. I read the articles everyday even though I don't always comment, so your absence will definitely be noticed. Maybe we'll look at it like a reading break.
frylock25
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 3:09:32 PM
BeezleDrop
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 1:23:26 PM
Reply
Oyashiro
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 7:48:00 PM
The more I am playing this the more I'm loving it. Need i keep saying that the battle system is awesome. XD
I_defenestrate
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 8:54:34 PM
piratedrunk
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 9:16:52 PM
Oyashiro
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 9:30:36 PM
SayWord
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 10:04:11 PM
piratedrunk
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 1:29:39 PM
Reply
kraygen
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 3:34:38 PM
Reply
I wish we could get more rpg reviews from you but they take so much time, so I completely understand. I always argue with with myself for a long time before I decide to get a game or wait until the price goes down. It helps when there is a reliable review.
I hope everyone on here who has played resonance of fate will continue to supply their opinion, because I'm very interested in it.
Lotusflow3r
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 3:42:08 PM
Reply
I don't care what people thought of Last rebellion, ive seen tons of videos of it and i see it as entirely enjoyable. Not to be expected as special....just enjoyable and that is enough!
WKC2....just give it to me.....give it to me please, i'll cook my mum for it, please!
I_defenestrate
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 8:56:10 PM
I_defenestrate
Monday, March 22, 2010 @ 12:45:00 AM
Lotusflow3r
Monday, March 22, 2010 @ 8:33:50 AM
I_defenestrate
Monday, March 22, 2010 @ 3:19:03 PM
BeezleDrop
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 4:02:02 PM
Reply
piratedrunk
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 5:31:59 PM
Masry_XI
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 5:38:53 PM
Masry_XI
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 4:06:48 PM
Reply
As for FF XIII , since it was a reason why i bought a PS# in the first place .
Am gonna buy it even if it got 0/10 in all reviews.
The fact it didnt turn out to be a masterpiece is just downing.
I dont know why developers just dont give the audience what they want.
Like with the lame controls of RE5 , the Lack of online in Naruto ultimate ninja storm , the lack of trophies and a gallery mode for MGS4.
These minor things are just annoying.
BeezleDrop
Sunday, March 21, 2010 @ 7:23:27 PM
Reply
I have only recently gotten back into JRPG's, I really enjoyed Demons Souls, and I REALLY enjoyed it. I only thought the game was tough in the beginning when you were weak and still had much leveling up to do. I used to play Wild Arms, Breathe of Fire, the FF's, and Xenogears on the PSOne so I am no stranger to them. What ever happened to Xeno Gears?

Star Ocean: The Last Hope International









rogers71
Reply
Saturday, March 20, 2010 @ 10:23:03 PM
I kept getting your emails for the survey question but they were blank. Oh well. As far as next weekend...what am I going to do if you aren't posting for 3 whole days?
Guess I will have to go outside and enjoy the nice weather (hopefully)