Ben's Week In Review: September 25
Final Fantasy Versus XIIIIt was a busy week for reviews and I fear it won't get any easier for a while. ;)
How about a "Final Fantasy we all know and love?"
I suppose I could allow myself to be excited for Final Fantasy Versus XIII. But Nomura's quote has me skeptical, primarily because it seems Square Enix is doing everything they can to abandon any recognizable elements in the franchise. So yeah, we could be optimistic and say that a fresh take on the series; i.e., a "Final Fantasy you've never seen before," could be just what we need. It could magically appeal to the old-school fans and the modern-day gamers who don't even play RPGs. If you want to believe that, feel free. I'd love to believe it.
But why can't we just have what we want? Why can't you just make a game that allows you to say, "it's a Final Fantasy the fans are gonna love"? We hear there will be some traditional RPG elements in Versus XIII, but completely altering the face of my favorite franchise? Why? And how is that exciting? I have my action games. That's really not why I turn to Final Fantasy. That isn't why any fan turns to the series.
So...whaddya need to make a sequel?
It's hardly a shock, but Ninja Theory has confirmed they won't be making a second Enslaved. It sold around 730,000 copies, which actually isn't half-bad, despite the higher predictions. But then again, Heavenly Sword sold double that amount and we never saw a sequel for that, either. So what's it take, developers? And what's the criteria? How in God's name could Naughty Bear get a second effort? I don't know the sales numbers but I sincerely doubt it sold three-quarters of a million copies. How does this happen? And what would it take for Ninja Theory to ever make a sequel for anything? A multi-million seller and 9+ across the board?
I know they're working on the Devil May Cry reboot and I have high hopes for that, but if it weren't for Capcom, what would Ninja Theory be cranking on right now? And is there any evidence for the idea that Heavenly Sword 2 is in the works at a different studio?
Personal gaming update
So in the past week or so, I completed Deus Ex: Human Revolution, Resistance 3, and Limbo. The latter was bugging me for a while; I never found time to finish it. Now I'm whittling away at Catherine; I'd love to complete it before October gets here. It may not happen, but I'd be all the way caught up if I could. Of course, I still have to check out Child of Eden and Atelier Totori: The Adventurer of Arland this week, so that'll take some time. I'm interested to see how Atelier Totori came out.
I like White Knight Chronicles II, but I doubt I'll have the time to see it through to the end. I really don't understand the very low scores for that game. It has its problems but it's worth much more than a 5 or 6. I also really want Gears of War 3, but that may have to wait until Christmas or something. There's just too much stuff on the horizon.
Also, we're done with Episode #6 of the PSXE Show, which we'll send over early this week. We'll let you know the time of the party, which we haven't done in a while. :)
9/24/2011 Ben Dutka
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Comments (47 posts)
Geobaldi
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 11:18:40 PM
0 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 4:24:52 AM
I've yet to see any difficulty bump (that people have talked about online) happen, perhaps it comes along later?
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Stabs88
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 10:03:25 AM
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Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:20:16 PM
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johnld
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:26:35 PM
yeah, i wanted the scardine armor too but apparently, you cant even replace or even take it off scardigne. the only thing thats pissing me off is that some of the errands are just way too much work. i'm supposed to be collecting 30 mysterious saplings for a quest. out of all the time i spent on white knight chronicles international edition, beating white knight chronicles remastered, about 60 hours into wkc2 according to gameclock, i only have 1 mysterious sapling. i have been killing everything i see, harvesting every spot i see and still nothing.
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Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 4:01:50 PM
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johnld
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 8:47:55 PM
yeah, i read up on it. apparently you can get it from a tree at the starting point in the all in the cards 2 quest but i'm guild rank 14 and i still cant buy it.
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Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 8:53:31 PM
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PasteNuggs
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 10:02:19 PM
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PGU:
I finished the first God Of War so now I'm on the second. Hopefully I get that finished quick enough to spend a decent enough time with Fallout:NV. Also, I still need to finish Limbo. I have Midnight Club:LA but I don't think I'm gonna keep it. If I get those done before Battlefield I wanna try to get Catherine or Gears 3 in. Otherwise they will have to wait.
2 up, 2 down
SoulController
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 10:45:21 PM
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This generation has been a gift and a curse. I dont think Ive ever spent this much on games in any generation but the level of BS is really concerning. Between Squareenix screwing up Final Fantasy, certain websites being favorable & unfavorable to certain franchises and genres and Microsoft performing voodoo on the American media & consumer, how in the hell do we expect other forms of entertainment to take us seriously.
PGU: I finally finished LA Noire, jesus that game is long but i really loved the story. I had to be in the mood at times to play it, cause most games these days arent made at LA Noires pace but it was still quality.
I took advantage of the Amazon move sale and started on Dead Space extraction. I love the Dead space universe and its a great game with the move. God of War Origins is awesome too and I cant wait to get my hands on the ICO collection.
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 11:55:33 PM
0 up, 0 down
SoulController
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 12:07:01 AM
5 up, 0 down
Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 4:23:27 AM
2 up, 0 down
main_event05
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 10:45:41 PM
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PGU
Finished Dead Island and I'll be putting up a review soon. I have to say though that the end was a HUGE LETDOWN and left a GIANT PLOT HOLE (which are always fun) but overall I was still very satisfied.
Last edited by main_event05 on 9/24/2011 10:50:28 PM
6 up, 1 down
WorldEndsWithMe
Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 11:12:16 PM
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Catherine is getting really hard, but I've got to find out what happens! After I finish Hunted I'm going to delve further into WKC2. BTW I really love the battle music, it's more exciting.
1 up, 0 down
SoulController
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 12:12:10 AM
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Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 4:22:44 AM
BTW WKC2 has sucked up my entire gaming life this week. I made it to the 'part2' story tonight, and the new environments are gorgeous. Ben, I have to take you to task my man, the artwork and graphics on display here are worthy of an 8+ out of 10.
1 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 12:21:03 AM
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5 up, 2 down
johnld
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:32:44 PM
0 up, 0 down
Jawknee
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 3:53:07 PM
1 up, 0 down
aaronisbla
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 12:21:24 AM
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5 up, 0 down
FatherSun
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 7:27:24 AM
3 up, 0 down
johnld
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:35:30 PM
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JDC80
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 12:30:56 AM
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Qubex
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:13:00 AM
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Having set up my new PS3 Slim, I am back to where I was, but funnily enough I have not gone back re-downloaded everything I had on my previous model. Even some of the older PSN games that I thought were no particularly good I have not re-downloaded.
It is a shame there is no way you can "clean" out your account and delete the things you don't want anymore so as to better manage your historical download lists that I have for my US, EU and ASIA accounts.
In addition, I did hear I should have my new Dell laptop from work in a matter of 2 to 3 months with a nice Nvidia mobile GPU, this means a lot of good gaming fun on the laptop too... hehe, the best of both worlds now :)
Q!
"play.experience.enjoy"
Last edited by Qubex on 9/25/2011 1:39:17 AM
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Gamer Girl Gemo
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:18:34 AM
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PGU:
I haven't really been playing anything new. Just playing around with my collection of games, waiting for November to roll around. The only games I'll be nabbing right off the shelf are Uncharted 3 (already pre-ordered collector's edition) and Skyrim. All else will have to wait until Christmas.
I might really try to make it to the PSXE show on Home this time. I haven't made it to all the others because I keep forgetting. I will definitely try to mark my calendar this time around.
Last edited by Gamer Girl Gemo on 9/25/2011 1:19:04 AM
3 up, 0 down
Lawless SXE
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:48:16 AM
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PU:
Finished The Road on Thursday and I've gone back to try to finish Dante's Paradise, as I never did last time.
Also playing through BFBC2 and getting some measure of enjoyment out of it.
Finally, I've started writing again after about three months of getting nothing done, and although progress on the project is slow going, I'm hopeful about it.
Peace all.
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___________
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 4:25:35 AM
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just because they say no now does not mean no forever!
oh and yes theres plenty of evidence showing heavenly sword 2 has gone elsewhere!
i just finished playing GOW3 today, what a game!
screw the rest of the year ive already made up my mind what GOTY will be!
im now onto warhammer 40K space marine.
yea yea i know thats kinda ironic, but eh thats how the cookie crumbles.
0 up, 3 down
sobleck
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 6:07:54 AM
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Now about Final Fantasy Versus XIII I have to say I am indeed excited. But it wasn't because it was final fantasy, but rather because i viewed it as a darker take on Kingdom Heart because of the the director/producer of the project. I've played several final fantasies, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10 (not my favorite but beautiful), and 12 (man i loved 12, not as much as 4 5 and 7 though). So I would consider myself a genuine final fantasy fan.
But when I saw what was coming in XIII i lost interest (yeah i played and clocked serious hours on it regardless thanks to your review) and though hey versus XIII looks familiar, not in a final fantasy per say, but in a kingdom hearts way. Then i thought, hey, it'll be just as polished as any of the final fantasies! cuz lets face it, though i love kingdom heart, outside of the game play, and music, it wasn't anywhere near as pretty as the final fantasies of its days.
So i'm all for a Final Fantasy I haven't seen, so long as it resemble another beloved square franchise of mine.
That's my two cents :D
3 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 8:26:35 PM
We may not be as big as IGN or GameSpot, but we'll put our community up against any other.
1 up, 1 down
FatherSun
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 7:54:58 AM
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Just finished re-downloading to my REPLACEMENT PS3 slim. I brang in a 250gb and since BB doesn't have that model I was upgraded to a Move bundle. I only downloaded the bigger games. All the free PS classics and minisfron Plus have been segregated to the bedroom PS3. I usually play the blockbusters on the 55".
I already have 2 sets of Move controllers so I gave one to my niece with Sports Champions. She is 5 and wanted a Wii but my bro didnt want to get one. Since he already had an Eye they get to play with motion now. Gave her Eyepet too and game shared all the Move games on PSN. They are set.
PGU: Completed From Dust yesterday and I am trying finish most of my PSN games such as Outland, Limbo, Blade Kitten etc... Gearing up for the Heavy Hitters and I just purchased tickets to the Sony/AMC Uncharted 3 Event in NYC on Oct. 18th. Its a good way to start the season.
Last edited by FatherSun on 9/25/2011 7:59:36 AM
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Teddie9
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 9:07:33 AM
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I too wish all the good in the world for dmc, I'm not going to criticize them for jumping around a bit if they haven't found or done anything stellar (I know some people really do love Heavenly Sword).
PGU: Still nothing but school work really. Maybe by next weekend I'll finally have something new.
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sobleck
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 9:32:31 AM
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Gaming Wish List: Ico and Shadow HD collection, God of War origins HD collection, White Knight Chronicles II (the first is still included right?) Demon souls (before the servers shutdown). yup yup that should be it for now.
oh and I start and finish Crysis 1 and 2 this week. (yup quitting my Job and Starting my new on 1st of October)
Last edited by sobleck on 9/25/2011 9:33:41 AM
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Highlander
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:23:52 PM
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shadowpal2
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 11:54:35 AM
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I'll admit...it's a pretty damn cheap quote to use but I love seeing innovation. Now...I don't call it innovation when developers in Japan start thinking "westernizing" their games will make it better...for that's not innovation but rather opting to a business strategy that may help...and of course it DOES NOT.
I hope to see their own idea and their own vision implemented in the game. I have faith that Nomura will do so with Versus XIII. Of course...I have a feeling that he's more so trying to implement his Kingdom Hearts idea in Final Fantasy...just cutting Disney out of it. However...in the end, I'd definitely like to see what Nomura has in mind.
If we don't like it, both reviewers and fans will respond...and SE will end up reverting to their old days realizing that that is the practical business solution. If you truly want Final Fantasy to just remain Final Fantasy for another 50 years or so...well jeese I can't do anything but disagree. I would like to see change in the series...but not the kind of change we saw with XIII. With so little info about Versus XIII (the biggest we got was the gameplay trailer I guess)...no ONE HERE can claim that this is an FF that's going to fail.
We'll just have to wait, see, and then play it ourselves.
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DjEezzy
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 12:27:01 PM
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Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 7:49:43 PM
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Ludakriss
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 1:59:03 PM
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Think about it. What was the progress description before the quote? Yes. It was "the game is using a specific engine Lumine for the lighting and the same and an FF engine we'd use in THE NEXT GEN" so in context of that sentence. Yes. It is by all means an FF that NO ONE HAS EVER seen before and evidently so, with all the tech and an incredible dev cycle behind this project which, remember is THE first FF to show blood n game and to be dark as fuck!
C'mon ain't you at least excited about them making the title, well, mature. And yo. Noctis looks just so much like a sophisticated gangsta! OW! Can you dig it?!
1 up, 1 down
main_event05
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 2:12:28 PM
0 up, 0 down
Ben Dutka PSXE [Administrator]
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 7:49:27 PM
I just remain concerned at the same time.
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main_event05
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 8:33:34 PM
1 up, 0 down
johnld
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 2:05:37 PM
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I dont really know what to think about ninja theory. they do good work but not good enough to be an elite developer. they're on the edge of being amazing but its still not enough. i dont know, maybe they're just scared of expectations if they manage to create a AAA quality game. they have potential but they're doing it with a half@$$ed approach. look at heavy sword, it was a great game but theres just bugs and glitches that shouldnt be there especially when youre working on a platform specific game. then theres enslaved, which is also a great game but brought down with their sub par programming theres so much problems in the game. most of the time i played after restarting a chechpoint, the audio in cutscenes are out of sync. also from what i remember, they didnt seem to have much faith in the game when they were promoting it. it looked like they were expecting the game to fail from the beginning. This gives me the expression that ninja theory has great promise and vision, DMC aside, but they really dont put as much effort as they should into their games. unless ninja theory decides to shape up, i wont be picking up any of their games anytime soon.
personal gaming update:
white knight chronicles 2, thats it. i havent played any game other than that. i'm on the second part of the series after beating white knight chronicles remastered a while back. i killed everything i saw, did all errands i can, did every bounty i can thats available, harvested every tree/spot. I'm at the point where my high ranking armor from the first game are starting to lose its use. since reaching level 38, my avatar has been wearing a doom armor set with the dragon knight helm, so hes all purple with a jet black katana now at level 55. now i'm trying to track down 30 mysterious saplings which i only got 1 and hunting down megalo tigris to get wind beast tail which they never seem to drop.
I had to shelve mass effect 2 because it was boring the hell out of me. i'm suppose to find this thing to use the red mass effect relay. i also shelved dynasty warriors gundam 3 for now. i'll get back to that after wkc2. i also bought a second move controller for half off, 1 out of 10 gamestops around me had 1 in stock, and the fight lights out for 10 bucks too. Oh, if you guys can find a kmart around you, they also have move accessories half off like the move controller, nav, and sharpshooter. they also have the sports champions bundle for 50 bucks. if you missed out on the gamestop sale then heres your chance. although all these move stock clearing sales got me curious on whats going on in the near future.
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nogoat23
Sunday, September 25, 2011 @ 2:29:06 PM
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Dreno
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Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 9:36:41 PM
Just wanted to let everyone know, I saw ico and the sotc game(s) at wally world tonight for 30 bucks. Sounds like a good deal, so ill be checking that out soon as I never got to play either on the ps2.