Review: Final Fantasy XIII-2

Final Fantasy XIII-2

PS3 (reviewed), Xbox 360

Publisher: Square Enix

Developer: Square Enix

Release Date: 31 January 2012

JRPGs have suffered this console generation. The heavy hitters in the genre have moved to hand-helds (like Dragon Quest IX) or were met with fan backlash and derision (like Final Fantasy XIII). The problems facing XIII-2 were daunting: the original was blasted for being too linear, not having shops, taking way to long to open up into the larger world, having a weak story/characters (I disagree on this point) and having a battle system that was innovative, but also frustrating. The producer of the game, Yoshinori Kitase, promised to rectify the issues fans raised about the first game and deliver a sequel that not only made apologies for the first game, but expanded and improved on the game. I was worried, but after playing through, I can safely say, “Apology accepted, Square Enix.”

Serah, Mog and Noel traipse through time

30 Days of Gaming: Day 6

Day 6 - Favorite Genre


I had a bit of a pause with this one.  RPGs of nearly any flavor I enjoy.  Recently, I have sampled the delights of Western RPGs (WRPGs).  I began Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion for the first time earlier this week.  Heck, I even had a bit of fun with Fallout 3 and Fallout: New Vegas, bugs and all.  But most of these seem more like Action games than RPGs, and the big ones (Fallout, Elder Scolls) are really difficult for me to enjoy because I get caught up in exploring the world and not doing quests.  Then I die.  I die a lot.  And it's usually after I've not saved for over an hour or two.  WRPGs are fun, but not my favorites.

Review: Costume Quest

Costume Quest

PSN, XBLA, PC

Publisher: THQ

Developer: Double Fine

Release Date: 19 October 2010

Halloween is a special time of year, especially for children. Thoughts of candy, jack-o-lanterns, candy, costumes, candy, creepy parties, and candy dominate the month leading up to the special night. You know, this kind of Halloween. The talented folks at Double Fine used this magical holiday to set up a grand adventure that children and adults can enjoy. The DLG (downloadable game) Costume Quest brings us back to a time when Halloween was a night where anything could happen.

Spooky times ahead