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Ben’s Week In Review: September 7

Just got back from a weekend away, so this is a little late, but I always got stuff to say. 😉

White Knight Chronicles isn't popular enough

Maybe it's just because the mainstream RPGs are the only ones that seem to get any gaming press at all, or maybe it's just because the game has fallen off the radar for so long. But either way, Level 5's White Knight Chronicles simply isn't getting enough attention these days, even after the announcement of the Japanese release date . That's December 11, as you can see, so shouldn't role-playing fans be just a bit more excited? I'm aware it won't come out here at the same time, but even so, it seems like the first big PS3 exclusive RPG of the generation, and I would've expected more in the way of anticipation. I dunno…maybe it just proves that the genre is waning in popularity, simply because there are more casual gamers than ever. Obviously, the casuals have no interest in RPGs, and given the major shift in the industry over the past decade or so to encompass the larger casual demographic, the RPG has clearly fallen by the wayside. I already did my editorial on the fate of the turn-based RPG , and this kinda factors in.

So damnit, if there are any WKC followers out there, post here and tell me! I know for a fact I'm not alone in my anticipation for this game (at least, I better not be), and I just want some of you RPG fans out there to get my back. Seriously. 🙂

Oh, leave Jaffe alone

Yeah, he said it. Can we move on now? As soon as David Jaffe made that comment about Sarah Palin on his blog, the entire Internet lit up like the Northern Lights and a lot of people – of course – took offense. Perhaps saying Palin is "the perfect definition of a MILF" is a bit off-color, but last I checked, blogs were a perfect place to exercise our right to free speech. And while it can be construed as offensive; technically speaking, it's a compliment! A crude compliment, to be sure, but a compliment nonetheless. And he never once said that's all she has going for her; he simply said what most red-blooded middle-aged American men are thinking. And yeah, that picture's gotta be 10 years old, but I'm only 30 and I can admit that woman is pretty darn attractive. I wouldn't use the phrasing Jaffe chose, but I know for a fact he's probably hearing all sorts of backlash. Well, give it a rest, ya easily-offended no-lifers. Jaffe could've chosen his terminology better, but even so, his comment is little more than amusing.

I just find it ironic that such an outcry would go all the way to #1 at N4G. What the hell? That's the only reason I put it up on this site; otherwise, I really couldn't possibly care less about politics. So if anyone of you are worried that we'll start trying to work in the presidential race into our stories from now on, you can stop worrying.

Personal gaming update

As I said earlier, I'm desperately trying to savor MGS4. I just finished Act 4 and started Act 5, and that was serious kick-ass stuff; loved it to pieces. But sadly, the whole experience will probably come to an end this week, and I need another option. Anybody have any grand ideas? I'm still playing through Alundra – which is fun – but I'm looking around for something new; perhaps Mercenaries 2: World in Flames , or something. I'm not a Star Wars fan so The Force is Unleashed is out for me, and I also don't really want MotorStorm: Pacific Rift in early October. I suppose the next game I get will be the PS3 version of Bioshock ; I'll trade in the 360 version for it, just so I can play it again. Unless someone has another idea between now and then, this is the way it'll stay…

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eLLeJuss
eLLeJuss
16 years ago

omg.. ben's back :D:D:D.. where have u been dude :P..

I'm not that excited about WKC, but i'll still get it though :P.. haven't played an rpg since….. ffXII.. LoL =P..

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
16 years ago

Because they haven't shown a lot of the game….
They really know to blow us away at the Tokyo Game Show.

One of the other things I feel WKC is missing is memorable characters…the main character's fine and so is the girl. But what more?

Some other old dude who doesn't look that memorable/cool

Anyway I hope they impress us at the TKG, it's all about appeal. Make some more appealing characters and more people will be over it.

Skillz
Skillz
16 years ago

omg omg Ben your back I totally thought something was wrong with you guys. At least you guys are okay. This was the first time in all most a year where were no updates because, they're at least one update everyday because, this industry always have news. Welcome home Ben 🙂


Last edited by Skillz on 9/7/2008 10:01:42 PM

Zaben
Zaben
16 years ago

If you haven't tried Battlefield: Bad Company yet you may want to give it a try. I'd like to hear what you think about it. About WKC… not too impressed with what I've seen but they still have a while to get me interested.

AceTatsujin
AceTatsujin
16 years ago

ben man WTH happen to you! you like, disappeared! you left your PS3 fanboys to die for a day with no news! =( … -tears teears-

On another note, hit Disgaea 3. Really funny game, with outdated graphics.

AceTatsujin
AceTatsujin
16 years ago

BTW Ben, you are not alone! I've seen some freaking AWESOME trailers and gameplay of White Knight Chronicles and I can tell you I am more excited then I was before to get the game in my hands and play it! … I want it NOW!!

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
16 years ago

Heh…just went away for the weekend. Don't worry; I don't leave often. 😉 I'm back, and once again, you'll all have updates galore. 🙂

Zaben: I was thinking about Battlefield. But I really have no interest in playing it online, and I'm wondering if the single-player campaign is worth the money…

aaronisbla
aaronisbla
16 years ago

I LOVE!!! Battlefield Bad Company…. that being said, if you only play it for the single player campaign you would be robbing yourself. its not a shooter i can play through more than once on single player. CoD4 was though.

www
www
16 years ago

Yea Ben,same here Battlefield BC don't look stunnin,don't buy it.U've really kept long on MGSIV,i beat the game in like 3dys,i guess cause u're busy man.Yea i think apart form FFXIII,rpg's are waning in popularity.I also don't like SW:force unleashed,anythan to do with space looks borin like mass effect,halo,orange box etc.Fable 2 looks boring except Tales of Vesperia which looks pretty intrestin.
Wat happened to our "Dragon Quest",evrythan is all shooters now.

Advent Child
Advent Child
16 years ago

Ben the single player campaign in battlefield is fun but a little on the repetitive and boring side, wait for it to go down in price. and to let you know I have been following WKC since it i saw that first gameplay trailer. I cant wait for this one

Jizmack
Jizmack
16 years ago

Yay the writer dude ben is back woohoo!

Jizmack
Jizmack
16 years ago

Hmm game ideas… not really but if your looking for online play pick up some of your old titles like resistance and play it. FFXI is fun but the 12 dolla a month gets old.

For new storyline your gonna have to savor mgs4. And if i was you i would hold off until october.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
16 years ago

You know, I love Hot Shots, and now that I know a similar mechanic is in Tiger Woods 09, I MIGHT just do that…

But I don't know. I think I've had my fill of golf with Out of Bounds this year. Aaaargggghhhh…….I want an RPG!!! 🙁

robinhood2010
robinhood2010
16 years ago

again, i will say to stick to the ps1 rpgs. if there are some you havn't tried maybe? if you can find these, and havn't played them, i say give em a go.
Vandal Hearts
Azure Dreams
Grandia
Legend of Legaia
Monkey Hero for a good laugh!

www
www
16 years ago

I think u will have to buy Tales of Vesperia for ya 360 if u want rpg badly.

Fatcat3788
Fatcat3788
16 years ago

Welcome Back. Kind of gave us a scare there. Kind of funny considering that everyone was all worried that there was some kind of accident, followed by statements resembling parenting like, "Well he should tell us if he's away." In any case nice to see you are living and yes you already know that I am definately excited about WKC I loved Dragon Quest XIII and Rogue Galaxy. They were both awesome. So I can't wait for that one.
As for gaming updates well I think you are kinda screwed on that one especially in the RPG category. Have to wait for October. Once that month starts you will barely get a nights rest because of all the games that are going to come out. Again that doesn't help with the whole "I want an RPG" position, but Valkyria Chronicles in NOVEMBER! Hell Yah!

Edit: And I've been trying to find someone to play Mercenaries 2 with, so yeah, send me a message if you pick it up and are looking for a partner to go online with. I have it queued on Gamefly but I don't want to get it yet.


Last edited by Fatcat3788 on 9/7/2008 11:13:19 PM

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
16 years ago

To be honest, I had no idea so many people would notice I wasn't here for the standard weekend updates, which aren't as robust as daily updates during the week.

But it's certainly nice to know we have loyal readers that actually NOTICE things. 😉 Oh, and isn't Valkyria Chronicles MORE real-time? 🙁

Fatcat3788
Fatcat3788
16 years ago

From my understanding it is best to think of it as in Tactics. You get "turns" and in these turns you get movement points as well as action points. Every character gets them and there are enemy phases as well as player phases. Therefore all of your strategy depends on positioning. Characters engage each other on their positioning as well. So you get a whole display of a war going on with both characters engaging each other during both turns. It is like a more "real time" advanced version of the FFT/Disgaea battle system. Sounds interesting to me, but you are definately right that its "Real Time."

WaR_HaWk
WaR_HaWk
16 years ago

GEt Merc2 its super awesome, but get it 4 PC just like Spore. Spore is AwEsome 2

Daedusian
Daedusian
16 years ago

I know I'm still exicted for this game to release!

It's funny because I remember about this time last year when Folklore came out and I went to pick it up. I remember thinking to myself, "well this is a pretty good game but I wonder when we'll have another RPG to play." And now almost an entire year went by (man, time flies!) and not one exclusive RPG has released yet. I am in need of this game… as you can probably tell already, haha!


Last edited by Daedusian on 9/7/2008 11:40:39 PM

Jed
Jed
16 years ago

I havent really checked out WKC, but I would really like a good rpg too.
I dont know who would really be surprised by jaffe's comment. I imagine most people who actually read it first hand, not people that were told about it, didnt really care what he said. Palin is pretty hot, at least as far as vice presidents go.

I can't believe how freaked out people got without seeing a post. BEN, you're like our cocaine! After 12 hours everybody is jonesin' for a post.

cheng
cheng
16 years ago

i been following WKC since the announcement back in 2 years ago…the last thing i saw was the gameplay of the game back in 2007 in TGS n it was awesome(liking the idea u can customize ur own combo), i'm really looking 4ward to this game, btw the in-game graphics are SERIOUS!!

TEG3SH
TEG3SH
16 years ago

Valkyria profile is more of a turn-based than a real time RPG,its mechanism is weird and fun and i think you'll enjoy it.
other choices you can always play the best real time RPG ever MASS EFFECT. a pretty awesome game if you ask me.

Sir Shak
Sir Shak
16 years ago

try 2 days , act 5 is probably the shortest in terms of gameplay.
and i think mercs 2 is a good idea,been waiting for a review.

daylight_dies
daylight_dies
16 years ago

I can't wait for WKC, i have the trailer for it saved on my ps3 hard drive and i watch it like every week! I havn't had the chance yet to play a really good more traditional rpg on the ps3. I was wondering where ya had got off to, was missing the sat update/this post!

Anthony
Anthony
16 years ago

What about Fallout 3 and theres alot of RPG Games coming out next year and im happy to hear that Dragon Age Origins is coming to consoles in late 09 after the PC Version.

HUSO
HUSO
16 years ago

ah so the site is still functioning…. 2 days and no news led me to believe that the site had shut down or something…… nice to see it isn't.

btw i've lost count of the number of times i've watched that WKC trailer that i downloaded from PSN, its got a kick ass song, even though i can't understand head or tail of it. 🙂

btw Ben, u ought to try spore…..

Evil Incarnate
Evil Incarnate
16 years ago

Your not the only one, because I'm super stoked about WKC. To me it looks like it has the potential to live up to the Final Fantasy series.

tlpn99
tlpn99
16 years ago

Ben how can you say that we as fans would not notice when your are putting up updates or anything. I like reading your personal gaming update, makes me keep battling on with my own personal stuff as im like this guy has to complete games to enable him to do a full review for us fans out there.
I have started going back through my old PS2 catalogue of games, back to The Warriors for me I am afraid, having just completed PS3 version Fear, was going to try Mercs 2 but something has put me off, looks like it will be back to GTA4 again soon until something good comes out like Bioshock PS3 version.

Riku994
Riku994
16 years ago

I really want WKC, but it needs to hurry up lol. And you could always play guitar hero? lol

bamf
bamf
16 years ago

I'm not that big on RPG's I can only play the best of them like FF, however I am excited about WKC looks original rather than the typical gameplay style you get from the average rpg

AntDC
AntDC
16 years ago

Welcome back Ben, and you're right it isn't. The trailer looks great, and i'm interested to know what that giant four-legged machine looking thing does/is.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
16 years ago

Although no one can say for certain how the battle system works, I think it could be to blame for part of what's going on. As Sony fans we want JRPGs to be like they used to be, mainly turn based. In my experience the initial reaction to WKC was a lot of excitement, and then we got a look at the vid and thought "oh great, they took another great game with a solid story, ran it through the "gamers are dumb button pushers" machine and barfed out another real time battle system. I truly hope this is not how it ACTUALLY is, but the perception is there. "Westernization" seems to be killing western gamers excitement on many titles. Go figure.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
16 years ago

oh yeah, wow, Ben, if you ever take an ENTIRE weeks vacation I guess everyone here is gonna have a stroke!

LightShow
LightShow
16 years ago

fyi, this gamer is SUPA STOKED about WKC

i'm secretly hoping that it sells so enormously well on the PS3, publishers stop bringing their RPGs to microsoft. That and that every 360, even those in stock rooms, across America and Europe, simultaneously RROD and instantly catch fire.

its a little evil, but hey! if you cant act evil towards microsoft, who can you be evil to?