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Ben’s Week In Review: September 28

I know the whole world is gaga over LittleBigPlanet , but as that's not my type of thing, I'm going to address a few other topics of interest.

Don't forget the first good, true-blue PS3 JRPG

Yep, Eternal Sonata launches on the same day as LittleBigPlanet , and if I had to get one…well, you know what I'd pick, my fellow RPG-loving brethren. I've often complained about the lack of RPGs this generation, and while I didn't get the chance to play this one on the Xbox 360, I don't want to pass on the opportunity to try the best version on the PS3. The only thing that concerns me is that hybrid real-time/turn-based combat, which isn't my favorite thing in the world. I still prefer traditional turn-based but as that style is most certainly – and most unfortunately – DEAD, I'll have to settle for the battle mechanics found in JRPGs like Eternal Sonata . I do like the concept of the game, and even though I'm not a fan of anime, the artistic side of the production doesn't turn me off. I know a ton of unbelievably great games are on the way, so I won't be getting this one immediately, but perhaps it hits my Christmas list…

The reviews for the 360 version were good, I expect the reviews for the superior PS3 version to be even better, and in all honesty, I just really want to play an RPG over the next few months. Yeah, there's all kinds of action games like Resistance 2 , Gears of War 2 , Far Cry 2 , Dead Space , MotorStorm: Pacific Rift , Bioshock , etc., but no high-profile RPGs besides Fable II . I liked the original just fine, but in my quest to find anything even remotely resembling an old-school RPG, I really only have one choice.

And speaking of RPGs, how's about that 1080p for WKC?

Last week, we learned that White Knight Chronicles would be the very first RPG – in history, we presume – to present its stunning visuals in glorious 1080p high-definition . And as I happen to have a TV capable of that resolution, I'm sure to benefit from that extra effort by Level 5. At first, I didn't really care too much about high definition; games were games, and I've always placed gameplay well above graphics on my priority list. I still do that, of course, but after seeing certain titles in 1080p HD, like Gran Turismo 5: Prologue and Wipeout HD , I can't imagine going back to standard definition. Even the regular HD at 720p looks downright amazing (where would MGS4 have been without HD?), and when I hear about games that natively support 1080p; well, I get very…comfortable. There's just something about the amazing clarity and detail such a picture provides, and it does wonders in the game world.

On that same note, I wish there were more movies I wanted to buy on Blu-Ray. I only own four right now and while I do look around for new ones to buy, I just can't seem to find any I really want. I've found most films to be so insulting and stupid over the past few years that I really only watch like two a year, so that's probably the reason. But man…"Pan's Labyrinth" on Blu-Ray. Oooooh…

Personal gaming update

Well, I'm about 10 hours into Yakuza 2 now – expect a review soon – and I am enjoying it. I do hope to finish it, but now that I have Wipeout HD , I'm going to be splitting time between the two. Thing is, I may not finish both before some of the bigger October releases come out that I want to play, and if that happens, I may never complete Yakuza 2 . Good game, though. As I said before, I'm not really interested in LittleBigPlanet , but I will want to play the PS3 version of Bioshock because the 360 version was basically my favorite game of 2007. On top of which, there's Eternal Sonata and Dead Space , the latter of which I continue to have high hopes for. And then, just as I have a second or two to breathe, Resistance 2 comes out on November 4 with Gears of War 2 not long after. Oh, and let's not forget I'm part of the R2 beta, which should begin in a little over a week.

I'll provide impressions on that, obviously. I think we're all super crazy psyched for the kick-ass FPS that will be Resistance 2 . See you in the beta! 🙂

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NEWCL0UD
NEWCL0UD
15 years ago

do you no if eternal sonata will be out in europe the same month or if ever??
ohh and im waiting for the dark knight on blu ray im counting the days for its release which is kind of stupid because i dont know when its out.. lol 😀

NEWCL0UD
NEWCL0UD
15 years ago

double post sorry 🙁

WaR_HaWk
WaR_HaWk
15 years ago

Ben u should try Crysis Warhead its Awesome

Fabi
Fabi
15 years ago

@Ben – How many times have we heard about your love for turn-based RPGs and the lack of them on the market? Too many! I think you start 80% of your week in reviews mentioning it.

How can LBP not be your thing? Crazy. Who doesn't like a side scrolling game? Is it the art style and the Sackboys that turns you off to it? It's like Super Mario Bros with physics, and better graphics. What's not to like? Crazy.


Last edited by Fabi on 9/28/2008 12:05:14 AM

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

Actually, in looking back at the last 10, I only find 1 very quick and very vague allusion to RPGs of any kind on any system.

And I've never really been into platformers nor have I ever been into level customization and creation…it's really nothing like SMB.

AceTatsujin
AceTatsujin
15 years ago

pre-ordered crysis warhead, i'm getting it very soon and i got that damn thing for 25 US dollars, 29-30ish tops with shipping and handling from amazon.com. I'm also looking forward to Eternal Sonata … but, as soon as LBP hits the store … I'm sorry, I'm putting all the day and time I can to get all the great levels and play and do all the fun things! my brother and sister want to jump in with me so I need to buy 2 extra PS3 hands (sixaxis since they are cheapier). and yea i'm getting loads of games, next month about 7 games alone .. SEVEN?! … Nov. is also releasing some really awesome games so I'm getting those too. 2008 is the year for PS3.

SpinningBeat
SpinningBeat
15 years ago

I'm pondering whether or not I should pick up yakuza 2. I loved the first and want to see the rest of the story but there are alot of things I want to play on ps3. I wanted eternal sonata back in the day but in oct im already spending my money on far cry 2 and maybe little big planet. Oh haha if anyone cares it's my bday in a few hours.(28th, er i'm still on the westcoast.)

Aftab
Aftab
15 years ago

I was just complaining at my local blockbuster about the lack of bluray. And Del Toro's gems, like Pan's Labrynth, is a big reason for me opting for HD. About LBP, I've never been too much into platformers, but I'm always a fan of quality. For example, after wipeout, I don't feel the need for another racer for myself, but I'm still gonna get MotorStorm Pacifac Rift. You know what I mean?

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
15 years ago

Not buying a year old port

Not really interested in the characters either….there's really nothing special 'bout them.

Other than the fact that they look really good graphically

Roosveltboy
Roosveltboy
15 years ago

were beta mates lollss

Riku994
Riku994
15 years ago

Ugh… Why is it that no games this year are interesting me? I'm not much for shooters, and like you Ben, I'm not overly interested in LBP. Maybe in a year or so when it drops in price I'll pick it up but then again in a year or so there'll be a lot of games I'm wanting like FF13, Versus XIII, and all those other huge 2009 titles coming earlier in the year (RE5, WKC, etc.)…Sigh, the choices.

www
www
15 years ago

Ben i think am also siding with u,LBP may not be a quick-buy for me too maybe later.I think it's been over-hyped n this is the first lbp ever,we haven't played any other lbp's dat was damn good to give us the right to hype this one.Maybe customization n creation might get borin,we usually don't make use of all the clothes in SKATE or Def Jam,we put on a few n after beatin the game we don't go back to wear the other ones we've missed.Last night i tried BRAID on 360 n i didn't get the hype,totally borin,LOOK i didn't get a next-gen game to play 2D marioish type of games,go get a wii if u wan dat.I think we should slow our role n start hypin after we play it.For the record i don't really post comments anytime i see an lbp topic, am just shuttin up n waitin to play first.
For Bioshock,i think i might pass on dat n go for Quantum of Solace.This year ma list goes:
Fifa 09,Quantum,COD 5,R 2 or Gears 2

MirrorSoul
MirrorSoul
15 years ago

When dose the Resistance 2 beta star? Sorry to be off subject just need to know lol.Im not too interested in Eternal Sonata so ill save my 60 bones for FallOut 3.I told myself that im only gona buy 3-4 games buy the end of this year but thiers like 5 of them I really want
LittltBigPlanet
Resistance 2
FallOut 3
MotoStorm:PR
Bioshock
Pray for me to make a good decision lol

Fabi
Fabi
15 years ago

@Ghana Bwai – That is nothing like LBP. Character customization is a very small part of the game.

Skip Bioshock for Quantum of Solace? A game you haven't even played? It's not a game franchise that's being made by the same developer all the time. So you have NO idea if it's gonna be any good, now Bioshock we know for a fact is good.

So the reason you're hyped about playing a game you've never played is the same reason people are hyped up about LBP, oh yeah and all the positive feedback from people who have played it helps too. To this day, I have yet to read a single negative comment about LBP from a hands-on review.

The reason people are hyped about LBP is because it has a certain something that makes it very fresh. And while most of us love shooters, we NEED something different.

Fabi
Fabi
15 years ago

@Ben – I was kiddin' of course, but it is about the 10th time you mention it in a article/week in review.

www
www
15 years ago

Yo at least am not hypin quantum of solace,please i might not go for it.DUDE! am not bashin LBP,is definitely a breath of fresh air,just don't get ahead of yaselve n stop tellin Ben wat to do,errbody goes 4 wat he wants,are u gettin paid to play LBP,bwoy?

Daedusian
Daedusian
15 years ago

Wow, I thought you were interested in LBP all this time Ben, but I can see why people are not that interested in it. I know I've always loved to create things, even if they suck lol. I took about 5 art classes back in high-school and now a couple in college, so, yeah, I am definitely hyped for LBP!

I'm on the same boat as you with BD movies too. I got about 5 or so, some of which don't really need to be HD but still awesome nonetheless. And I'm getting Transformers very soon, which should be downright amazing in HD!

And it's funny you say there hasn't be that many good movies lately. About every other week or so for the past 2 years, I have failed just about every time of finding a decent movie @ Blockbuster/Hollywood Vid. I always end up renting The Office seasons or something lol.


Last edited by Daedusian on 9/28/2008 11:54:26 AM

Fabi
Fabi
15 years ago

@Ghana – I didn't say you were hyping up the game, I said YOU were hyped about the game.

I don't care what other people play, I just felt that you were asking why people are hyping up LBP, when the answer is clear as day.

And how am I telling Ben what to do? I love this site, it's the first site I visit for gaming.

www
www
15 years ago

Ait man,but am human my decisions might change anytime,I might leave Quantum for LBP IF i seen good reviews later after LBP's release but in the end it's ma choice.Am just sayin we ps3 users should keep our cool,we saw wat happened to HAZE,u might neva know wat Fable 2 is packin.When they's all out n we see which is better then we can start makin a lotta noise or else 360 fanboys will get the last laugh if Fable gets higher scores.
Was Bioshock hyped b4 release?No it turned out good
Was Resistance/Gears hyped b4 release?No they turned out good
BE COOL like dat movie errbody

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

I played 90% of the PS2 RPGs so you can bet your candy ass I'll be picking up Eternal Sonata, even if it's characters aren't on par with the legends I'm going to look at it as a gateway drug. A gateway drug I must do! Especially in preparation for WKC, my RPG awesomeness is getting flakes of rust upon it. I'll give bioshock a rental or a price reduction wait cuz an xbot friend told me it was tight, but I'll never consider a First Person game a true RPG. Oblivion can lick my taint. I will be picking up LBP, but I kind of wish it hadn't been hyped so much. Although no doubt exists in my mind that it will sell systems (always good) if it doesn't live up to peoples expectations (I heard the memory for building levels is somewhat limited) It'll give more ammo to xbots, i can hear them now chanting "LittleBigFlop" Hopefully that's not the case, I'm the creative type so i know ill dig it at least. I must plead ignorance to Yakuza, but I'll look into it. PS3 FTW this Xmas season.

Riku994
Riku994
15 years ago

Oblivion doesnt have to be First person you know, you can just click a button and it's third person, and it's a really awesome game.

Aftab
Aftab
15 years ago

Third person? More like first-person with a very dorky, floaty, superimposed icon in the middle of the screen…Very ps-one'ish. And without the 3rd person, the game felt too much like a pc title to hold my interest…"Dragon brain! Oooh noooooo, here comes the f'ing dragons!


Last edited by Aftab on 9/28/2008 3:33:02 PM

LightShow
LightShow
15 years ago

LBP gives me the urge to recreate the entire Metroid map(it theyll let me get it that big)

I'm confident similar urges will prompt amazing maps.

Aftab
Aftab
15 years ago

Yeah, I think Ben's not into LBP because it's not made around a story like an action-adventure or rpg, nor will he get an adrenaline rush from it like a racer or fighter. I'm getting it cause it be nice to see what clever contraptions people come up with.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

I enjoy clever things, but LBP just isn't my bag…can't really explain specifically why.

Aftab
Aftab
15 years ago

"Not interested in LBP"…I'm not telling you what you should like, but, I mean, really, who would flame their own forum? 😐 No rpg for you, Ben!

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

HEY BEN, and to a lesser extent "Heeey Yoouuu Guuuuys!" This is the week in review, so like, what in hell was Level-5's big announcement on the 26th which doesn't appear to exist anywhere on the net? It's not that online service is it? Cuz they said "shocking" and thats just, ya know, lame. Any ideas?

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

I think they just announced a bunch of DS games, or something. It wasn't anything all that "shocking;" otherwise, I would've reported on it. 🙂

Naga
Naga
15 years ago

Resistance 2 and Gears of War 2 OH NO what will I do both of these games are great I might just buy both.

@ Ben I got some RPG game on Dreamcast called evolution I think but that was like since 2002. Was it on Playstation2?

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

…I don't know what that is. The only RPGs I remember for the DC were Shenmue and Skies of Arcadia. I didn't really like that system, though, so maybe someone else could help. Check the forums.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
15 years ago

I've got Evolution 1 and 2 on Dreamcast, they are pretty lame RPGs and I dont think they ever went to another console. They wouldn't be bad as long as you treated them as like beginner RPGs for kids.

TEG3SH
TEG3SH
15 years ago

@ worldendswith u.lol
i think it was either the 1080 res or that its coming on dec 25 for japan,and for the oblivion comment couldn't agree more with u aftab

@ ben i am an RBG whore but believe u me dont get so psyched for eternal sonata ,played it on 360 it didn't stir any water for me(although i completed it u know me an rpg whore). but the fighting system is kewl

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

I'm willing to give it a try, but I would like to read some of those reviews a little closer before I decide to get it.

CaptRon
CaptRon
15 years ago

Hey Ben how you can you not be interested in LBP? Looks like a break through game to me…

Scarecrow
Scarecrow
15 years ago

For the record I respect Ben in his thoughts/decision.

No human is alike
Things which I love you might hate….

That's just life, not everyone is going to like the same things. It's all 'bout what appeals to you.

Thought there are things which can't be argued, even if one doesn't like a game, one can accept the fact that-that game is revolutionary and really good.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
15 years ago

Of course I accept LBP's potential. And if it's fantastic – which it clearly will be – I think it's awesome for both the PS3 and millions of gamers. I'm not about to cast aspersions on a title that doesn't fall into my wheelhouse just because of personal preference. It's why I applaud Nintendo for the Wii, even though I'll never own one.

I also applaud Media Molecule for what they've done, and what their efforts will mean for the future of the industry. …I just won't be playing the game. 😉

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