Menu Close

Ben’s Week In Review: December 19

It's tough to imagine that Christmas is less than a week away. But hey, time flies.

FFXIII-2? I can go with that…I guess

When I saw what Nomura sent to Square-Enix Ultimate members , I started thinking: is this something I would want? Well, I first thought about Final Fantasy X-2 , which I very much enjoyed, despite the fact that it obviously wasn't as amazing as FFX. Then I compared the two situations. FFXIII didn't turn out the way many of us had hoped, so if a sequel took another step backwards…well, that'd just be another nail in Square-Enix's coffin, in my eyes. But if they incorporate some of the feedback they've received from fans, and they take the risk of making it a traditional RPG , it actually might end up being the FFXIII we all wanted in the first place . I think it's possible. I still believe those guys have what it takes.

Besides, I think it's critical to have a solid cast of characters for a sequel to fly, and although FFXIII didn't have my favorite FF cast, it was still a highlight, IMO. Lightning was a cold bitch for the first half (and that was just boring), but I liked her a lot more after about the 25 hour mark. I think all the characters got better with time, and that includes Vanille, who I found insufferable at first. Hey, maybe they could take that solid cast and put them in a game that focuses on Gran Pulse and expands on that foundation. Then, we get a mechanic that actually feels like an RPG mechanic… Can't I hope?

Take-Two isn't a one-trick pony anymore

GTA is one of my all-time favorite franchises, but I think it's really cool that Take-Two Interactive is spreading its wings. Along with Rockstar, they've produced plenty of quality titles that most gamers appreciate. But if they don't release a GTA installment, they almost always post a loss in their fiscal year, which was always a little depressing. One always thought that Take-Two was on the cusp of disaster; all they needed to fall was one surprisingly lackluster GTA entry… But that probably won't ever happen and on top of which, they've got other great stuff. The GTA-in-the-west, Red Dead Redemption , is a nod to the future for the company. Granted, it's a lot like GTA but don't forget about NBA 2K11 and the upcoming L.A. Noire , which looks utterly fantastic .

Take-Two seems to fly under the radar more often than not. Gamers are usually too busy bashing on Activision and Square-Enix to say they actually like a certain publisher, but we should probably appreciate what Take-Two has done in the past decade or so.

Personal gaming update

Assassin's Creed; Brotherhood is done. Well, basically done. The game has been beaten and every last possible Memory is at 100%. So I have full 100% Memory Sync, 100% Rome renovation, all the treasures, and the Romulus treasure. Even the optional stuff is all at 100%. I just have to pick up the last few Borgia flags I left hanging in a few Romulus Lairs, and get two more recruits up to full Assassin rank, and then I'm officially done. The question is whether or not I dive into Gran Turismo 5 or Fable III …tough decision. Both will take me forever so I'm thinking I'll just have to play both at the same time, which I usually hate to do. And believe it or not, we're only a month away from LittleBigPlanet 2 , and five weeks away from Dead Space 2 . Pretty nuts, huh?

Also, I'm going to start to work on something that could greatly expand PSXE. I can't really talk much about it right now, and there's no guarantee of anything, but at least the option is there. I'll need at least a few weeks to dive into it but it could be worthwhile, and it should serve to usher in many more users without alienating long-time readers. The latter matters most to us, by the way. And any new people will have to accept that. 🙂

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
96 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Since Nomura told us not to forget Lightning, that has nothing to do with an FFXIII-2. Because it was him, that means she will be in Kingdom Hearts 3.

I thought Take Two was a developer and Rockstar was the publisher of the GTA and RDR games? Whatever the case, what Bondi is doing with Noire looks amazing.

I am finishing up a second play on Bioshock 2, kicking ass and taking names on the massively under-appreciated Splatterhouse. And I just started Resonance of Fate, but I don't know if I'll keep that game up because while it has style and panache, it is just plain set up really weird. That flashy battle system can be fun but it's really unbalanced and screwy. Which is too bad cuz that game has promise.

On Xmas I get to enjoy Enslaved, Castlevania, and a little mayhem in Dead Rising 2.

I hope your new idea for PSXE is that we can comment on new videos, or that you will allow certain people with enough post points to submit potential editorials for posting on the front page. 🙂

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Or allow us to convert our points to prizes….after all, as anyone from the UK knows…

What do points mean?

Points mean prizes!

…sorry, obscure cultural references are on my mind today….

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I know nothing about the UK except that they invented the language I speak and nobody there seems to be able to speak it.

Cavan1
Cavan1
13 years ago

Highlander, I know exactly what your on about, +1 for the bruceie reference lol.

Gordo
Gordo
13 years ago

The Generation Game…

Since we are on obscure cultural references from the UK:

We all like a bit of Bully…

Nothing for two in a bed!

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

LOL! Super! Smashing! Great….!

BullsEye and Jim Bowen….

Alright….

It's nice to see you….

And on that bombshell, we'll end….as it's in the wee hours and I've not slept yet.

TTFN.

BikerSaint
BikerSaint
13 years ago

Hey Ben, sounds like you've got something good cooking.

BTW, can we have a sticky thread somewhere on the site here(like maybe either on the left or right side of the main threads) just so we can quickly report on any great sales & 1 day deals whenever we come across them???.

I know we already have it in the forums, but not everyone goes there and I usually don't have the extra time to post there much.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

I like the idea of a 'red hot daily deals' kind of ticker. That would be awesome. Not to mention, someone like Amazon might pay to have a permanent hot deals sticky that shows the current PlayStation related deals…

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

I'll check into that if people want it.

frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

i want it

GuernicaReborn
GuernicaReborn
13 years ago

That sounds cool. Make it user-submitted so you don't have to scour the internet every day for video game deals, we'll help you guys out.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Without alienating existing users….I like the sound of that.

PSX definitely deserves expansion and growth. I guess new readers/commenters will have a learning curve if they participate…LOL!

PGU

Gran Turismo 5. Loving this game still. I updated my user review here at PSX to include anything since the first impression was written. One thing that has become clear in the last week is that Polyphony has some work to do to polish certain features both in the online and offline game. The major ones being the leaderboards and other support for the GT Academy, and in the off-line side of things, they really need to fix the fully custom transmission so that it is actually fully custom. The buttons and options are already in the game, the help text and manual describe how to use the feature, but it's disabled. That must change. However other than that, it's a great game and a dream to drive.

Played a bit more Valkyria Chronicles 2 on the PSP, and some Class of Heroes. Class of Heroes is definitely an old skool dungeon crawler with severely turn based combat and dated graphics. Even so, it has something to it that keeps you playing. It's like an old toy that you pick up oocasionally, play with for a while and then throw back in the trunk. Class of Heroes does feature some of the more annoying dungeon designes though. But it's a niche genre game, and I'm sure there are people who really love it…

I gave up on testing the DC MMO that Plus users got access to this month. I'd love to try it, but the 15GB download is not going to happen on my crappy DSL, so I'm locked out for now.

I've got the itch to go back to Atelier Rorona again this week, and Uncharted too, But GT5 will not be far from my PS3. So many good games, and so many more to come. LBP2 is coming soon….

tes37
tes37
13 years ago

I was hoping the transmission would be fully functional the more you level up, but if that's not the case then this would be the first thing I would want changed.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

I know, right? I thought the same thing, but Daus mentioned in a thread the other day that it was not, and after some quick searching and reading I found what he was talking about. Apparently because of some User Interface issue PD couldn't have both the Fully customizable transmission where you set every ratio yourself, and at the same time the fully customizable transmission for dummies where you just set the top speed. Personally, I find that an incredibly weak excuse, and the fact that they elected to go with the transmission for dummies is a regrettable decision. It's been in GT games forever that you could tinker with the gear ratios to make the best use of the power bands for the race/track style. Not any more it seems.

Apparently Kaz Yamauchi has said in a twitter response that this was the reason and fixing it was not impossible, but difficult. Personally I can't see why they couldn't just have two custom transmissions. One for n00bs and one for experts. But hey, perhaps that's why I'm writing comments and not releasing games.


Last edited by TheHighlander on 12/18/2010 11:39:19 PM

tes37
tes37
13 years ago

I don't get the hand holding that's going on with some games this gen. Nobody cared if you had any knowledge of proper gear ratios in the past. It kind of kills some of the fun. I liked being able to do it wrong, it's more of a challenge that way.

If I remember correctly, there was a separate slider in past transmission menus that adjusted all the ratios together or you could choose them separately. His answer doesn't sit well as to the real reason why it was handled differently this time.


Last edited by tes37 on 12/19/2010 12:02:13 AM

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

Yeah, there was a slider for the final drive ratio that has the effect of adjusting the ratio of the entire transmission proportionately.

I think the hand holding is yet another concession to casual gamers. And to be honest it's that pandering to casual gamers that kills some games for me. I just hope that the pandering stops soon, before it really hurts the industry.


Last edited by TheHighlander on 12/19/2010 12:06:25 AM

Jawknee
Jawknee
13 years ago

What I don't get is in the transmission help section it says "just try adjusting the top speed AT FIRST." implying they will allow you to play with each gear later. Some on the interwebs seem to think it was a mistake and that Polyphony will patch it later. I cerntainly hope so.

Anonymous
Anonymous
13 years ago

@BEN Wow, we gotta be the only two who enjoyed X-2, which, TO ME! Was a great game. Maybe because I'm into linear games. X-2 is, gulp, the Fantasy I played most =)

But I have a few questions though. I already see your XIII-2 review being deducted for Square's lack of satisfying you with a "traditional RPG." I'm with you, I would love a turn-based RPG in full, glorious HD. This gen, I only enjoyed Enchanted Arms & Eternal Sonata, As close as RPG get. I wanna say to you is to lower your expectations. Every Final Fantasy is an experience. My question: Will you still have fun? Traditional, non-linear, or linear? What if Square's next project takes away even more elements that we love dear to our RPG? Lower your need for an "old-school" esque Fantasy. And stop knocking on Square. They have put no nail in there coffin.


Last edited by n/a on 12/18/2010 10:45:37 PM

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

So, you're saying that if a company doesn't produce a product that we want, a product like their best products from the past, that we should give that company a free pass and not complain? If people stand by and say nothing, things do not change. Customer complaint and opinion is a vital feedback mechanism available to any service organization. It allows them to know whether they are getting it right or wrong – assuming that they bother to use the knowledge.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

I will give it what I consider to be an appropriate score, as I do with all my reviews.

That's all I can say.


Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 12/18/2010 11:26:32 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

X-2 was pretty damn good if you can get past the girly jpop, but it is NOT a linear game. You fly where you want and do the missions you want. It really is the time they finally tweaked the ATB to perfection and it's been downhill since there.

Listen, Log, if you enjoyed FFXIII (and many of us did) then great. Ben never marked it down in his review for being unorthodox. But if you think personal opinions on Square this gen are off base then you are basically all alone in that and I wish you luck with it. As Kratos would say "That is a heavy burden, I cannot help you."

AnonWTF
AnonWTF
13 years ago

What do you people have against jpop?

sirbob6
sirbob6
13 years ago

PGU

In an effort to prepare for next year I have recently replayed all games that are related to a game releasing in 2011.

So I been busy replaying KZ 1 & 2, Uncharted 1 & 2, SOTC, Resistance 1 & 2, Dragon Age: Origins, Elder Scrolls: Oblivion, SSX, Twisted Metal Black, Ace Combat 04, Duke Nuke'm 3D, Ghost Recon, inFamous, Dead Space, LBP, Two Worlds, Dues Ex, Portal, Batman: AA, Diablo 1 & 2, Max Payne, Ratchet & Clank (all), Motor Storm, and Hitman.

So I am pretty busy for now.


Last edited by sirbob6 on 12/18/2010 10:51:02 PM

DazeOfWar
DazeOfWar
13 years ago

Damn sirbob, you gonna have anytime for anything else?

I also got the urge to replay games with sequels coming out. I'm waiting on Uncharted 1 & 2 to show up from Goozex. After hearing about part 3 I just had to replay them. I picked up Dead Space again since it's one of my favorite games, part 2 is coming next month, and I never played it on my PS3 yet just the 360.

Last isn't Resistance 3 slated for 2012?

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

No, Daze, it's September of next year. PS3 owners are going to have a phenomenal one.

sirbob6
sirbob6
13 years ago

@ Daze
I have a bit more time than I have recently mainly due to the fact that work is dying down and it is the off season for most of my hobbies.
There is no better way to spend a snowy day than enjoying the games you love next to a warm fire.

DazeOfWar
DazeOfWar
13 years ago

@Lawless:Thanks. Maybe I just got to excited with the new video and didn't pay attention to the release date. Didn't they mention it on the VGAs?

@sirbob:Ya I'll be getting some gaming in too the week after Christmas. My job gave everybody the week off with pay.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

I should probably clarify that when I talk about the expansion, I'm not talking about updating the site.

It something that should certainly HELP the site, but it's not directly related to the site. I mean…well, it is and it isn't…


Last edited by Ben Dutka PSXE on 12/18/2010 11:27:46 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

WELL, thanks for clearing THAT up for us 😉

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

LOL! Well, whatever it is I hope it goes well Ben, you guys deserve all the success you can get.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Is it the Home thing?

Fane1024
Fane1024
13 years ago

I tried to post this twice earlier, but the comment system locked up my PS3.

Podcast…featured in Home's Community Theater?

It worked wonders for PSNation.

firstc624
firstc624
13 years ago

An android app so i can view everything from my phone? That would be the best as i haven't been able to find one for psx

Fane1024
Fane1024
13 years ago

Ben (and our other resident JRPG-philes),

Just interested in your opinion(s): would you be happy if FFXIII-2 played something like FFXII or would it have to be fully turn-based? I know you'd prefer the latter, but would the former be good enough?

Highlander,

I added a long-winded reply on the other article, if you want to read it.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

I did Fane, and a good reply it is. I also replied. I totally misunderstood your first comment. If FFXIII-2 arrived and allows the player to select between the combat system from FFXIII or a more traditional turn based I would be satisfied. I'm not asking the earth, I just want the option to play the way *I* prefer.

Fane1024
Fane1024
13 years ago

I totally agree. I thought FFXII could easily have allowed the option of something like I described and would have been better for it.

Ben Dutka PSXE
Ben Dutka PSXE
13 years ago

FFXII would be fine. It's an RPG. It had an RPG combat mechanic. FFXIII didn't feel like role-playing because the combat didn't allow for any chance to pause and consider. That can come with either turn-based, or the setup in FFXII (or Dragon Age), where the game STOPS when you bring up some menus to issue new orders to allies, sift through items and equipment, etc.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Good old FFXIII talk. I could go for a second one, provided they make it a bit more involved. The game was so pedestrian that I felt as though I was doing very little. At the same time, I did like the depth behind the battle system, so I suppose I'll get to enjoy that when I finally get a chance to dig into FFX and X-2 when I catch up on my backlog next year. And I quite liked the characters after they began to gain some depth towards the end of the game, and if that continues, FFXIII-2, if it exists, will be quite the tale.

Of course, it may not be referring to that at all, but rather her inclusion in other S-E games. It's not unprecedented. Companies, and some authors, re-use certain characters out of their worlds. Kurt Vonnegut, Stephen King, Playstation Move Heroes, Hot Shots Golf… etc. Plenty of examples. Even Lightning in Dissidia, and as cosplay in The 3rd Birthday. We'll see. Can't wait until the press conference on the 18th of January, but it's a b**ch it got pushed back by a week.

I quite like T2 as a publishing company. GTA, Red Dead, the upcoming L.A. Noire, and the oft forgotten Bioshock series. They really are expanding their portfolio, and as long as they continue to push new experiences, I will continue to back them. However, they're behind Sony, Sega and EA in my books, but perhaps Noire will be enough to put them ahead of EA.

Personal Update:
Picked up a Driving Force Wireless wheel for use with GT5, and it keeps trying to drive itself, which is infuriating. Other than that, still enjoying it immensely. I've more or less finished the first draft of my review for it, but it's too long and just terrible, so I'll rewrite it.
Also playing VC2 on the PSP, still.
I've almost finished Old and Young, which is the second book in Middlemarch, and it's just full of exposition, not that that is necessarily a bad thing. I also picked up '1984' by George Orwell. I've read it before, but I'll use it as a breaker if I can't find a copy of Purgatory before I finish Middlemarch.
And Christmas… I'm trying to dodge it. I really am.
Peace.

P.S. Expanding PSXE is a good thing, but as I've stated before, doing so will require a good deal of work to keep the 'undesirables' out. It's also reassuring to know that you'll continue to keep the focus on the long-time users. Not sure if I count, but still… Fantastiche!

P.P.S. I picked up The Sly Trilogy and the PoP Trilogy this past weekend. Why I do this things to myself I'll never know… I've now only got a backlog of about 25 games :/


Last edited by Lawless SXE on 12/18/2010 11:32:02 PM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

People forget the Bioshock series?

frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

bioshock rules and totally over looked

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Well, not really forgotten, but forgotten when put beside GTA and RDR.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I'm telling you people, Nomura is talking about Light in KH3. Otherwise we would be hearing from somebody else's team. And let's not for get she's in Dissidia Duodecimal System.

TheHighlander
TheHighlander
13 years ago

You may be right.

New Tifa avatar I see….nice. I'm beginning to think I need to start changing up KOSMOS every now and again, although I personally really like the KOSMOS avatar I have, and the one with my favorite trio – Mizuho, Shion and KOS-MOS.

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

Still doin the weekly feature, but I might have to find something more permanent. People are probably either getting annoyed or a tad too "tit"illated.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Nothin' wrong with that mate. I mean, it's better than manly men. LV might disagree, but he's just about the only one. 😛

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

I killed him . . . again.

frylock25
frylock25
13 years ago

where did that guy lv go? is he out picking out scarfs or something? hes been gone a long time.

Fane1024
Fane1024
13 years ago

LV was on PSN two days ago.

I haven't seen him here in forever, though.

@World

How was there no nip slip in the last pic?


Last edited by Fane1024 on 12/19/2010 1:06:34 AM

WorldEndsWithMe
WorldEndsWithMe
13 years ago

If there had been Ben woulda pulled it and thrown me in a tree, but I didn't alter the image at all.

Lawless SXE
Lawless SXE
13 years ago

Pulled it? Either that's a bad choice of words, or I have a dirty mind…

96
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x