แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Square Enix แสดงบทความทั้งหมด
แสดงบทความที่มีป้ายกำกับ Square Enix แสดงบทความทั้งหมด

วันอังคารที่ 31 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2552

Just Cause 2

Just Cause 2

Because only 2 is an extraordinary technological leap forward from the original - Designed with 2nd generation technology software for true high definition gaming experience. New level gameplay in an open environment - Just Cause 2 features an action in the air, on land and underwater, and several points, the movement of vehicles in real time and face-This action allows players to recover what whether less than 200 meters. Three times as many missions as the original - All new skills and stunts. The best open-world action on the market?.

Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #123 in Video Games
  • Brand: Square Enix
  • Model: 1000101837
  • Published on: 2010-03
  • Released on: 2010-03-23
  • ESRB Rating: Mature
  • Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .57" h x 5.40" w x 6.74" l, .26 pounds


  • Features

  • Multi-point vehicle movement: Every vehicle has multiple points inside and out to move between in real-time, not cut scenes, jumping between multiple positions on a single vehicle or to other vehicles¿ with over 100 vehicles
  • Air, land, water and underwater: Just Cause 2 delivers action everywhere from 500 feet above to 50 feet below through jungles, snowy mountainside, deserts, cities and more, with over 600 square miles to explore and destroy.
  • Nearly endless and open-ended game-play: From deep missions to small jobs, to free exploration, players follow the route they want when they want.
  • Grapple nearly everything within 200 feet, including enemies. Progressive destruction - vehicles, building, enemies, and landscape. Pull off amazing stunts with Rico's re-designed parachute.
  • Weapons galore: Single and dual handed weapons, rocket launchers, grenade launchers, explosives, and vehicle mounted weapons.



  • Editorial Reviews

    From the Manufacturer

    On the island nation of Panau, rival gangs wage war in the streets while the ruthless dictator Baby Panay exercises a system of oppression and corruption against his own people. Somewhere on the island, your friend and mentor Tom Sheldon has disappeared with top-secret intel and millions in Agency cash. As Rico Rodriguez, the Agency's most dangerous weapon, you must infiltrate the island and locate Sheldon, setting off a violent chain of events that will set Panau ablaze.

    'Just Cause 2' game logo
    Just Cause 2
    Basejump and attack from above
    View larger.
    Just Cause 2
    Use your signature grapple to travel or to tether enemies and objects
    View larger.
    Just Cause 2
    You are an instrument of chaos
    View larger.

    Harness Just Cause 2's unique parachute and grapple combination to create your own unbelievable, high-speed aerial stunts. Whether free falling from thousands of feet, hijacking enemy fighter jets in midair or blasting through security checkpoints on the ground, use your imagination to create maximum chaos. With hundreds of weapons, vehicles, missions and Rico's trademark parachute and grapple, experience vertical freedom unparalleled in the third-person action genre.

  • Take to the air like no other game. Experience total aerial freedom with the unique parachute and dual grapple.
  • Freefall, BASE jump, vehicle surf, parasail, skydive, grapple, slingshot, leap between vehicles, hang from helicopters, scale buildings. The impossible is within your grasp.
  • Your best tool is now a weapon. Fire two shots with the grapple hook and attach unwilling enemies to high-speed vehicles, hang them upside down from buildings, tether objects in mid air. The possibilities are as vast as your imagination.
  • Explore the island paradise; from sprawling cities, secluded beaches and towering mountain peaks – more than 400 square miles of your own personal playground.
  • Hundreds of objectives can be completed in any way or order that you choose. When it's time for a break from Agency business, kick back and enjoy all the attractions that Panau has to offer.
  • Catch air on a high-speed dirt bike, race across the sea in a power boat, or fire a spread of rockets from an attack chopper – more than 100 land, sea and air vehicles are yours for the taking.





  • Customer Reviews

    Best Sandbox Game in a Long Time5
    This is just a preliminary review, I will update as I play further. Right now I'm about 45 minutes into the game and have completed a few missions. The first thing that I'd like to say is that the graphics are excellent for a sandbox game. The character models are very good and the environments are almost breathtaking. Foliage moves in the breeze and sunlight flickers as the leaves move. The colors are bright and vibrant, almost like the Uncharted color palette. The draw distance is good, with some minor pop-in with some ground foliage. You can see mountains which look like miles off in the distance. There are few minor jaggies on the edges of things, however not as bad as games such as InFamous. One more thing to add about the graphics is that the particle effects and explosions look really good. Dust flies up and flames/debris shoot out.

    The grappling hook and parachute work marvelously. You can basically grapple onto anything within reach and then use a pistol to shoot enemies or structures. Jumping off of cliffs, you can use your parachute to glide all around the environment, it can also be used during base jumping off of high structures.

    The aiming is sort of assisted. You have to have your cross hairs near an enemy and it kinda locks on. According to the manual you can target specific parts of enemies, but I haven't tried that yet. I enjoyed taking a mounted minigun off its stand and carrying it (it has unlimited ammo, unlike other weapons I have discovered) A lot of objects in the game are destructible, except buildings (in my limited experience so far) Light poles are destructible, however some lights, like on buildings and such can't be destroyed, which isn't a big deal.

    Overall, if you like sandbox games, I recommend this game. If you're on the fence about purchasing it, there's a demo available.

    EDIT: 3/24/10
    After playing a few more hours last night, I am still impressed with the game. The graphics are very nice, as stated above. The cut-scenes have a lower graphic quality than the game. I was a little disappointed, but the game itself is beautiful.

    I experimented more with the grapple. You can grapple two things together, in once instance you tow a car out from under some debris. Another thing to do is you can pull down statues of the island's ruler to create chaos. [A word about chaos, there are government buildings and equipment all around the island, by destroying them you create chaos and help you gain notoriety. By increasing your level of chaos, you gain access to more missions and equipment.] You can also grapple enemies toward you or hang them off of trees or buildings. You can only use one grapple at a time. If you double grapple something, you press a button to make it come back to you somehow (it's a game, not real life, so it basically works like magic).

    Free falling in the game is a blast. The designers made it feel like you're actually falling from extremely high up and the controller vibrates as though you're experiencing wind resistance. You can open your parachute at any time, whether falling or while in vehicles. Using a parachute while in/on vehicles allows you to gain altitude. Once you're in the air, you can grapple onto another vehicle and throw the driver out or just ride on top.

    Don't expect realism in this game as far as the stunts you perform. You can ride on top of a speeding car and not fall off, you can dive down over the front of the car and shoot. There is just so much to explore and do in this game. There are different things which you can search for such as the statues mentioned above. I think there are 90 scattered all over the place so it's fun to look for them and take them down. There are 3 factions on the island and so far I helped take over one base for them.

    The driving is a little weird at first, as far as handling. Different vehicles handle differently, the larger ones are slow and clumsy to control. You get handbrakes to help you take sharp turns and such. There are mopeds, motorcycles, copters, planes, boats, jeeps, cars, taxis, buses, firetrucks, tons of stuff to drive, there are actually 104 different vehicles and you gain a trophy for driving each one (basically hopping in).

    One last thing, the shadows in the game are ugly, unlike the rest of the game. At times they look jaggy and pixelated, but the action is fast and you hardly notice.

    I will update again once I play even more of the game.

    EDIT: 3/28/10
    I've been playing 6 hours and 21 minutes. According to the statistics, I'm only 6% finished with the game. The map is HUGE! When fully zoomed out, it measures 16"x16" on my 46" TV. I've explored roughly a 1.5" square within those 6 hours. Granted, I did spend an hour or so just fiddling around. The game has extensive statistics and it keeps you updated periodically. A message appears in the corner telling you how many hours you've been playing, how many different vehicles driven (there's also a check list on the stat screen), how many statues you've destroyed, various free fall heights, etc. The stat screen is interesting to check out because the game keeps track of so many things.

    There are racing challenges (not hard and I'm not a fan of driving games), free fall races where you base jump and have to fall through rings in the sky, and aerial races where you can fly either a plane or helicopter. The planes take some getting used to and I've always crashed :(

    The trophies are fun to collect. I'm not a fan of looking at the requirements, but the few I did check out seemed pretty cool. I've only racked up a handful but I'm not purposely trying to get them until later in the game.

    EDIT: 4/7/10
    I've put in around 22 hours and have completed roughly 16% of the game. The reason it's taking so long is because it's rather difficult to achieve 100% completion in the cities! There are always hidden water towers I keep missing or propaganda trailers off in some corner. Also there was a gas station in an out of the way place I missed for over an hour. I've gotten 100% completion in about 4 areas. The cities are huge with a lot of ground and air to cover. Plus, once you get further into the game your heat level increases faster. Just shooting a couple water towers with a helicopter will send air support after you.

    I'm still having a blast 22 hours into the game. It's so fun to just explore that I've only completed 3 storyline missions. I have actually gotten frustrated with the business district of Panau. I'm stuck at 97% complete so I'm about to start exploring further into the mountain and desert regions.

    A question I received was are the collectable items located on the map as dots? The answer is yes. However, I'll be damned if I can find some of them. I can be right over a dot on the map and there's nothing but trees in the area, no crate to be found. I'm not sure if it's an error in the code, or it's hidden somewhere, but I've given up more than a few times.

    FYI, you can complete the challenges multiple times to earn more money. There's nothing worse than buying a $35,000 plane and crashing it after flying 50 yards. If anyone is able to complete the free falling challenges, congrats, I am having a difficult time with those!

    Post any questions and I will try to answer them quickly.

    Best sandbox, possibly ever!5
    This game is a split between GTA4, Saints Row, and something all its own. It has the graphics only better'd by GTA4(but not much), the tons of weapons and fast paced action of SR with none of the bad. The only thing I can say is GTA4 has better gun and driving contols and physics; but this game trades that off with better flying and much more fun! The vast area is really impressive. I mean it make Oblivion look like tiny, GTA 4 look small, and I mean I've played for 4 hours now and seen maybe half of the island... By a jet. I feel like I can't even properly review it. 400 square miles of great graphics, changing weather and millions of opions. I highly recomend this game. Over anything else out right now. Its so much FUN!!!

    Haul in some sand and put me in that box! Fun multiplied.5
    Man, how nice to be away from reality. IRS, Bills, Responsibilities, nasty politics and more are reality. I'll leave them behind and grapple to a heli, grapple the passenger to his falling death next with the pilot and then take it over and then blow the hell out of a thug-run criminal gas station with my heli's built in rockets, parachute down and then motorcycle to a drug king pen's villa and blow the snot out of him and his goons and its not even 6:00am in the morning yet. Am I a Marine? Nope, I don't command that respect but I play Just Cause 2. Been playing it for addictively for 16 hours now and not even 8% through the main game yet. Here is the original review - a few gripes after.

    Well, I've never really enjoyed "sandbox" games. Tried GTA and just didn't get into it. Maybe I didn't try it long enough. But this game just got started and its an absolute blast and I think its just going to get even better. Watched many videos and read some reviews and watched one of the developers play and man this game is just plain insane fun! The diverse things you get to do and blow up are just amazing. Creating chaos and destroying cities to piss off the government! If only! Well, here we get to do it and the light story motivates you to kick some tail. The controls take time to get used to and are a bit difficult for older gamers like me, but its so much fun its worth it. Glitches??? I'm having way too much fun to even notice, nor do I give a .... Man, grappling to a huge heli, blowing it up OR taking it over then latching on to a building and 'chuting down, so many options. For less talented gamers such as myself, it does get a bit difficult with all of the controls and fast action though. I'll just have to keep practicing. As far as value for a game? I can't imagine how long and how many great hours you could put into this game. I think there are almost 400 locations to explore and infiltrate and I'm just getting started and thats not even mentioning the side missions which I haven't reached yet. Fun factor and replayability give this game 9.5 out of 10(haven't found a 10 yet) if you like to blow stuff up, shoot thugs, drive vehicles - planes, boats, helis, hummers and who knows what else.....this game is absolutely for you. If you pick apart games for reality, well give this one a pass. Once I get way further into it, I'll update this review.

    Some gripes: Save points! I wish there was an option to go exactly back to the place where you died. It seems that the game sticks you back into an old conquest and you have to fly/ride/run back to the other place or "transport" from your black market contact to a previous conquest that is close by to where you want to be. Not sure why, but thats the way they did it. Maybe there is another way but I don't know it. The vehicles can be difficult at first, but after you get used to them they are a complete blast. This game is still one of the most fun games I have ever played and there is so much more. Its one of the first games the I want to complete each mission at 100% and that can be fairly time consuming. The heli's are so much fun. I don't know why the put the vehicle purchase option in the game when you can just steal and aquire them in the game. Maybe there is a reason, but I don't know it yet. I bought a couple but it was just a waste of cash when I crashed them and stole another. I'll stand by my 5 star and 9.5 out of 10 review, or ok, 9.25 out of 10. A complete consuming blast, and still I'm only a small way in the game.


    Price: $56.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันจันทร์ที่ 30 มีนาคม พ.ศ. 2552

    Kane and Lynch: Dog Days

    Kane and Lynch: Dog Days

    Kane & Lynch: Dog Days PS3

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #13327 in Video Games
  • Brand: Square Enix
  • Model: 662248910109
  • Published on: 2010-05-31
  • Released on: 2010-08-24
  • ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
  • Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .30 pounds



  • Price: $59.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันพุธที่ 25 กุมภาพันธ์ พ.ศ. 2552

    Brave Fencer Musashi: Square Millennium Collection (Japanese Import Video Game)

    Brave Fencer Musashi: Square Millennium Collection (Japanese Import Video Game)

    This game only works on Japanese PS1 console, but my grandmother is a collector's item. Brave Fencer Musashiden in a big box with lots of goodies - a series of e-cards, wallet and cell phone charms!

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #48633 in Video Games
  • ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
  • Platform: PlayStation


  • Features

  • Insanely Awesome and Rare Limited Edition Set
  • Only Released in Japan for the JAPANESE PS1
  • Includes post cards, a pouch and cell phone charms!



  • Price:

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันเสาร์ที่ 25 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Dissidia Final Fantasy

    Dissidia Final Fantasy

    Cosmos, the goddess of harmony. Chaos, the god of discord. Decision distant kingdoms, the two gods warriors gathered from all countries to lead the savage war. Cosmos and Chaos are of equal strength. It is believed that the conflict would last forever. However, the balance has been broken. Those who responded to the call of the chaos created an inexhaustible force. And under fierce attack, without slowing down, the warriors who fight for the Cosmos began to fall one by one. The conflict has continued for millennia is now being completed for the Chaos. The world was torn apart, sinking into a spiral of disorder. As for the few surviving warriors ..their fate to be determined.

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #548 in Video Games
  • Brand: Square Enix
  • Model: 90902
  • Published on: 2009-08
  • Released on: 2009-08-25
  • ESRB Rating: Teen
  • Platform: Sony PSP
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .58" h x 4.13" w x 7.01" l, .20 pounds


  • Features

  • Continue the experience by trading Friend Cards, creating items and sharing AI characters with other players and even engage in virtual AI battles made possible by the PSP system ad hoc mode.
  • Experience the high-quality world and gameplay mechanics of Final Fantasy presented in an action-packed environment where players can glide through the air and dash along walls.
  • Action-based battle system combines all-out brawling alongside RPG-based character development in an original system developed by the creators of the Kingdom Hearts series.
  • Fan-favorite heroes and villains from the entire Final Fantasy series come together in one game for the first time in a remarkable new tale with fully-voiced CG movies and real-time events.
  • Enjoy series staple battle features accessible through "EX Burst". In this players can experience gameplay faithful to the originals through memorable battle features such as "Limit Break" and "Overdrive".



  • Editorial Reviews

    Amazon.com Product Description

    Celebrating the 20th year of the renowned franchise, Dissidia Final Fantasy for PlayStation Portable brings together the largest collection of Final Fantasy characters ever in a fighting-styled game where players must choose their allegiance between good and evil, as they utilize the more than twenty playable characters available.

    'Dissidia Final Fantasy' game logo
    Story
    Players, prepare to profess your allegiance to either Cosmos or Chaos...Cosmos is the goddess of harmony, while Chaos is the god of discord. Reigning from distant realms, the two gods had gathered warriors from all lands to lead them in savage war. At one time Cosmos and Chaos were of equal in strength. It was believed that their conflict would last forever. However, the balance is now broken. Those who answered Chaos' call created an inexhaustible force. And under vicious attack without relent, the warriors fighting for Cosmos started to fall one by one. The conflict that has continued for eons is now about to end in Chaos' favor...The world has been torn asunder, sinking into a vortex of disorder. As for the few surviving warriors… their fates have yet to be determined.

    Battle for Cosmos or Chaos in 'Dissidia Final Fantasy'
    Battle for Cosmos or Chaos.
    View larger.
    A wealth of playable characters in 'Dissidia Final Fantasy'
    A wealth of playable characters.
    View larger.
    Wielding special weapons and items in 'Dissidia Final Fantasy'
    Wield special weapons and items.
    View larger.
    Gameplay
    Featuring action very similar to other games in the Final Fantasy series, Dissidia Final Fantasy consists of one-on-one combat either against a human or AI opponent where the goal is to reduces your opponent's hit points to zero. This is done through a series of attacks and battle features which must be balanced against the player's status and that of the opponent faced. In addition, the game also features "EX Mode" which increases the power of existing attacks. This mode can be activated in a variety of ways, both related to combat and chance.

    Characters
    Dissidia Final Fantasy features characters from both sides of the struggle from each of the games in the Final Fantasy series. Although favorites will soon be found, the storyline of game's main campaign requires players to assume the role of each of these characters at one point or another in order to attain ultimate success. All told the game contains twenty-two total playable characters from Final Fantasy through Final Fantasy XII; evenly split between heroes and villains. In addition, players can also look forward to playing as a few secret characters unlockable in the game. Regardless of the character, players will find that each will become more powerful as they gain experience in battle, have access to different costumes and in most cases are able to transform into different physical forms in specific modes and wield fully customizable. See all 22 and their previous Final Fantasy appearances below:

    Hero
    Original Game
     Warrior of Light  Final Fantasy
     Firion  Final Fantasy II
     Onion Knight  Final Fantasy III
     Cecil Harvey  Final Fantasy IV
     Bartz Klauser  Final Fantasy V
     Terra Branford  Final Fantasy VI
     Cloud Strife  Final Fantasy VII
     Squall Leonhart  Final Fantasy VIII
     Zidane Tribal  Final Fantasy IX
     Tidus  Final Fantasy X
     Shantotto  Final Fantasy XI
    Villain
    Original Game
     Garland  Final Fantasy
     The Emperor  Final Fantasy II
     Cloud of Darkness  Final Fantasy III
     Golbez  Final Fantasy IV
     Exdeath  Final Fantasy V
     Kefka Palazzo  Final Fantasy VI
     Sephiroth  Final Fantasy VII
     Ultimecia  Final Fantasy VIII
     Kuja  Final Fantasy IX
     Jecht  Final Fantasy X
     Gabranth  Final Fantasy XII

    Key Features:
  • Legacy - Experience the high-quality world and gameplay mechanics of Final Fantasy presented in an action-packed environment where players can glide through the air and dash along walls.
  • All-new battle system - Action-based battle system combines all-out brawling alongside RPG-based character development in an original system developed by the creators of the Kingdom Hearts series.
  • Ultimate cast of characters - Fan-favorite heroes and villains from the entire Final Fantasy series come together in one game for the first time in a remarkable new tale with fully-voiced CG movies and real-time events.
  • Fantasy match - Players select their favorite Final Fantasy characters, sided with either Cosmos or Chaos, to set the stage for their fantasy match.
  • Series Staple Battle Features - Accessible through "EX Burst", players can experience gameplay faithful to the originals through memorable battle features such as "Limit Break" and "Overdrive". In addition, longtime fans of the series can enjoy the ability to summon Aeons and options such as the "command battle" system.
  • Community - Continue the experience by trading Friend Cards, creating items and sharing AI characters with other players and even engage in virtual AI battles made possible by the PSP system ad hoc mode.



  • Customer Reviews

    I'm hooked, can't stop playing.5
    Ok, so this game is indeed one of the finer games on the PSP, and with the slew of unlockables, story, different arcade modes, and multi-player, it's a game that one could happily spend hours upon hours playing.

    The battle system is a little odd, as it's not a typical fighter. More of a action game, with fighting and RPG elements tied all together very nicely. It takes a few minutes to understand how everything works together in battle, but once you get the hang of it, you just keep getting better and better, and the battles become more and more enjoyable.

    The story mode, admittedly, is actually kind of weak, for a Final Fantasy title (at least, every Final Fantasy before IX had a good story). I enjoy the story, personally, but it's not full of surprises, or played out in the greatest fashion. It's decent, but it could have been so much better. That, and the voice acting for some characters is a bit sad. It's almost embarrassing to listen to sometimes. But there are quite a few characters whose American voice overs were done perfectly (Sephiroth and Kefka come to mind).

    The customization of your characters is un-effing-believable. None of the equipment you use will change your character's appearance, but the amount of weapons, accessories, equipment, summons and abilities you can learn, gain, create and buy are very nearly endless. Especially with the multi-player items you get just from battling. In that same field, there's a calendar system in the game that will give you rewards based on what day you play. By unlocking more bonuses through the catalog in the game, you can make these days occur more often, and yield much greater rewards.

    The multi-player is 50/50, in my opinion. Yes, it's very, very nice, it works really well, and the rewards can be unique, but it's only Ad-hoc. There's no online multi-player, which is really disappointing. While my cousin and I played, we experienced a bit of lag, but it was hardly noticeable at all. Very slight, and it didn't ruin the battle, or the experience. It's quite a bit of fun, so if you have or get this game, find someone else who does too. The ability to handicap the level so it's an even match makes it much nicer as well, so that you can fight someone brand new to the game, without them having to spend hours leveling up first.

    Arcade mode was a unique addition to the American version, and while it's a lot of fun, it's straight forward, with pre-set characters. No customization here. So, it gets old pretty quickly. However, since you initially only have access to the heroes (you have to unlock the villains via the catalog), this is a good place to go to get some practice with all the characters, as all 20 of the main characters are available to play right off the bat in Arcade mode.

    Unlockables in this game seem endless. When you unlock new characters or items, more appear to unlock. As you progress through the game, you get random items and rewards, and more items appear for you to unlock through the catalog. The museum allows you to see all sorts of Final Fantasy info on characters, and, once you unlock it, the replay editor is here, allowing you to go back over battles you've fought and saved the replay for, and allows you to edit them, save them to AVI, and import them to your computer.

    Over all, this game is an amazing package, and the only things that really hold it back from perfection are a few poor choices, and poor voice acting. Now, I admit that I'm a Final Fantasy fan, and this game is definitely a present for all the die-hard fans of the series, but the way the game plays, anyone who's a fan of action, fighting or RPG genre of gaming can enjoy this game for months to come. I cannot recommend this game enough. It's worth every penny.

    Overall: 9.5 out of 10

    Positivies:
    +Amazing cast of fan favorites
    +Unbelievable customization
    +Almost unending unlockables
    +Fantastic battle system that just gets better as you play
    +Really great Ad-hoc battles
    +Easily able to sink 100+ hours into this game
    +Accessable to almost any gamer

    Negatives:
    -No online multi-player
    -Story is a bit weak, but playable
    -Voice overs are, more often than not, disappointing

    The one and only true Final Fantasy fighting game (Bradd's review)4
    Dissidia is the best Final Fantasy fighting game because it's the only FF dedicated fighting game. It can be played in Story Mode, Arcade or Online. I enjoy all three modes and I recommend it to all Final Fantasy fans and to those who love fighting games but not everything is perfect.


    GAME MODES

    It all starts with a movie that that goes through every main character from every Final Fantasy game individually. If you do the Story Mode you can be one of 10 'good' characters and fight your way to the finish.

    When you play Online you can be a good character or play as the villains if you can afford to buy them for Perk points in the Perk shop.

    In the Arcade mode where you can earn Perc points and Gil if you fight well you can also be any of the 10 good characters or any of the 10 main villains.

    Any battle can be replayed but that's not it. Once the battle is over it can be saved and then edited and saved as a movie. This works in any mode: story, arcade or online.


    GAMEPLAY

    Is different form other fighting games in that you have to use a combination of melee and ranged attacks. This earns you Bravery points. The more Bravery you have the more life damage you do when you perform a primary attack. You can also collect EXO points on the battlefield to transform yourself into a stronger form and do an extremely powerful attack.

    You earn Perc points and Gil in the Arcade mode or in the Story mode and you can use them to buy equipment, summoning gems, cool costumes or to summon any of the 10 main villains.


    THE GOODS AND THE BADS

    This is a fun and addictive game and I've been playing it every day for a few days already. I found the 'Teen' rating to be appropriate because anyone younger would find Dissidia hard to play.

    In my view, there are a few problems too. For example, you cannot play as Zack Fair form 'Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core' because he is considered a secondary character. It also takes some practice to get used to the battle system. Online battles can be glitchy sometimes with the game freezing for a second or two but that could be because of the Wi-Fi network.

    ______________________________________________________

    Note: The above is mainly Bradd's review with me responsible for some edits. Bradd is my son.

    Masterpiece of Fighting5
    Dissidia is blatant fan-service for the dedicated and faithful. But it is also blatant fun! Whether you are new to the Final Fantasy universe or a long time player, Dissidia has it for you! It takes an idea like Super Smash Brothers and widens it up. It isn't a 2D fighter but has 3D fully realized worlds for you to battle it out in! Players can stick to the ground and launch attacks at wide ranges, or fly to the skies to attack in furious mid-air frenzies! It is huge too! The game just keeps widening up as more and more features are unlocked!

    Each character can be upgraded at will to the umpteenth level. All of the normal RPG stats are here: Attack, Defense, Luck and so on... but all the characters can learn new moves all throughout the adventure! Dissidia is amazing! Hours and hours of fun! I'd recommend it hands down!


    Price: $19.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันอังคารที่ 14 ตุลาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

    Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King

    Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King continues the mega-hit role of strategy change Dragon Quest - a global success, is now available for Americans to enjoy. You're the last survivor of King Torode's army, and the king and his daughter have both been treated. As a warrior, it is necessary to find the evil clown who stole the scepter of power and the origin of this tragedy. The full orchestral soundtrack, completely renovated menu system graphical user interface, the combat capabilities and enhanced animations breathtaking, while the world has to live and operate a large number of new places to explore. An epic of friendship, courage, and adventure awaits you in the green meadows, snowy mountains and rough seas of Dragon Quest VIII.

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #1131 in Video Games
  • Brand: Square Enix
  • Model: 662248905013
  • Published on: 2005-11
  • Released on: 2006-06-15
  • ESRB Rating: Teen
  • Platform: PlayStation2
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .86" h x 5.44" w x 7.64" l, .38 pounds


  • Features

  • Strategy and role-playing combined - Each level you go up, you'll get new experience points to spend -- you'll also have to seletc the right weapons and magic combos for maximum combat effect
  • Tension system enhances the action - forgo attacking for a few rounds, then build up your power to unleash a multi-hit combo that destroys opponents
  • Special Bonus Disc with playable demo of Final Fantasy XII included!



  • Editorial Reviews

    From the Manufacturer
    Dragon Quest VIII: Journey of the Cursed King is the latest installment of the immensely popular Dragon Quest series and the first to be released for the PlayStation2 computer entertainment system. For the first time ever, the colorful characters, exotic environments, and daunting dungeons of the Dragon Quest universe have made the transition to glorious 3D. In their continent-spanning adventure, players will be immersed in a unique world of seemingly limitless possibilities.

    Features:

  • A traditional turn-based battle system with jaw-dropping graphics merges the old with the new
  • Cut-scenes feature voice-overs bursting with wit and charm--added exclusively for the North American version
  • A totally revamped graphical user interface makes the classic Dragon Quest gameplay even more accessible--another feature exclusive to the North American version
  • Individual party members' behavior can be customized for optimal battle performance
  • Party members deploy awesome attacks and spectacular spells in stunning 3D
  • Enhanced music and sound effects stay true to the Dragon Quest series while providing a fresh listening experience
  • Characters designed by Akira Toriyama are brought to life by an amazing cel-shading graphics engine, bringing gamers of all ages into a world straight out of Japanese animation
  • Finely tuned game balance makes this title easy to pickup, but challenging to master


  • Customer Reviews

    One of the Greatest Reborn in the Same Shell5
    Dragon Quest (previously known as Dragon Warrior in the US) has always been one of those games that I had to have. When I was a kid, I got the first through a subscription to a magazine, and I was in love ever since. Though as basic as a game can get, there was something addicting about the monotonous walking, fighting, and leveling up. In two, three, and four (four in particular), they attempted to bring more detail to the story lines, and succeeded just enough not to ruin the normal, DW game play that RPG lovers have come to love. Then, we missed five and six, and had to wait for the ugliest PlayStation game ever released in Dragon Quest VII. It was fun, but it seemed dated from the release; the graphics were only barely better than the old Super Nintendo.

    Then, Enix, the long-time publisher of Dragon Warrior, merged with Square, and thus Dragon Quest VIII was born. I worried, at first. Was Square going to dilute it with all those Final Fantasy cut-scenes, or were they going to take away the simple battle system that's in every DW game?

    The answer: NO. Everything is there that was in every other Dragon Quest game; dungeons, constant fighting and leveling up, struggling to buy all the new items, seeking out all those rare items, getting lost more often than not, a simple, point-a-to-point-b story, and that same battle system. It's all here, but with one major edition: extraordinary graphics. Akira Toriyama (Dragon Ball creator, and long time designer for Dragon Quest) was able to fully show his skill in this game.

    This game is excellent to play, as well. Not only for its nostalgia, but for the actual game play. It's still addictive, but even more so since the world itself is now rendered in 3D and huge, making it a lot to explore, and exploring it is worth it as it has numerous things for you to find all over the land-map. Finding these things are important, because they've added a new feature called the Alchemy Pot which requires you to use two or three items to make one are item. Also, its fun meeting some of the new characters, and hearing the interesting ways they are voiced.

    For anyone old enough to remember the first Dragon Warrior, and for anyone who actually understood it, I recommend this game. I also recommend this for anyone who loves RPGs but hasn't yet experienced one of the genre's roots. Dragon Quest VIII is a great edition to the Dragon Quest library, and an instant classic.

    ADDED NOTE: I've just recently finished this game, and I must now say that my impressions were vastly ignorant. This game, from start to finish, is pure excitement, never diluted by long, dramatic cut-scenes, with an emphasis on the game play. The ending, without spoiling, was surprisingly interactive and incomplete, though I have had a chance to complete it. It also isn't nearly as serious as those other RPG endings. It allows you to laugh at the characters despite enduring the nearly seventy hours of game play and storytelling involving the end of a world. And the replay-ability is decent, with an entire extra quest and area to explore after saving your game following the credits. Now, I'd recommend this game because it is clearly the top choice in its genre (RPG). It's a great prologue to the up-coming Final Fantasy XII or Kingdom Hearts 2.

    I'm impressed!5
    Many of the RPG's I know have suffered immensely in their transition from 2-D to 3-D (the "Suikoden" series immediately comes to mind, as well as "Breath of Fire"). The colors become washed out, the gameplay becomes much more boring, and in many ways, they just plain svck...

    Enter "Dragon Quest VIII" from Enix, the 6th game of the series to be released over here. I have only played for a couple of days, but I must confess that I am quite pleased at the result of adding a new dimension to the gameplay.

    For starters, the environment (including the "overworld" is now fully interactive. There are set roads the player may travel, but one may also branch off of these roads to find new caves, treasure chests and secrets galore. Hence, it trumps FFX in this regard (although the playable demo of FFXII included in the game already has me salivating!). Furthermore, some walls contain secret passages, etc., and in general the game offers full movement in the world and secrets which are only made possible in the 3-D setting.

    As for the gameplay (and here may be a bit of fanboy-itis, I'll admit), the game is much more fun than its predecessor. Gone is the cumbersome class system of DWVII (which I personally liked, but many hated), and in its place is a very easy to learn skill system. Each party member has five skills which they can raise any way they like. Skill points are awarded at level ups, and as skills gain more points (and the point distribution is entirely up to the player), the party member will gain battle spells and "traits", which are essentially bonuses to attack, defense, etc. The game is quite linear at the front, but I know of a few sidequests later in the game which will give the player more freedom to choose his path.

    As for the graphics, well, they don't stand up next to the might of the FFXII demo packaged alongside, but the cel-shading seems perfect to bring out the charm of Akira Toriyama's character and monster designs. However, I am surprised that the female character can manage to keep her incredibly-revealing top on!

    In any case, this is a worthy addition to the "Dragon Warrior" legacy, and a fine game in its own right. And I particularly like the translators' decision to use British persons for the voices of the characters - it just comes off better, it seems to me...

    Classic nostalgic RPG gameplay5
    I have to start out saying that for me, this game was exactly what I needed. With a great amount of RPG's out there and all their attempts to continually evolve the console RPG, they often seem to over embellish upon such evolutions and leave out some of the common staples I personally enjoy in my rpg,(Final Fantasy X-2 losing weapons and armor upgrades in place of the whole Garment system for example or card battle sytems). While I respect the attempt to evolve on the standard rpg formula, they often leave out some of the classic elements in order to allow such changes. On two different occasions I attempted to play FF X-2 and found myself missing the more classic elements that had been left out, and end up losing interest.
    Dragon Quest VIII however pulled me in and kept me going till the end.

    Now some will feel that the classic elements are dated and may become bored with it.
    The combat in DQ8 is the simple turn based system that gives you the standard options such as fight, item, flee,etc.., as well as a few new ones, you have the all too common random battles while you walk around with your basic 4 character team, each with their own look and style, supplemented with their own slew of weapons and abilities that you must improve upon or find throughout your quest. You merely gain levels with the hopes of entering a new area or dungeon without dying, you simply try to get the money to buy that next weapon, and have to explore outside world one step at a time. For some that will be all to tiresome.
    But honestly thats why I fell in love with console RPG's. So I may be a little biased in this review. Dragon Quest had everything I personally missed from most of the modern rpg's.

    You see my very first console rpg experience was Phantasy Star for the Sega Master System, and in fact was really my first rpg experience period, in any format. It was actually the first console rpg that had been released in the U.S. at that time. At least as far as I know. Neither Dragon Warrior or Final Fantasy had been released in America yet.
    And well.....playing Dragon Quest VIII actually brought back what I experienced when I first played Phantasy Star and later Dragon Warrior and Final Fantasy. These games were where those those classic rpg elements derived from.

    Dragon Quest VIII is the full and classic console role playing experience, but with all the modern technical enhancements,(graphics, sound, voice), as well as a few of the more recent game elements incorporated to modernize it a bit.(monster teams, item creation, ability building options) If you ever enjoyed the older rpg's from the 8 and 16 bit era, and you still love to play RPG's, you will most likely enjoy this game even more.

    There's nothing really fancy about DQ8, and I personally love it. The game plays simply, yet allows for a good deal of depth in character building, development, personality, and story. The story itself is quite standard and expectedly typical of most rpg's, but it moves along rather tightly and refrains from bogging down of an over imposing storyline or a bunch of long drawn out dialogue. It has many of the common rpg cliches when it comes to the characters and story, but the voice acting to me is superb, and found that it keeps those cliches from being so cliche. Admittedly my bias shows a little more here as I am no fan of the long video game storyline. I like mine simple with a few twists and turns, and the rest is left for you to look into or not. I seem to enjoy the idea of creating and guiding the story with the characters and the actual game playing itself, and not just being guided through a novel, or a movie. Dragon Quest feels more like a choose you own adventure experience.

    There are a great many recent RPG's out there, but I find most of them to be quite linear,(Final Fantasy X comes to mind, one of the best battle systems in any rpg, but nothing more than a pre-set adventure) or they contain very repetitive maps and dungeons( .Hack//, Dark Cloud). Dragon Quest avoids both of these issues.

    The most important thing that Dragon Quest 8 does for me, and what seems to have disappeared from the majority of RPG's today, is it created the wonderful illusion of an open world with no permanent boundaries. It never sets you on an strict storied path, but never leaves you guessing what to do next. There are side quests that allow you to focus on something other than the main path of the story. Exploring the countryside for secluded treasure chests or special monsters who join your monster team give you reasons to explore the vast world map. There are often times when you can go to areas and towns ahead of schedule, simply because you can walk, sail, or fly, to multiple places on the map. There are many hidden items to find in cupboards, barrels, pots or water-wells, as well as searching bookshelves for recipes to create useful items with your alchemy pot. So you can actually interact a bit with your environment. Another thing lacking in many modern rpg's. Most just lay a few treasure chests while you travel your linear path. And finally with this illusionary sense of openness, you also find yourself traveling back to older areas to find other surprises that had previously been unattainable or that you simply missed. Again giving me the appearance or the illusion of a game world without borders.

    Many recent popular action-adventure games such as Grand Theft Auto and all their clones have seemed to reintroduced this aspect to console games, with a few other games like Zelda having kept it up.
    For me this was what I always preferred from the games I played. Whether it was a standard rpg(Phantasy Star,Final Fantasy III), an action/adventure(Metroid, Casltvania - Simon's Quest & Symphony of the Night), or adventure/rpg(Zelda, Secret of Mana, Kingdom Hearts), the illusion of boundless exploration, hidden surprises, field interaction, back tracking, and the ability to build your character's strength through item's and/or leveling was always preferable to the common straight forward gaming. It makes me feel as though I control my characters on a much more organic level.
    Dragon Quest VIII has all of that. It is the best of the classic console rpg formula.

    Unfortunately, that will turn a few people off completely.
    Many people need a more modernized battle system, with a faster paced play through. If you need your rpg to have a consistently active battle system as opposed to turned based, or need grand visuals in battles, if you hate having to back track, prefer linear pre-set paths and story lines and abhor an open world with optional exploration, you may not enjoy this game.

    Dragon Quest VIII is a wonderfully nostalgic gaming experience with all the modern goodness of the PS2's standard capabilities.
    If you have been playing console rpg's for the last 10-20 years, get this game and enjoy.


    Price: $5.60

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันศุกร์ที่ 5 กันยายน พ.ศ. 2551

    NIER

    NIER

    Nothing is as it seems in the last game Square Enix action adventure in a world afflicted by the disease and the collapse of the dark, unrecognizable creatures. Players assume the role of the inflexible protagonist, NIER, stopped in his quest to discover a cure for his daughter, who is infected with the virus Scrawl Black. With powerful allies and a mysterious book, meetings NIER things that confuse even the most powerful warriors. With NIER, the cinematic experience seamless and explore the land battle strangely familiar, full of intense combat and storytelling that Square Enix may do.

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #192 in Video Games
  • Brand: Square Enix
  • Model: 15782621
  • Published on: 2010-05-31
  • Released on: 2010-04-27
  • ESRB Rating: Mature
  • Number of discs: 1
  • Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .30 pounds


  • Features

  • Experience a rich, twisting storyline of a world plagued by human anguish, buried secrets and a ravaging disease
  • Explore a beautiful, immersive world presented in signature Square Enix style
  • Diverse and action-packed game play heightened by a combination of chain attacks and crushing magic abilities
  • Multiple weapons to master, each with its own characteristics
  • Unlock magic abilities to unleash crushing blows to enemies near and far Cinematic event scenes that draw the player into the world of NIER



  • Editorial Reviews

    From the Manufacturer
    Story

    Nothing is as it seems in Square Enix's latest Action-RPG game, set in a crumbling world plagued by disease and dark, unrecognizable creatures. Players assume the role of the unyielding protagonist, NIER, resolute in his quest to discover a cure for his daughter, who is infected with the Black Scrawl virus. With powerful allies and a mysterious book, NIER encounters things that will confound even the mightiest of warriors.

    NIER WITH DAUGHTER
    Battle to discover the truth about the
    Black Scrawl, Nier's daughter...and himself.
    NIER ATTACKS
    Unleash brutal combat moves along with
    devastating combo attacks.
    NIER WITH DAUGHTER
    Call on a remarkable array of stylish
    and powerful spells.

    With NIER, experience seamless in-battle cinematics and explore hauntingly familiar lands, intense action-packed battles, and storytelling like only Square Enix can do.


    Features

    The Next RPG from Square Enix: NIER, the newest franchise from RPG masters Square Enix, delivers unique and memorable characters, intense action-packed battles, explosive magic and storytelling like only Square Enix can.

    Unbelievable Story Twists and Reveals: Immerse in an amazingly intricate storyline set in a world plagued by human anguish, buried secrets and a ravaging disease. With plot twists hiding around every corner, NIER's story needs to be seen to be believed.

    RPG Gameplay Injected With Action-Packed Combat: Battle ferocious and mysterious enemies by combining proven RPG-style gameplay, such as magic, character development and faithful allies, with action-focused explosive swordplay and combat.

    Powerful Magical Abilities: When his sword isn't enough, Nier can call on a remarkable array of stylish and powerful spells to augment his combat moves and overcome adversaries. As players progress, upgraded spells will help defeat ever-more-deadly enemies.

    Brutal Combat Moves: Face off against evil creatures and unleash brutal combat moves along with devastating combo attacks. Unlock an arsenal of devastating weapons, each with its own design and attack style.

    Formidable Allies: Travel with a dynamic party of allies and do battle against monstrous giants as a powerful and united party.

    A Dynamic and Stunning World: Travel across an unforgettable world filled with dynamic landscapes featuring the hauntingly familiar remains of modern society.


    Product Description

    Jump into the title role of the unyielding Nier as he begins his desperate quest to discover a cure for his daughter, Yonah, who is stricken with the deadly Black Scrawl disease. Armed with powerful magic as well as mighty swords, Nier will battle alongside formidable allies against waves of dark enemies and giant bosses to discover the truth about the disease, his daughter...and himself.


    Price: $55.99 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันศุกร์ที่ 29 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Final Fantasy I - II - NINTENDO FAMICOM (Japanese Import Video Game)

    Final Fantasy I - II - NINTENDO FAMICOM (Japanese Import Video Game)

    This is the Famicom version of Final Fantasy I & II!

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #10768 in Video Games
  • ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
  • Platform: Nintendo NES


  • Features

  • Original Famicom Versions of Final Fantasy I and II
  • Only Released in Japan in this Format
  • Excellent Collector's Item For Any Final Fantasy Fan!
  • Only works on Japanese Famicom (or possibly on clone system or with an adapter)



  • Price:

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันพฤหัสบดีที่ 28 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

    Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

    FF Tactics: War of the Lions for PSP

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #1891 in Video Games
  • Brand: Square Enix
  • Model: 90711
  • Published on: 2007-10
  • Released on: 2007-10-09
  • ESRB Rating: Teen
  • Platform: Sony PSP
  • Number of items: 1
  • Dimensions: .58" h x 4.13" w x 7.00" l, .20 pounds


  • Features

  • Animated sequences combine hand-drawn style visuals with computer graphics
  • Enhanced widescreen presentation, new jobs and new characters
  • Challenge friends in head-to-head battles with the multiplayer function
  • team up in the co-operative mode and try to outwit the game's computer opponents



  • Editorial Reviews

    Amazon.com

    Enter a time where the land Ivalice has been divided by the War of the Lions. Play as either Delital Heiral, the hero who stopped the war, or Ramza Beoulve, whose role remains a mystery. These two characters help you to unlock and discover the history of the war and Ivalice.

    Features:

  • Witness the origin of the Ivalice Alliance, a series of titles that take place in the same world as Final Fantasy XII and Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings
  • Animated sequences combine hand-drawn style visuals with computer graphics
  • Enhanced widescreen presentation, new jobs and new characters
  • Challenge friends in head-to-head battles with the multiplayer function or team up in the co-operative mode and try to outwit the game's computer opponents
  • Introduction of the Onion Knight and Dark Knight class


  • Customer Reviews

    One of the Finest Fantasies Out There4
    Final Fantasy Tactics was without a doubt one of the greatest Playstation games out there. Starting off as a cult classic it became a big success when it was released later as a Greatest Hits package. Ten years later and Final Fantasy Tactics is still one of the best Final Fantasy games ever made.

    Of all the Final Fantasy games, Tactics has arguably the best story out there. It's full of emotion, political intrigue, fantastic characters and it's very deep. If this is your first trump through Final Fantasy Tactics, prepare to be dazzled. It's still one of the most absorbing in the series. To the point where you'll be sad to leave when the whole thing is over. The game is also backed up by a fantastic new translation that out does the original and makes the world of Ivalice come alive. The translation alone may actually warrant Final Fantasy Tactics The War of the Lions worth a buy even for those who played through the original game.

    It's the gameplay that makes Final Fantasy Tactics a treat, though. Thanks to the job system, customization is nearly endless. Before each battle you can assign jobs to your characters. Each job has specific traits about them and can greatly affect how you perform in battle. Mages have devastating magic abilities while Knights are strong physical attackers. They also bring their own unique abilities to the table. Because there are so many job classes to choose from, there's a lot of experimentation you can do. As you master abilities you'll also be able to mix and match. You could have a Squire casting white magic, for example provided you've learned some of the white magic abilities.

    As battles progress you gain experience. You pretty much gain experience after each and every turn, which is nice. Not only do you gain experience but you also gain job points to help you master the abilities in your job class. It's pretty simple stuff and you'll be surprised at just how fast you can learn abilities here.

    Final Fantasy Tactics provides its own challenges, though. Not all your enemies are taken down easily, and if you don't take advantage of the opportunities to improve your characters abilities you'll be overwhelmed before you know it. When they say Final Fantasy Tactics, they're not kidding. Sometimes little simple mishaps in your strategy can cost you a battle. Not only that, but even doing things such as casting spells you must be careful with because if any of your characters are in range, they'll be struck by that spell. You also have to be quick about reviving characters otherwise you lose them forever. If your first plunge into Final Fantasy Tactics was with the GBA version released in 2003 you'll be in for a rude awakening.

    There is also a multiplayer thrown in there. You can work with a friend or battle friends. First there are melee battles where you can battle up against friends and then there's the Rendezvous Battles where you'll team up with a friend. These let you get some rare and hard to find items that are otherwise unable to be obtained.

    While Final Fantasy Tactics is a great game, it certainly doesn't do as much in the technical department as it does in the gameplay. The game itself doesn't really look any different from the game released ten years ago. There's little, if any, enhancement to the graphics at all. For the pleasure of story, however, there are some pretty cool cutscenes thrown in that are incredible looking. These cutscenes are truly artistic and in depth. While those cutscenes are beautiful, it's a shame Square-Enix did little to update the games other visuals. Despite the cool cutscenes, though, there are some slow down issues in battle.

    Music wise, though, Final Fantasy Tactics easily has some of the best music in the series. It's still memorable to hear and can still give many video game soundtracks a run for their money. While the voice acting isn't as good as other video games, they add a lot of depth to the cutscenes.

    Surprisingly, there are quite a few differences outside of the translation to Final Fantasy Tactics The War of the Lions. New characters such as Balthier appear. There are new missions exclusive to the PSP version as well as the multiplayer aspect of the game. While there aren't a huge assortment of new items and abilities, you'll find War of the Lions takes a much longer time to master than the original.

    Final Fantasy Tactics: War of the Lions is a great re-release of a great classic. While it's still a good game a bit more could've been done to update it. The technical issues will probably annoy some fans, but for the most part you're getting a good game. Even if you have the original, this one is worth a look.

    Pros:

    +A fantastic storyline
    +Beautiful soundtrack
    +New job classes
    +Good cutscenes
    +Addictive gameplay
    +Tons of customization
    +The New Translation is far better than the original, making even the experience of the story completely different for those who went through before. This alone makes the game worth a purchase for those who already went through it and enjoyed it once before

    Cons:

    -Will be difficult for newcomers
    -Some technical issues with the graphics and sound
    -Not much of a graphical update at all, it looks just like the original Playstation version

    Remake of a PS1 Classic5
    This review was written by my son, James Shea

    A remake of the hit game for the PS1, Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions updates many of the little pieces of the original game in addition to carrying the game over to the Playstation Portable platform. It has been 10 years since the original's release; now the update brings it to a new generation.

    As a refresher for those unfamiliar with the original game, Final Fantasy Tactics is a turn-based tactical game using many of the abilities and classes made familiar in the Final Fantasy series of games. The story takes place in the kingdom of Ivalice, where civil war has erupted following a great war against foreign enemies and the death of the old king. The main character, Ramza, must navigate these mazes of treachery and deceit to discover the true secret of the ancient prophecies that govern the kingdom.

    The English translation to the original was notoriously bad, with such lines as "I got a good feeling!" and "Bracelet" used instead of "Breath" (as in, a Dragon's breath). The main thing done by the remake was the rewriting/retranslating of almost the entire script to be much more period-appropriate. For the most part this is a good thing, matching the epic, elegant scale of the story, though certain fan-favorite lines were lost ("Don't blame us! Blame yourself or God!" and "Surrender, or die in obscurity!" being two of those). Many names were also changed; besides the re-familiarization of characters (for fans who got used to the old names), the only other problem is the abundance of "th" sounds to replace "s" sounds ("Algus" becomes "Argath", like how "Aeris" from Final Fantasy 7 became "Aerith" in later games).

    In certain scenes, illustrated cinematics were used to replace the game-engine cutscenes or CG cutscenes used in the old versions. These cinematics have a distinct art style and coloring scheme and are very well done. These scenes also have voice acting, which is done with English accents similar to much of Final Fantasy XII. Several new scenes are also inserted to either add backstory to the game or to establish a new character. On that note, two new characters from other Final Fantasy games are recruitable through the story (much like Cloud from FF7 was and still is): Balthier from FFXII and Luso from the upcoming FFT Advance 2. Two new classes are also obtainable for regular (IE non-unique) characters. Onion Knight is gained by gaining levels in the two basic classes (chemist and squire) while, on the other end, Dark Knight is gained by gaining a high level of classes in many specialized classes.

    The War of the Lions also adds a multiplayer mode, accessible through ad-hoc wireless (the PSPs must be within range of each other; no online mode is available). Through this, two players can either fight head-to-head or work cooperatively on unique missions. Characters do not die permanently in this mode, but there are treasures that can be gained from it, including some unique equipment. While it isn't as developed as it could be, its addition is certainly welcomed.

    Graphically, the game is the same. While the older sprites might seem dated, the smaller screen means that they seem more artistic than pixelated. The only troubling spot is major slowdown when spells are cast or abilities are used; this problem is recurring and noticeable, but such is only to be expected with the transition between systems.

    Final Fantasy Tactics is still acclaimed as one of the best games of all time. With this remake, there were a lot of worries that the original formula would be watered down. Fortunately, this is definitely not the case; the additions are almost entirely good, and make for a much more serious, solid experience. This game has done a great service in many ways to this classic game, despite occasional troubles.

    Rating: 9/10.

    Great Game, Some Flaws3
    Final Fantasy Tactics has long been my favorite videogame EVER. Nothing, I feel, has ever matched the original PS1 version of the game. Unfortunately, that still statement still stands.

    I've always wanted a portable version of Final Fantasy Tactics, and when I heard it was coming to PSP I went and bought a PSP JUST FOR THIS GAME. I figured that with the fixed translation, new movies, and new content it would be pretty much the only game I would need for awhile.

    Well, after sitting down and playing for hours, here is what I have to say:

    Pros:
    - The new animations are beautiful! And the voice acting is very well-done. So, big plus there.
    - The new content is fun, and helpful (for understanding the plot)
    - Multiplayer mode looks like it might be fun - unfortunately no one I know (and no one in the entire area as far as I know) has a PSP and Final Fantasy Tactics ... so I can't play it.
    - The load time is almost nonexistent.
    - Rewritten and well-translated dialogue! Yay! The translation is not perfect, I've noticed several grammatical and spelling errors in the dialogue, but its a big improvement from the last translation. I'm bit annoyed that its not perfect, though. Last time I could chalk it up to the horrible translation, but this time I really did expect perfection. Oh well. The big plus is that the plot is much easier to understand now.

    Cons:
    - Sound: It sounds like several sound effects were cut. I got especially annoyed at the first fight, when some of the dark knight's sword skill sound effects were cut. I don't know why this is. If you've never played the game you probably won't notice/care (though you might wonder at the strange silence for parts of moves ...). If you have played the game you'll be annoyed.
    - Multiplayer: If you don't have anyone to play with, there is no way to get any of that extra content. I don't know why they couldn't have made the multiplayer missions an option to do all alone - sure they'd be hard, but still ... Very annoying that an entire section of the game is locked to you if you have no one to play with. Of course, you can disregard this if you actually have a friend, with the game, who is willing to spend time doing the multiplayer content with you.
    - Graphics: The PS1 version has absolutely beautiful graphics; not a single pixel on the screen was was wasted. The grahics are still good in the PSP version, but in stretching out the game to 16x9 for the screen, everything looks somewhat ... fuzzy. This was actually a big letdown for me, because the original graphics on the PS1 still look great. It just didn't make the transition smoothly. But, this is a minor issue. If you haven't seen the original, you'll think this is a pretty beautiful game.
    - Dialogue: Again, some grammar and spelling mistakes. Nothing big, but I really wish they'd been fixed.
    - ANIMATION SLOW DOWNS. This was big. For almost EVERY special attack in the game, especially more
    elaborate ones, there is noticeable disconnect between the sound and the animation. The problem is that the video lags so far behind the sound, sometimes the sound will finish playing almost before the animation has started ... this also considerably slows down battles, as the framerate drops so much. The PSP has powerful hardware in it, I have no idea why there is this problem. Especially because emulated versions don't have this issue. I thought that I would get used to it, but it just got more and more annoying, especially as I got stronger and stronger magic. This is the primary reason I gave the game 3 stars. It is not only incredibly annoying, it also considerably slows the gameplay down. UGH.

    Conclusion:
    If you've never played the game, do yourself a favor and go try it out. If the lag problem isn't too annoying for you you're in for an amazing game. The plot is sophisticated, and the gameplay is deep. Few games can really compare in those two aspects. And, if you're a big fan of the game, you owe it to yourself to buy it. The new content and new movies are great, and you can't get those on an emulator. That said ... the technical issues introduced in the translation from PS to PSP really knock this game down ... especially the graphics lag. I don't know what Square was thinking releasing the game before they had the problem fixed (I really don't understand why it would even be a problem, the PSP hardware is supposedly more powerful than the PS1 hardware ...).

    I really wish I could give this game 5 stars, I really do. In my opinion, the graphics issues alone knocks it down a star, and the combination of everything else knocks another star off. I gave it 4 stars for fun because only the graphics issue really affects how fun the game is to play. Its still a great game, and if the graphics issue was gone I'd say it was a must buy. As is ... :(

    *edit*
    Its been a few months now, and I've progressed quite a bit in the game. I have well over 100 hours of playtime (no idea how many, exactly, the playtime clock maxed out long ago) and have played through every class and seen almost every ability in the game. Some additional thoughts:

    * No multiplayer is still a bummer - I want some of those items, but there is no way for me to get them ...
    * In my opinion (and feel free to disagree) graphics slowdown is still an issue. I purposely avoid white magic and use items instead, for example, to avoid some of the bigger offenders and speed up battle. If you read the comments for this review you'll see people who agree and disagree with my assessment.
    * I'm continually impressed by the cutscenes, voice acting, and redone script.
    * I still feel that the game isn't as crisp as the original PS version.

    All of this said, this is still one of my favorite games out there (as evidenced by the fact that I still play it) ... but I do stand by my rating. This game is, in my opinion, hampered by technical problems - which is sad. But ... it is a lot of fun!


    Price: $19.40 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store

    วันพุธที่ 27 สิงหาคม พ.ศ. 2551

    Final Fantasy VII

    Final Fantasy VII

    mint

    Product Details

  • Amazon Sales Rank: #784 in Video Games
  • Brand: Squaresoft
  • Released on: 1997-08-01
  • ESRB Rating: Teen
  • Number of discs: 3
  • Platform: PlayStation
  • Dimensions: 1.00 pounds


  • Features

  • For Sony Playstation
  • 3 discs
  • 69 page manual



  • Editorial Reviews

    Editorial Review
    Long recognized as role-playing games par excellence, the Final Fantasy series gets a technological makeover in this installment (and series debut on the PlayStation). Shedding the two-dimensional graphics and limited sound capabilities of its predecessors, Final Fantasy VII features lush 3-D graphics, beautifully animated "movie" sequences, and soundtrack-quality music. Coupled with the game's intricate storyline, endearing characters, and immense yet highly imaginative world, these new advancements make for a quite an engrossing experience.

    The story of Final Fantasy VII centers around a solider named Cloud Strife, who joins forces with Avalanche, a group of resistance fighters, to take down an evil mega-corporation known as Shinra. (The fate of the world hangs in the balance, of course.) Truly epic in scope, this four-disc game requires a considerable amount of time to complete---this reviewer gladly gave up over 80 hours of his life to finish it. But it's definitely a rewarding adventure that every PlayStation owner should consider undertaking, especially since it's now one of the low-priced "Greatest Hits" titles. --Joe Hon

    Pros:

  • Intricate and absorbing storyline with endearing characters
  • Immense and highly imaginative game world
  • Special battle system
  • Beautifully animated movie sequences

    Cons:

  • Your friends and family may feel neglected

    GameSpot Review
    Never before have technology, playability, and narrative combined as well as in Final Fantasy VII. The culmination of Square Soft's monumental effort is a game that will enrich just as it will entertain. Yet, for all the boundless praise it so rightfully deserves, Final Fantasy VII is not without its shortcomings and occasional design problems. These are enough to make some gamers (who are unfamiliar with RPGs, to be sure) wonder just why anyone would bother playing through it in the first place.

    This is the most dazzling visual experience to date on any console. Film-quality computer-generated cinematics blend seamlessly with pre-rendered background artwork to create the strikingly realistic world of Final Fantasy VII, both beautiful in its grandeur and terrifying in its detail. The overworld and battle sequences are presented in full polygonal splendor with just a touch of texture mapping for good measure. But you haven't seen anything until you witness some of the more powerful magic spells in the game. Massive dragons heed your bidding, dwarfing your gigantic enemies tenfold; an earth titan tears the ground up from beneath your enemies' feet, flinging them aside like toy blocks. Some of these summoning spells cut to over half a dozen different camera angles as the catastrophe unfolds. Meanwhile, a masterfully orchestrated soundtrack - courtesy of veteran composer Nobuo Uematsu - is a major force behind the intense emotion of Final Fantasy VII. The synthesized musical score hearkens Final Fantasy's golden age on the Super Nintendo, consciously staying true to its roots.

    Yet for all its top-notch graphics and sound, truly the best aspect of Final Fantasy VII is the plot that these peerless aesthetics help weave. Join the enigmatic mercenary Cloud Strife in a journey that will take him to the very source of his being in an incredible quest where the fate of the world hangs by a precious thread, threatening at any instant to be torn by the charismatic, tormented villain of the story. Final Fantasy VII's moving plot is influenced by some of the greatest works of science fiction film and literature, including Frank Herbert's Dune, Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, and even Godzilla.

    If you were to strip away the story, scenery, and musical score, Final Fantasy VII would otherwise be very much like any other Japanese RPG you've ever played. You still must face countless random monster encounters while keeping a close eye on your hit points and magic points, and you will witness your characters grow stronger with every experience level they attain. Battles are fought in typical Japanese RPG fashion (albeit with fully polygonal graphics), with your team on one side and any number of opponents on the other. You exchange blows until you or the enemy is defeated. Fights are made interesting with the introduction of Limit Breaks (devastating desperation attacks) and Materia, the curious colored crystals that let your party use magic and other special abilities. Materia can be found or purchased and mixed and matched to create all sorts of interesting effects. Best of all, there are more than enough hidden Materia, weapons, and optional plot sequences in the game to merit playing it through at least twice.

    Some have gone as far as to call Final Fantasy VII the hands-down best game ever made. And if you enjoy a good Japanese-style RPG, chances are you will agree. However, Final Fantasy VII, for all its astonishing features, is not a game with the sort of mass appeal that its massive marketing blitz may lead you to believe. For one thing, you can't finish it in a sitting, as Final Fantasy VII will be a solid 40 to 50-hour commitment for the average role-playing gamer. Otherwise, you might be taken aback by the extensive, text-heavy dialogue; there is no speech at all in Final Fantasy VII, in the interest of letting your imagination do a little work. Though you will make many small-scale decisions over the course of the game, on the whole, the story follows a very linear path. This linearity is a by-product of the plot's complexity, however - certainly a respectable sacrifice.

    Sony's translation of the original Japanese dialogue is direct and first-rate, much to the relief of Final Fantasy purists everywhere. Nitpickers may identify a very occasional spelling or grammar error ("Off course!" agrees Cloud at the Golden Saucer battle arena), but otherwise this text-heavy game reads just right, flawlessly conveying each character's distinct personality. Even the foul-mouthed costars of the game retain their affronting attitudes, as Sony went as far as to translate certain four-letter words in the interest of staying true to the Japanese script. --Greg Kasavin
    --Copyright ©1999 GameSpot Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of GameSpot is prohibited. GameSpot and the GameSpot logo are trademarks of GameSpot Inc.


  • Customer Reviews

    Simply an amazing game.5
    This was the first game I played when I got my PlayStation, and it's what got me hooked on RPGs. It's also one of my favorite games ever. The story is based around a group of people trying to save the world from an evil corporation named Shinra that is sucking all the energy from the planet. It soon becomes clear to this group of misfits, especially to the leader, Cloud (who is the game's main character), that they have an even worse enemy - Sephiroth, a genetically engineered soldier long thought dead, who has returned with only one thing on his mind: total destruction of the world he believes punished him with his very creation. Now it's up to this group of unlikely heroes to stop Sephiroth from causing the end of the world, even as Cloud struggles to find his identity and uncover the secrets of his own mysterious past. This game has awesome graphics, an incredible story, and even moved me to tears at times, something a video game has never done to me before. I highly reccomend this to all RPG fans. Even you're not an RPG fan, I'd even suggest giving it a try. You might just end up enjoying it, like I did.

    Out of the Dark Ages4
    I'm old enough to remember when RPGs weren't called RPGs. In those days the essence of the game was to move the players about a game board, fighting battles, collecting treasure, and finding clues. Origin's Ultima series was the grandparent of these games - immensely entertaining, but essentially two-dimensional. Among its heirs were the first games in the Final Fantasy line.

    This was also a time when computer capabilities and capacity seemed to double every few months. Final Fantasy VII is the result of an inevitable synergy between technology and imagination. Players found themselves in a three-dimensional world where they could wander at will. They were playing with characters that were not only more animated and lifelike, but also had something that resembled personalities. In a very real sense, FFVII changed the gaming landscape, and RPGs reached a new level of credibility.

    What is inside is the story of Cloud Strife; an ex-soldier turned mercenary who is drawn into the struggle between Avalanche, a revolutionary group, and Shinra, a rapacious company that is rapidly draining the resources of the planet. Starting out in the city Midgar the battle moves back and forth across the planet, as Cloud gathers team members, accessories and power. Everyone has a history, often mysterious, and an important role to play.

    Eventually it becomes clear that the real enemy is a laboratory experiment gone horribly wrong. Shinra's effort to produce supermen has created Sephiroth, who has become one of the legendary villains of the gaming world. Physically beautiful, his mind has been ruined by his knowledge of what he is, and his goal has become the destruction of the world.

    The plot is remarkably rich. Within the main story arc are many smaller stories that build the players understanding of the nature of each of the characters. There seem to be an unending number of weapons, powers, and monsters. More than enough material for many replays. The graphics are a bit primitive for our time, but were startling when this game first came out. As your imagination adapts to the imagery, the game becomes truly engaging on many levels. Final Fantasy VII is still one of the best of its genre, Whether you are a student of gaming or an aficionado, it belongs on your shelf.

    The Ultimate game cue 1!5
    Final Fantasy 7...... If you haven't got a copy then either you don't have the playstation or you are plain nuts! The most impressive game to date although now overshadowed by FF8 this game has the greatest plot ever... The mystrious past of you Cloud Strife in a dark world chasing his memory of enemy Sephiroth who wants to ... (SNIP) I'll leave that to you... The graphics are amazing though a bit cartoony, and the battle system is easy to use, casting summon monstaers or slashing an opponent with your huge sword or maybe casting a magic spell, this game just shows how far the playstation can go and it's crammed into 3 massive discs... FF7 drops you straight into battle and the first thing you notice is the brilliant graphics, and this gets better during the FMV cut scenes and is even more shocking due to the Summon monsters who appear, once you see the graphics you think oh it must have a rubbish storyline and plot and a boring game with impossible to solve puzzles, but this is not true, Square known for their enthralling plots, have made one of the most shocking emotional plots inthe world, with you trying to find the truth of the past and about who the real enemy is, while numberous of sub games are given to you to keep you hooked, you can head to the Gold Sourcer and play on the arcade or go on a rollercoater ride, or snowboard at the icle inn or even breed chocobos. And the game just never lets you down in the emotion department, which thrills you with what should I do, traitors and love and hatred, also spying and confusion, this game is an atomic bomb covered in a shape of 3 discs, FF7 a must for all gamers...


    Price:

    Related Links : Product by Amazon or shopping-lifestyle-20 Store