Gaming Bros

Final Fantasy XIII is the latest installment in the long standing traditional-Japanese RPG series of Final Fantasy. The game is a PS3 exclusive in Japan and available on both the PS3 and Xbox 360 elsewhere. Like all other main entries in the FF series, FFXIII is set in a brand new universe and has a storyline and a set of characters unconnected with any of its previous games.

FFXIII is set on Cocoon, a world living in constant threat of the underworld Pulse. Both worlds are run by God-like creatures called fal’Cie who have the ability to enslave humans into becoming cursed l’Cie. The story revolves around the interactions between the two worlds of Cocoon and Pulse, and fal’Cie, l’Cie, and humans.

Unlike previous Final Fantasy games, the player in FFXIII has only control over one character only even during battles. The player has control over who he chooses to be the leader to be control of. The other two characters in the battle are controlled by the game AI and will act depending on the job/role assigned to them. The job system (called “Roles” here)  of older Final Fantasy system is a fundamental aspect of XIII. Depending on the role each character takes, the character will have a set of specialised skills. FFXIII also introduces a new game concept called Paradigms, which allows you to set up six pre-configured role combinations for your characters which you can then switch between during the battle. So for instance you can have a paradigm for having one Commando and two Ravagers, and another paradigm for having on Commando, a Medic, and a Synergist. Now during the battle you can switch between your multiple paradigms instantly and have your characters perform a different task depending on the current situation in the battle. There are also no MPs in FFXIII, all attacks in the game require using up a number of time slots, these time slots charge up as the character waits in the battle, as these time slots fill up, the character has the option of firing multiple attacks instantly, or casting a single more powerful attack that consumers multiple time slots. The result of all these new additions is that the battle system is extremely fast, you are required to switch between paradigm throughout the battle to balance between offense, defence, and support. The game also provides you with an “Auto Attack” for your party leader making the player concentrate more on the strategy of which paradigm to use at what instance of the battle instead of worrying about inputting the right command for the only character you have. I thought that this new battle system is very challenging and fun to use, especially the extreme speed of it!

One really nice aspect of the game is how the story is told through multiple characters and does not have Lightening as the strict focus of the game, you get to play with a couple of characters for the first two hours, and then switch to another two characters for the next two hours, and then another two characters later. The fact that the game does not use EXPs any more and instead using a new Crystogen Point system that is awarded to EVERYONE in the party whether or not you played with them makes it easy to switch your characters at anytime as you will not have any overpowered character.

The main draw back of FFXIII is the absolute linearity of it, the game barely allows for any exploration except for one stage about half in the game in which you can take missions to find specific bosses and beat them to get special upgrade items. Otherwise the game is literally a navigation from point A to B in every single stage. The game also doesn’t have any secret spells, secret summons, or secret characters. I do not think that the game has much replay value as there isn’t really much that you can miss from the first round in the game – other than that open stage with missions which can always go back to if you want to, even right at the end of the game.

I still wasn’t turned off by the linearity of the game because I found the battle system fun and I enjoyed the storyline, the characters, the artwork, and the music. As somebody who does not want to spend hundreds of hours playing a single game, I am glad that I managed to see almost everything the game has to offer in go and then easily move on with my life to do something else!

I do not think that FFXIII is the best game in the series, but it is an excellent Japanese RPG with fun fast and challenging gameplay and an epic cinematic experience to go along with it.

4 out of 5

As a gamer I had a great time playing video games this year. Maybe its not the best gaming year but it  certainly was impressive. During this year we saw the return of  fighting games with Street Fighter IV, Sony Playstaion 3 awaking from its long sleep, Financial crisis casting its shadows on a number of game development studios like Pandemic and GRIN. We also witnessed the appearance of a new contender in the gaming war, the iPhone. But most importantly, lots of great video games titles were released this year on all the platforms. To sum everything up, Here is a list of the best games of 2009:

Demon’s Soul (PS3)

From Software brings an action RPG game unlike any other you have played before. Demon’s Soul is the game that will make you weep with it’s unforgiving difficulty. If you can overcome that then you are about to face a game with deep tactical combat and customization along with the amazing level designs. The game also offers some excellent and unique online features.

Street Fighter IV (PC-Xbox360-PS3)

Capcom was able to return to the roots of the series with the release of Street Fighter IV. The game offers deep gameplay and competitive online multiplayer. Whether you are a fighting game expert, a newbie, or even if you aren’t into fighting games, Street Fighter IV is worth checking out.

inFamous (PS3)

One of the best new IPs in 2009, inFamous gives  you the freedom of movement and awesome electrical powers that make you feel like a true super-hero. The combat is fast and fun. I also liked the karma system and the upgrades they were both outstanding. The fate of the city is in your hands as you can either be a real hero and save it or just be evil and destroy everything that comes in your way.

New Super Mario Bros. Wii (Wii)

Playing The first Super Mario Bros. in co-op was every gamers dream. Nintendo finally made that happen with New Super Mario Bros. Wii. Nintendo reminds everyone in this game that they are the masters of 2D platforming. The game offers magnificent platforming and brilliant level design. The multiplayer is fun and hilarious. the game is also very challenging unlike the previous DS version. But most importantly, the game has a nostalgic feel to it that is just amazing and will make you shed a tear easily.

Forza Motorsport 3 (XBox360)

Its a beautiful racing game with an entertaining Career Mode and an excellent online multiplayer, not to mention the selection of hundreds of cars and the varied tracks. The game also balances between simulation and arcade style to make the game playable by anyone. All of this make Forza Motorsport 3 the racing game of this generation, for now at least.

Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC-Xbox360-PS3)

This is how a Batman game should be. Batman: Arkham Asylum gives you Fun stealth gameplay with a strong story that is loyal to the comics and over the top voice acting. Its simply the best comic book game ever made.

Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story (Nintendo DS)

Be prepared to have a hilarious time with the third and best installment in the series. Its a fun Mario RPG game with varied gameplay and hilarious dialogues .. inside Bowser.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (PC-Xbox360-PS3)

It is the newest phenomenon in the gaming industry. Modern Warfare 2 gives the best online multiplayer experience out there. The game also offers a short yet great single player campaign and a well made co-op mode.

Assassin’s Creed II (PC-Xbox360-PS3)

Nothing beats jumping over the artistic buildings of 15th century Italy. Unlike its predecessor, Assassin’s Creed II is an incredibly polished game with improved gameplay mechanics and a decent story. Ubisoft learned from their mistakes in the first try and gave us a masterpiece. Oh and who is a better side-kick than Leonardo Da Vinci himself.

Dragon Age: Origins (PC-Xbox360-PS3)

With its incredible story and character development, Bioware has made another great western RPG title. Dragon Age: Origins is easily the best RPG of the year

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks (Nintendo DS)

The sequel to Phantom hourglass proves to be an even better game than its predecessor. Join link in an adventure through brilliantly-designed dungeons, new items, innovative boss fights. The game will also take you through challenging puzzles and you will solve them with the help of princess Zelda.

Killzone 2 (PS3)

It’s the game that took everyone by surprise when it came out. Nobody thought Guerrilla would be able to match their game with the famous E3 trailer back in 2006. Killzone 2 is a great FPS shooter game that offers an action-packed campaign mode combined with stunning visuals and sound effects. It also has a remarkable online multiplayer that will keep you hooked.

Halo 3: ODST (Xbox360)

Halo is back but this time its more like an expansion than a sequel. Halo3 : ODST offers a great and unique campaign mode even though its a bit short. It also introduces a splendid new Firefight mood. This game is a must for all Halo fans.

Uncharted 2 (PS3)

Most critics and gamers agree that Uncharted 2 is the game of the year. Naughty Dog were able to turn their weak points in the previous Uncharted into powerful ones. This is a blockbuster game and an adventure you will never forget. Uncharted 2 offers brilliant combat system, remarkable voice acting, great story, incredible script, stunning graphics and smashing online multiplayer. All of this makes a thrill-ride that you will be remembering for the rest of your life.

Borderlands (PC-Xbox360-PS3)

One of the hit titles of 2009, Borderlands is a game that came out strong & unexpectedly. The FPS/RPG game offers a crazy amount of customized guns and an interesting art style. It can be crazy fun when other players join the party co-op style. And it can become a bit boring and lonely when played by a single player.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (Nintendo DS – PSP)

The handheld version of the GTA franchise is certainly up to its name. The incredible work that has been put in the game, like the great story and the varied missions along with all the new features, make this a must experience for all handheld gamers.

Left 4 Dead 2 (PC-Xbox360)

Fans went mad when Valve first announced the sequel to Left 4 Dead in such a short period instead of releasing it as downloadable content. But Left 4 Dead 2 proved them wrong and turned out to be a true sequel with its  marvelous campaigns and the new modes as well as the improved gameplay. Left 4 Dead 2 is the best co-op multiplayer experience since the first installment.

I guess that sums it up. It was truly a wonderful year. I know there are other awesome titles that I didnt include  but this is the cream of the crop.  2010 is coming up and its look like its going to be an even better year for gamers than this one.  Our poor pockets are gonna get a hard beating as well !

Square-Enix surprised everyone yesterday when it announced AND released its first game on the iPod. The game titled ‘Song Summoner: The Unsung Hereos‘ is a strategy RPG that looks and plays very similar to Final Fantasy Tactics Advance and can be fully played using the iPod’s scrollwheel. The thing that makes this game unique is that the player creates his party members from his own songs, where each song can be transformed into a ‘tune trooper’ to be used in battle. The player will be able to power up his tune troopers in-game and outside the game by playing the songs of his troopers.

Gamers had never seriously considered the iPod or the iPhone as a real gaming platform because no proper gamers were made for it from traditional game developers, but on the other hand, Square-Enix and many other Japanese developers have taken mobile gaming more seriously and had released innovative and exclusive games for the mobile platform that were only available in Japan, such games include Before Crisis: Final Fantasy 7 (a game that makes use of mobile phone cameras to take photographs of colourful objects to create materia gems), Parasite Eve: The 3rd Birthday, and some Front Mission, Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest remakes.

Song Summoner is available on the iTunes music store – this is the Apple online store for purchasing the music, videos, and applications for the iPod and the iPhone. The iPod does not allow installation of application through any other means. The game was instantly released for Japan, the US and European iTunes music stores for the low price of $4.99, £3.99, or €4.99 depending on where you are living.

The strange thing about this is Square released it for the 5th Generation iPod and the iPod nano with video, but not for the iPhone or the iPod Touch. The build of these two models obviously differs from the scrollwheel iPods, but it is strange that Square-Enix is targeting an older version of the iPod instead of going for the most powerful one. Is Square-Enix just testing the waters before properly investing in this platform? Should Sony and Nintendo start to worry now?

However, it is such a shame that we will not be able to play this game anytime in Oman because we do not have an iTunes Store. The iPod can only install new games and application through the online store and you will need an address/credit card issued from a country that has an iTunes Store to be able to use one. The UAE very recently gove its iTunes Store, I doubt that this means that WE will be getting one anytime soon.

You can check out the video of the game and learn more about it by visiting its official website.

Yep, even though the PSP has other great games, the real and only reason to get one is for Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. The game is the best you can get on a PSP and alone is worth the purchase of the handheld. When you look at the graphics, you just can’t stop thinking that this is all from a handheld. I mean I played many PSP games with nice graphics but Crisis Core does it way way better. It really adds to the wow factor. Add to that the fact that it is one of the best rpgs released on any platform.

The game is a prequel to Final Fantasy VII in which you control Cloud’s friend named Zack. The story shows how things lead to the first Final Fantasy VII and how Zack is related to it. All I can say that this is the best thing that has the FF7 name after the original.

If you want more details about the game, read up Gamespot’s review here.