If you only play one NieR game, Automata is the one to play. If you liked it enough to want a second helping, Replicant is probably the best form you can experience that in. It still feels a little more like medicine than dessert.
Well, it’s semi-old news by now, but Square-Enix has announced Final Fantasy XIII-2, only the second time the developer has produced a direct sequel to its storied franchise. Typically each Final Fantasy takes place in a different world, full of different characters, but in this instance XIII’s director Motomu Toriyama determined that there was call for a sequel. It was in part, he claims, to allow the protagonist Lightning to find “a happy ending.” Sigh.
Review by Steerpike Developer Square-Enix Publisher Square-Enix Released March 9, 2010 Available for PS3 (version played), 360 Time Played 91 hours, 17 minutes, 38 seconds Verdict: 4/5 Thumbs Up “Final Fantasy XIII’s real triumph is its incredibly nuanced, sophisticated battle system. The rest is comparatively standard JRPG fare – not bad, but not to everyone’s taste.”
“It’s like the most retarded action movie ever made,” said the message Dobry left me. “It is totally awesome. Good call, dude.” Earlier that day he’d called from Best Buy, laden with gift cards and a screaming toddler, asking what he should get. “Just Cause 2,” I said. “Are you sure?” he replied dubiously. “It’s basically… running around and blowing shit up, right?”
Anyway, I got the impression that he wasn’t going to buy anything, but then later he left me that message.
Mat and I took part in yet another lengthy email exchange today, discussing a Japanese gaming industry that has struggled to make a global impact in recent years, while undergoing something of an identity crisis. What follows are our collaborative thoughts on the matter…
1UP reports that Final Fantasy XIII, set for release in Japan on December 17, has gotten its very first review from Weekly Famitsu, one of the most widely-read periodicals in the biz.
And they FUCKING TRASHED IT, giving the release an unbelievable 39 out of a possible 40 points. It’s an epic fail! Gamers everywhere are gathering their torches and pitchforks, preparing to storm Famitsu offices. As Kevin Gifford of 1UP says,
Well, they like it – but not quite enough to give it the perfect score everyone expected.
What the hell? Why does everyone expect a perfect score? No one’s seen the god damned game except in tightly controlled junket settings. And now Japanese gamers are all hot and bothered because FFXIII is one point off from a perfect score. I think the real question is who would use an out-of-forty scoring rate.