Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings BoxartFebruary 28, 2007 by

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Final Fantasy XIV News: Tetsuya Nomura OutFebruary 27, 2007 by

In an interview published in the Japanese magazine Gemaga, Tetsuya Nomura let it be known to one and all that Final Fantasy XIII will be the last Final Fantasy he's involved with. From then on he'll be concentrating on Kingdom Hearts. Meaning that when FFXIV rolls around, his name won't be on the credits.

Seriously. WTF? Why KH? It's not going to be around for 20 years like Final Fantasy has been, and it's not going to be a massive franchise like FF either. Still, at least this means a break from spiky-haired protagonists who have a bad habit of whining and complaining about their various issues.

More news: the combat system for Final Fantasy XIII Versus will be like Kingdom Hearts but more "realistic," and may include elements of a 3rd person shooter, sort of like Dirge of Cerberus.


The whole reason I love RPGS is to get AWAY from 3rd/1st person shooters. If I wanted to play a game with such a combat system, I'd go play the real deal: GRAW 2, GoW, CoD3, etc. Notice I don't report on or review any of THOSE games. I know they want to make Versus unique, but if you combine an RPG with a shooter, something's going to have to give. Oh. And if I wanted a battle system like KH, I'd go play KH. Oh well. The trailer looks awesome, so prove me wrong, S/E. Prove me wrong...

Hey! Don't forget about me!

There's news for Final Fantasy XIII as well. First, the person in charge of the combat system is Toshiro Tsuchida of Final Fantasy X fame. FFX's battle system is one of my faves, so I'm stoked. Also the character Mr. 33 cm (named after his shoe size...) will have an "amusing" fighting style. Whether he's an ally or enemy remains to be seen, but I'm guessing (you heard it here first!) he and Lightning are going to have a "thang"! And finally, FFXIII won't be the only game to use the White Engine.

Source: & Gemaga Magazine

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FFXII RW: Shiva Has A Kid!?February 26, 2007 by

In an effort to make summons a bigger part of Ivalice, the devs at S/E have added more aeons (espers, monsters, GFs, whatever) to FF XII's sequel: Final Fantasy: Revenant Wings. The "newest" additions to XII's summons are Shiva and Ifrit, and they even belong to a family of sorts(summons now have "ranks").

Not only can you now call on Shiva in her usual bikini-clad form, but you can now call on her consort Daalin (Dalin? Darin? Darling?) Shiva as well. His power is to stop enemies with his frigid breath. You can also call on their child, "Baby Shiva." Like her parents Baby Shiva can kick serious butt with a few bits of ice magic.

Another "new" summon is Ifrit, who looks a bit more shaggy than usual. He's labled as a "Rank 3" summon. The second rank slot belongs to Ibulis, a younger form of Ifrit, and the first to his baby form known as "Djin." Djin is the most elementary form of this fire summon, but "because the [MP] cost is low, you can summon it multiple times."

Other information can be found in Famitsu Magazine as well, although some of it is just a review. There are a few things of interest, however. One is that Vaan's ship now has a name: The Beiluujyu (Beiluge?). Another is a small blurb about a member of Vaan's party, Nono. Nono is a moogle who's got some mad engineering skills, and like many of the other characters made a brief appearence in FFXII. And finally as mentioned above, monsters are now divided into rank and type/element, not unlike Pokemon (hmm...)This doesn't just apply to the likes of Shiva and Ifrit though: salamanders, gnomes, and other creatures are associated with specific elements as well.

This is already shaping up to be an interesting game, and although it probably won't address any unanswered questions from FF: XII, it should at least give players a chance to get to know the main characters a little better.

Source: Famitsu Magazine &

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Princess Peach Pwns ZeldaFebruary 23, 2007 by

It's the battle of the princesses! One can throw turnips at an incredibly slow speed, float over her enemies, drive go karts, play tennis, ride a dino named Yoshi, and wield a mighty parasol named Kasa. The other can throw up magic shields, wield a sword, play the harp,and even sail a ship.

Both have started off as 8-bit brunettes and turned blonde, been kidnapped by red-headed monsters, starred in a late '80s cartoon of poor quality, and even have had to help the very heroes trying to rescue them! But which one will ascend the throne as Queen of Video Games? Don't let subject header fool you: Zelda might win this fight! Let the battle begin!

Round 1: Damsel In Distress

Help! Save me!

Zelda is sleeping with Prince Valium tonight.

Both ladies have been known to end up in the clutches of red-headed monsters who want to use their powers (and/or marry them). However, considering that Zelda is supposed to be wise enough to hold on to the Triforce of Wisdom, she loses points for being unable to think of a way NOT to get herself kidnapped. Meanwhile Peach has never claimed to be all that bright, and since she's not a cleric, has no way of defending herself against Bowzer and his spikes. Peach takes the win.

Round 2: Respected Princes

That's hot.

Er, not so much. Mario: Hey! Vai all' inferno!

It's pretty obvious that Zelda owns Peach in this category. Not only is Link far hotter than Mario and holds down a far more impressive job (though one could make the argument that gold coins > rupees),but can also fish, wield a sword, ride a horse, and is smart. Besides, any Still, Mario can fly, drive a kart, be handy around the house, and he is a bigger celebrity. Still, any man who will go through so much trouble for Zelda, including solving ridiculously hard puzzles, is worth holding on to. Link, you're a champion. Zelda takes the prize.

Round 3: Animated Counter-parts

Well, excuuuse me, princess!

Don't ask me. I'm just a girl. Uh heh-heh-heh! Uh-heh-heh-heh!

Both Zelda and Peach starred in the hilariously bad '80s TV show Super Mario Bros. Yet their characters managed to be completely different. While Peach (known then as Princess Toadstool)was happy and sweet, Zelda was bitchy and bossy, with an attitude as big as her ears. Sure, she had a more impressive wardrobe and could handle herself in a fight, but who would have been sorry if Ganon kidnapped her? Nobody. Peach wins.

Round 4: Weapons of Choice:

A talking parasol vs...

A sword. Zelda owns all.

Princess peach can use her parasol to float through the air, and throw vegetables at unsuspecting shy guys. Zelda has been known to weild a sword and use magic, as well as call on the elements. Zelda hands down.

Round Five: Skills

I'm a pirate!

Hell on wheels

Outside of magic and weapons, which lady has the most skills? Well, Zelda can lead a band of pirates, transform into Sheik, and take a really long nap. Peach can play a number of sports games including golf, b

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The World's Greatest Video Game SoundtrackFebruary 16, 2007 by

The answer to the question "which video game has the best sountrack" has always been a subjective one. People play different games, have different expectations, and in general just have different musical tastes. So the answer will always be a little different. Yet while listening to a re-make of Chrono Cross' Radical Dreamer's theme on the Insider's Channel, I was reminded of the game's predecessor Chrono Trigger, and its exceptionally superb soundtrack.

Remember when?

I have yet to hear an opening theme as breath-taking and heart-pounding as "Chrono's Theme," a whirlwind of brass, strings, drums and winds. Rarely does a soundtrack (movie, game or otherwise) have the ability to instantly transport me to a world where anything is possible. A world where time travel is standard, frogs not only talk but are articulate, and hot guys run around with swords (yes, I have a thing for red-heads and guys with a widow's peak, though I prefer my men much older than Chrono!).

Whenever I hear the "Chrono's Theme" I have an image of flying through the sky and enjoying panaramic views at warp speed. Of wind streaming through my hair as I zip through the clouds. This song is easily my favorite video game piece of all time, even topping my other all-time favorite musical masterpiece "The Dreadful Fight" from Final Fantasy IV.

Another transendent song from Chrono Trigger's amazing score is "Frog's Theme." It conjures up words like noble, gallant, proud, honorable..everything a medieval knight should be (but alas, never was). A frog is the most unlikely of heroes but in Chrono Trigger Frog is just that, and his music fits him perfectly. His theme is practically an anthem, something men might sing to take heart as they marched into battle.

Can Final Fantasy IV's Edward and his harp compete with Frog and his pipes?

Speaking of music that fits the character, Schala's theme is both haunting and beautiful. Whenever I hear it I always imagine myself walking through a misty morning forest, where sunlight dapples the thick carpet of cool green leaves beneath my feet.

On the opposite side of the spectrum is Ayla's upbeat and fiery theme, featuring brass horns and drums that make you want to run laps around your house. It's so energetic it it makes Red Bull look like Nyquil.

And finally Magus' theme is dark and dangerous, making me think of lightning filled skies and black magic nights.

These are just some of the songs that I love (actually, I love them all). Chrono Trigger OST is my favorite video game soundtracks ever, with Final Fantasy IV a VERY close second and Secret of Mana and Final Fantasy X's soundtracks battling it out for third place.

So. What are your favorite game soundtracks? Secret of Mana? Final Fantasy IV? VI? X? Mortal Kombat? Mario World? Why? What's so special about them?

Have an awesome weekend and stay safe!

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