Ive recently started getting into RPGs, so far of the "traditional" JRPGs, Ive completed FFXII, DQVIII, and ChronoCross (I understand how CC and FFXII combat systems vary from other turn-based systems).

 Currently, Im about 1/3 through with FFX, or as best I can tell by looking at a FAQ. Im at the part where you ride the shumpoo or whatever the elephant looking creature is called. And while Im enjoying the game, it seems that thus far you spend more time watching cutscenes than actually playing the game, and when I do actually play, it seems as though I have very little discretion as to what to do. I understand that story driven games often tell you where to go, but so far I dont have an option but to go exactly where Im supposed to. My question is, are the other pre-FFX final fantasies the same way? Is this typical of most/many JRPGs? And does the game give me more freedom as I get a little farther into it?

I have played about 2 1/2 hrs of it so far, and while I am still very happy I got it, I unfortunately must admit that it seems that the review is pretty accurate. The loadtimes are there, but those actually don't hinder the game much. The graphics are great on a HDTV, even without progressive scan support, however it would have been nice if there was a widescreen option at least. The stiffness of the animation is true, but again, not that big of a deal, it kind of fits with the art style.

What the game really suffers from is the slowdown and the difficulty. The slowdown can be very obnoxious. I can look past some slowdown, but there really are points, again only being 2 1/2 hrs in, where the game almost comes to a complete stop. They aren't that often, but they are often enough. Now the difficulty, that is really obnoxious. Im no expert gamer, but Ive been able to hang and enjoy notoriously difficult games such as ninja gaiden and DMC3, but this game just has points where it truely seems like the enemies are taking cheap shots. You can get through the tough parts, but you don't get the same level of satifsfaction that you get with other tough games. You didn't beat the level because you mastered the controls and learned the enemies attack patterns, you get through them a lot of times because you were lucky.

Also, I believe the review went into details about the food/item management issues. Im not going to get into it really, but I think the review was pretty accurate at describing the issues here.

Again, the game is definately a good game, but it is no where near perfect and as long as you understand that going in, you should still enjoy it.

nice pics but now I must wonder what exactly you felt it neccissary to edit out.waflerevolution

 My games are stored in an area which is a little cramped so it was hard to get one good picture with all of them in it, so I may have had to take 3 pictures to get all of 1 cabnet because each picture may show one shelf really well, but not show the others at all (There are 2 3-shelved units, and one 2-shelf/1 draw unit which house all my games). What been taken out of each picture were things that are better shown in another picture. As Ive said before, I don't have much experience editing pictures, but I have a general Idea of what I can do better next time to make things come out a little clearer and result in less editing.

Here is my collection. I have consoles for all the games I own (not pictured). Im not the best photoeditor, so it seems a little jumbled. I will eventually redo it and make it look a little nicer.