All right, guys and gals, I have completed a review on FFVII. I knew I wasn't going to give it 10.

So, this is how I gave it.

Gameplay: 10/10

Graphics :9/10

Sound :10/10 (Mostly because of the One-Winged Angel)

Value : 9/10

Tilt : 9/10

Well, basically since I can't put down my entire review here.

For graphics, I knew that despite the extreme advancement of graphics in FFVII, which many said were light years ahead of it's time,

IT'S graphics still got outdated by FFVIII, MGS and Chrono Cross. Now, in today's next-gen era, a gamer playing FFVII will have to imagine himself to be in 1997. He/She will only then enjoy the game truly.

I was really angry with the ending of the game. I mean, that the basic rule of RPG's is that they have to be satisfying. Completing a 50-hour RPG gives a satisfaction few things could compare in this gaming world.

But, FFVII's ending was so frustrating that you will start to wonder, that " I went through the sweating of 50 hours for THIS!"

The ending is incomplete. Sure, that would keep the suspense, but we played 50 hours of tedious but nonetheless enjoyable game for an incomplete ending.

Yeah, there is a Compilation Series of FFVII. But,it's the same point again. Okay, look for example, you are watching a cliffhanger scene in a movie, when suddenly bulbs light up, and they say that the scene will be continued in the next sequel.

That is a movie, which is only about watching for 2 hours. But, FFVII requires dedication of 50 hours. No joke at all!

And, just imagine when you come up against this FMV at the end. Those who played FFVII will know what I am talking about.

What happened to the characters? Everyone wanted to know what happened to Cloud and Tifa (including myself:P)

Advent Children, took us nowhere, and we will have to wait for 10 more years to get the answer ( Compilation Series is of a 20 year plan. 10 years are already completed).

FINAL SCORE : 9.4/10

That wasn't a review, just a sneek peek you can say. You will have to see my review in the 'Reviews section for more'.

However, about two monts ago, I heard this from I think alpha99 and then from Neon and then from Stevenscott .

Retro Revival Week! The name wasn't bad. So, I decided to start it. Though for me it unofficially started with FFVII last month,  I rename it of sorts as Retro Reliving Month.

Why Reliving you ask? Well, for me Retro games never died in this world. They were always alive if not in real then in the hearts of the gamers.

So, Revival is something that is dead and brought back to life ( kinda reminds me of Resident Evil:lol: )

Reliving is an appropriate name in my opinion. And I changed week into month because, I can enjoy it more:P  8)

I thought of these when I found a store (not of any brand) nearby my house and went to find loads of SNES and N64 cartridges there at an incredibly low costs.

I bought these.

Final Fantasy III ( YESS!!!! AGAIN!!!) for 40 Rupees (around 1 USD)

Final Fantasy II ( I lost my first ever game:cry:  so I rebought it:)  for 60 rupees ( around 1.5 USD)

Secret of Evermore ( Hmm...wonder how this Square USA debutant will turn out) for 20 rupees ( 50 cents)

Super Metroid ( Yeah,I get to play as Samus:P) for 40 rupees ( around 1 USD)

The shopkeeper guy was actually persuading me to buy this one : FF: Mystic Quest.

I escaped from him now.

I went back, and looked at a few screenshots of the black sheep of FF's , THE Mystic Quest and I am glad I didn't buy it.

Though, if any of you have played it tell me whether to buy it or not. it's for 10 rupees ( around 25 cents)

Okay! I will remove this blog soon enough.

Bye for now! Samus kicks a$$!:lol:

C ya

Lightwarrior179 

I would really appreciate if you read through this blog completely. No, it's not lengthy by any means, just I would like you to read it.

Chrono Trigger. That word has been resounding in my dreams now. The game is so god damnly addicting and is so perfect that I couldn't help wonder, one thing. As you all know, I can't help comparing games.

While, playing Chrono Trigger a similar feeling came into me just like when it had when I played FFIV and FFVI and even PC games like Half-Life and the bad a$$ GTA. The feeling that makes a game a permanent part of a gamer's heart. If you know what I mean,  is that there are games, that 40 years from now, you will look back and remember those wonderful memories you had associated with those games.

The game is great IMO only when it has that certain something that makes it memorable. The ability of the game to touch with a gamer's mind and memories is something that a perfect game has. I know it is foolish of me saying such things, but this is the fact.

All of you reading this, reflect back on what you will most remember out of the best games in your mind.

I will give you one anti-example of this. When I first played FFVII, it was awesome. It was a game that looked perfect in all areas. But, now merely two weeks after it's completion I wonder what about FFVII will make me stand it over the likes of FFVI and GTA.

WHAT, I wondered? And, the answer came. NOTHING! Yes, FFVII while playing might seem the best game in the world ( My blog, Of love and hatred for example) while you are playing it. But, once you get through it you start to find that it wasn't special after all.

GTA San Andreas gave me a similar feeling. It was long lengthy, addictive with loads of things, but ultimately I felt Vice City and GTAIII were a lot better.

You all think deeply about these things and do, if possible try to note a few of your memorable games of yours.

Now, kindly read the following short story:  (Character names are changed on author's request:D)

Alan could have been the most happiest boy in the World that day, when he recieved a pile of gifts and greeting cards from those  who loved him. He got a dinner party in a costly hotel, got to ride in all the rides in the amusement park, but still that day he was the most discontented boy in the world.

He was alway eyeing his elder brother, John with envy. It was because that he had all things Alan wanted.When, Alan got a toy car, he wanted the real red Lexus car of his brother. If he was given a ride on the Super Bike in arcades, he wanted to experience the ride in the real bike.

But he knew, that would never happen. So, he wanted to grow older. He wanted to become 18 as soon as possible. He in his mania to become older, never enjoyed the life he was living. He never enjoyed, the gifts,food, rides he was presented with.

Even a tramp boy would be more happy than Alan. His father noticed it and one day, he invited Alan, for a stroll outside.

Alan reluctantly, agreed as he had nothing to do. They walked around for a while. Father was wondering how to make Alan realise how to live his life to it's fullest.

It was then suddenly, that it started drizzling. 

'We better go, Father!' Alan said shielding his head from the rain-drops. 

But Father, had seen something! "Look, Alan! A rainbow!"

Alan, looked at the sky and his smile widened. He was seeing the natural beauty of rainbow for the first time from his own eyes.

"Wow! It is so beautiful!"

"It is, isn't it?" Father said, smiling.

Alan, kept his smile for the time rainbow was, and then the rainbow slowly faded into the backdrop of the dark clouds.

"NOO! It's gone!" Alan moaned.

Father smiled, " It has gone, but it teaches us a vital lesson of a life. You know, our childhood is just like the rainbow. It comes in our life spreading the colors of joy into us. But, like rainbow, our childhood vanishes faster than we imagine into the adulthood.

You may want to become big now, and do all things your elder brother does, but when you become his age, you will miss your these days, and you will so dearly wish that you were a child once again. Enjoy the colors that the rainbow of childhood gives and see how happy the life becomes.

Alan smiled, understanding what his father meant. From that day onwards, Alan became a new leaf. As for the rainbow, it comes again at times setting so many 'Alans' in the correct path of life.

THE END

How did you like that story? It has a good message, in my opinion. Just reminds, us to spend each moment of our life happily.

NOW!  GUESS the author of this particular short story, and you have my respect!!!

I will give you a hint: The author is HE. He wrote this story 5 years ago, his age was ten then. He wrote in a state school short-story competition and won the first prize.

He has obviously written better stories since then.

Okay, now guess this guy and you get my respect:P

C ya

Lightwarrior179

PS: The author is also, a good looking guy! 

Nothing irritates me more in games than arcades. The reason is my huge inexperience in arcade gaming. Getting SNES, at an early age of my life, I left arcade gaming quite a long time ago.

Recently, when I was on a vacation trip with my family, I cam across this huge arcade place, with something like 150 plus arcade machines. Many of them were racing, and some were fighting.

Obviously, in arcade I prefer fighting. So, I played Tekken 3.

I enjoyed it, until a bunch of kids *enter the villians* came in the area. I heard a few people murmuring, that those kids were local boys, who had mastred every of these arcades.

I couldn't believe that a bumch of eleven year olds mastering everything. I continued with Tekken 3, until a group of four of those kids came near me, to watch me kick Lion's a$$.

Kid 1 : Hey, this guy looks tough. Let's take him out. 

Me *mockingly* : Oh! I am so honored by you, your majesty!

Kid 2: He seems smart too! Will be more fun when he bites the dust.

Me: Get lost! I have no time to beat a bunch of candy-licking kids.

Kid 1 : Oh yeah! We four freaked you out, did we?

Me: PUH-lease! You got yourself a match.

Kid 3 : Okay, find yourself two partners and we have a three one-on-one battles of TEKKEN 3!!!!!

After, a two minutes, I had two guys, one a fat thirteen-year old and another his brother.

Kid 3: Right! Let's battle!!!!!

Kid 1 : I take Lion!

Kid 4 : I take Paul!

Kid 3 : I take Jin!

Me: Hey, not fair! You selected all the strong guys.

Kid 3 : It's we who make rules! Not you, big guy!

This was getting ugly.

BATTLE ONE

Skinny guy versus Kid 1

Lee versus Lion

That skinny guy won the first round REALLY easily. But lost by a small margin i Second. However, third was a complete one-side. Lion kicked Lee's butt!

The second fat guy, chickened out! The skinny guy too escaped. That means I was left alone.

Me: All right I need no one! *heroically*

BATTLE TWO

Me versus Kid 4

Yoshimitsu versus Paul.

I was ready to become a hero. But, Paul completely blew me away with that f****** Fury fists (don't know what that move was)

I LOST!!!

BATTLE THREE

Me versus Kid 3

Yoshimitsu versus Jin

I wanted a consolation, he wanted a whitewash or a sweepthrough. Rest is NOT A fairytale but a deviltale.

I LOST!!!!!!

Kid 3: See ya, big guy! Or should I say BIG LOSER!

They left chuckling. Leaving me angry. VERY ANGRY:evil:

I left arcade gaming once again. Honestly, I suck in arcades. I suck more than anything else. Please, EVERYONE laugh at ME!!!!

I wanna make myself realise that outside RPG and Action I SUCK!!!!!

Now, moving to a good side. In fact, a superb side.

I am enjoying Chrono Trigger A HELLLLLLLLL LOT!!!!  :D

It rocks! It OWNS ALL 2D RPG's!! It is approx a million times better than FFVII.

Those who have played this legendary game, will know how this game rocks.

If you haven't you should seriously get it. It's for PSOne too, if you don't own a SNES now.

I have never enjoyed time travelling more than this. I was never able to play Ocarina because of it was my cousin's. And he took it away.

Crono is a silent protagonist, but he looks great. Graphics are awing. I started wondering. How come 2D got a 2D HD graphics!

They are so cool!

However, while I am playing Chrono Trigger, I am playin RE 3 : Nemesis. I too is creepy. Real creepy. It is my first try in the Horror Survival Genre and it certainly now isn't the last.

Those zombies give me a heart attack at times when they burst from unlikely places.

Both are superb games, and surprisingly, I am enjoying both much more than FFVII.Why....my review will have that. I am working on it.

Nice to see, I got a lot of comments last time for the SE thing. I am sorry if I have taken too long of your time.

Okay, I will say bye, but I will put a new blog soon enough.

C ya!

Lightwarrior179

PS: I am watching a lot of animes.

Some of it's reviewal scores are (out of 10) :

Black Cat : 8.1

Trinity Blood : 6.5

Girl from Hell : 7.8

Law of Ueki : 8.9

Ranma 1/2 : 9.3 ( VERY hilarous)

Pink Panther Show : 8.2 (old-schoolish yet humorous) 

Samurai X: Reflections (The Movie): 7.0

Ghost in the Shell:  Innocence : 6.4

OKay! Now, really.... c ya!:P 

Last time, I was really happy with the amount of comments recieved and this time as promised is the Square Enix part.

SQUARE ENIX

Ah! Square Enix, the merger of unarguably the two RPG titans. Marriage of Final Fantasy and Dragon Quest (which is male and female, you decide:P :lol: )

Some might, argue that today SE no longer holds the No.1 spot in RPG's. But if not them, then WHO? Bethesda? They only have one franchise with hardly TWO big hits! Two???

What this merger ensured was that the growth of any SE franchise won't be one sided! Means they will not only pamper FF and DQ but also any new franchise they might create.

And that new franchise came from SquareSoft actually, but it's sequel was in many ways better than the original.

Yeah, it is those SE AND Disney's game:

KINGDOM HEARTS II ( PS2)

RELEASE YEAR : 2005/ 2006

One of the greatest successes of Square Enix has been reaching to the hearts of the Westerners. And whether you are a kid,teen or adult, a Disney character will always be in your heart. And adding a few cameos from FF characters made the sailing in Gummi Ship a lot easier.

KHII improved from the original KH of 2003 in many ways other than gameplay. It's storyline became much more complex and hence more engrossing. The fun factor is always high in KH games compared to the usual bursts of humor in FF. The game depends highly on the mood of the player. If you play normally, the game will addict you.  If you play frustrated or depressed, KH might just seem to be the Worst game on the planet at that time.

However, the mood of the game is what makes KH special. From the humorous jokes to a sudden serious boss battle in a matter of seconds, KHII has got it all. This does indeed seem to be a franchise on rise in the RPG market, and besides FF and DQ, it seems to be the future of SE.

Ajay

FINAL FANTASY VII : ADVENT CHILDREN ( DVD, PSP)

RELEASE YEAR: 2006

One of the greatest achievements of any great thing is turning the past failures into success. If anyone knows the appropriate reason for the death of SquareSoft, then you know where I am going. If not, then, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within was made by Square Pictures Co.

It had no relevance with FF series and turned out to be the Second BIGGEST FLOP in Hollywood history. Around 141 million $ loss. The rest...is now history.

However, making a sequel movie of a game is always a little too risky. Perhaps, that is why Square stuck to their guns,and made the story not off track. But the action scenes and the animated graphics were something to be awed of. SE had truly created an eye candy that was surrounded by a decent plot.

The main achievement of Advent Children was that it stayed quite faithful to the original game. Apart, from straying on a few adventurous paths, it's story remained good.

But that was where the critics were exploited. They criticised the movies' story for being too confusing, but they also said that they had never played the FFVII video game. So, Advent Children can only be truly enjoyed if you have understood the more complex and confusing story of FFVII.

Otherwise, like so many Non-FFVII players who enjoyed this, do not take heed to the story and watch the awesome action scenes, the great graphics, and OMG! The One-Winged Angel......SEPHIROTH!!!......SEPHIROTH!!! 8)

DRAGON QUEST VIII: THE JOURNEY OF THE CURSED KING (PS2)

RELEASE YEAR : 2005

Another long running RPG series, got an installment on PS2. DQVIII was a great game in all rights, apart from it being too one-centred towards the storyline. Yes, like all RPG's DQVIII too does concentrate on it's story more, but it does it way too much.

However, DQVIII represented a fresh new look, graphically and gameplay wise too. It is turn-based and random battles, but there is a much more need of exploration required than DQVII. The critics seemed to like this as it recieved a bunch of positive reviews. It also helped it's franchise sales figures to cross the 40 million mark.

FINAL FANTASY XI ( PC, PS2, XBOX360)

RELEASE YEAR: 2003,2006(360 only)

Probably, an arguable entry but MMORPG is something not all can accomplish so easily. Square even before has showed their lack of prowess in making PC games as good as their console counterparts( FFVII for PC for example). However, with FFXI Square stepped further high into the RPG market. FFXI not only presented a fresh new gameplay and battle system, but it was the first ever multiplayer game of FF.

FFXI has around 200,000 to 300,000 players active daily. Not only, this but FFXI after all the cross-language and cross-platforms translations it remained suitably unscathed. Probably, FFXI is a step that will encourage Square to include multiplay on their next-generation of games.

PORTS GALORE

FINAL FANTASY I&II : DAWN OF SOULS (GBA)

Two old-school RPG's in one package. A real value pack of two games that though might be two decades old are still highly enjoyable.

FINAL FANTASY IV ADVANCE (GBA)

The influential 2D RPG remade and ported onto GBA. The magic it held 16 years ago is still the same when you play this  revolutionary RPG.

FINAL FANTASY III (DS)

A game that never was released on foreign shores, was brought onto a brand new DS, immediately liked by fans for it's job system and Wi-Fi enables modes.

FINAL FANTASY V ADVANCE (GBA)

Another excellent RPG that never reached onto the Western shores. The job system offered a lot of innovative and replayabilty options. Excellent graphics.

FINAL FANTASY VI ADVANCE (GBA)

Square had indeed saved the best of the ports for last. FFVI represents the pinnacle of 2D RPG's and shows that how far the RPG genre has travelled since then.

FINAL FANTASY XII ( PS2)

RELEASE YEAR : 2006

Unarguably, the freshest of all FF titles since a long time, FFXII brought the much needed change into this legendary franchise, for the newer generations to accept. It departed from the basic love/emotional themed storyline the past FF's had.

Instead, FFXII had a very mature political centred (something like FF Tactics), with minor hints of emotion and love. The graphics were the most artistic the PS2 will probably ever see, but not as revolutionary as FFX's graphics were in it's day. The gameplay and battle system were completely turned around.

No more random battles! *huge sigh of relief* The gambits and the license board (a derivative like thing of Sphere Grid) were really innovative and brought about a change in a way we play FF's. Ivalice, the setting of FFXII has always been my favorite place ever since Tactics and Tactics Advance.

Vivek

CONCLUSION: Seeing all that makes us realise that in order to be evenly compared, SE has a long way to go, but games like FFXIII and FF Versus XIII along with a bunch of promising spinoffs like FFVII: Crisis Core and FF Tactics A2, it does look like SE might have what it takes to regain it's former glory. HOWEVER, SquareSoft will always be in the hearts of those whoever have played it's masterpieces.

WINNER: SquareSoft (obviously!)

Now, to the normal life, I am getting spooked out in Raccoon City. No! It's not RE2, it's REIII : Nemesis.Why did I buy it?

Well, I really wanted a spooky title. I fought over REIII and Silent Hill, but finally went for what I hope is the better of the two. What made me take this decision?:roll: Well, I don't know but it might have been Jill.:P

ALSO!!!!!!!! I bought (or should I say borrowed) Chrono Trigger. It's for SNES and not PS. I borrowed it from my friend, and guess what he asked me for??? You know which game? Final Fantasy VII!

It's as if the entire world has bad eyes on my poor FFVII CD!!!:cry: Whatever, I will kill zombies and play as Crono and enjoy hell lot!

Btw, I completely forgot!! I completed FFVII!!!!!! It was nice, though the ending was all too through the brain stuff. The final boss battle against (both Bizarro and Safer Sephiroth) were shameful. I went there with something like (Cloud L69, Tifa L68, Vincent L67) and won so easily. Safer Sephiroth s**** in battle!

Anyway, is it true that once you complete the game by defeating Sephiroth, you cannot play again. I got stuck on an never ending stream of stars after the Red XIII scene(after credits roll) please tell me, is there no return?????

The things I will remember, from FFVII : Great graphics(especially FMV's), good overworld music, superb story(only if you understand it), Cloud, Sephiroth, mini-games, Summons, AND THE ONE WINGED ANGEL!!!!!!!!!!

That track rocked out of the hell!!!! Here I go again... SEPHIROTH!!!!.....SEPHIROTH!!! One Winged Angel ROCKS!!!!!

AND last but Certainly NOT the least of the things in FFVII I will remember, is Tifa!!!!!:P :lol: 8)

Though, I like her, she seems better toned down ( you know what is toned down,right?:P) in Advent Children.

C ya!!!

I have been waiting for a long time to write this thing, but didn't get any nice ways to compare them. Now, I have just decided to note down the TOP NOTCH games of both here, and let it onto you to decide. I know it might sound foolish comparing a legendary developer with a company born out of it.

But anyways, I felt this was the only way for self-realisation of today's Square fans that what their dear company has lost in the merger with Enix. It is Father versus Son.

SQUARESOFT

It basically boils down to this. Without, Squaresoft the RPG genre would not be the same today. There wouldn't have been so many early revolutions in the gaming world without Square.

Even as a basic gamer you can NEVER ignore the legacy of Square's games. Square is the real creator, populariser, revolutioniser and the undisputed king of RPG. Without, it RPG may not have been as famous as it is now. It has created a legion of lifelong fans from it's megahit franchises.

Square's history has been equally like a fairy tale. From measly depths of bankruptcy to the sky high heights of success, Square has seen it all.

Here's a list of the BEST games Square has entertained fans with. There are some few experimental games of Square at the end that I have noted. Whatever let's start with:

FINAL FANTASY I (NES)

RELEASE YEAR : 1987

Without this game, there would BE NO SQUARE. This game alone skyrocketed Square's sinking ship. As the name itself suggests, this was supposed to be the series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi's last game after a series of flop games, the SquareSoft was on the verge of bankruptcy. But this was far from his Final game, and the rest is history.

This game initially defined RPG's. Many tried to vainly copy the game's success during that era and failed. This changed people's view on RPG's by giving it such an imaginative story to capture people's attention.

This along with other games like Zelda No Dentetsu and Super Mario. Bros shows that great franchises, were indeed born on NES. This game became hugely popular that the bankrupt-recovered Square decided to try their luck in the overseas market.

But by the time it was released in US, FFII was already selling in Japanese markets. It's story represented the humble beginnings of this series.  Four Warriors of Light must save the light of the four elemental crystals, from the fiends of Chaos.

The story, by today's standards of RPG is way too immature but at that time it was considered innovative.

THE GOLDEN ERA ON SNES

FINAL FANTASY IV ( FFII in US) [SNES]

RELEASE YEAR : 1992

Probably, the series initial breakthrough entry in world gaming, FFIV attracted gamer's attentions with it's unique storyline that revolved around a web of emotion, betrayal, love and hatred. These later on became typical FF plot elements. This game influenced many aspects of future FF games probably, way up to FFIX.

 It's gameplay, the Active Time Battle System (ATB) is familiar with post-FFIV games but this was the first game to use it. Nobuo Uematsu was praised by many gamers for his brilliant soundtrack, but his best was to come.:)

The storyline was considered very mature at that time. Cecil Harvey, FFIV's protagonist also holds the title as the first proper RPG hero.

CHRONO TRIGGER (SNES)

RELEASE YEAR : 1995

Yes, yes! If you are talking of SNES's top games and even the top 2D games, FFVI and Chrono Trigger come to your mind. Chrono Trigger was made by Sakaguchi, Kazuhiko Aoki, Nobuo Uematsu of SquareSoft and Yujii Horii and Akira Toriyama of Enix.

These two RPG giants combined their minds to form a Dream Team, whose mission was the Dream Project. And they made one hell of a dream game at the end of SNES lifecycle, with Chrono Trigger. It was termed by all who played it as 'Next-Gen' probably, due to it's solid graphics. Even today, you will be hard-pressed to find an old 2D game on SNES with graphics better than Chrono.

But, NO! NO! Graphics wasn't all. The gameplay, shunned FF's repetitive random encounters, making this the first ever Action-RPG. Gamers were awed by such wonderful gameplay. And the cherry on the icing was perhaps the best original soundtrack (see Gamespot's TenSpot) except FFVI in a game. Freelance musician Yasunori Mitsuda created magic and became a rival to Uematsu.

By Vivek

FINAL FANTASY VI ( FFIII in US) [SNES]

RELEASE YEAR : 1994

Ah,yes! My personal favorite and it truly deserves a place as one of the best 2D RPG's if not the best 2D games ever. FFVI was a masterpiece in every right. From it's over-the-top powerful, heart-melting story, to brilliant graphics to ONE OF THE BEST ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK (See GameSpot's TenSpot of Top Ten Original Soundtracks of all Time : Reader's Choice).

People including myself play this game just to listen to it's great soundtrack. It's opera soundtrack Aria di Mezza Caraterre was praised by even some opera afficionados as a delightfully emotional soundtrack. It's overworld music  IS THE BEST and I mean it. Whatever, FFVI quintessentially represented the pinnacle of the RPG and the series. You will not find a BETTER 2D RPG than FFVI and I am serious.

AH! It's now all those FF fans favorite TIME!

THE GOLDEN ERA ON PS ONE

FINAL FANTASY VII (PS)

RELEASE YEAR : 1997

The iconic era of RPG begins. FFVII may not be the best game in the series today but it has influenced the mainstream console RPG's to venture outside Japan. People who had never owned a console before, bought PS and FFVII and fell for it. At that time, FFVII's now outdated graphics were considered to be light years ahead. And it probably holds true in some rights. Those who had never played the previous Nintendo/Square RPG's found this wonderful.

It had a complex storyline, probably too complex, but people liked it, and what people like becomes famous and well, FFVII is now an icon.....:shock:

FINAL FANTASY VIII (PS)

RELEASE YEAR : 1999

After reading the above, FFVIII was a great game and it though departed from the basic fantasy setting felt much more like Final Fantasy than FFVII ever had. It has had one of the most complex story surrounding around relationships between two opposites, a highly complex and intriguing protagonist, plus a plot to save the world in not the simple way.

Graphically, FFVIII was the best thing to happen on PS. Even, MGS graphics looked weak against the highly polished FMV's of FFVIII. It's soundtrack was so emotionally touching and always seemed to appear at the places in the game, which always made me cry. Hands Down, the best FF ever.

By Ajay.

FINAL FANTASY IX (PS)

RELEASE YEAR : 2000

In the fight between, FFVII and FFVIII, it was FFIX that suffered the most. What was one of the most underrated RPG titles, FFIX certainly deserved more, and it pains me even today to know that no one considers this the best FF game. I know deep down that FFVII and FFVIII are A WHOLE LOT better, but FFIX deserves more. It had a wonderfully constructe, epic storyline that revolved around a faction of thieves of which Zidane Tribal, the protagonist is a part of.

This took FF back to the old days, of castles and medieval towns unlike FFVII and FFVIII( even FFVI). It had very neatly designed characters and graphically this was the most artistic one probably, next to Chrono Cross.

Vivek

THE TREMENDOUS TRIO

XENOGEARS

Xenogears maintains a 90% ratio on Game Rankings, and within the top 15 best reviewed games on the PS. However, it remains a critically divisive title with some, even years after its initial release. Many praise the game's storyline, with its discussions of Religion,psychology , and religion Also popular is the multitude of references to religious terms and well known science fiction films such Star Wars and Soylent Greens as well as praise for its innovative combat system. Some of the noted flaws from critics include the overabundance of cutscenes, an excessively high frequency of random battles, and Linear gameplay. A notable criticism is the ****of the second disc, where the use of the world map is restricted and the amount of cut scenes increases

Courtesy to Wikipedia

FINAL FANTASY TACTICS (PS)

RELEASE YEAR : 1998

Final Fantasy Tactics received positive reviews upon its release, and critical opinion of the game has improved further over time.IGN  awarded the game the Editor's Choice Award on 1998, praising the in-game graphics as "amazing" and the battle environments with its extra details as being "extremely well designed". The spells and summoning visuals were compared with Final Fantasy VII 's detailed graphics.[ Gamespot lauded the game's battle sequences as challenging and requiring more strategy making than ordinary RPGs; they found this a welcomed element that deviated from the countless enemy encounters featured in typical Japanese RPGs.[ The intricate plot was also the strength of the game as reviewers found it to be more in-depth, with numerous plot twists. Even during battle sequences, the story unfolds to create a serious atmosphere of the plot, even with simple and "cute" character

Courtesy to Wikipedia

VAGRANT STORY (PS)

RELEASE YEAR : 2000

The dark horse of Square's genious creations was the almost unknown release of the 2000's Vagrant Story. No action RPG has achieved a level of complexity and detail and still has maintained it's head like Vagrant Story does. Read more in my review on Vagrant Story. (Aaargh! Hyperlinking is damn confusing). People said that it's graphics resembled MGS andit is probably true but despite the low production rates, Vagrant Story rocked!

CHRONO CROSS (PS)

RELEASE YEAR: 2000

Chrono Cross sold 850,000 and 650,000 units in Japan and the United States respectively It was re-released once in the United States as a Greatest Hits title and again as part of the Japanese Ultimate Hits PS series. Critics praised the game's complex plot, innovative battle system, varied characters, moving score, vibrant graphics, and success in breaking convention with its predecessor.[ Electronic Gaming Monthly gave Chrono Cross a Gold Award, scoring it 10/10/9.5 in their three reviewer format.[ GameSpot  awarded the game a perfect ten , one of four in nearly 1,100 games, and its Console Game of the Year Award for 2000.[ Famitsu rated the game 36 out of 40 from four reviewers. As of August 2006, Rotten Tomatoes and Game Rankings  rate Chrono Cross at 92% One review held that Chrono Cross crossed mediums to "artistic interactive storytelling."

In terms of negative criticism, reviewers claimed that the game's flaws were its vague ending, confusing plot elements and narrative pacing problemsFan reaction was largely positive though certain Chrono Trigger fans were disappointed that Chrono Cross broke convention in featuring a new cast-with more characters and fewer double and triple techs

cOURTESY TO Wikipedia

FINAL FANTASY X (PS2)

RELEASE YEAR: 2001

Both Japanese and western critics have generally given Final Fantasy X high scores, with the game attaining a 92/100 "universal score" according to Metacritic .[ A leading Japanese video game magazine,Famitsu, awarded the game a near-perfect 39/40 score while readers of the same magazine voted it the best game of all time in early 2006.[ Another leading Japanese gaming magazine, The Play Station, gave the game a score of 29/30

As part of their reviews, Famitsu and The Play Station expressed particularly favorable responses toward the game's storyline and graphicsthe website offered extensive praise for the game's innovations in gameplay, particularly with regard to the revised summon magic system, the option to change party members during battle, and what they felt were more efficient character development and inventory management systems. Offering additional praise for the game's graphics, which they suggested "improves on its predecessors in every area possible", they commented that the game as a whole was "the best-looking game of the series [and] arguably the best-playing as well" at the time of release.

cOURTESY TO wIKIPEDIA

A few months back, I would have thrashed anyone who said FFVII was the best.8)

And now, just a mere months later, I have already started regarding FFVII as the best game ever. It amazes me when I come to think that how easily my opinion changed. How easily I came to regard a game I hated as the best game ever?:shock:

It is a wonder that people's minds can change so very quickly. I turned a deaf ear to those tons of FF fans calling FFVII the best. Though I haven't played any of the post-FFVII games (except FFXI),and can't say for sure, but I will really respect the game that can beat FFVII. I think that FFVIII,FFX,FFXII might be the games that might be able to.

I started wondering recently, that none of the games I have reviewed got a perfect 10. FFVI Advance got 9.7 and that was the highest I could give. FFVII I just think deserves a perfect 10 but I can't say that too clearly.:?  ;)

Those who have played FFVII will know that how the story can get so muddled up and confusing, that you might lose track of what's what. I have fortunately, maintained a good track, even during the crucial flashback sequence in the Lifestream in Disc 2.:)

I must say that of all the FF's hell even from all the games, no game has got a bigger twist than FFVII.Cloud's true identity was a shocking one, but it suited the story really well.:)

I was also amazed by the amount of minigames packed into this decade old game. Snow-boarding, Motorbike and Rollercoaster shooting, Battle arena, Chocobo race, Dunking are a few to name of.

There were many emotional scenes in FFVII, but they are normally marred by the constant need to press the OK button to continue the dialogue. Aeris's death might have been emotional to many but I felt rather happy. She was firstly a low level, when I played and I also felt that she was a nuisance:evil:

The characters are superb.Their identities are perfect.

Gameplay wise the materia system is a great idea and suits the game.

I better stop here or else it will sound like a review.

I would like to tell one thing: If you wanna play FFVII, follow a guide.

HELL! I never knew that Ruby Weapon (or is it Emerald) lurks in the underwater. I was enjoying in my newly gained submarine, when I saw a dark shadow. Thinking it to be some underwater cavern I went, and bumped into Ruby Weapon (or is it Emerald)

two turns and I got wiped out. The same thing happened in the Highwind. I bumped into that @&%$#!^ Ultimate Weapon...

Whatever, I am currently working on another editorial. THANKS TO ALL YOU GUYS WHO ENCOURAGED me by appreciating the previous article.

Right ahem..so watch out for my next blog(in a few days)... cause it will contain the editorial:

SQUARESOFT VERSUS SQUARE ENIX ; Battle of the Clones:P

See you all later! ( Actually, we aren't gonna see each other,we are gonna meet each other)

Just two years back, people were starting to talk about that how long could the PC hold an eventual death. With the release of 360 that year, and PS3 and Wii the next year, things were looking sour for the PC afficionados.:|

Though, I am not a very big fan of PC gaming, but I do like it for all the games it has offered. Now, at this stage reports show a rise in the PC gaming and with more better games in the pipeline, PC gaming still looks far from dead. Let's see some facts of PC gaming in the current gen.

 ( THIS IS NOT A PC VERSUS CONSOLES. IT'S JUST AN INLOOK ON BOTH THEIR CAPABILITIES IN DIFFERENT AREAS):twisted:

GRAPHICS.

No one could disagree that the PC has got better graphics capability than any of the consoles. Some of the gameplay videos of games like Crysis show that PC graphics are much sharper than it's console counterparts.

 In the graphical world, PC is always growing. The thing is that console creators, make their graphics engine and stuff as a single piece and sell it with the console. Once sold,they can upgrade it but probably not to that much extent of how the PC does.

Companies like Nvidia have shown their support to PC. In short, PC's graphical technology is an ever improving process.:)

SOUND

Now, this is an equal ground. PC has the speakers who always have those special bass surround ability and stuff like that. The consoles are obviously hooked onto the TV sets, so you have the TV speakers which are also equally powerful. So, sound wise both PC and consoles are almost equal. It just depends that what you have and what you don't.:P

MULTIPLAY

A time like nine years back, multiplayer was unknown to consoles, PC attracted large amount of attention with highly addictive multiplayer/single player games like Diablo, AOE, NFS and what-not. :D

Of course, who could forget the legendary Counter-Strike without whom the gamers would have never left their homes to form clans. But with XBOX, ethernet became a part of consoles. So much so, that even handhelds like PSP and DS, have got it. With 360, the area expanded. XBOX Live, Downloadable content and what not. Gamers may now never have to hear the word ' BUY FROM SHOPS' if this continues.:D

REALISM

The next two areas are the two major DOWNFALL points for PC. Let's agree to one fact. The realism in PC is zero.:( The monotonous clicking of the mouse, yawn yawn!!

Enter the console realism. Right from the revolutionary PSOne's DualShock Controller, to Nintendo Wii's Nunchuk, the saga continues. Console gaming and realism are like closest of friends. 8) Some of the games for consoles these days would not EVEN be made had it not been for the realism the consoles offered.

And NOW THE THING WOULD HAVE LED TO THE DEATH OF PC

GAMES

This is a thing we all gamers agree on. No platform is good if it doesn't offer nice quality of games. There used to be a time when some franchises were PC only. Diablo, NFS, Warcraft, Half-Life, C&C etc. Ten years after that we now see, that the op PC franchises are still those. Yes, the thing that PC lacks is franchises.

 Gamers who are humans ( I am not talking about aliens like gamers) always like to love something.

So they become fans. Neon says he is a GoW fan, fine! Ipodhero says he is a KH fan, nice! Quintly says she is a Tekken fan, no prob! I say I am an FF fan, no prob again!

In short, we like to follow some gaming franchise we like. And out of 98% times those franchises are console parties. So they make games only for a particular console (like Gears for 360) others make games for a multiple console. OKAY!

These days, you would have to scramble around trying to find a GREAT PC-exclusive franchise. C&C 3 has gone to 360 also, so you can't say it is a PC-exclusive. Look, ten years back, games like FFVII used to appear on PC, games like GTAIII, Vice City used to appear on PC. Now, they all have gone out.

All PC has become now, is just a plain MMORPG battleground.:(

Franchises, like MGS( they too appeared as a PS port on PC),FF, GTA, C&C all gone. Now, EA made annual games like FIFA, Madden, NBA Live, NFS all are there for PC gamers.

I doubt that by the time Crysis comes out, even it shall remain a PC exclusive or not? Because NO ONE plays on PC as a primary platform. We all play (some of us don't) PC gaming as a secondary platform.

So, writing a contradictory editorial like this is not easy. Those who have had the patience to read this whole thing have my fullest appreciation.

 I am sorry that I will not be able to reply to your comments as I am going out for 4 days and will be back by Sunday evening. I am on a hilly trip to beat the heat down here in the city. 

But please DO reply:) your comments encourage me to write such editorials.

Also, tell me whether you liked it or not.

See ya all!!

lightwarrior179

I do hope that Square release Crisis Core soon. I can't wait for it. Poor me, can't read Japanese or I will be buying it in September.

There is a mood of partying in my mind for a variety of reasons.

Firstly, it has to be the Square Enix Festival 2007! I never expected or EVEN thought that there would be these many games in the pipeline.

My last blog was a worthless one and I would consider Square's these two days as their reply to all the criticism from their fans.

New Games announced

Last Remnant (PS3,360)

Final Fantasy Dissidia(PSP)

Star Oceans (PSP)

KH Mobile game

FF Crystal Chronicles: Rings of Fate(Wii)

Plus there was a single footage each of FFXIII and FF Versus XIII.

And GS' Ricardo Torres, got a hands-on with FFXII:Revenant Wings:) and with Crisis Core:FFVII:D

In a closed session, Square also showed a lucky few a full running video of FFXIII.

Our GS guys were really impressed with it's visuals as well as that of Crisis Core saying that if these two games at it's development stage can do so well, then one can imagine the intensity it can pack when it releases.

I am really happy Square! Keep it up!

Now, the other reason. My uncle's wedding took place yesterday. Normally, I hate weddings and in the sweltring heat. NEVER!!

HOWEVER, I went, the reason: My cousin too was coming there. I came to know it from my Mom earlier. So, I decided to shed some drops of sweat and meet my cousin a.k.a The Devil:twisted:

He: Hey! I thought you would never come!

Me: I would have, cause where there is food there is me! :lol:

He: Haha! So, how is your Vagri..what was it?

Me: Vagrant Story. I am at the final boss battle. At least, I can bet that you are nowhere near Safer Sephiroth.

He: HAHA! No, I am still in Disc Two...

Me: What happened?

He: Nothing!

Again, I could say he was lying.

AFTERWARDS,

He: Hey, look at the bride. She's awesome, aint' she?

Me: In which sort of manner?

He: Moron! Though I wonder, if she is still in teens....

Me: Are you nuts?? You know 19 old people are not allowed to marry.

He: Really!*looking towards the bride* Still, I feel that poor girl deserves someone better. Uncle is so ugly! Ugh!!

Me: You're a goner!:o

He: Speaking of poor, I am reminded of you. I thought about poor you being tortured by that Vagra...

Me: Vagrant Story.

He: Yeah, so I thought, that since I don't want me to owe you one, I give back my.. ahem I mean yours FFVII!

Me: Really! You mean it!:D

He: Yeah! But I ask one favor. Introduce me to the bride. She noticed you.

Me: Why should she notice me?

He: Cause you're good looking.

Me: :oops: Yeah, yeah I am flattered! Okay DEAL!

So, I took him to the bride and introduced him, but she was busy talking to Uncle, so poor cousin got on the bad end of the deal.

Whereas I got on the BEST end.

I literally ran back home afterwards, played FFVII, ate, played FFVII, acted to sleep in the night, till I made sure that my parents were asleep, hooked on the head phones, and played FFVII tlll the sun rose.

 Then I slept till my Mom,woke at 6am. Then I woke up played FFVII, ate lunch, played FFVII, and literally collapsed to write this blog. Now, I will probably slump into slumber, dreaming all about the cute Miss. Cloud in the Wall Market.

Yawn, too sleepy now.

I guess I gotta end now, so I can wake up and play FFVII. About the game I can tell one thing, I am slowly starting to like it.

Right, this is my first ever double-blog concerning two things. The first concerning our beloved Square, and second about the Devil alias new leaf a.k.a as cousin.

PART ONE: A SQUARE MEAL OF RUMORS

I don't know if this is a bit late to tell but there are rumors AND yes, they are only rumours that Square Enix is planning to change their business model. In other words, they are turning their attention towards making remakes, spin-offs, sequels, ports and stuff.

I read this in many places on the Web like Joystiq, Destructoid, DailyGaming, and on even one of the reviewers of 1UP.com profile page.  This might not be much of news to us, the Square fans who for past one year or so, know that Square's attention has been on remakes.:question:

They said that this was apparently, to reduce the overhead costs on the development and R&D teams which had risen to an alarming number since FFXII production. They also said that NES or SNES ports onto GBA had sold so well that they even toppled a number of newer games in the sales charts. Even, those who had played the original bought them. Me, for example(FFIV)8)

They also said they would be planning on making sequels of popular games. A PIECE OF Rumour even goes saying that Square might be planning on a certain Final Fantasy VIII-2. Now, even Square fans like me know WHAT could happen when Square attempts in making a sequel of an FF game.

For example, look at FFX-2 for example. Sure, it was a great game but fans of the original thought that FFX should have been left alone, instead of making a sequel.

Now, my reaction despite my affection to FFVIII was um....confused:question:. I didn't know to be happy or not. It could be a disgrace to the original but on the other hand a HUGE asset if it turned out to be great. 

This is my thoughts. I would like to know your thoughts FF fans or not on this. AND REMEMBER IT'S ONLY A RUMOR!!! Nothing is confirmed officialy by Square but the possibily is interesting.

PART TWO: SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL.

My cousin and I along with our mothers went to a nearby mall. I bought a long awaited game on GBA, Castlevania: Circle of the Moon! It got 9.6 from GS, a collection of Ripley's Believe it Or Not!!!

My cousin being a Sony fanboy decided to buy a....(At this stage, I hoped it was PSP as then we could play through Ad-Hoc!) BUT NO!! He bought a NINTENDO DS!!!!!!!! 

And then to sprinkle salt on my wound, he bought Final Fantasy III:evil:  , Nintendogs and Mario Kart!

Later, we played Diablo 2: LoD (Multiplayer) and we beat the hell out of Diablo together. Then, we went to a Game center and hooked onto two 360's to play Gears of War. I won beating the bloody h ell out of him.

Then at 4 pm, it was the time for Devil's departure( He prepared to leave at home).

He: I am glad we sorted out our stupid fights!

Me*grinning*: Yeah!

He: So uh...enjoy playing FFVII! I am pretty sad I wasn't there to kick Sephiroth's butt! I wonder what happened at the end...*ending sadly*

I don't know but I become suddenly all emotional, and then I took a decision. I went to my game's corner(place where I keep my games).

He: What are you doing?

Me: Here..take this and don't you dare say NO! Coz if you do I will thrash you beyond recognition.

He:.......

Without a word, he bid farewell saying only a soft Thanks to me! It was enough I guess.

And if you haven't figured it yet, I gave him the 3CD pack of Final Fantasy VII. A sacrifice! A charity!

Now, 6 hours after he went, I am regretting my charity. Now I won't be able to play FFVII for months.:cry:

I want all of you to say in Unison that I am a fool! But I feel somewhere inside me that I was right in doing what I did!

A list of my Top 5 Animes(in 2006)

1. Hungry Heart- Wild Striker (coz I am a footballie)

2. Inu Yasha (coz I am a fantasy lover)

3. Cowboy Bebop (I love bounty hunters)

4. Ghost in the Shell (I love Sci-fi)

5. Chronicle of the Wing (Coz I love overacted drama:P)

This is the part two of Enter the Devil, for previous info on Satan see my previous blog!

You would really get pi$$ed off when your oversmart son of a...ahem, Sorry!:|

He played FFVII for sure, and he nicely got through the Disk 1 in the past two days! JUST THINK how jealous I became of him!

However, those who did play FFVII will know of the Golden Saucer Date Sequence. You could date Tifa, Aeris, Barrett or Yuffie(based on certain converstaions). Well, here's how it went.

NOTE: I have translated all the conversations in this and previous blog from my language, to English. Course we speak, English but 75% times.

Me: How is it going, Sony fanboy!

He: Yeah,so I am a Sony fanboy! Big Deal! You Microsoft or Nintendo?

Me: None!

He: Typical you! You follow FF and GTA like a faithful dog:evil: and will go wherever they will.

Me: VERY ANGRILY: Give me a reason, and I will thrash you into microscopic bits!

He VERY SMARTLY...: I just told you the reason! 'DOG!

Me: Y-You

Aunt: What is this! No swearing!

Me*trying to argue*: I was not swearing. This son of yours...

OOPS! Wrong move! That really flared my aunt and she went stomping off to COMPLAIN to my mom!:?

He: Deservingly!*chuckles!*

Me *glaring at him as if ready to burn him*: SO! Where are you in FFVII?

He: Much ahead than you are at Vagrant Story!

Me: You telling me that you are a better RPG player, than me?

He: I think that's what I just told, deaf-ears of a DOG!

Me: You want a some of me?*getting up ready to thrash him*:x

He: Some of you? Get away! WHO would want some of you?

Me *ignoring him*: Hey isn't that the Golden Saucer!

He: It is! Can't you see that? You always say the obvious!

Me: Let's see! Who you get? I got Yuffie! Sweet little girl! She will even kiss Cloud!

He* getting excited*: I hope I get Tifa!

We watch and then I collapse with laughter. On the screen appears, no Tifa, no Yuffie, not even Aeris!

He*moaning*: NOOOOO!

Me: YESSSSS!

There comes Barrett Wallace!

My cousin switches off the system abruptly, and walks off angrily!

Me *shouting after him*: Hey, I never knew that You liked dating men!:lol:

He: Shut up! At least you got Yuffie!

Me *wanting to make more fun of him!: Omigosh! You are a ......GAY!!!!!HA!HA!HA! :P

By the evening, eveyone knows about this and even my aunt can't stop laughing at the incident! She forgave me without complaining to my mother! THANK GOD!:D

My cousin becomes the laughing stock and he hangs around his face ashamedly!

I started feeling bad for him and blamed myself. i am an elder brother and should not act so immature in front of this guy! It's like something else had come over me!

I went to his room, with a fan pic of Tifa and said

Me: Hey,buddy! Take this as a way of mine to say Thanks!

He: *Surprised*: Really, you mean it!

Me: Yeah, I do!

He: Thanks,a hell lot, big bro!

It was for the first time he called me that.

Me *blushing*: Thanks!:oops:

After few seconds,

Me: Come let's go, the dinner is ready!

He: What? But we already ate our dinner, didn't we?

Me: Yes, but there is still a dinner you are forgetting!(not exactly a dinner)

He: Where?

Me: At the Golden Saucer! Hurry up! Tifa's not used to waiting you know!:)

And so I call the curtains down on our vendetta!

I really feel stupid for acting so childishly with him. I guess.. he brings that child out in me again!:P

However, I feel happy that we can spend the rest of the six days, playing FFVII in the morning and Vagrant Story at the evening!

See ya!