This Is Not a Version Update Part 1: The Dream

Many games being played at the same time.  This can sometimes lead to disaster.  Unless you are able to organize your time and priorities properly.  Somehow with my crazy life and work I am succeeding in this crazy feat.

At the moment I am playing the following games:

There are more to these, however I have been playing these the most so I will only speak of these to save time.  I am going to split each game up into its own post so as not to make this too long.


Azure Dreams:
Reliving this game from when I first played it in middle school has been fun.  I first rented this game from my local Blockbuster (oh God, those were the days).  I was on a big Pokemon kick and I saw this game for Playstation.  It seemed similar to Pokemon so I decided to try it out.  I am glad that I did.

I kept playing it and playing it, returning it and then checking it out again.  I eventually bought a copy off a kid at school for 20.00 (a good deal now I believe).  After playing it for awhile I decided one day I would attach a gameshark to Azure Dreams to help me out.  The game became a little buggy and I was never able to play properly again.  To say I was pissed off is an understatement.

As the years went by I tried my copy of Azure Dreams on my PS2, which it worked for a little while but then started to glitch up on the opening cutscene.  Then when I got my PS3 I thought "THIS IS GOING TO BE IT".

I was so wrong.  Still with my PS3 I was unable to get through that damn cutscene glitching problem.  I tried cleaning the disc, doing all different things.  Alas nothing worked.

It was not until I finally got my emulator program running on my PC that I was able to do an image copy of the disc that I own to my computer that I finally was able to get through that damn glitch.  Since then I have been smooth sailing with the game.  So many memories are flooding back to me.

To sum up this game that maybe not a lot of people know about, your father dies and when you come of age you are allowed to climb up this tower that has 40 floors.  All floors are filled with monsters, with floors that change to random designs each playthrough.  You have to collect monster eggs and either sell them or hatch them to get monsters to fight with you.  Your level does not mean anything in the game.  You will pretty much always be weak unless you spend a hell of a lot of time leveling up your weapon.  The real strength is with your monsters.  The stronger they are the better your chances of survival are.  It takes many, many journeys into the tower to get just one monster levels up enough to be useful.  It takes more to do at least two.  You can also fuse monsters together to change their element and their magic, as well as give them hidden abilities.  Something for the true completion players.

The other thing you do is gather money to help rebuild the town (to benefit you and others), complete some quests, and to make girlfriends.  Many girlfriends.  Each girl requires different things you need to do to have them fall in love with you.  Once you make girlfriends (funny, in Japan they are your wives, however because the character is 15, you can't get married in the good ole USA at that age, they say) you can get some fan service and see them in their bikinis at the pool.  There is a secret girlfriend, however you won't know who that is until you conquer the tower.  OOOOHHHH  mystery.

I will admit that there are translation errors to the game.  Not surprising.  That the story is ok, but there is definite room for growth.  The fact that you can't enter the tower with more than 5 items is a pain in the ass, but the limitation provides for you to think ahead and take risks.  Things like these are maybe the reason why this is never Game of the Year material, however Azure Dreams is a great game to just play and have fun.  Its a nice "rare" gem of a game that is off the beaten path from the big AAA games.

I find myself with almost my first girlfriend (DO NOT LAUGH.  I AM HAPPILY MARRIED), and at least one monster that may be strong enough to take me all the way to the top, not including Kewne.  I currently find myself working on gathering supplies to fix up the town, but once I am ready to conquer the tower I will probably switch gears real quick.

I do believe that Azure Dreams deserves a remake, or at least a release on the PSN.  It would be real fun to play on a PSP or Vita, that is for sure.  Almost perfect for them in fact.

The Legend That Was Ended

Legend of Dragoon  PS/PSP
That feels amazing to say that.

I have finally completed Legend of Dragoon!!!  YAY!!!

12 years and ~70 hours later I am done.

I don't know why but it feels as if a huge weight is lifted off my shoulders.  A giant sigh of relief that I have checked off a game that has almost been a cornerstone to this blog and my backlog.

Legend of Dragoon.

Wow.

Ok.  I am done now just blabbering about how wicked cool it is that I have completed it.  I will do a celebratory dance later.  On to business.

Some time has passed since I completed LoD (Legend of Dragoon).  This was in my master plan.  I wanted to make sure that I had time to breathe, process all that had happened properly, and then compare my memories from years ago to now.  I wanted to make sure that my thoughts are properly projected onto this medium.

I loved LoD when I was young.  Around the age of 15 I was into FF games and anything Square made.  Besides Nintendo (which at that time was my first big developer that I liked) I had learned that Square games were things that I would always go out and directly buy.  No questions asked.  I would be at the store no release day and be buying the game.  Or I would have a preorder in so that I would get the games on release day when I was in college.  I would get upset when I wouldn't receive the game on release day.  I have luckily grown since then, and I have learned how to relax and wait for a good deal.  Yet I still find myself buying main FF games sometimes at midnight release.

So I was young and so attached to this company that made games that enlightened my mind and led me on journeys across far off realms, allowing me to escape my own tortures.  So I see this game, LoD, and I figure that it has to be good.  So I buy it (or I got one of my parents too.  I can't remember).  I buy it and take it home.  4 discs.  "Man", I thought, "if it has 4 discs then it has to be amazing.  Cause FFVII was 3 discs, FFVIII was 4, so the more discs the better". 

I popped the game into my Playstation and started to play the game.  And I loved it.

I can't remember exactly all my thoughts and emotions from then, but I do know that I greatly enjoyed LoD.  I thought the graphics were great.  OH LORD there was voice acting in it (something new to me in console games), you could transform into a Dragoon and summon a Dragon and cast magic.  I can see myself now sitting on the carpetted floor of my father's bedroom playing this game with wide eyes trying to absorb everything that flowed out from the TV.

I do remember things that I didn't understand or care for at the time.  I didn't like how you were limited to 32 items in your inventory, that you had to use the addition system.  I didn't have enough hand-eye coordination to master that.  I didn't like how you had to plan things.  I love RPG's, but as a kid I wasn't that good at thinking ahead and planning that well.  I sometimes found myself just charging forward into battle and trying to make it work.  Thats how I ended up stuck at the final boss and not able to defeat him cause I was unable to plan ahead and overlevel, and have enough healing items to keep me alive.

Stuck.  For almost 12 years.  Now we come to today.  We come to a time in which I am older and am able to plan and strategize better.  I know not to always rush into battles without thinking of the setup.

I respect the limitation of 32 items.  It makes me plan and think.  I like it.
I like the addition system.  In fact, its one of my favorite parts of the game with regards to fighting.   I have written about it in the past and I still respect those views.  It beats a lot of the bad things.

Bad things you say???
Yes.  There are some things that I have issues with.

First, translation.  Maybe things have just improved over the last decade, but the wording for things on LoD is horrible.  Sometimes it is hard to make connections with things since the dialog makes you want to rip your eyes out and boil them.  It made the story hurt me sometimes because I couldn't keep up with things.

The bad translation also lead to problems with story flow.  I talked about this earlier some, so I won't expand too much on things.  I think though that translation issues partially led to sudden, random points to the plot that were added with no back story to them.  I understand sidequests and small diversions to the main story, but that didn't happen here.  You had to suddenly do these things that took you way off from the main flow of the plot.  Along with this was the fact that certain elements to the game were not explained or brought to light, however they served a purpose.  The Sacred Sisters of Mille Seseau should have been explained more.  Tell me what their importance is to the story.  Make me care more about them.  Damnit, that is all I want.

Well, that and more.


In the end I feel like the love of this game that I had built up when I was young was partially burst.  I am glad I replayed it and completed it.  Its a small personal goal that I was able to check off.  Would I play through LoD again?  I think probably not since I gained all I needed from the game.  I do think that it needs a sequel since it would be another revenue stream that SE could use, and many fans would cheer it on.  You could almost do anything you wanted with a sequel since so much time has passed since LoD came out.  I would definitely play that for sure.  For those who haven't played it yet, if you like classic games from the PS era then you should give it a shot.  On the PSP its a good play.  However, I think thought for now my time with Legend of Dragoon is done.  Good game Square, good game.

Updates

So I made some changes to the blog today and going to change some of the ways I do things.

First, I changed the List Page and created a new page that will contain all the completed games on it.  I wanted to do this so it would make the list easier to read for me but also for you without having to scroll around looking at what is not crossed off.  I can also keep track what I have beaten to keep a count of how long until I can get a new game.

Second, I will be making "groups" of games to play.  It will be a way for me to make a course of what to play in what order.  I pick one game for each system, plus something to do on FFXI in terms of a mission pack.  I thought this might be easier than to just randomly pick games cause there are so many games that I want to play.  If I beat a handheld game I can either go to the next group, or wait to finish the group that I am in before I proceed.  However I can not go past the groups that I have planned.


Here are the Groups of I have so far:

Group I
1. Crisis Core PSP
2. Diablo PC
3. FFXIII-2 PS3
4. FFXI -Crystal Add-on/ZM

Group II
1. FFIV DS
2. Diablo II PC
3. Assassin's Creed PS3
4. FFXI - Moogle Add-on/ZM

Group III
1. FFVI still making a decision on the format
2. Diablo II: Lord of Detruction PC
3. Assassin's Creed: Revelations PS3
4. FFXI - Shantoto Add-on/WoTG

E x 0 + 9 / 3 = freaking awesome!!

I was thinking that I should talk a little about a very big gaming even for the world. Well, at least for America.

E3

Every summer I look forward to this event in California. I have never been (I wish I could go yet I am no developer nor real reporter, nor have I won any contest to go (I am willing to take bribes to go :) )) and it's a wish of mine to always go and to take in the great experience. I mean it has to be so exciting to experience things before they are released. The demos and the trailers and announcements are so exciting. It truly is one of those bucket list things that I would so enjoy.

Now if you have yet to guess I am a Sony fan. I love Nintendo too and I grew up on the consoles that have come through the years. Pretty sure my youth was a guest in many Super Nintendo games and game boy. I may not be a Wii fanatic, but I respect Nintendo and enjoy what they put out (I do own a Wii and do play it).

The Xbox though can go kiss my ass


I am excited for the hardware that is coming out for Sony. I do love the Vita idea and I will definitely be demoing one and probably saving my pennies to get one when it comes out. If it will support my multitude of PSone games that I need to complete for this blog then I am there. My PSP also seems to be slowly dying on me.

The Wii U controller though is something that seems peculiar in my eyes. The console itself has an HD upgrade and some other advancements but from an article that I read there are not a lot of big things with the machine itself. The main draw is the controller.

The controller is unique and interesting. However it kind of reminds me of the gba and gamecube interface that you could do with a special connection. Also makes me think of the possibilities seen with the PSP/PSVita and the PS3. The way you can have a screen in your hands that shows the same thing as what's on the tv or a different view is an idea that I experienced with the GBA and Gamecube playing The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. I think though things might be a little more advances now. At least I hope they are.

I know I usually don't like to critique things on here like I have with this post, but I just felt the need to do so. Will be back tomorrow with a new entry. Been a little off track with the game list but it will continue.

The Parasite has been contained aka 1 down

Parasite Eve


Its so refreshing to have to done.  Finally, I have completed one game.  I knew this would help me to get motivated to get through these games.

So it took me 3 game overs and 1 bitch of a final boss.  SPOILER!!!


The damn thing had 4 different forms, all bitchier than the last.  Then you have to run away from it.  For the love of God, do not allow it to touch you.  I did and BAM  Game over.  BAHHHH



Anyways, I write this after beating Parasite Eve, and the credits are still rolling.  Total time for completion was: 11:23:28.  Maybe I should make a total of all the playing time that I go through to get through this list.

But yeah.  I don't know why I ever stopped playing this game.  It is very straightforward and goes through quick (~11.5 hours is pretty quick in terms of a RPG/action game.  Especially back in the PSOne days).  Once you get past the opera scene and central park things just start to roll. 


Its a fun game and something thats nice to have on a mobile system when you just want to putz around.  I don't think that I will start in on Parasite Eve 2 yet.  I think that I need a little down time from the series.  However it will be nice to see what they did with the reboot (its kind of a reboot if you see the end of Parasite Eve.  Totally crazy).



Oh, you may have noticed that I have added some games to the list.  I will do this whenever I find a game that I have not completed and was not accounted for.

OH NO!!!! Its Mitochondria!!!

Oh the glories of a classic PS game.  How great it is to be able to play this on the PSP.  Makes it soo much more enjoyable.  I honestly believe that they should put all Playstation games on the PSP, but thats for another day.

This game combines elements of RPG, Action, and some Adventure.  It follows the story of Aya, a NYPD officer who investigates horrible murders and deaths that are at the hand of this being calling herself Eve.  I won't get too much into detail, but its a game that people who enjoy the classics and the old days of Squaresoft, they should give it a shot.

Before I continue, let me say that there will be at times a Spoiler in the blog.  Its something that I won't try to help against.  I feel that it is a waste of your time if I sit here and say "Well, this happened here and this thing jumped out and I was like WHOA this thing is crazy looking etc."  But to be kind, I will try to put SPOILER!! before I get into things that could compromise your experience of the game.

SPOILER!!


So I am currently at the part in Chinatown when you have to run around the sewers shooting bats and snakes.  Now, being a RPG player I immediately believe that there is some specific path you have to take to unlock the proper route through the sewers.  Well, running around like an idiot in pretty much a circle for about 25 minutes I take a right and discover there was no mystery.  Yeah.  It was that moment that I put the game down and decided to stop for a bit.  After cruising the internet I found myself looking at the Gamefaqs.com website (which honestly, if you need some help on a game, this is usually the first place you should look).

So I have myself right before a boss and decided to just type up some notes on the subject.  I loved how I felt that this was cutting edge graphics and story back during the PSone days.  Now I notice the monotony in trying to use an Analog stick when it was meant for a D-pad.  Yet, you get by and you enjoy it.

One of the things though that annoys me on this game is the inventory limit.  I know as someone who truly loves a good RPG concept that inventory space limitation would add to the experience, but I hate having to take an extra 20 minutes to haul my stuff to the damn police HQ so I can't get the good weapon that drops from the boss that I am soon going to face.  Maybe this will change for PE2 (I should know since I started to play it a looong time ago, however I have forgotten).

The Beginning

So the story is this.  After many times of trying to figure out which game to play on my days off, I sat down and made a list of all the games that I had collected in the past 11-12 years for the Playstation consoles.  It was a lot.  I seemed to have collected and collected, and when I played them I had stopped one game to start playing another.  Hell, I found that a lot of times I would be close to beating a game and just stop on it.  BLAH

To stop myself from continuing this constant never beat a game but buy more I promised myself and my fiance that I would hold off on buying any new game or Downloadable Content (DLC) until I have removed 2-3 games from my list.  Thats the main rule.  The other rules are as follow:

• I will start all games on the list from the beginning.  This is to allow me to relearn the story and enjoy the game in full.
• I will not play more than 2 games at a time (one on a console, and one on a mobile platform i.e. PSP, DS.
• I will try to provide a write up of each game that I play as I play it on this blog.
• Last, when it comes to FFXI and other MMORPG, even though there is no real end to the game, I will try my best to complete the storylines that are available, but may play this game at any time.  I must however go back to the console game that I was playing before I started FFXI.

These rules are finite and can only be added to if needed, however I may not take off any of them.

Now with that done lets get the list up:

FFXIII PS3 Completed on 4/16/11

FFXIII: Aftergame missions     PS3 

FFXII PS2

FFIV DS

FFXI PS2  Ongoing

FFVI GBA

FFV GBA
FFIII DS/iOS

Crisis Core PSP

Final Fantasy Tactics PSP

Fallout 3 PS3

Fallout 3: Broken Steel  PS3

Fallout: New Vegas PS3

Assassins Creed: Brotherhood PS3  Completed

Assassins Creed: Brotherhood: The Da Vinci Disappearence PS3  DLC

Grand Theft Auto 4 PS3

Grand Theft Auto 3 PS2

GTA: Vice City PS2

GTA: San Andreas PS2

Parasite Eve PS/PSP

Parasite Eve 2 PS

BoF IV PS

Vagrant Stories PS/PSP

Wild Arms PS/PSP

Wild Arms 2 PS/PSP

Star Ocean PSP

Star Ocean 2 PS

Star Ocean: Till the End of Time PS2

Radiata Stories PS2

Shadow Hearts PS2

Shadow Hearts: Covenant PS2

Azure Dreams PS

.Hack//GU Vol. 1 Rebirth PS2

White Knight Chronicles PS3

Gran Turismo 5 PS3

Legend of Dragoon PS

Chrono Trigger PS

Chrono Cross PS

Monster Rancher PS

Monster Seed PS

Arc the Lad: Twilight of the Spirits PS2

Dark Cloud PS2

Dark Cload 2 PS2

Draken: The Ancient Gates PS2

Gran Turismo 4 PS2

Jade Cocoon 2 PS2

Legaia 2: Duel Saga PS2

Orphen: Scion of Sorcery PS2

Onimusha 2: Samurai's Destiny PS2

Samurai Legend: Musashi PS2

Shinobi PS2

Suikoden III PS2

Suikoden IV PS2

Summoner 2 PS2

Tenchu: Wrath of Heaven PS2

Unlimited Saga PS2

Wild Arms 3 PS2

Wild Arms Alter Code: F PS2

Xenosaga II PS2

Ys: Ark of Naphishtia PS2

Xenogears PS/PSP
Pokemon Platinum DS
Pokemon Diamond DS

As you can tell I have already completed two on the list and there are many more to go.  Currently I am working on Fallout 3 on PS3 and Parasite Eve on the PSP.  I will talk about these games though in another post.  For now, enjoy!!