Pre-Christmas News Bonanza!

University deadlines being what they are, I haven't been able to finish up the blog post I had planned. It was going to be about RPGs and the such, but it just boiled down to me rubbing myself against Paper Mario and not an awful lot else. I'll just do a post about Paper Mario in the future, because I'm intending to finish the original over the Xmas break. I might even go the whole nine yards and buy "Thousand Year Door". Or maybe I won't. I love freedom of choice.

Retrospectively, I wish I hadn't used the phrase "rubbing myself against Paper Mario" That seems like a fast-track to horrific paper cuts. Anyway, no turning back now.

No real direction here, just a quick round up of things that have been happening recently before I knuckle down for the next few weeks.

BEST RPG EVER (MAYBE)

Yesterday was the 10th anniversary of a franchise very close to my heart, Jak and Daxter, and boy, does that make me feel old. I remember the first time playing through the original game and absolutely loving it. The platforming, the art design, the simple premise of collecting power cells executed so well, all the elements were there. The sequel probably is the reason I am so passionate about games today. It took me from the safe, fuzzy surroundings of a colourful platformer to the dark, gritty dystopia of Haven City. It was amazing. What with the HD collection having been announced, there's more and more reasons for me to buy a PS3. Well, three reasons (Sly Cooper Collection, Sly 4 and the aforementioned Jak and Daxter Collection). Maybe one day. Not soon though, I have NO money.

Planescape Torment. It's one of those games. A game that is often described as a real experience. After having only played a few hours, I can definitely agree. After some issues trying to install mods (the short version; I really hate mods. I like what they do, but they are almost more trouble than they are worth) I started up the game. At first glance, it's not an awful lot to look at. The art style isn't exactly stunning and the combat leaves a lot to the imagination. But that's probably the key part here. Imagination is key. Planecape Torment is a Dungeons and Dragons property, and despite not know much about it apart from the presence of the latter in the former, I do know that to play it properly, you need a pinch of imagination. And that's really what Planescape is; a virtual DM. Here's your world, go and talk to everyone and kill some dragons. Or just hang around with a floating skull in a bar full of zombies. I'm serious, that's actually an option. Expect a hefty blog post at some point.

You remember how I decided I like the original Final Fantasy remake because it was nice and simple, and nothing got in the way of the gameplay? Well apparently, someone at Square Enix heard me and now they are doing a new game in the old style, as far is I can tell from the few screenshots about. "But Eddie, wait, this new Final Fantasy game... IS A SOCIAL GAME! Surely you don't like social games, do you?" Well, theoretical audience voice, I actually do like social games. I'm not talking about FarmVille or any of its life-sucking ilk, but more gamey games. Things like Dragon Age: Legends, Echo Bazaar or the criminally under-appreciated Assassin's Creed Project Legacy. I think they are enjoyable games with a novel take on multiplayer, and often get ignored simply because they happen to live on Facebook. Final Fantasy Brigade won't have this issue, because for some baffling reason, they'll be making use of Mobage powered phones. Don't worry, I hadn't heard of it either. I'm looking forward to playing Brigade when it comes to browsers though, or if it even comes to the West at all. Damn you, Japan. You keep all the cool stuff.

Also, Chrono Trigger on iOS. I was excited about this, then I briefly forgot about it, and now I've remembered again and my excitement is rekindled. No idea why, because I've never played it before, but it just looks so damn good.

I've not got anything smart to cap off this post with, so I'm just going to finish by saying that Fangamer are absolutely incredible and if anyone wants to buy me anything from their site then I will love you forever.

Also, it's the Christmas season. Good tidings to all.