kthnxhai

Indeed, alive we are.

Sadly, I haven't found the time for comics and blogging in-between working and the dually harsh mistresses of World of Warcraft and Crisis Core. Mind you, I fancy excreting some opinions, especially about Crisis Core, on account of me being a qualified reviewer for the subject matter:

The game is by all means fantastic for the PSP. How the hell all the game is fitted into a UMD, I'll never know. Granted, a lot of the game is repetitive. Did I say a lot? I mean most. This is a shame, but I appreciate the need for replay/filler on a portable title. Another epic-downer for me, is the voice acting. In a carbon-copy of FFX on the PS2, we have a relatively talented voice cast playing the sub-characters, but some jumpy, hyperactive American twat playing the lead role. Tidus and Zack; added to 'the list'. Aeris - no, wait, it is Aerith properly now - has had a character change also - turning into some sort of whore-y, over-possessive retard, completely spoiling my once unfaltering mental image of her. And finally, the whole game sucks for ruining the feel and atmosphere of the original - a sin Advent Children is also guilty of; I would like more corporate oppression, altered memories and misled villains, not some Jpop/Emo bastard hybrid. Since removing Sakaguchi from the directorial team, the media (because you have to say 'media', 'cos there is ONE film) associated with FFVII has really let the games' original feel down - something I find a real shame.

The positive points - the graphics are gorgeous, the scenes that are recognisable from the original are replayed relatively faithfully, and there is a lot of nostalgia accompanying the game, especially if you, like me, haven't played VII in a while. The story, however, is not a total let down, and fits together nicely with the other game, explaining small things and linking the story of Zack and Cloud. To summarise; the game does a good job of spoiling the original unfortunately, but is a fairly decent example of an action-RPG. On the plus side, it has made me want to go back and return to the original game, for a good whole-hearted nostalgia enema. Bear in mind, I haven't quite finished it yet... Crisis Core, I mean - not the enema.

In other news:

I am currently gearing up for my trip to the You-Ess-of-Hay in September. I think importing FFIV [oh yays, he said FF again...] may be a better course of action, otherwise, I'm faced with a 16-hour flight, with a Russian-roulette-esque chance of in-flight movies. Could be good, could be bad. Could require a revolver and a single bullet if its a chick flick, therefore, a strong argument in the decision making process. Until then, I have Mass Effect, KOTOR2 and Crisis Core/Wipeout Pulse to finish after my WoW free trial ends on the 16th.

What? I'm not paying for it, if I'm away for half the month!?

JB