General Chat

[ACMILAN1983]

Finally completed Final Fantasy Tactics and must say it's an amazing game! For those who don't know, it was originally released on the PS1, but came out in the same year as FF7, so was overlooked by many (including myself). I got it on PSP years ago, but never got into it at first try. Recently I was tempted to go back and give it another chance and boy was a glad I did.

The gameplay is phenomenal, probably the most strategic and arguably most enjoyable battle system of any FF to date. It's very much a case of chess meets FF and really smartly implemented. It can seem unfair at times, will take patience and there are moments where the outcome of a battle is random (I lost one battle before I could make a move). However, for the flaws, it's addictive and once you get into it, it really feels quite natural.

The general presentation is excellent. The sprites for the most part aren't special, nor the isometric view, but the cut scenes were really well done and music was great.

The story is also great, really mature and doesn't pull punches (so much so that I was kind of in shock on completing the game ). The characters aren't necessarily as endearing as other FF games, but I think that comes down to game design making that difficult. That said, there's subtlety, depth and moments that have a major emotional impact.

I think this is a must play for fans of FF or the genre. It will require some patience and can be frustrating, but the game is rewarding like so many of the classic FF games.

[ACMILAN1983]

I just finished Persona 4 Golden after just over 92 hours of playing (actually, probably around 100 when factoring in times I died and the odd bits I replayed etc). After all that time, it really is up there as one of the best games I've ever played, simply phenomenal.

It's a JRPG set in a small rural Japanese town and is essentially a murder mystery story. The gameplay is standard JRPG fare, with the player controlled character mostly running around and interacting with the world and characters, and combat is menu driven. Anyone who's played a JRPG in the last 25-30 years will find this familiar stuff.

The story, as mentioned, is murder mystery stuff with an element of the supernatural mixed in. It's never overly complex or convoluted, but is really engaging with some great twist and turns.

However, where the game really stands out and draws you in is the characters. Not only does the game have some of the best characters in videogame history imo, but they're all really fun and engaging, each one fleshed out with some really mature themes and serious hardships to go through. There's only one character I wasn't particularly fond of, but even their story engaged me and had me rooting for them during hard times.

The presentation is exceptional, as everything is done with style and personality, from the design of the characters, the music (which is outstanding), the anime style and cut scenes and the scenarios and design principles used to make this such a vivid experience. I could pretty much write an essay if I wanted to about the details that make this such an amazing experience, which is testament of the love and care that went into making the game.

As mentioned before, the music is outstanding and unique and the voice acting is really good for the most part (some bits feel forced in the English dub). The graphic aren't great, not for the PS2 (where the game originally came out) era and certainly not by today's standards. They aren't bad, just adequate really.

That's beside the point though, Persona 4 is all about losing yourself in this world, growing to love the characters and really getting emotionally invested in a fantastic experience. I recently said that FF Tactics felt like a classic Final Fantasy game in how it made me feel after completing it. Persona 4 Golden has done a similar job, actually feeling very close to Final Fantasy 9 for me, in the way I grew to really love the characters dearly in both games.

An exceptional game, one I'd suggest anyone who's got the patience for a lengthy and very Japanese experience!

[somedevil]

Man I just love games like that. I have been so fucking lazy to get a new controller but I think I will today and buy some new games (been wanting to checkout PES 2015). Thanks for your review man.

[ACMILAN1983]

No worries. It's one of those that I missed when it originally came out that I'm glad I've gone back to. I can't think of a modern JRPG that was as enjoyable, Ni No Kuni possibly the closest.

[reza]

[ACMILAN1983]

What was the purpose of this? At first I thought it was some sort of raise awareness for homeless people but there doesn't seem to be anything to say that's what it was.

[xudong]

I fail to see any meaningful purpose too. It was at first probably to annoy people , but overall I think he just was seeking fun and attention, which he got.

What if the kid was an Atletico or Barcelona fan?

[Stitch]

However, where the game really stands out and draws you in is the characters. Not only does the game have some of the best characters in videogame history 

you dont know what youre talking about. there's no better game characters in the history of gaming than the guys in this picture

[ACMILAN1983]

Haha you're not wrong, they're still going strong after 15, maybe 20 years in the industry. Speaking of PES/ISS, I believe I read this year is the 20th anniversary of the franchise. Great achievement.

Gamescom is also going on in Germany right now. Some interesting stuff coming out that I'll try to post about when it's done.

[reza]