Wings of Liberty

After months of systematically resisting all leaks, videos and articles about the SC2 launch, I finally caved in today and decided that I must play! I suppose I should have seen this coming, but there it is. I'll be picking up a copy tomorrow and killing my unemployment time by dusting off my RTS skills. Here's hoping I can remember how to play and my reflexes are not too terribly dulled by old age!

Final Fantasy XIII

For the first time in recorded history, I have been having a hard time finishing a Final Fantasy title. Though the art and design is beautiful and the gameplay is interesting, I am not at all compelled by the characters or story arc.

The first mistake is in the pacing - the game begins with the characters fragmented in pairs, with the player alternating between groups. It is frustrating to be stuck in this rigid framework for so long without the ability to play with a full party or select party members. Additionally, the player is stuck on a single course of action without the ability to deviate for any sidequests or adventuring. I've never seen such a linear Final Fantasy title and find it very disappointing.

I am finally at the point where the game seems to be expanding - I have entered the world of Pulse, and it seems to be one massive map full of very difficult monsters. I'm feeling the influence of MMOs through this seamless world, but it doesn't seem to be working as well as the influence in FFXII that lead to the gambit system. I don't dislike the battle system in XIII, but I don't enjoy it either. Typically I enjoy job based battle systems, but these are quite rigid and I dislike the allocation of skills - I feel like the system does not complement my prefered playing styles at all. Previous titles have been customizable to the point that I was able to play through in several different ways and find each enjoyable, and I miss this flexibility.

Aion Wrap-up

I've been working very hard these past weeks to develop my character in Aion, and even though it is horrendously slow going I am enjoying the process. Unfortunately for Harmonia, my little chanter character, I have decided to cancel my account. I am still enjoying the game, and the changes that NCSoft is looking to implement interest me greatly - I ADORE a game with player housing, and many of the other soon to be added features. Unfortunately, most of my friends have quit playing and I feel I should move on now since I have just begun the process of purchasing my own home.

So it's farewell to the world of Daevas and hello to the world of boxes and packing tape.