RGP #9 - Final Fantasy IV Battle: Duodecim Remix

"I am going to shove this lance up your righteous ~!"

Random Gaming Post #9

I originally had something else planned for RGP #9 but after hearing this for the first time in game I just HAD to share it.

I acquired a copy of of Dissidia 012 [Duodecim]: Final Fantasy the other day and as I was going through the first section of the story, I fought a mannequin of Kain from Final Fantasy IV. Going with the just the PSP's speakers on mid volume, I didn't notice the music right away. When I did, I was so astounded that I literally stopped for a moment to hear it. With my idiot self not controlling Lightning, the Kain mannequin got in a free hit. Lucky for me it wasn't an HP attack nor did it put me into break status.

The battle theme from Final Fantasy IV is one of my favorite RPG battle themes. I loved both the original and DS remake of it and this Duodecim piano remix has also touched my heart.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3arTH1yHAw&w=640&h=390]

DS version [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c0ri2SLXSk&w=480&h=390]

Original version [youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nh5QcbYvGM&w=480&h=390]

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Oh how I love this game

Around 2 months ago I revisited an old favorite of mine, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The 2D sidescrolling Castlevania RPG that made the term "Metroidvania" come to fruition. Different from the older 2D sidescrolling Castlevania titles, SotN (Symphony of the Night) has you running about Dracula's castle but instead of just going a straight path till you reach the dark lord, there is a ample amount of back tracking to previous areas. Usually areas you couldn't reach until you gained a certain ability. Similar to the 2D Metroid games.

Since SotN, Konami has spawned multiple Castlevania titles using the same formula and were released on handhelds such as the GBA and the Nintendo DS. Now I played most of those Castlevania games and I did enjoy some of them but they all don't have the same charm that SotN has that keeps me coming back.

"The looooong Library"

I'm not sure what exactly it is SotN has that makes me love it more compared to others sure as Circle of the Moon, Aria / Dawn of Sorrow or Order of Ecclesia but there's just something in it that gives it more appeal. SotN isn't a new game and is widely considered a classic now but its a game that,in my opinion, has aged well and can still be played by today's gaming audience without a problem. The music in this game is superb and has seem many covers on multiple instruments these past years. Another thing that I think SotN does better than the newer 2D Castlevania's is level design. The castle in SotN just feels more fun to explore compared to the newer titles. And *spoiler alert* the first time I gained access to the inverted castle, I obviously got the worst ending in my first playthrough, I was in awe. The words "there's another castle?!" came out of my mouth.

"My sword is bigger than yours"

Another thing I'd like to point out that makes SotN just feel different is Alucard's bizzare backdash ability. In that game, you don't walk. You SLIDE! Hammering the triangle button to let Alucard backdash became second nature in the game that walking normally just felt... wrong. Now walking / running isn't a bad thing, its the most basic way to navigate in the game and I sure as hell did a lot of double tapping of the forward button with Nathan Graves from Circle of the Moon. I haven't encountered a Castlevania game with Alucard's form of navigatiion since. I do remember that Juste Belmont from Harmony of Dissonance had the ability to dash forward when you pressed I think it was the R button, but it didn't feel the same.

Now this may just be a ramble post on how much I love SotN but I felt that it was just something I had to share especially after hearing this beautiful rendition of one of my favorite songs from the game.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3yXAMiFgyI&w=640&h=390]

If you want to prove me wrong and think that the other 2D Catlevania games post SotN is better or just want to experience its greatness. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is available on XBLA, it is also unlockable in the PSP remake of Rondo of Blood titled Castlevania: Dracula X Chronicles. It was also released on the original Playstation as well as the Sega Saturn, maybe find it in a used game store or ebay if you still have those systems. Its a great game and I encourage all of you to try it.

Dissidia 012 Official English Trailer

Finally we get an english trailer for the sequel of Square-Enix's action fighting game Dissidia. Dissidia 012 Duodecim is already out in Japan and I am jealous. Not to worry, the wait is almost over.The US release date of this game is on March 22 so just a little more patience guys. I want this game so bad but I guess an english trailer will have to do for now. The date at the end of the video is for Dissidia 012 Duodecim Prologus which is basically the demo of the game that you can purchase on the Playstation Network for $2.99. Players with this demo can unlock Aerith as an assist character in the full game and all items will carry over. Pretty bogus if you ask me, asking you to pay for a demo when in Japan it was released for free. Psssh.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4wxeb8hD2Q&w=640&h=390]

Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Saisen

"Hiten Mitsurugi! Amakakeru Ryū no Hirameki"

So there's a new Rurouni Kenshin (Samurai X for us here in the Philippines) game on the PSP. I know the anime series has ended long ago so seeing a game for it surprised me. Dragon Ball Z has been finished for more than 10 years too but we get a new DBZ game like every year so that doesn't count.

From the looks of it, it's an anime fighting game and one that honestly doesn't look very impressive. I've played many anime based fighting games before, believe me most of them don't hold up. However, after being heavily hit with nostalgia from hearing the opening theme played at the beginning of the video, I am obligated to try it. I might do an impressions post or maybe even an all out review , then again maybe not. If you're interested in an impressions post and / or review of this game from me then please leave a comment and let me know. And with that I leave you with a video of the PSP game Rurouni Kenshin: Meiji Kenkaku Romantan - Saisen. Quite a mouthful ei?

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mb85vsKT-Bg&w=640&h=390]

My Impressions of SD Gundam G Generation World

I gotta say, I am loving this game. Though I'm not geeking out and playing as much as I did with G Generation Wars on my PS2, I am liking this game a lot more. Everything is more stream lined, design choices in battle animations make it quicker without sacrificing the enjoyment of watching your favorite Gundam hack away at a helpless grunt suit with its amazing animation.

"GTFO!" - Banagher Links

Since they went with putting the game on the PSP instead of the PS2 I thought there would be load issues or frame rate drops. Though the frame rate drops are present when shit is exploding everywhere with a fiery background, light flashing and beam saber flailing, and the pilots appearing on-screen screaming something in Japanese. It is nowhere near game breaking or annoying. Selecting missions has been simplified which is good, especially for newer players who are unfamiliar with the game.The roster is still very impressive. From the first Gundam all the way to Unicorn, fans new and old can choose from hundreds of mobile suits from the Gundam multiverse.

"Can you name all the characters on screen?"

Most aspects of the game are still the same as G Gen Wars and I have no problems with that since G Gen Wars was my favorite up until World came out. It's sad that this series may never get a US release and unless you can read Japanese, there will always be a language barrier even though the game is very playable.

"Stop fighting! *piw piw piw*" - Kira Yamato

Maybe my favorite aspect about this game is it being on the PSP, aside from being region free it's the portability that makes me enjoy this game more than G Gen Wars. I find that strategy games that can drag out are better portable. Sitting on your ass for hours doing one mission can be a pain no matter how good the game is. But it being portable, you can do missions or a long mission in short bursts of play straight since its easier to pull out your PSP from your pocket or bag as opposed to setting up your console, turning on the tv, hoping no one else is using the tv, making sure your chair / couch is in the perfect spot, etc.

"I am Ryomou Shimei!... wait"

I've been a fan of Super Robot Wars games since the versions where there was very little animation (like a gun appearing on top of their hand and shooting one shot). Played through a lot of other strategy and tactics games too. With this being a SRW style game and it having lots and lots of Gundams in it just adds to my already huge interest in it.

"Fear the shield"

The point is though I am not playing it as much as I thought I would I am still enjoying this game very much and still nerd out when I see my favorite Gundam unleashing an exaggerated overkill attack. If you are a Gundam fan, a fan of strategy games, or even mildly interested (which you probably are since you're reached this far in the post) and own a PSP or Wii, get this game.

"Justice fiiiiight! The brave legeeeend!"

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8nTOzNUoC0&w=640&h=390]