My most anticipated RPGs of 2011: Day 3

Final Fantasy XIII-2 - PS3, 360 - Q2011:

Let me cut to the chase: I totally loved Final Fantasy XIII. Loved the graphics, the soundtrack, the battle system and the characters (esp Lightning). I get all antsy when the 'real' FF fan boys start blasting on the game for NO reason AT ALL. Yes the game wasn't as good as some of the best Final Fantasy games (Final Fantasy X, Final Fantasy IX), but was a darn awesome RPG and a good entry in the series. Anyways I heard rumors on the net late 2010 that SqaureEnix was thinking about a direct sequel to the game, but when they confirmed it during the Final Fantasy Conference early January I literally flipped. I have been a huge fan of the Final Fantasy direct sequels (Final Fantasy X-2, Final Fantasy XII: Revenant Wings) , and I have no doubts that this game will be as awesome as the rest.

The ending of Final Fantasy XIII was quite epic to say the least. Although I loved the game, there were a couple of things which weren't as polished, but the ending just vanished all of those misgivings. But now with Final Fantasy XIII-2, I would want to see a bit of work in some of those areas which were lacking. For starters I want a huge sprawling world to explore complete with towns and labyrinthine dungeons, and I want a story line which is a little cohesive. The people at SquareEnix have said that they taken feedback from fans and will deliver a game which will exceed the original. Paint me very excited!!

But what I really want to see in Final Fantasy XIII-2 is how the developers evolve the main protagonist Lightning. For me she is one of the most awesome characters in video games. Tough exterior with a soft core (VERY different from the angst-fest Cloud and Squall or the over the top Zidane and Tidus). So a story which revolves around Lightning a bit more than the original will really be awesome!

Here's hoping that the E3 shows a detailed look of the game (right now only a minute and half trailer and 3 screenshots are available) esp the game play department. With a vague 'Coming next winter' release date featuring in the trailer, I really hope this game comes out this year. Cant wait!

On to tomorrow for the game on my RPG's of 2011.

Thank You for the Games!

As I was surfing throgh my daily dosage of video game news I got to know that a couple of days was the day when PS2 got released and ushered an era of undisputed reign at the top of the video gaming ladder. The awesome numbers of games in almost all the genres is a true testament of how much of a stranglehold Sony had over the industry. This system has made its way into the pantheon of the gaming elites, so much that even after the HD generation is running full tilt many of us gamer still have their PS2 in working order. I know I still use the black machine from time to time.

I still remember going crazy as I oogled many screen shots of the PS2 launch and actually getting dizzy with anticipation due the graphics and announcement of many games. Yes the early games were not too great and not too much in number, but I knew that a time will come when the gates of Heaven will open to unleash a barrage of awesome games. ICO and Klonoa 2 were two of the games which started the rot, and also send me over the hill with my constant pestering get my dad to buy me a PS2. It was October 15, 2001 when my dad finally took me to the game shop and got me a PS2. I got around 5 games which included ICO, Klonoa 2, Gran Tursimo 3, Twisted Metal Black and Okage: The Shadow King. The ride home was a blur as I keep one envisaging awesomeness, and boy the PS2 did not disappoint.



As the years whizzed past by and more awesome game kept on coming, my time with the PS2 started becoming memorable. Spending long afternoons parked in front of the TV and playing games. My love of RPGs reached legendary status as the amount of RPGs on the system meant that I will always got my fix of the genre. The 3D platforming games were dime a dozens and action and racing games become the major forte for the PS2 games library. That equates unhealthy amount of time playing video games. Good ole days!

I will not state the number of amazing games I have experienced on the PS2 as that will take up most of the post space, but I will jot down 10 of my most favorite PS2 games:

1) Final Fantasy X
2) Metal Gear Solid 3
3) Final Fantasy XII
4) Persona 4
5) Final Fantasy X-2
6) Sly 3: Honor Among Thieves
7) Jak 3
8) Ratchet and Clank: Up Your Arsenal
9) Shadow of the Colosuss
10) GTA: Vice City and Beyond Good and Evil

So there you have it, 10 years of providing awesome games to a massive number of gamers. And as the PlayStation brand rolls on in the HD generation with the PS3, we still fondly look back to the PS2. Cheers PS2, Thank you for the all games and memories!