Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of the participants and the moderator, and do not neccessarily reflect those of the GIA. There is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. Just shut the hell up and drive and you won't get hurt. Don't say we didn't warn you.

Well, this is certainly an interesting column. See, I called upon you readers to let me know how interested you are in Vagrant Story now that it's been given a perfect score by Famitsu, and if your current feelings are any different than before hearing of this grade. For the most part this is all fine and good, but several people didn't seem to understand what the game was like or about at all. It's cool not to be interested in a title, but when you've decided that it's not for you because of a feature that actually isn't present, you may want to re-evaluate slightly.

Some of the letters that didn't get printed include one where the author was as angry as a hornet because the female protagonist was an obvious attempt to appeal to horny adolescents, and another simply didn't enjoy god games. Right-o, then.

Actually, the storyline centers around the ubiquitous governmental conspiracies and political intrigue present in so many RPGs of late. It wouldn't surprise me if the Church ends up playing some form of role, as it does take place in the Middle Ages, but I don't believe that will end up being a key aspect of the storyline.

As for Jesse Ventura becoming considered a philosopher, it wouldn't be much of a stretch. We live in a nation that reads books about wrestling icons written at a third grade level so as to avoid alienating the majority of the faddish "sport's" fanbase. This is a country that felt macaroni and cheese required so many steps as to be a tad too difficult, for chrissakes. Who wants to listen to some scraggly geek wax intellectual when a guy that looks like a skin-toned version of the goombas from the Mario Brothers movie can tell us how life truly works?

I'd agree that I wouldn't place too much trust on the reviews of a single magazine. I do hold respect for the Famitsu's grades, as they've generally been accurate from what I've seen, but if money's tight it's always a better bet to find out what the general consensus is. That said, my expectations for the title are high, since the melodramatic opening sequence and dark atmosphere had already drawn me in.

P.S. I'm certain that the 5 other Dragon Warrior fans here in the West appreciate the stand you've taken here. I'd say that you're really setting some people straight, but that would be making the assumption that somebody out there actually cares enough about DWM to accuse it of being a Pokemon knock-off.

I'm pretty much with you on that viewpoint, Ian. As much as I'm salivating over the prospects of shelling out several hundred dollars to play updates to existing series and arcade translations, I think I'm just going to hold off on the PS2 until FFX makes its appearance.

And yes, for those of you out there who still have difficulty discerning when I'm being facetious, I'm not that interested in the PS2 just yet. I'm a big Tekken fan, but I'm going to need a bit more convincing. Not that I'm trying to preach my self-proclaimed tenets here; if you're all about the latest gadgetry, go reserve. I'm busy operating under the restraints that the lack of money present, that's all. Well, that and I'm a supercilious little bitch.

Ergheiz was a bit shallow because it was a fighting game. Vagrant Story is not. That's kind of like being leery of Final Fantasy IX because it has protagonists, and you once played another game with protagonists in it that you weren't too thrilled with. Actually that's a truly idiotic comparison, but I believe my point has been made.

As for just why it received a perfect score, I couldn't tell you; I don't subscribe to the Famitsu myself. However, I am in agreement with you about the setting. It's medieval yet lacking in tired cliches and insipid character designs that so often seem to go hand-in-hand with such a backdrop.

Lastly, while I suspect that the storyline will be extremely complex and involving for a game of its type, I'm doubtful that it will reach the same echelon on which the FF titles reside. But I could very well be wrong, so we'll just have to wait and see. I just like to spout off my opinions as though they are fact and then sit back with a smile on my face as I reassure myself that I'm "one sexy man."

I do believe that the play time referred to by Mister Matsuno referred to applies to those who are already familiar with the game and can blow through it with maximum efficiency. Like you said, the first time you played Resident Evil, it would take quite some time, but once you knew the solutions to the puzzles and where to go next you could whip through those games in under 3 hours.

As for the comic book dialogue, it's unique, and I'm always a fan of originality. So long as they move at a faster pace in actual practice than they do in the demo shown, I'm perfectly happy. I'd rather not play an entire game where the cast speaks at a pace not unlike that of Mister Rogers.

Peer, if you're out there and reading this, I hope that you're happy with yourself. References to that damnable level will never cease. May you inhabit the very same section of Hell that we shall for introducing the gaming masses to the phrase "wa sugoi."

Okay, this is going to sound insulting, so if you came here looking for all sorts of mirthful ramblings and arguments over whether bunny rabbits or ferrets are cuter, you may as well just move along to the next letter. Then again, if you're the type of person who enjoys such discussion, how in the hell did you wind up here in the first place?

At any rate, disliking a game based solely on the dialogue and the choice of translation is pretty strange. Sure, it can detract from a title if the voice-overs are absolutely wretched, but that doesn't effect the underlying gameplay. Secondly, if you truly prefer dubs to subs, you are seriously in the minority. Dubbing often requires that the dialogue be altered to such an extent that, at worst, plot points are lost or eschewed or at best that small details can be lost. All of this simply for the sake of trying to make the speech fit with the lip movement and timing. That's a huge simplification on a largely debated matter, but you get the idea.

In short, take speed-reading lessons or something. I've never had a problem with subs, and after playing Panzer Dragoon Saga, I'm fully convinced that they're the way to go.

You know, I really don't see how that's even relevant. I hate it when people throw crud in my face and yank on my lips really hard, but that's not going to be any sort of consideration when it comes to how much I enjoy Vagrant Story. The game doesn't even have a first person mode; the only time first-person plays any sort of role is for looking about a room to find clues or items, and that's a necessary component of a 3D adventure title.

I'd have to agree with most of what you say, Lycidas. However, limiting the number of areas in a game doesn't necessarily mean what's there will be better. I loved Brave Fencer Musashi, but the lack of any town other than the single village present was my main beef with the title. I'd like to be a big optimist and wish for many cities and explorable areas that are all well-developed and imbued with personality.

Closing Comments:

So, you want a topic? You got a topic! Damn, I'm just such a vivacious and giving fellow! I care more about the feelings and wants of my readership than I do about my own personal desires. Sure, it would be a lot easier to end every column with self-pleasing personal banter and flattering images of myself, but I realize that a topic is more beneficial and enjoyable for you guys. You'd better freaking erect a statue in my honor here in my hometown, you little toads.

So here it is: with all of the music titles about to see a Western release, it's apparent the the genre is here to stay. However, it remains more of a niche market than anything else. Do you feel the currentl influx of these games, such as Rhapsody, Dance Dance Revolution, and Space Channel 5 will be able to change this state of affairs? Or will it require a breakthrough title down the road to drag the genre out of its dark corner, as FFVII essentially did for RPGs? Let me know what you think; you know you don't want to miss a chance to get your opinion seen in a public forum.

-Drew Cosner