Fragged - April 25th, 2000 - Chris Jones
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this column are those of
the participants and the moderator, and do not necessarily reflect those of the GIA. There
is coarse language and potentially offensive material afoot. Damn this dinosaur program is
cool. Don't say we didn't warn you.
Sorry, folks, but I'm gonna make this quick tonight. It's currently about 10 o'clock, and
I still have to pack and get to bed at a reasonable hour so I can drive the 500 miles back
to Austin tomorrow. So let's go, before I fall asleep at the keyboard.
| 9 out of 10 readers still read me |
| Dear Polka Jones, You printed 9 out of 10 letters received? Man, sucks
to be number 10, huh? Looking down the column, hoping to find your letter, only to get to
the end and hear yours was the only one NOT printed on a slow mail day. Now that`s what I
call harsh. Anyway, on to the question at hand:
I was wondering if anyone else out there is fed up with time-line triggered secrets? I
think this was touched upon a few days ago, but it really ticks me off when I finish a
game, only to find out later that I -could- have gotten Super Weapon X, had I only taken
Character B to see her grandfather -before- going to Generic Dungeon X. Being the kind of
guy who spent tens of hours to acquire Fei`s final "darkness" technique even
after defeating the game, I like to have everything you can have by the end. That means
all the best weapons, the best magic, etc. But these days, it seems like every developer
is trying to add more and more time sensitive side-quests.
Now don't get me wrong, I love side-quests, but I want them like Crono Trigger, doable
at any point after a certain part of the game. That way I don't have to spend hours
getting to a certain point in the game, only to choose, "Wait" instead of
"Jump off" when the flying island is about to crash. (Damn you, Square.)
Just wondering if I`m the only one...
Lord Pendragon
PS. Fei's "darkness" power sucked so hard, I couldn't even look at an RPG for
weeks without getting angry. Ugh. |
For the record, there was nothing wrong with the 10th letter, it was just entirely
focused on getting Vandal Hearts 2 to work on a modded PSX with the right Game Shark
codes. Since I know nothing about VH2, Game Sharks, or mod chips, there wasn't anything
productive I could have said, so I skipped it.
It's been too long since I had the time to get all the stuff in any given game - I
didn't even go on the card quest in FF8. Thus, I have no opinion about how sidequests
become unlocked. But I like to spread the general discontent around, make everybody's day
a little gloomier, so here you go, folks.
| He thinks we only talk about RPGs. Must be new
around here. |
| Hello Mr. Letter guy, RPGs, RPGs, RPGs. Is that the only thing that
gets talked about around here? Good! Moving right along then:
First off, I'd like to remind peole that PSO isn't going to be your typical ORPG.
There's no *massively* multiplayer aspect to it (only four people at a time), and it looks
to have a chatroom like hub, instead of "Character to character" interaction
with graphical representations; and talking with Macros really belittles the
"character roleplay" aspect that I find appealing about ORPGs (My medieval
warriors don't say "Tnx" or "Np"). Plus, it's going to attempt to
incorperate an epic storyline; which will be interesting to see pulled off, to say the
least. PSO is definately going to make some changes to the ORPG formula, both for the
better and worse; but it is the first console ORPG ever, so we can afford to give it som
leadway for the sakeof evolution (who knows, it may have reprocussions on the PCORPG
world, too O.o)
And, on a completely different subject- RPG rehashes. some love 'em, some hate 'em. I
think that they're good for the RPG market. Final Fantasy Anthology made a double strike
at this- It gave anti-ROM gamers one of the long missing FF games (I liked the ROM
translation better, actually), PLUS it informed those gamers who had been introduced to FF
through FF7 that there were Final Fantsy games before the afforementioned, and that they
were just as deep and involving. More of these "Make Up" compilations should be
released, IMO: Dragon Quest 5&6, Tokemeiki, Front mission- basically ANY RPG that has
had a sequel released stateside... On the other hand, some rehashes can kill a game. Don't
get me wrong, I think it's absolutely wonderful that Working Designs is trying to bring
back the Lunar saga, but I don't think that it should be at the cost of intelligent
dialogue. If the game has an overall serious tone, then you shouldn't be able to find
"Choking the Chicken" jokes in it. I fear for L:EBC and Arc the Lad Collection.
Let's hope the folks at Working Designs have matured a bit, eh?
Well, those are my words for now. I'm sure I'll think of something else to type at a
later date. Sorry about the length, but some ideas need more words than others. ^_^
-Pisces, who is enjoying his newly accquired "Legacy of the WIzard" ROM!! |
Good point about PSO, although I'll point out that the two trends you mentioned,
limited vocabulary and epic story, are actually complimentary. If all your character can
say is "Thanks for healing me", you don't have to worry about two players
pledging their undying hatred for each other and then having their characters fall in love
during the next scripted cut scene.
I agree that there are a lot of games that could be successfully republished, and not
just RPGs. While I can't condone pirate ROMs, I think Nintendo has their head way, way up
their collective ass if they think bitching about piracy and suing is better than putting
out their own legit emulators and ROMs. I'd gladly pay $40 for a PC CD containing an NES
emulator and a few Golden Age Nintendo titles, and there have got to be a few million
people out there who agree with me.
As for Working Designs, I disagree totally. The patented WD translation is the big
reason I'm going to buy Lunar 2. By this point I'm not sure I could take another
"young boy sets out to become great hero" story without a healthy dose of
sarcasm. I'm not sure WD would be a particularly good choice for an FFT or Xenogears level
translation, but I'm willing to let them take a shot.
| The English equivalent is only knowing vowels |
| Hi Chris, I'm a first year student of Japanese and I absolutely love
RPGs, but I don't know enough Kanji to really understand most import titles. Do you know
of any good import RPGs on Super Famicom or Playstation that won't have me breaking out
the 20 pound dictionary to talk to the item shop guy?
Oh and about the PC vs console game subject, I would say that while the PC is more apt
to have buggy and unfinished games that were conceptualized by ponytailed, briefcase
carrying guys in suits, the PC also sees more sheer innovation. I do however, prefer my
legions of RPGs that are basically formulaic to the occasional unprecedented masterpiece
on my PC like Civ 2 or The Sims. After all, Lunar:SSSC alone proved to me that even a
formula I've seen uncounted times before can produce a shockingly new (and wonderful)
experience.
Dragon Barrel |
I've only had one college semester of Japanese, which gave me a very basic vocabulary
and grammar, plus hiragana and katakana. It also gave me the impression that if I had
tried really, really hard, I could have tackled that import cart of FFV that's been
gathering dust ever since I tried and failed to play it in '94. The game did contain some
Kanji, but near as I can tell they were relatively basic, like "fire".
I don't think any beginning student in a language can get away from the need for a
really good dictionary, but if you can parse hiragana relatively well, it should be
relatively painless. In general I think you're better sticking with old S. Famicom carts,
since most Nintendo stuff lacked the resolution to properly display Kanji and stuck mostly
to the alphabets, IIRC. The PSX seems to have more Kanji, relatively speaking.
| 'toons, 'toons, and more 'toons |
| Hey Chris, I' m probably getting myself in the line of fire, here but
<ready the flamethrowers> I do not recall the Transformers as being that great. It
must be because I did not grow up in the US, and thus my diet of cartoons included both US
cartoon and Anime on TV, and while 80's anime wasn't that great (hey, when looking to get
flamed for honesty, go all out), it was a heck of a lot better than Transformers. Plus, I
do recall that yes, Transformers was about selling toys, just as Pokemon is. I recall it
being slightly more shameless, as the moralizing about good and evil was a flimsy attempt
at masquerading the real purpose, whereas Pokemon cartoons, while disgustingly
unwatchable, make no attempt to hide the fact that merchandising is the end goal of the
series. As for DBZ, I enjoy it, given that to me it is nothing other than a campy parody
of Fist of the North Star (which in retrospect, I saw at way too young an age, and still I
have yet to kill anyone, so there goes your theory that violent cartoons do cause violence
in children [most children do know the difference of cartoon vs. real life, though I have
witnessed painful exceptions]). Heck, there was this Japanese cartoon about FISHING
whose-name-I-can-not-recall-for-the-life-of-me that I found more enjoyable than
Transformers. Princess Jemmy (who cuts and pastes whenever possible, so 16 letters are
in fact too many) |
I don't buy the idea that Pokemon is as blatantly commercial as G.I. Joe, Transformers,
or He-Man. You've got to take into account that Pokemon was originally a game, and the TV
series is developed around that motif. (Witness the opening of the first episode, taken
directly from the game itself.) "Gotta catch 'em all" is a play challenge, not a
ploy to make parents buy 150 interchangeable toy soldiers. The episodes tend to center
around the information needed to beat the game, instead of arbitrary plot twists.
And now that I've shown that I watch way more Pokemon than I should, let's quickly
segue into something much more cool and manly, Fist of the North Star. While I salute you
for not killing anyone, I'd pay good money to see you make someone's head explode in
classic FotNS fashion. Mmmm, chunky!
(Ok, that was a tasteless comment, but at least you're not thinking of my Pokemon
fetish anymore, right? Oh wait... dammit.)
| Would you have preferred Combat for the 2600? |
| Ok, apparently my lackluster response to your pong threat was not to your
liking so now i have stacks of joust that you oh so generously granted me. Very well then,
I have no choice but to retaliate. You stink. Your mother is ugly. You are dumb. You
hit like a girl. No one likes you. Your a meanie. Stupid head. Dummy. Cry baby.
There, I think ive properly sated my raging anger. Now turn my games back or ill have
to resort to child like fisticuffs. You don't wana see my furious shin kicks and eyes
pokes.
Angry beyond description,
Kandrin on ice. |
I have no choice but to retreat in the face of your righteous wrath. Therefore, all
your games are reverted to their original state. Maybe I should have offered to change
your Pong into The Bouncer instead, more of a carrot-not-the-stick approach.
| *FF2, FF7, Xenogears, Suikoden 2 spoilers...
oh wait, do I need a title too?* |
| I've been reading this column for a while...sent in one letter in which i
defended Xenogears and was promptly put in my place. Needless to say, i've been thinking
about how people are always saying either Graphics are important, or gameplay is
important, or story is important. I agree that all three of these are quite important to
make a game enjoyable, but i think that what brings out the connection, and makes people
really Enjoy a game isn't really any of the three. I think it's not so much an entire
game that will thrill a person so much as single scenes. I mean, a game could be a bit
slow, and then have a point that makes the entire time spent worthwhile. Not really a
battle, but more like an emotional scene. For instance, when the three different races in
Two Rivers join together to defend thier town from Highland in Suikoden 2, or when the
entire world shows up to fight off the Babel Giant in FF2/4. In Xenogears with Sigard and
Mason crash the Sandship on top of Id to save Bart. Other things come to mind, when Squall
talks over the loudspeaker to his classmates before the battle with the other gardan
(Galbadia?...not sure...) and in his quiet way wins over thier hearts. It's a moment when
you feel a real connection with the people, or the can understand what they are thinking,
and Why they would do something like that. I know the first RPG i played was Chrono
Trigger, and i was almost broken up with Crono sacrificed himself to stop Lavos.
Graphics are wonderful, Gameplay is Spiffy, and storyline is always important, but i
think what really connects people to a game, where they are willing to defend it and write
in here (like i did with Xenogears...and i Still think i'm right<g>) is those
moments that make the game more personal.
I appear to be rambling, so i'll end on this note.
C minor.
Perhaps i shall write in more...
Mage-boy |
You're right. You're absolutely right. I remember a film critic once writing that all a
movie ever needed was 2 really great scenes, and it's more or less true. Goodfellas is a
great movie, but it's the opening shot of Henry blowing up the car lot that I remember the
most. And of course Aeris' death made FF7 what it is. While people are less likely to get
to the good stuff in a game if the rest is lackluster, a great ending can go a long way to
making you forget the rest of the game.
That's all, SPOILERS ARE OVER.
| Speed! My lips aren't synching with my voice! |
| Chris You don't print my letters because of my name.
Insecure bastard.
~Agent X |
You think I'm afraid of Speed Racer's older brother? Punk.
No, wait, that's Racer X. Who the hell are you, anyway?
| Speaking of psychotic bloodlust. Yes, I meant
to repeat myself. |
| Chris, First of all, you're way off base comparing Transformers and
Pokemon. That's just plain silly. Transformers wasn't about plot---it was about BIG ROBOTS
doing COOL THINGS...something that truly touches the heart and soul of every young person
(esp boys) in the human race. Sure, it sold toys (I wish I hadn't gotten rid of
mine...*sigh*) Pokemon, on the other hand, is Magic: The Gathering for kids, a bad cartoon
and video games, and a brilliant marketing campaign (pure evil indeed---"Gotta
catch'em all!" == "Make your parents buy some more!!") No big robots and
all the sillyness of bad anime. Mmmm boy. I do love kicking your butt with Jigglypuff in
Super Smash Bros, so it's not all bad...and Picachu is really cute for a yellow electric
rat... :^)
To make things worse, you also bashed some of my other personal Saturday morning
favorites from my childhood---Gummi Bears and The Smurfs. If you don't like the Smurfs,
then you can just go smurf yourself. Gummi Bears were just cool, that's all there is to
it. You drink the magic potion and you either get really strong or bounce around a
lot...both very cool things to do...not BIG ROBOT cool, but still pretty cool.
I'm not saying it was all good in the 80's and sucks in the 90's---I totally dig the
new Batman/Superman stuff. I'm curious if any other geek out there besides me remembers
Rubick's Cube: The Cartoon....wow, that one was pretty bad.
Daniel |
Somebody's begging for a whuppin' from Kilik or Nightmare. BEGGING for it. Jigglypuff
my ass!
(Um, actually, "Jigglypuff my ass" sounds vaguely obscene. So never mind.)
But then, you are publicly defending the Smurfs, so my public humiliation of you is
already complete. Moving on...
I don't remember Rubick's Cube: The Cartoon, but I do remember Pac Man: The Cartoon.
That was pretty good, when I was 6.
| Worse than Breath of Fire, Breath of Garlic |
| Am I the only person in North America who is anticipating the release of
Breath of Fire 4? Nobody ever talks about it besides the occasional blurb w/screenshot
here and there. I think it looks damn slick, I really liked the gameplay of the previous
ones(even part 3, though it *was* a tad short) and the graphic style really caught my eye.
So, what's your view on it? Have you heard anything more on this title?(besides the
Famitsu review)
-The Bionic Vapour Boy
P.S.- I'll give you a cookie if you can guess the song/album/band I got my name from...
|
Never played any of the BoF games, haven't heard anything more about it. That does give
me an idea for a topic, tho. Thanks for letting me blow you off but still steal your idea.
No clue about your name, but I'm not real hungry at the moment anyway.
Closing Comments:
I do like Canada. I want to drive to Yellowknife someday. Seriously, I'm not kidding.
And yes, I realize Mainframe is Canadian. The Reboot movie thing was from an article I
read on Ain't-it-Cool-News some time back, but I haven't heard anything more about it
since.
So my topic is: what RPG maker or series would you like to see develop into real
competition for Square and Final Fantasy? Once upon a time, it could be argued that
Phantasy Star or Dragon Quest was on equal footing, but at least as far as commercial
success is concerned, nobody else matches up these days. What minor league game series do
you want to see graduate into the majors? BoF, Lunar, a resurgence of Phantasy Star, or
what? See you in Austin.
-Chris Jones, miles to go before I sleep |
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