Now Playing: Final Fantasy 13, Metroid II

I'll get the Metroid stuff through first, as its rather short. I am very impressed with the Samus sprite for a Gameboy game. It moves pretty fluidly and actually has nice detail. My problem with the game is its much less linear and thought out I think compared to the first one. In the first one you were limited in exploration only by what abilities you found. In part 2 they have lava pools that do not disappear until you've done the objectives of that area. It is widely known that Metroid doesn't sell well in Japan, that's why they let non-nintendo companies make their Metroid games. I can only come to the conclusion was that the changes made were in an effort to appeal to Japanese gamers. The Japanese Gamer has never valued much freedom and non-linearity in a game. That is why the American RPG's never do too well over there. This is finally changing... but Metroid 2 is 20ish years old. Anyway. It makes it seem like a lot less daunting.

I am sure I will do many posts about Final Fantasy 13.

I am past my "Final Fantasy games should be like this" phase, I got past it around Final Fantasy 10. I never took FF12 as a part of the series so I never had hopes it would establish a new mark in the series. So 13 definitely feels like a continuation of the 8/10 mechanics, presentation and style. What surprised me though is how it actually does take a few things from 12. The fighting seems like a evolution of what 12 was, and the story has a lot of FF12's political stylings. Does it feel like a Final Fantasy? That depends on what you mean by Final Fantasy. If you want the most cutting edge, top of the line, full budgeted, amazing looking and amazing playing JRPG, then yes, Final Fantasy 13 is "Final Fantasy" in that regard. If you grew up on 7-10, then I'm sure you'll like it. If you're still dying for another 4, 6, or 9 then you will be disappointed. Otherwise, just come at it with an open mind, name it something else like "Fabula Nova Crystallus" and try and enjoy it for what it is. Its definitely not half assed, it feels like they went the extra mile on the menus and visuals.