Getting Old!

Today is the day when I can officially add another year to my damn age. As I am getting older, I am looking forward to several things such as Senior Discounts, prunes, Depends, constant irritation, being able to cut into almost any line I want and false teeth. Yay!

Oh and I can't forget about being able to walk at about 1 mile a year! Grocery stores and any burning buildings beware! I'm gonna haunt an isle or hallway in the (not so) near future!

Until then, I guess I have to go to work on this day of elderly advancements. But! The bright side to having to work for me is the chance to observe old people in action. Yes, I am doing my work by studying and compiling notes.

So you should feel honored really, I mean you're reading the blog of the *future* World's Greatest/Worst Elderly Man! Poop in a grocery store, then proceed to using it to write my name on the floor? Hey now, don't even think about stealing my ideas...

Just a mere fifty years away till then! D:

Seventeen Years Later

Over the course of these past several months, the focus of my blog has drastically changed. Games have definitely been the focus and maybe rightfully so. That is pretty much all I've got to write about these days, unless I go off about work and I really don't think anyone wants to hear or read about that kind of junk.

But today I have to take a slight detour from the norm and come back with a subject that I honestly gave very little thought to over the majority of my lifetime. Maybe I've just been running away from something that I just never felt that I was able to deal with and have just been burying it over and over again for all of these many years.

Like the title of this writing states, it was 17 long years ago when my father passed away due to a brief battle with Leukemia. It was swift because he hadn't really taken care of himself or so I was told. He passed away on March 27th, 1991 to be exact and it was just 4 days shy of my 8th Birthday.

Truth be told, I have very little to no memory of him anymore. Well, nothing I care to recall to be quite honest. Still, even when I try to remember, I just cannot picture his face or even remember the sound of his voice anymore. And, as I came to understand it years later, he was the type of person that absolutely did not take pictures and so that one is out the window as well.

One of the very few memories I have left of him, was the day he passed away. My mom and I were driving down to the airport, following behind a few of my aunties (whom were in their own cars). The idea was to fly out to Oahu, where my dad was going to be hospitalized.

Everything looked to be going fine, but as we entered Kona Airport, we saw an ambulance racing back in the other direction. As we pulled up to the main terminal, one of my aunts was on the curb, flagging us down. She quickly inform us that my dad had "coded" (in other words, he was all but dead at that point) and was now racing back to Kona Community Hospital in hopes of saving him.

Long story short, they made it back to the hospital but it was already too late.

In the years that followed his passing, I had grown further apart from his family to the point where I wouldn't really even call them "family" anymore. But that is another issue for another day.

So 17 years have passed and I haven't even been to Hilo to visit his grave in over a decade. I don't even think I could find it myself anymore. Something I have been debating with myself for the past few years was if I should someday make an effort to pay him a visit. Heh, well I guess that question should be a no-brainer, huh?

But I don't know if I could do that or if I even would want to do it at this point. Still, I suppose I won't ever really move forward in life until I "settle" things once and for all.

Of all the things that I've seen and lived through during my life, this seems to be the one thing I just haven't been able to let go. With my selective memory in tow, the one honest thing I can say about my dad is I love him because he is my dad and yet I hate him for the suffering he put my mom through even after he had gone.

Gah, I think I'll just leave this subject where it is.

Short Saga of My Suikoden Search

I don't make it a secret in saying that both Suikoden and Suikoden II were amongst a short list of favorites back during the PS1 days. I mean there were just (literally) an army of characters to choose from. What also hooked me was the ever changing HQ, which grew along side your army. I remember those long days of obsessing over finding and recruiting every character possible. I even remember saving the main hero's sister in Suikoden II, which took me a while to succeed.

So now let us flash forward to the present day and my endless wandering about the internet. By now, I had long lost both original games and the only option out there really is to hit eBay. Well, it is an option if you've got a lot of spare cash to pay up on the outrageous prices for both. Then I got an unexpected surprised a few weeks ago, to learn that both games were actually released together for the PSP in Japan.

First question to pop into my head was: Is it coming to the US?

Answer: Almost certainly.... NOT.

That is where the issue for me died, I mean I can't read Japanese at all and so importing it wouldn't make much sense, right? Well that is what I thought until I began a half hearted search locally for it and actually came across it on the store's website. Anyway, to make a long story short, their website said they had it in stock and the store said nope (damn you once more Toys n' Joys)!

Refusing to lose, I placed an order on their site and proceeded to wait. And wait. After a week of waiting and still no word, I sent an email to inquire. I mean during this whole episode, there was nothing on their site that indicated that they didn't have it. Their response? Nothing. So there I go again, waiting and waiting...

Now after getting Crisis Core, I had given up on this wondrous compilation of old school RPG love, and had pretty much just chalked it up as a no-winner. Now out of NOWHERE, I get an email in my box that says congratulations on your purchase!

So all in all, I guess you could consider this little tale having a happy ending. On the flip side, I still cannot read Japanese and so I'll have to rely on what I *hope* I've remembered about the game. All considering it isn't different then the US versions. Anyway, now comes the wait for those bastards to mail it! We're on the same island, hurry it up!!

Fantasy On The Brain

It seems as though all the games that are exciting to me these days are truly Final Fantasy games. I guess to anyone else, I might even sound a little obsessed these days. I can't help it, I mean I've literally grown up with the series and the game that I intend to write about was the very first fantasy I ever encountered.

Final Fantasy IV that is (or Final Fantasy 2 as I knew it back then. Pictured below is the FFIV - FFII I remember as a kid.)

I remembered the first time I started up in that game. Truth be told, I hated it and I actually didn't even bother with it until maybe a few years later. Back then I was more into Super Mario games and stuff like that, so RPGs were entirely foreign to me.

But man, once I got into it and really began to understand what was happening... talk about taking the bait, hook, line and sinker.

It was because of this game in particular, that I've actually stuck to playing video games for all of these years. Every single time I swear that I was done and through with games, a new fantasy would be released and I'd all too quickly find myself buying whatever was necessary and before long, I'd be playing like an addict that desperately sought his fix.

What has me so amped up about this game (all over again) is it's re-release and totally make over for the DS. While yes, I was initially getting jittery upon learning about this remake's existence, it wasn't until I had a few encounters with the remade Final Fantasy 3 (for DS) that really showed me what lies ahead for FFIV.

Talk about bombardment of fantasies here! I think after Crisis Core and Final Fantasy 7, the next phase is to finished off, once and for all, FFIV & FFVI and then onto FFIII. Hell, maybe I'll even give Final Fantasy Tactics another go, just for old time's sake.

Yes, yes... I think I am beginning to sound as though I am lightly obsessed with this series. But like I said, I just can't help myself anymore! And to top it off, there is always Final Fantasy XIII looming at the ending of this year!!

First Impression: Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII

I haven't written a first impression post for a game in ages, mostly because I hadn't actually come across a game I enjoyed enough to warrant it. There have been a few games that have held my attention, but nothing I wanted to write about or praise or anything like that. And yes, while I am still hanging onto this little "break" in getting new games, there was simply no way in hell I'd miss a Final Fantasy game, much less one that deals with FF7.

Sounds a little bias doesn't it? But truthfully, I am not just saying these things just because I am a long time fan of the Final Fantasy series. If there is one opinion I'll share about this particular series and that is this: For every bad RPG I've come across, it takes but 1 Final Fantasy to make the world feel alright again. I admire the series because it doesn't fail, not when it comes down to the actual numerical series.

So today breaks my long omission of such posts as this, because frankly I am enjoying Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. I am enjoying it more then just about any game I've gotten my hands on during the past year, if not longer. Believe this or not, but this is the first time I've actually made good use of my PSP since buying it late last year.

One thing I realized about this game almost straight away was how you could try to play this like a hack-n-slash. But as I quickly came to learn, doing so will earn you a fast and furious beat down. It is a nice change of pace to actually have to dodge and block, rather then just having it there for looks.

The leveling is something else, with it basically being all random or so it appears at least. It surely takes away the "easy way" of just leveling grinding, that's for sure.

The story missions aren't incredibly difficult (yet) and they are relatively quick to play through thus far. The same can be said about the side missions also, which I can safely confirm, can be addictive and fast.

As for negative things to share, well... with only 2 hours of game play in, I can say that I haven't come across anything to bitch about. Yet. That isn't to say that I will be out to hunt something down either. As I mentioned earlier, I am fully enjoying it and to add to that, I am intending on capitalizing on my recent uncovering of FF7 in my kitchen as soon as Crisis Core ends.

Anyway, sorry, my mind is occupied at the moment and I am about to get back to playing. So if my words are choppy, at least you'll know why. Sleep, what? Where?

Shooting iz Fun?

It's been getting just a little strange for me, as a gamer, these days. While I did play a few FPS (First Person Shooter) games throughout high school, I could never say I was much of a fan of them. But these days it seems that is the only kind of game I've played through, from start to finish.

Case in point, my girlfriend and I just played through Army of Two (and finished it) and now we've rented and are now playing Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Vegas 2.

It has just been fun to be able to run through places and just shoot the place up. Maybe it serves as a stress release for us both? The stories for these types of games (as I've seen 'em so far) aren't anywhere near to par with an RPG, but then, most RPGs these days aren't all that well off in that department either.

But that's entirely a different subject.

Anyway, it has been fun so far and it certainly does take a little more realistic turn in comparison to games like Army of Two and Gears of War. I don't think I've ever been shot up and killed as quickly as I experienced in this game.

Speaking of which, I can't wait for GoW2, which happens to be an 360 exclusive release. Thanksgiving couldn't come soon enough.

A Task of Daunting Proportions

Tonight I felt the need to undertake a task which no other in my house is willing to brave. A task such is this requires toughness, an iron clad will and most importantly of all, the wherewithal to see this endeavor to it's absolute end. Anything or anyone less then this would have resulted in failure, which is simply not an option here folks. It definitely takes a certain kind of person who just has that "it" factor.

And being the consummate professional and stand out leader that I am, I stepped forward with my head held high. I was more then willing to brave the mighty dragon, whom I'd dare say I could slay with but a lift of a finger.

I wasted little time in tackling this monster of such epic proportions, that even the sun and moon lay hidden behind it's massive fanny. But I would not and simply could not falter, not after coming so far to meet this foe face to face.

But even the greatest of effort on my part was being met with utter failure, until I unleashed it. A metallic can, a mysterious metallic can at that, was the edge I needed to slay this beast. It took but moments before I had the furious creature reeling in fear.

Alas, my wounds were too great and the journey and subsequent battle had left me all but a broken shell of the glorious man I was once. The light was growing greater in my eyes and I knew in my heart of hearts, that my time in this world was fleeting at best.

My hands, I could not clentch a fist any longer.

My lungs felt heavy, almost to the point where I needed to gasp for a mere breath.

My eyes burnt, as though I stared eye to eye with the very sun itself.

And...

And well to cut a long, drawn out story short, I learned tonight that cleaning the bathroom ain't as easy as I was expecting it to be! I mean I've done it before, but it has been a while and... did I mention how much I hate cleaning the bathroom?

Too Lazy to Think

It was within my intentions to actually sit down and write something meaningful some time this month, but it just hasn't happened so far. And I'll be damned, the month is nearly done and gone already! It has amazed me often to see how quickly the days, months and years have been just flying by. It still feels like only yesterday that I was still in high school.

But enough about that stuff, I am about the here and the now!

Ha! I haven't anything going on in the here and now!

Oh well. I suppose since I have succeeded in crashing my own self-esteem plane here, I'll just write this bugger off today as a day of just random, mix-match thoughts just to pass a minute or fifteen.

- Final Fantasy 3 for the DS is fun. FF4 looks (sounds) to be even better.

- I wish I could find a PS1 memory card.

- I should be asleep, but haha! I am rebel!

- Army of Two. Fun.

- Patapon. Fun. Strange. I can't keep beats too well.

- Michael Clayton had a good twist in the story at they end.

- The movie "Brave One" had an interesting ending also. A twist that I certainly wasn't expecting that's for sure.

- Command & Conquer Red Alert 3. My PC can't play it! BOO!

- Suikoden 1 & 2... I'm hoping to get the import so that I can't just play it, though I will never understand anything that pops up on the screen.

- I need a haircut. Once every 6 months isn't a good idea huh?

- My XBox makes weird noises, more so every passing week. It's gonna die... the bastard...

- Until Crisis Core is released, my PSP doubles as a paper holder.

- Speaking of Crisis Core, how can Square-Enix possibly NOT released a updated Final Fantasy 7?

- I hate reading manga. One book every 6 months - 1 year isn't ideal in my brains.

- The above explains why I don't read regular books too.

- Love... from... Tsuhan-Man!

I'd totally change my name tag at work to Tsuhan-Man if it were possible. Does that actually mean shopping hero? I don't know. But I will say this: I liked that series, accursed thing that never made it to DVD. Then again, a lot of Japanese shows don't seem to make that jump. I wonder why...?

Crisis Core!

I'll come clean about it right here and now folks, I cannot hide this truth of truths any longer. I'm totally dorking out over Crisis Core: FF7! It absolutely didn't help matters at all that I cheated and watched a hand full of cut scenes from the game, including the ending of all things.

Now in any other way, yes, the game and it's story would have been absolutely ruined after seeing that sorts of things. But! And this is a huge and very, very important but! The good thing I have going here is these scenes are all entirely in Japanese dialogue. Meaning I couldn't make heads or tails of what they were saying, even if my life depended on it.

So for a guy like me, who absolutely has to watch any show or read any book in their EXACT order, this helps preserve the the story whilst satisfying my curiosity about things all in the same motion. So while I have seen some of what is to come, I haven't the slightest clue as to what or why any of it is actually happening.

It is so close until it's release date over here, I just can't wait. What a perfect (and early) birthday present that'll end up being! Ha!

(Excuse me if I sound a little odd, it has been a long and strange week at work for me. You'd understand if you heard all about your boss being compared to Pokemon. Long, strange and funny story. Well, at least at the time of it's telling. Then again, it is sort of an inside joke... eh... let's just chalk it up to a long day huh?)

A Pair of Interviews Worth Reading

It isn't everyday that I actually come across an interview that I actually feel like it is worth mentioning. In reality, this is probably the very first time I have ever mentioned anything about any interview in this space. Now imagine the feeling to come across 2 interviews from a pair of guys that have helped set the standards (in their own, respective ways) in terms of RPGs, especially that in the Final Fantasy series.

Who do I mean? Well, it was to my pleasure that I came across these interviews of both Nobuo Uematsu and Yoshitake Amano, famed composer and artist (respectively). Of which it seems only Amano is still associated with Square-Enix.

Both of these interviews are (in my own opinion) very worth the time to read through. Both appear to give their honest opinions on the questions asked and it does give a touch of insight into their lives and their professions.

Enough with my babble, enjoy!

Nobuo Uematsu Interview

Yoshitake Amano Interview

Wild Arms XF

Yeah I know I said I would be taking a break from getting new games for a while, but I couldn't help but to take a look at what is yet to come. Curiosity killed the cat, no? Still, I just had to see what else this year had to offer and one game that caught my eye was Wild Arms XF, for the PSP.

Granted, I haven't been the biggest Wild Arms fan and the only entry in the series that I spent any considerable amount of time with was the original, back on the PS1. I was excited in the beginning when I had heard about Alter Code F (a remake of that original), but was quickly shut off from it as I believe the spirit that made that game great was lost in it's "enhancing."

I've also been searching for some decent RPGs for the PSP, but haven't really come across anything worth while so far. Well, besides FF7: Crisis Core later this month and the re-release of FFT. I'm not sure about the PSP version of Disgaea, as I never came around to picking that one up. Besides those, I really haven't seen much out there that has caught my eye.

But getting back to the point, I am intrigued by this one mainly because it takes a similar style of game play like a Final Fantasy Tactics. I've generally enjoyed these types of turned based, strategy games (Disgaea comes to mind here too) and my first PS1 game was of this type (Vandal Hearts). So the hope now is that maybe this one will re-capture the magic I feel this series lost a great many years ago.

Will it or will it not happen? I suppose the one and only way to find this out for sure is to buy it when it gets released. I'm just hoping that it won't end up feeling like I've made a mistake, just a mere five minutes into the game. I hate that feeling and let me tell you... I've experienced that a great deal too often these past several years.

So here's hoping...!

Taking a Break

Since the ending of last year, I've been picking up (and trading in) games left and right in hopes of finding something to catch my attention. Well, longer then for a few days as it has come to be the last year or so. But instead of finding anything, I've just been racking up more and more games.

Not really a big deal I suppose, but I'm going to give it a rest for a few months and just concentrate on finishing off the games I have. What do I have laying around? Well...

1. Blue Dragon
2. Lost Odyssey
3. Eternal Sonata
4. Assassin's Creed
5. Devil May Cry 4
6. Dynasty Warriors 6

Short list huh? Thankfully, I am nearly done with Blue Dragon and Assassin's Creed. Man, the last game I finished was Call of Duty 4. Now that I think about it, the last 3 games I've finished were Gears of War, Halo 3 and CoD4. All FPS games. Hmmm...

Hopefully I can get through these games without much issues, then I'm considering on getting a PS3 in the future (hopefully this year!). Since it sounds as though Final Fantasy XIII is going to remain a PS3 exclusive, looks like I don't really have any other alternative now does it?