Now some people may think of me as a bit harsh about FFXIII(which I have still yet to complete, bleh), but given the bigger picture I am about to say my opinion on I hope you guys will at least agree of some of my topic's aspects.
First, the love-hate of Final Fantasy XIII.
I remember watching the original trailer of FFXIII was quite thrilled by the graphics and potential gameplay, but that original trailer seemed eons before the game finall released which killed alot of the hype behind it for me and practically thousands of people. FFXIII looks amazing graphics wise still, but the only thing I found degrading is while they were adding the final make-up to the graphics, the story seemed more of an afterthought in the process. The gameplay at times is pretty solid I have to admit, with a unique real-time-esque system that's quite enjoyable...for the first several hours...but that's the thing...the game's linearity just seems to cripple the potential of this game, and the massive unoriginallity of the story.
Some people my scorn me for this, but whoever was in charge of the XIII project seemed to have the impression by the major "sellout" of the original trailer's fantastic graphical presentation that the story shouldn't have been first priority, a loophole that seemed also evident in FFXII which looked solid on PS2, but the story just kind of....died. It just kind of horrific that FFXIII took too many years too long for what the story presented, as if those 5 years were more spent on graphics buffing than story phases that ended up in the plot's sometimes inconsitent taglines which ended up in a horrifyingly linear game. Grinding has always been about of RPGs, but the shear scale of FFXIII linearity and difficulty just made it seemed like "if you fight 100 baddies and level up enough...here's another snippet of the plot".
Second, Versus XII and XIV
Though FFXIII is over and done with(though there are plans for a sequel, somewhat surprisingly), the same engine and story neglect also has affected it's sister products, Versus XIII and XIV. Versus XIII is still in design phase with Nomura just making little touches to the graphics(can you believe one of his blog posts was just about admiring the cloud physics simulation in the game?!) and the story progress while ramping up has been slow as well, with most of the trailers practically mirroring each other in content. It just seems that due to Versus XIII using the same engine tech that of course it is experiencing the same design and management flaws. Of course none of them are as bad as FFXIV, an atrocity to the sake RPGs and MMORPGs alike.
XIV uses the FF (VS) XIII engine but in MMO form, leaving many of it's players to horrendous high specs and crippling bugs not suited for any kind of launch...with the backlash of one of their investors going on a stock-selling spree and having to refund players for several months. That and it seems that's only the tip of the iceberg.
It was about last year that Squenix announced their next-gen engine(for PS4 and Xbox 720) and are hiring "pro engineers" for it's making. This news is nothing less of a facepalm seeing how Square-Enix's CURRENT engine is still with design flaws and in major need of debugging(cough XIV cough).
At this point Square-Enix has nothing but bring their biggest-selling franchise to a stammering halt in efficiency, and they need to fix their problems soon.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
THE LAST STORY FULL OST REVIEW
Okay since there are so many songs on the full OST, here's my opinions on it.
Awesome music, Great variety, and like I said last time...Welcome back Uematsu.
In my opinion?
10 out of 10
Awesome music, Great variety, and like I said last time...Welcome back Uematsu.
In my opinion?
10 out of 10
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
BrioCyrain's Top 10 Songs of War
A while ago I decided to compile on youtube a list of war-game tracks that I thought in my opinion the best in the war-game industry. I have finally decided to review each song and tell you why I think are the top 10 and why they are ranked accordingly.
#10 GRAW 2 Theme:
Immediately at the beginning you can feel the tension build and a sense of desperation as you can picture the dire scenes of war in the game. The game slowly builds to more epic proportions though keeps a steady pace throughout, you know that something big is going down through the remainder of the song. At the end also the song just "explodes" causing an epic finish to help suck you into the action.
#9 MGS 2 Theme:
This song starts off with a techno-esque feeling as it picks up to the famed beat and theme. The theme although simplistic gives you a detailed image of just how "dark" the theme of the game is, the deceitfully pleasant tune then darkens just to pick up even more. The "calm" middle is also quite good, as it then explodes back into action where you can picture Raiden and Snake going through an action-packed scene. Of course at the end is the famous epic ending known to make gamers have the urge to "salute" which it's been said that is what Snake does in one of the games.
#8 GR2 Theme:
This song is nothing but an epic assortment of orchestra and rock-techno beats, pretty much the embodiment of the original concept of Ghost Recon, military bad-butt dudes with tech to take out a whole country by themselves. Also the asian bits to help indicate that the game takes place in Asia(to be exact North Korea). Sometimes I would boot my copy just to listen to this song, it's good stuff.
#7 Rising Eagles (HAWX 2):
An epic build up that instantly let's you picture yourself within your jet and squadron through massive environments ready to dish out some major jet-fighter hurt. The beat is perfect as well as a great mix of orchestrated pieces.
#6 Turn and Burn(HAWX 2):
Though Turn and Burn shares the same melody it is quite a step up with it's awesome beat and use of electro-rock pieces and an even more epic orchestra bit. A perfect track for a Jet-fighter game with more oomph.
#5 MGS 3 Theme:
The desperate beginning is a great catch as you think something has gone totally wrong at the start of the song. Soon after though the song kicks into a rock-orchestra tune as an epic piece gives you a still picture of the even darker theme of MGS3. The song only gets better as it seems to get more desperate feelings throughout. As accustomed to MGS is the somewhat "deceitfully" darkly-pleasant techno middle-piece. The song then goes to back to a "very bad feeling" piece of desperation. The song then kicks into a very up-beat drum session, to be followed into a crazed techno-babble piece, and thus the theme returns back in an epicly-paced motion. The song practically "halts" in an attempt to stop the utter madness that happened immediately before, with a very calm techno-piano-esque piece. Thus the famous guitar rearrangement from the original, with a dire sense of anguish. The song then kicks back into the epic ending as if "Everything is alright with the famous Snake around, who has saved the world numerous times". (Salutes).
#4 MGS: Peace Walker Theme:
The beginning is pretty typical with it's "anguish-and-desperate" feeling of the what seems that everything in the world has gone wrong. Techno returns to followed by a chaotic piece emphasizing the desperate situation the game retains, with war and malice about the world. The song then picks up...ALOT to the point of just bursting into epic tune in a heroic sense of having to save the world at the end. Just...epic, and nothing else.
#3 The Last Stand (HAWX 2)
A symphony of light through strings carries us to an epic violin piece that showcases anguish and desperation...The Last Stand, not only for the people of it's war, but for the whole world to mourn of it. A violin to pluck at your heart as the song prepares everyone for The Last Stand...nothing short of emotional vibes to suck a player of any genre into the utter final collapse that the game will engulf them in. The cry of the choir and following orchestra...A final battle to end all final battles can be heard in this tune to become...The Last Stand. Onward soldiers...ONWARD GAMERS! THE TIME HAS COME..THE LAST STAND IS UPON US!
#2 The Unsung War (Ace Combat 5)
Wars that are Unsung, Wars that are caused by the evil hearts of warmongers. A tale of heroism and courage that even with a single air squadron the world was saved even from the devastation of a falling satelite, nothing is impossible with the right music...The right music for an Unsung War. This song is nothing short of orchestral perfection, for a song that can motivate even the slightest non-flight-sim gamer into the clutches of a final battle for what seems to be the final battle for a great nation attacked by the evil hearts of warmongers.
#1 Rex Tremendae/Agnus Dei (Ace Combat 4)
The most epic assortment of war music ever bestowed upon man, as the music suggests the final crusade and war at Armegaddon, for thus the title itself means "Lamb of God". The player is amazingly lucky to surge at the final menace which is Megalith, an evil-embodiment of all destruction caused by those who wish it on the world. Greed, power, and everything is focused on as the player becomes the savior of the world, and with such lyrics must bring back peace to the living and rest to the fallen. A salute you Keiki Kobayashi.
#10 GRAW 2 Theme:
Immediately at the beginning you can feel the tension build and a sense of desperation as you can picture the dire scenes of war in the game. The game slowly builds to more epic proportions though keeps a steady pace throughout, you know that something big is going down through the remainder of the song. At the end also the song just "explodes" causing an epic finish to help suck you into the action.
#9 MGS 2 Theme:
This song starts off with a techno-esque feeling as it picks up to the famed beat and theme. The theme although simplistic gives you a detailed image of just how "dark" the theme of the game is, the deceitfully pleasant tune then darkens just to pick up even more. The "calm" middle is also quite good, as it then explodes back into action where you can picture Raiden and Snake going through an action-packed scene. Of course at the end is the famous epic ending known to make gamers have the urge to "salute" which it's been said that is what Snake does in one of the games.
#8 GR2 Theme:
This song is nothing but an epic assortment of orchestra and rock-techno beats, pretty much the embodiment of the original concept of Ghost Recon, military bad-butt dudes with tech to take out a whole country by themselves. Also the asian bits to help indicate that the game takes place in Asia(to be exact North Korea). Sometimes I would boot my copy just to listen to this song, it's good stuff.
#7 Rising Eagles (HAWX 2):
An epic build up that instantly let's you picture yourself within your jet and squadron through massive environments ready to dish out some major jet-fighter hurt. The beat is perfect as well as a great mix of orchestrated pieces.
#6 Turn and Burn(HAWX 2):
Though Turn and Burn shares the same melody it is quite a step up with it's awesome beat and use of electro-rock pieces and an even more epic orchestra bit. A perfect track for a Jet-fighter game with more oomph.
#5 MGS 3 Theme:
The desperate beginning is a great catch as you think something has gone totally wrong at the start of the song. Soon after though the song kicks into a rock-orchestra tune as an epic piece gives you a still picture of the even darker theme of MGS3. The song only gets better as it seems to get more desperate feelings throughout. As accustomed to MGS is the somewhat "deceitfully" darkly-pleasant techno middle-piece. The song then goes to back to a "very bad feeling" piece of desperation. The song then kicks into a very up-beat drum session, to be followed into a crazed techno-babble piece, and thus the theme returns back in an epicly-paced motion. The song practically "halts" in an attempt to stop the utter madness that happened immediately before, with a very calm techno-piano-esque piece. Thus the famous guitar rearrangement from the original, with a dire sense of anguish. The song then kicks back into the epic ending as if "Everything is alright with the famous Snake around, who has saved the world numerous times". (Salutes).
#4 MGS: Peace Walker Theme:
The beginning is pretty typical with it's "anguish-and-desperate" feeling of the what seems that everything in the world has gone wrong. Techno returns to followed by a chaotic piece emphasizing the desperate situation the game retains, with war and malice about the world. The song then picks up...ALOT to the point of just bursting into epic tune in a heroic sense of having to save the world at the end. Just...epic, and nothing else.
#3 The Last Stand (HAWX 2)
A symphony of light through strings carries us to an epic violin piece that showcases anguish and desperation...The Last Stand, not only for the people of it's war, but for the whole world to mourn of it. A violin to pluck at your heart as the song prepares everyone for The Last Stand...nothing short of emotional vibes to suck a player of any genre into the utter final collapse that the game will engulf them in. The cry of the choir and following orchestra...A final battle to end all final battles can be heard in this tune to become...The Last Stand. Onward soldiers...ONWARD GAMERS! THE TIME HAS COME..THE LAST STAND IS UPON US!
#2 The Unsung War (Ace Combat 5)
Wars that are Unsung, Wars that are caused by the evil hearts of warmongers. A tale of heroism and courage that even with a single air squadron the world was saved even from the devastation of a falling satelite, nothing is impossible with the right music...The right music for an Unsung War. This song is nothing short of orchestral perfection, for a song that can motivate even the slightest non-flight-sim gamer into the clutches of a final battle for what seems to be the final battle for a great nation attacked by the evil hearts of warmongers.
#1 Rex Tremendae/Agnus Dei (Ace Combat 4)
The most epic assortment of war music ever bestowed upon man, as the music suggests the final crusade and war at Armegaddon, for thus the title itself means "Lamb of God". The player is amazingly lucky to surge at the final menace which is Megalith, an evil-embodiment of all destruction caused by those who wish it on the world. Greed, power, and everything is focused on as the player becomes the savior of the world, and with such lyrics must bring back peace to the living and rest to the fallen. A salute you Keiki Kobayashi.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter: REVIEW
Now I knew this game way back when it launched in 2006, remembered how amazing the graphics looked, the awesome music, but the only thing that really held me back was the IGN review of "Dieing Alot" and that I didn't have an Xbox 360.
Just last year though I got the game for dirt cheap with the hopes of if IGN's review still stood, and it pretty much did.
The game is still in my opinion a graphical masterpiece, and the music is still awesome...BUT to the point of the biggest issue that kept me from the last time...DIEING ALOT. The game's realistic nature of a few hits and the enemy is dead...You're just in the same death field as them buddy. As advertised, tactics is everything...one bad move and you're whole squad is pretty much dead, leaving you with sometimes the agony of several retries before figuring out the right(and sometimes quirky) tactic or staying alive from "Dumb AI Luck" where you're AI actually pull off something fancy. The game is not without it's blood-pumping "chaotic" moments where your in a chopper just mowing down the enemy from below...sort of "Fly-and-gun" moments.
You'll also come across areas with heavily-Nightvision-demanding sections...and you might be forced to use Nightvision even in the daytime if your stuck at sunset or daybreak with still no real sun.
Going on to the fun parts, well...Any funfactor in this game is bittersweet due to the fact of either you winning because of figuring out the enemy positions after dieing 20 times, or you're actually on a really good roll of pwning the opposition. That and the few and far between section of being able to command a Tank, Bradly, or Apache when the game finally notices you're in a pickle.
All in all the game is fun is short...very short spirts as trying to play too many missions at a time can result in humiliation and insulting your AI squad.
What do I think?
8.0
Just last year though I got the game for dirt cheap with the hopes of if IGN's review still stood, and it pretty much did.
The game is still in my opinion a graphical masterpiece, and the music is still awesome...BUT to the point of the biggest issue that kept me from the last time...DIEING ALOT. The game's realistic nature of a few hits and the enemy is dead...You're just in the same death field as them buddy. As advertised, tactics is everything...one bad move and you're whole squad is pretty much dead, leaving you with sometimes the agony of several retries before figuring out the right(and sometimes quirky) tactic or staying alive from "Dumb AI Luck" where you're AI actually pull off something fancy. The game is not without it's blood-pumping "chaotic" moments where your in a chopper just mowing down the enemy from below...sort of "Fly-and-gun" moments.
You'll also come across areas with heavily-Nightvision-demanding sections...and you might be forced to use Nightvision even in the daytime if your stuck at sunset or daybreak with still no real sun.
Going on to the fun parts, well...Any funfactor in this game is bittersweet due to the fact of either you winning because of figuring out the enemy positions after dieing 20 times, or you're actually on a really good roll of pwning the opposition. That and the few and far between section of being able to command a Tank, Bradly, or Apache when the game finally notices you're in a pickle.
All in all the game is fun is short...very short spirts as trying to play too many missions at a time can result in humiliation and insulting your AI squad.
What do I think?
8.0
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Space Battles: Sci-fi Action Defined
Now I'm not gonna rant on to ya about how this post's title came to be but given the silly nature of the name, is the brand hit "Star Wars" much different? Given the nature how "Mass Effect" is pretty much the "embodiment" of all Sci-fi movie and video game material in an RPG form, Space Battles is pretty much that same embodiment but in an "Action/Adventure" form. Space Battles is pretty much a call for a cinematically-presented game in the spirit of such titles as Lost Planet, but the story "salutes" the original concepts of brand hits like Star Wars, Star Trek, and the like. Gameplay would a mix and mash of Lost Planet, Battlefront 2, and Metal Gear Solid, with a soundtrack prizing of techno-orchestrated pieces ala Lost Planet and MGS.
Now of course given the broad source of given inspiration of course it might boil down to a simple plot of "good guys vs bad guys", but we all know the source material and the game itself have and will push the boundaries of the "gray areas" of both moral and mindful connections. Also the game due to the source material would present a "unified" branch of different Action/Adventure styles of gameplay as the character's skills and settings will be varied or "mixed" play styles.
With such presentation standards the graphics will have to be top-notch, but given the technology breakthroughs of recent months the game could be a graphics-fest of both cinematic and gameplay proportions. Nothing short of a "movie-game" can be done to make this game a great sci-fi brand hit even with a very generic name.
That's pretty much it for now, see you guys soon.
Now of course given the broad source of given inspiration of course it might boil down to a simple plot of "good guys vs bad guys", but we all know the source material and the game itself have and will push the boundaries of the "gray areas" of both moral and mindful connections. Also the game due to the source material would present a "unified" branch of different Action/Adventure styles of gameplay as the character's skills and settings will be varied or "mixed" play styles.
With such presentation standards the graphics will have to be top-notch, but given the technology breakthroughs of recent months the game could be a graphics-fest of both cinematic and gameplay proportions. Nothing short of a "movie-game" can be done to make this game a great sci-fi brand hit even with a very generic name.
That's pretty much it for now, see you guys soon.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Last Story: The Premium Soundtrack REVIEW
This is my first music review so bare with me if my emphasis on the tracks sound strange. Also my first music review might be one of courage and controversy as this soundtrack is pretty much Uematsu-san's latest attempted return to RPG mastery, but did he succeed? Everyone knows of his famous and infamous wonder of the song world "One Winged Angel", but does The Last Story's music re-thrones him as king or should this be Uematsu's "The Last Soundtrack" made by him? On to the tracks I say!
TRACK ONE: Theme of THE LAST STORY
The song starts off like a movie-opening sequence to draw you in slowly, and to a great yet stricken effect due to the midi-esque nature. Not only does this "start" sequence only moderately does it job, but the start lasts about 90 seconds...about 30 seconds too long in my opinion. The following sequence though picks up the pace in a RPG-battle like way and at this point the MIDI-esque nature is somewhat lifted in the pure action-like nature of the current tune. At this point you can somewhat visualize through the music the overall nature of the game...a dark action-rpg with plenty of action. The sequence then goes into an even darker tone with eletronic beats to help the listener visualize even further an even darker scenario. Soon the switch to the next sequence is short but graceful as the tune turns into pure epic rpg themes practically sealing the vizualization of how much scope this dark action-rpg has. Followed by the "epic-scope" tone though the song takes a dip from epic to a very simple dark turn and then quickly to more epic themes as if a means to change up the pace to keep people "guessing", though this epic theme ride sounds much lighter than all the previous sequences. The epic sequence then slows down considerably to re-enter the darker tones in a slow-paced version of the previous epic theme sequence tuned down. What I find absolutely strange that the next sequence seems to be something pulled from MGS as it's ambient and "war-like" nature, though not a bad influence to choose from, it seems out of place at the end given the RPG nature of the song. Thus afterwards the "epic themes" return in an "MGS theme ending" like way as to have you picture the characters saluted a graveyard similar to Snake, and the ending is pretty much a stab at "finale" bits from something like John William's famous pieces.
SCORE: Pretty Nice
TRACK TWO: Order and Chaos
The song obviously starts off with a pretty groovy techno piece and the following strings help solidiy the epic-ness tune. The melody of this first sequence has epic yet curious nature as to pull at your musical organs as something not really describable in spoken language, it's just epic. Though I do like the phenominal integration of both "natural" and "articifial" pieces that make this song if nothing but unique. Though halfway through the song you can definitely hear "Chaos" as the song becomes nothing but confusing and somewhat irritating, and somewhat after returning to a more enjoyable matter. The more enjoyable tone then switches to an almost FFXII like nature with nothing but natural elements that feels quite nice to the ears. Following this bit is a somewhat strange "vocal-like" bit followed by the "return to techno".
Score: Great where it's good
TRACK THREE: Joyful voices can be heard
Now at first I was NOT expecting a marching band like tune at the beginning of this due to the title of the song. The orchestral part following it seems something ripped straight from RPG Maker, and it's simplistic nature. The happy tune doesn't really tell much but as to guess it's either a "town celebration" or a quirky stab at the "battle victory", which isn't likely due to it's long nature. The song then switches to a calmer mood as to which signify the "ending of the action bit", and to which it returns to a "medium-pace" to finish off the "Happy Day!" occurence which is most likely a cutscene at this point.
Score: SOkay
TRACK FOUR: Timbre of the City
The beginning theme conducts itself as a "Menu song" as it's slow and yet non-emotional nature as to keep the player calm before enganging in the main gameplay. The feel of the bit is quite smoothing and relaxing as in my vizualization of keeping up with it's given job. Though the slow entrance of strings seem to pull at your musical organs as to say "Hurry up already and kill some mobs!" in an almost "slow yet urgent" matter. Of course following the "pull of the string" bit is another relaxing piece with a calm-like flute. Eventually this calm-flute starts screeching at ya with long passes in the melody going back to "Hurry it up already". Also what's this?....Nice beat with the epic theme of Track one...nice. Not too far behind this is another return to calm-ness as to which the game practically has figured out you WANT to be in the main menu. Thus ending in a nice bit at the end.
Score: Makes you nice and sleepy
TRACK FIVE: Bonds
Okay, the use of instruments are SO reminiscent of Ocarina of Time, but the Violin's piece is very smooth and nice. Also love the guitar...this is what I call "calm epic" at this part. At this point the song is playing "tug o war" with your musical organs as there is no real human spoking language to really describe this "epic violin". Also makes you kind of sleepy as well...as to which it mostly repeats itself throughout the track. Almost makes you want to drink some Hot Chocolate or something Reeaalll cozy and a great guitar ending.
Score: I could use some hot chocolate right now...and a cottage...and a nice big dog...Nice song!
TRACK SIX: Evil Beasts
Typical Uematsu Boss Theme methinks? Nope, it's got a RADICAL beat, yo! Groove it on down Uematsu! Love the fusion of both natural and artifical elements, definitely tells you that the player is fighting SOMETHING boss-like, and to which some of the melody pieces share pieces of that of previous Final Fantasy games?...Interesting. Also...some 007 in there?...You got at confusing people Uematsu. Also the main theme has made it's way into this song...NICE!.
Score: BURN BOSSES...BURN!(Epic btw)
TRACK SEVEN: The Flying One
A masterpiece of a beginning, and to which in my opinion the "true main theme" follows that has been on The Last Story's site for so long. I remember when Sakaguchi compared the original concept to this game as his "game daughter"....and this song perfectly reflects a "game child" Sakaguchi would spawn. It makes me want to meet Sakaguchi's "game daughter" due to the massive emotional pieces this song has...purely a beautiful piece, as should Sakaguchi's "game child" should be like. I could listen to this song for ages, and to which technically I believe this song to be the "ending credits"...which would be great if that's the occassion for the song. Almost wants me to picture Sakaguchi's "game developed daughter" in the background the of the credits :).
Score: I WANT TO SEE YOUR GAME DAUGHTER SAKAGUCHI!
Now...Getting back to if Uematsu's back to being king....I think he's made a welcome return to the "the kings" at least...glad to have you back Uematsu!
OVERALL SCORE: WELCOME BACK UEMATSU-SAN
TRACK ONE: Theme of THE LAST STORY
The song starts off like a movie-opening sequence to draw you in slowly, and to a great yet stricken effect due to the midi-esque nature. Not only does this "start" sequence only moderately does it job, but the start lasts about 90 seconds...about 30 seconds too long in my opinion. The following sequence though picks up the pace in a RPG-battle like way and at this point the MIDI-esque nature is somewhat lifted in the pure action-like nature of the current tune. At this point you can somewhat visualize through the music the overall nature of the game...a dark action-rpg with plenty of action. The sequence then goes into an even darker tone with eletronic beats to help the listener visualize even further an even darker scenario. Soon the switch to the next sequence is short but graceful as the tune turns into pure epic rpg themes practically sealing the vizualization of how much scope this dark action-rpg has. Followed by the "epic-scope" tone though the song takes a dip from epic to a very simple dark turn and then quickly to more epic themes as if a means to change up the pace to keep people "guessing", though this epic theme ride sounds much lighter than all the previous sequences. The epic sequence then slows down considerably to re-enter the darker tones in a slow-paced version of the previous epic theme sequence tuned down. What I find absolutely strange that the next sequence seems to be something pulled from MGS as it's ambient and "war-like" nature, though not a bad influence to choose from, it seems out of place at the end given the RPG nature of the song. Thus afterwards the "epic themes" return in an "MGS theme ending" like way as to have you picture the characters saluted a graveyard similar to Snake, and the ending is pretty much a stab at "finale" bits from something like John William's famous pieces.
SCORE: Pretty Nice
TRACK TWO: Order and Chaos
The song obviously starts off with a pretty groovy techno piece and the following strings help solidiy the epic-ness tune. The melody of this first sequence has epic yet curious nature as to pull at your musical organs as something not really describable in spoken language, it's just epic. Though I do like the phenominal integration of both "natural" and "articifial" pieces that make this song if nothing but unique. Though halfway through the song you can definitely hear "Chaos" as the song becomes nothing but confusing and somewhat irritating, and somewhat after returning to a more enjoyable matter. The more enjoyable tone then switches to an almost FFXII like nature with nothing but natural elements that feels quite nice to the ears. Following this bit is a somewhat strange "vocal-like" bit followed by the "return to techno".
Score: Great where it's good
TRACK THREE: Joyful voices can be heard
Now at first I was NOT expecting a marching band like tune at the beginning of this due to the title of the song. The orchestral part following it seems something ripped straight from RPG Maker, and it's simplistic nature. The happy tune doesn't really tell much but as to guess it's either a "town celebration" or a quirky stab at the "battle victory", which isn't likely due to it's long nature. The song then switches to a calmer mood as to which signify the "ending of the action bit", and to which it returns to a "medium-pace" to finish off the "Happy Day!" occurence which is most likely a cutscene at this point.
Score: SOkay
TRACK FOUR: Timbre of the City
The beginning theme conducts itself as a "Menu song" as it's slow and yet non-emotional nature as to keep the player calm before enganging in the main gameplay. The feel of the bit is quite smoothing and relaxing as in my vizualization of keeping up with it's given job. Though the slow entrance of strings seem to pull at your musical organs as to say "Hurry up already and kill some mobs!" in an almost "slow yet urgent" matter. Of course following the "pull of the string" bit is another relaxing piece with a calm-like flute. Eventually this calm-flute starts screeching at ya with long passes in the melody going back to "Hurry it up already". Also what's this?....Nice beat with the epic theme of Track one...nice. Not too far behind this is another return to calm-ness as to which the game practically has figured out you WANT to be in the main menu. Thus ending in a nice bit at the end.
Score: Makes you nice and sleepy
TRACK FIVE: Bonds
Okay, the use of instruments are SO reminiscent of Ocarina of Time, but the Violin's piece is very smooth and nice. Also love the guitar...this is what I call "calm epic" at this part. At this point the song is playing "tug o war" with your musical organs as there is no real human spoking language to really describe this "epic violin". Also makes you kind of sleepy as well...as to which it mostly repeats itself throughout the track. Almost makes you want to drink some Hot Chocolate or something Reeaalll cozy and a great guitar ending.
Score: I could use some hot chocolate right now...and a cottage...and a nice big dog...Nice song!
TRACK SIX: Evil Beasts
Typical Uematsu Boss Theme methinks? Nope, it's got a RADICAL beat, yo! Groove it on down Uematsu! Love the fusion of both natural and artifical elements, definitely tells you that the player is fighting SOMETHING boss-like, and to which some of the melody pieces share pieces of that of previous Final Fantasy games?...Interesting. Also...some 007 in there?...You got at confusing people Uematsu. Also the main theme has made it's way into this song...NICE!.
Score: BURN BOSSES...BURN!(Epic btw)
TRACK SEVEN: The Flying One
A masterpiece of a beginning, and to which in my opinion the "true main theme" follows that has been on The Last Story's site for so long. I remember when Sakaguchi compared the original concept to this game as his "game daughter"....and this song perfectly reflects a "game child" Sakaguchi would spawn. It makes me want to meet Sakaguchi's "game daughter" due to the massive emotional pieces this song has...purely a beautiful piece, as should Sakaguchi's "game child" should be like. I could listen to this song for ages, and to which technically I believe this song to be the "ending credits"...which would be great if that's the occassion for the song. Almost wants me to picture Sakaguchi's "game developed daughter" in the background the of the credits :).
Score: I WANT TO SEE YOUR GAME DAUGHTER SAKAGUCHI!
Now...Getting back to if Uematsu's back to being king....I think he's made a welcome return to the "the kings" at least...glad to have you back Uematsu!
OVERALL SCORE: WELCOME BACK UEMATSU-SAN
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
YOU ARE THE HUNTER, YOU ARE THE KING: THE ART OF THE SHOOTER
"Give me Victory, or give me death" pretty much sums up the goal of any shooter...ANY shooter. Whether it goes from sniping heads from miles away or stabbing that punk-y lizard foe in the face....Victory is your goal, and Death is either right behind or right in front.
People call shooters senseless violence that trigger MOST of the teenage/college shootings because they think just because the dude has a copy of Halo or something...they just blame the freakin game...well for one thing...Shooters are not senseless...but SENSEFUL. Sure shooters take brains and a keen mind to flourish at...but your best friends are your eyes, ears, and by goodness your quick-reflex hands. You'd be amazed how many times I won a "one-on-one" because I knew the exact moment that I needed to slice that "dude". Given also the immense self-ego-boosting nature after you gotten your hefty killstreaks or your foe is scripted to run away due to his squad is totally slaughtered by your l337 sk3llz.
Not to say these games aren't better with tactics...having friends and "clannies" to play with makes the game quite fun, if not a "pwn-fest". That said many people (cough like my bro cough) see clan groups as nothing but cheap groups of people whose only motive is to have everyone rage quit...to be honest though...they are quite correct. As the "thing person" in Republic Commando would say it "We hunt in pods to take down much larger prey"...Darn right sista! Pwnage in groups is well...PWNAGE 2 TEH MAXX!
Now getting back to our skill assessment, if you don't got brains or a quick knee-jerk reflex that triggers in your brain to get that "I Killedz him?" one-on-one kill....know your weapons...YOUR WEAPONS DARN IT! Everyone who has played shooters even occasionily should know the rock-paper-shooters of their arsenal...Snipers can kill from far away...machine guns are great at multiple targets, and shotguns are good at blasting ....well...PRETTY MUCH everything within 5 feet of ya(and boy do I love that booming sound).
Of course, people who don't get the Rock-paper-scissors are mostly "whiners"....like dude...If you keep just running at the sniper at a mile away...OF COURSE he has the freaking advantage ya nitwit! If you see some dude with a shotgun...or you think he has a shotgun...BAAAACK OOOOFF DUUUUDE because he's gonna blow ya to kingdom come and back.
Now you might be thinking..."What is this guy getting at???"...Well..my friends...I have just explained...THE ART OF THE SHOOTER..
Bye for now :P
People call shooters senseless violence that trigger MOST of the teenage/college shootings because they think just because the dude has a copy of Halo or something...they just blame the freakin game...well for one thing...Shooters are not senseless...but SENSEFUL. Sure shooters take brains and a keen mind to flourish at...but your best friends are your eyes, ears, and by goodness your quick-reflex hands. You'd be amazed how many times I won a "one-on-one" because I knew the exact moment that I needed to slice that "dude". Given also the immense self-ego-boosting nature after you gotten your hefty killstreaks or your foe is scripted to run away due to his squad is totally slaughtered by your l337 sk3llz.
Not to say these games aren't better with tactics...having friends and "clannies" to play with makes the game quite fun, if not a "pwn-fest". That said many people (cough like my bro cough) see clan groups as nothing but cheap groups of people whose only motive is to have everyone rage quit...to be honest though...they are quite correct. As the "thing person" in Republic Commando would say it "We hunt in pods to take down much larger prey"...Darn right sista! Pwnage in groups is well...PWNAGE 2 TEH MAXX!
Now getting back to our skill assessment, if you don't got brains or a quick knee-jerk reflex that triggers in your brain to get that "I Killedz him?" one-on-one kill....know your weapons...YOUR WEAPONS DARN IT! Everyone who has played shooters even occasionily should know the rock-paper-shooters of their arsenal...Snipers can kill from far away...machine guns are great at multiple targets, and shotguns are good at blasting ....well...PRETTY MUCH everything within 5 feet of ya(and boy do I love that booming sound).
Of course, people who don't get the Rock-paper-scissors are mostly "whiners"....like dude...If you keep just running at the sniper at a mile away...OF COURSE he has the freaking advantage ya nitwit! If you see some dude with a shotgun...or you think he has a shotgun...BAAAACK OOOOFF DUUUUDE because he's gonna blow ya to kingdom come and back.
Now you might be thinking..."What is this guy getting at???"...Well..my friends...I have just explained...THE ART OF THE SHOOTER..
Bye for now :P
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)