At first glance, I wasn't entirely sure about Glorkbot's Mini Adventure -- but then you notice the inspirations, and it all comes together in a nice little package. This is the result of Pixeljam teaming up with comic book artist James Kochalka. They are targeting Windows, Linux, and Mac at the tail end of this year, so the wait shouldn't be too long.
Previously, there was a Kickstarter campaign for a videogame called Glorkian Warrior that was successful enough to be funded. That project has been put on hold for the time being, hence this smaller title. It's made up of one level (albeit a large one) that can take minutes or hours to complete depending on how much you explore. Looks promising.
Hey, guess how long until the Wii U launches in North America? A little over two weeks. Two weeks; it hadn't even crossed my mind. I suppose, then, that now would be a pretty good time for Nintendo to go into a bit more detail about the Wii U's web browser that many of us have been wondering about. Oh, wait, they just did? Yay!
According to the specifications that Nintendo has posted, the Wii U will be able to display web pages thanks to the NetFront NX browser engine and supports HTML 5, though it lacks any plug-in support -- this, of course, means no Adobe Flash. The list also makes clear that users won't be able to save images that they find, neither will they be able to upload any videos or pictures saved on the console. Honestly, I don't see that as a negative thing, especially considering its rather remarkable HTML 5 performance test results.
When we last covered Strike Suit Zero, developer Born Ready Games had taken to Kickstarter to garner additional funding that would go toward finishing development of this space combat game. Some of you expressed personal interest in the project -- you'll be pleased to know that the $100,000 goal has indeed been met.
With two weeks remaining, Born Ready has added another stretch goal: Mac and Linux support at $180,000. I'm not entirely sure they will be able to hit that mark, but the $130,000 target for access to mod tools for Strike Suit Zero should be obtainable. The new screenshot shown above has me feeling particularly good about this moving forward.
Did you watch the finale episode to Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn today? If not, go watch it before reading the rest of this. Done? Okay good.
In one of the more memorable scenes from the movie, we see the Master Chief shove a frag grenade inside of a Hunter. Well that epic scene has been turned into a resin statue, by way of McFarlane Toys. The figure costs $225, and is limited to just 500 pieces. Pre-orders are open right now, and it officially releases in December.
I would love this, but no way can I justify spending over $100 on any figure.
Before you even ask, no, the MAG II Gun Controller for PC and PlayStation 3 isn't a light gun -- though it certainly looks the part. Coming to North American stores on November 13, this peripheral uses motion sensing and gyroscopic induction movement tracking.
According to the press release, it is "instantly compatible" with all first-person shooters on the aforementioned platforms. Now, you might be thinking that this could be neat in certain situations. I certainly did. But that brief thought was obliterated when I saw the price: $149.99. Yikes. At any rate, it'll be available from GameStop and Amazon.
I can remember ever since I discovered the magic of Xbox Live back in 2004, I always thought, "Man, wouldn't it be cool if my friends could just watch me play games just by clicking on my name or something?" Well, it appears we're one step closer to that dream, as Sony Online Entertainment has announced that PlanetSide 2 will be the first title ever to feature in-game streaming integration with Twitch.
Beginning this weekend (for beta players), all you have to do is click a button and you'll be live! I can't stress enough how awesome this is. I do a weekly live show on Dtoid.TV every Saturday, and streaming just PC games is a pain in the ass as is. I haven't even made it to streaming console games yet. Between the cost of the streaming software, capture box, and simply making it run smoothly is a perfect storm of hassles. If this works flawlessly, hopefully more most games from now on support this feature.
I suppose having Halloween in the middle of the week means you can celebrate the weekend before and after, right? In any case, GamersGate has a spooky promotion running this weekend in which you can get a great bundle including Penumbra and Metro 2033 for £22.67. There's also a daily deal to check each day with Condemned being reduced by 75% for Friday's deal.
GOG.com has reduced a whole heap of EA Classics by 60% this weekend and even though the deals are familiar, there's lots of Windows + Mac titles now available including Dungeon Keeper 2 and Sim City 2000. Amazon has a single offer this week but it's a real good one: you can purchase Dark Souls: Prepare to Die Edition for $19.90 -- that's half price.
On Steam, the more recent Tomb Raider titles (Anniversary, Legend, and Underworld) are reduced by 75% and there's a chance to play the recently released Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for free this weekend, with the price cut by 33%. As usual, friends, post your own PC and Mac promotions in the comments and have a good weekend.
[Update: The PS3 version will include ME 1's "Bring Down the Sky," both on-disc and on PSN. ME 2 will include "Cerberus Network," "Kasumi," "Overlord," and "Lair of the Shadow Broker."]
The Mass Effect Trilogy will include all three games, but what about the downloadable content? The series has seen a ton of additions post launch, and digging around on the Mass Effect website will show you the platform specific DLC you can expect with each collection.
On the PC side, Mass Effect's "Bring Down the Sky," and "Pinnacle Station" will be included on the disc. Mass Effect 2's "Cerberus Network" will be included, and that features "Zaeed - The Price of Revenge," "The Firewalker Pack," Cerberus Assault Gear, Arc Projector heavy weapon, and Normany Crash site missions. For Mass Effect 3, there will only be the online pass included for the co-op multiplayer.
With the Xbox 360 version, only the "Cerberus Network" content and the online pass will be included. The rest of the DLC will have to be bought through Xbox Live. No word on what the PlayStation 3 version will include, but we now know that both the Trilogy and the original Mass Effect for PSN will be out on December 4.
The Xbox 360 and PC versions of the Trilogy will be out on November 6, and all versions will cost $59.99.
Did you pick the pendant as a starting gift in Dark Soulsunder the impression that it would, at some unknown later point, have either an impact on the story or a hidden gameplay use? I did on my first playthrough. Considering how that prevented me from beginning with the master key, it was probably for the best.
In a 2011 interview with Famitsu, director Hidetaka Miyazaki recommended that players kick off Dark Souls with a pendant or no gift at all. Long story short, the damned trinket became a modern-day game myth, the kind I thought had mostly left us due to increased Internet adoption.
Speaking to IGN, he revealed the truth of the matter: "When it comes to the pendant, I actually had a little bit of an intention to play a prank." In retrospect, it seems so obvious. Don't think you can get away with that again, Miyazaki.
Welcome to another weekend of epic gaming content at Dtoid.TV! I'll be kicking things of this evening on Mash Tactics, with a bit of what seems to be the channel's new favorite thing, WWE 13. Join in on the action tonight as we get together with the community, create all sorts of freakish abominations, and powerbomb each other into oblivion.
As well, don't miss the rest of our awesome shows over the weekend, includingPhil trying his best, once again, to finish his adventures in Deadly Premonition on Chill With Phil, Johnny Luchador jumping back into some WWE 13 on Rad Show: Get There!, along with so much more. Tune in and check it out!
Check out our full schedule for the weekend:
All times are Pacific
FRIDAY
4pm - Mash Tactics Get ready to be bodyslammed, suplexed, and pinned this evening as we jump into the always amazing and entertaining, WWE 13.
[Each weekday, join King Foom for an interactive journey of laughter and gaming as he plays titles new, old and downright weird in our flagship variety show. Themed episodes every day, including multiplayer viewer participation, in this community-focused program]
8pm - Substituted Reality AwDamn once again got called into work this evening, so, you're stuck with a double dose of King Foom, or possibly someone else. Tune in and find out!
[Destructoid's only PC-exclusive gaming show, Substituted Reality showcases a wide variety of games with a particular focus on first-person shooters. Hosted by the lovely, off-beat, AwDamn.]
SATURDAY
10am - Saturday Morning Hangover Get your coffee, shake off the Friday blur, and hang out with Conrad, Jordan, and Katina as they explore the "wonderful" world of Xbox Live Indie Games.
[Ease the pain from the night before with a little schadenfreude as Destructoid's Conrad Zimmerman, Jordan Devore and the lovely Katrina play the week's Xbox Live Indie Games demos and beg for death's sweet embrace.]
12pm - Weekend Escape The will be no Brett, or Cait this weekend sadly, but tune in as the always entertaining Dr.Crux, fills in for them this afternoon.
[Hang out with Destructoid Contributors Brett Zeidler and Caitlin Cooke as they play through entire games with a focus on co-op. It's a safe bet that Caitlin is probably going to get mad at Brett for everything at some point.]
4pm - Chill with Phil You won't want to miss the show today, as Phil continues his odd adventures through the wild world of Deadly Premonition, and attempts to finish it off once again.
[Philanth0py hosts this relaxed show in which he performs full game (and series) playthroughs.]
8pm - Substituted Reality AwDamn returns this evening, and bets are, there will be some socials involved as he invites the live crowd to join him in the wild world of Garry's Mod.
[Destructoid's only PC-exclusive gaming show, Substituted Reality showcases a wide variety of games with a particular focus on first-person shooters. Hosted by the lovely, off-beat, AwDamn.]
SUNDAY
9am - The Sunday Show Start your morning with someDark Souls. As Dr.Crux once again, continues his current romp through this brutally unforgiving game.
[OnThe Sunday Show join your host, Dr. Crux, as he plays through a variety of games, ranging from new releases to retro classics. Come for the gameplay, stay for the snarky banter. Dr. Crux is not a medical doctor.]
1pm - Sup, Holmes? Come hang out and join in on the conversation as Jonathan Holmes interviews amazing people from all sides of the gaming industry.
[Join Destructoid's most lovable Associate Editor, Jonathan Holmes, for interviews with his friends in the game industry. Participate in the live chat and get your questions answered]
4pm - Rad Show: Get There! Johnny Luchador, like the rest of us on the channel, seems to be just a wee bit into WWE 13 at the moment. Come by, and check out his latest crazy creations on todays show.
[Starring Johnny Luchador, Super Fantastic Videogame Rad Show: Get There! takes a lighthearted approach to gaming, with the guys usually focusing more on breaking games for ridiculous results than accomplishing feats of skill.]
8pm - Substituted Reality Come close out the week, and chill out with AwDamn tonight as he continues his current run through Black Mesa.
[Destructoid's only PC-exclusive gaming show, Substituted Reality showcases a wide variety of games with a particular focus on first-person shooters. Hosted by the lovely, off-beat, AwDamn.]
The Japanese-exclusive Guild01 is a "game jam" of sorts that bundles four games created by four notable designers in a single collection, and aside from Level-5's co-operation in their development, they are wholly unrelated to one another. Most importantly, it's not the kind of package you'd expect would receive localization.
Then Level-5 announced that Guild01 would be broken apart and brought out West as individual eShop releases. Only three of the games are making the jump -- the fourth, Omasse's Rental Weapon Shop, curiously didn't make the cut. Nonetheless, I'm pleased that the company is willing to take a chance on these fascinating titles.
First up to the plate is Suda 51's Liberation Maiden, a simple but manic 3D mech shooter with cutscenes provided by the animation studio Bones (Fullmetal Alchemist, Eureka Seven). Short yet sweet, it's quite the exhilarating rush, even if it lacks the signature mind-bending weirdness that Suda games often revel in.
Liberation Maiden (Nintendo eShop) Developer: Grasshopper Manufacture, Level-5 Publisher: Level-5 Release: October 25, 2012 MSRP: $7.99
A century from now, a war-hungry nation known as the Dominion attempts to annex Japan in order to drain the land of its natural energy. The Japanese government decides that the best way to combat this threat is to adopt a Metal Wolf Chaos brand of foreign policy -- give the President a giant mech. Thus, the government is restructured, the Prime Minister position is dissolved, and a President of New Japan is elected.
Unfortunately, President Yokuichiro Ozora is assassinated before he could fulfill his duties. In what was obviously the only sensible decision for the sake of national security, his high school daughter Shoko is elected Second President and charged with piloting the Liberator "Kamui," an aerial battle craft that draws its power from nature.
Liberation Maiden plays a lot like a scaled-down Zone of the Enders -- patrol the airspace above occupied cities and attempt missions that your navigator sporadically feeds you. Unlike ZoE's Jehuty, Kamui only has three types of actions. Using the circle pad, you can fly in any direction, and by holding down the L button, you can lock your view and strafe through the sky. To attack, drag the stylus across the touchscreen to lock onto any enemies in your cursor's path.
This is the same "stick + stylus" control combo found in titles like Kid Icarus: Uprising and Dillon's Rolling Western. The limited number of available actions means that you ought to be able to find your "sweet spot" much easier than in the aforementioned games, but I wouldn't blame anyone for being initially turned off. But even if right-handed players can learn to mitigate hand strain, lefties are essentially hung to dry -- there's sadly no lefty option.
Cramping concerns aside, attacking couldn't be any simpler. The main game screen is on top, so moving the cursor on the touchscreen won't impede your vision. You can lock onto several enemies at once, or you can pass over the same enemy multiple times to bombard it with back-to-back volleys. Once you lift the stylus, your missiles will automatically fire.
Surrounding Kamui are a large number of Deflector Nodes that have both offensive and defensive capabilities. These nodes act as an overshield that prevent direct damage to the hull; the more enemy fire the nodes absorb, to more brittle the shield becomes. You can replenish the shield by scoring chain attacks, which gradually restore power to out-of-commission nodes.
These same nodes double as your missile supply, which means that you are completely exposed while attacking or prepping for an attack. This also means that the more nodes you lose, the fewer enemies you can target in a single strike. It's a very clever risk system -- you can choose to stay well guarded by performing smaller attacks, or you can launch your full strength and rely on your maneuverability to keep yourself from harm.
In the second stage, you gain a second, more powerful weapon: a focused laser. Similarly to how the missiles function, the duration of continuous laser fire is directly proportional to the number of Deflector Nodes still active. The laser is even riskier because you can't lock onto enemies and must instead manually maintain the cursor's position. This shifts a good deal of mental focus away from movement, increasing the likelihood that you'll take damage.
There are only five stages in total, and your goal in each is to destroy three Conduit Spikes embedded into the surface before attacking a much more well-guarded Greater Conduit Spike. While you can easily breeze through all the stages in as little as half an hour, you can choose to explore each level thoroughly in search of enemy installations. Destroying these installations -- which include towers and bridges -- will restore a small patch of nature to the immediate area. The higher the percentage of purification by the level's end, the greater your score will be.
You can also unlock concept art and additional backstory by completing specific tasks, ranging from performing all possible attack maneuvers at least once to achieving 100% purification in a level. The main campaign is so short yet packed with so much action in that brief period that it never feels like a waste of time and effort to attempt "just one more" achievement. Every goal is within short reach, compelling you to keep playing well after the credits roll. I wouldn't consider it a grand amount of replayability, but it's enough to satisfy anyone who enjoys their action games in quick, digestible bursts.
For a small game that was originally part of a larger entity, Liberation Maiden is very polished. In addition to the animated opening and ending cutscenes, there's plenty of fully voiced dialog between Shoka and her First Secretary Kira, who also doubles as Shoka's navigator. Though the constantly repeated sound bites -- "Enemy missile closing in!" "We'll fight for our people!" "What a rush!" -- can be rather grating, it's lovely to see such care in making you feel like you're playing a sci-fi anime, right down to J-rock vocal songs that mark two major battles.
What drags down the experience ever slightly is the fact that the Dominion is completely faceless. You see and hear a lot of Shoka and Kira, but you don't even get so much as idle radio chatter from the other side. It also doesn't help that Dominion machinery is utilitarian to a fault -- Conduit Spikes are literally giant, unadorned screws, for one. It's not a deal-breaker, but I'm just surprised that Suda 51 and Grasshopper Manufacture, known for birthing outrageous and memorable characters, would settle for such a plain antagonist.
Liberation Maiden isn't Suda 51's crowning achievement or anything, but it is a simple, fun shooter with a clever offense-defensive mechanic and several coats of glossy finish. If you aren't bothered by the stick and stylus control scheme, you'll enjoy this hearty dose of anime mech action. Certainly, the remaining Guild01 games have a lot to live up to.
I feel like I'm the only person in the entire game blogosphere that cares about the upcoming Tony Hawk's Pro Skater HD DLC. There hasn't really been any coverage so far on it, and after literally months of pestering Robomodo on where the heck the DLC is, I finally have an answer!
It looks like the Tony Hawk 3 package has been delayed yet again until December. Yep -- and there's no guarantee that it's the final date, nor was there any reason given for the delay. I'm pretty sure at this point you can count the number of people who are interested in this on your fingers and toes.
Wait a second, didn't we just run an issue of Note Worthy two weeks ago? Well, we did, but there have been so many Final Fantasy music releases over the past couple of months that we've accumulated an entire issue's-worth of reviews and thought it would be fun to put together a Final Fantasy 25th anniversary special edition. And to think the commemorative Final Fantasy Vinyls, Final Fantasy Tribute -Thanks-, and Final Fantasy Orchestra Album aren't even out yet!
We've got a lot of chip music for you this time with Square Enix's line of "Chips" albums all covered as well as a number of special commemorative discs released for the anniversary. All of that along with Final Fantasy XIV soundtrack and Piano Collections Final Fantasy XII which isn't even due out in Japan until next week.
Check it out and let us know what you think of this musical tribute to Final Fantasy that's only just beginning!
A Decade of Final Fantasy XI: Vana'diel Festival 2012 Release Date: June 2012 Price: Not for Sale Availability: Limited (VanaFest 2012 giveaway) Artist(s): Naoshi Mizuta, Kumi Tanioka, The Star Onions
This is a special disc of music distributed at the VanaFest 2012 event in Japan. It contains eight tracks with half being performances by The Star Onions (a band created by Final Fantasy XI composers to perform music from the game) and the other half coming from various soundtracks for the game and expansions.
All of this music has been released before, but I enjoy how the tracks selected maintain an upbeat mood that I think is indicative of the game. The contemporary smooth jazz stylings of The Star Onions are perfectly accented by the original soundtrack selections, making for an easy listen. I also like the fact that this isn’t really a “best of,” as some more obscure pieces were also selected.
For those who are interested, here’s the track list: “Vana’diel March,” “Metalworks,” “Eastward Bound…,” Rapid Onslaught –Assault-,” “Fifth Ode: A Time For Prayer,” “Mithra,” “Griffons Never Die,” and “The Forgotten City - Tavnazian Safehold.”
Unfortunately since it was distributed as a gift at VanaFest 2012, it’s kind of hard to come by. But don’t fret, if you have the two albums by The Star Onions and the main Final Fantasy XI soundtrack, you already have this music.
FINAL FANTASY 25TH ANNIVERSARY SQUARE ENIX MUSiC COMPOSERS’ SELECTION CD Release Date: September 1, 2012 Price: Not for Sale Availability: Limited (Final Fantasy 25th anniversary event giveaway) Artist(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Junya Nakano, Naoshi Mizuta, Kumi Tanioka, Hitoshi Sakimoto, Masashi Hamauzu
This is an interesting promotional disc that was given to fans who purchased 3,000 Yen worth of goods at the Final Fantasy 25th anniversary event in Japan back in September. Each composer involved with the core Final Fantasy franchise was invited to select their favorite track to be presented on this disc, and while most collectors will already have this music, it’s worth checking out which track each composer selected.
Nobuo Uematsu picks “Tina,” or “Terra’s Theme” as we know it, the Final Fantasy VI overworld theme. I have no argument there, as it’s really one of his best, although I thought he’d go with Final Fantasy VIII since he’s said in the past that it's his favorite.
Junya Nakano, who has the most limited experience working on the series (he contributed a small part to Final Fantasy X) offers “Summoned Beast Battle,” while Final Fantasy XI duo Naoshi Mizuta and Kumi Tanioka take straightforward picks with “The Federation of Windurst” and “The Republic of Bastok,” respectively.
Hitoshi Sakimoto does a good job with “The Dalmasca Eastersand,” a great example of his work and one of the best tracks from Final Fantasy XII while Masashu Hamauzu goes with Final Fantasy XIII’s battle theme, “Blinded by Light.”
The picks are interesting, and the booklet included has a brief paragraph from each composer about their respective pick. Unfortunately the disc is probably not going to be seen again with the event being over, but maybe we can get an official translation if you guys are interested.
FINAL FANTASY VII CHIPS Release Date: September 19, 2012 Price: 4,100 Yen ($51) Availability:CD Japan Special Order Artist(s): (S_S), MJ & DJ OMKT
After what I viewed as the success of Final Fantasy XI Chips, Square Enix has followed with Chips albums for Final Fantasy VII, VIII, IX, and X. Before you balk at the price, this is a special order because it’s currently only available through Square Enix’s e-Store in Japan, although there are plans to offer these albums in other regions at a more reasonable price.
Jumping in, there are ten arrangements covering close to 40 minutes of music. Although I say arrangements, these are better appreciated as “demakes,” as there isn’t really a whole lot of interpretation or flair despite the involvement of (S_S) of SEXY-SYNTHESIZER who can usually get a crowd going (he does insert little flourishes here and there to remind you he’s there, though).
If you’re okay with that approach, this album is a lot of fun, and nearly every high point is visited. “Opening ~ Bombing Mission” will still send chills down your spine while the measured pace of “Those Who Fight,” the slow simmer of “Turks’ Theme,” the crunchy percussion of “Crazy Motorcycle,” the range of “Cosmo Canyon,” and the swagger of “Those Who Fight Further” should all bring a smile to your face. While there’s no “One-Winged Angel” (which I’m okay with), we do get “J-E-N-O-V-A” and the awesome “Birth of a God.”
My favorite track on the album, however, is the emotional roller-coaster, “Staff Roll,” which makes me wish I could play an 8-bit Final Fantasy VII just to be rewarded with this track at the end.
This is short but sweet. Uber fans may want to pay the price for the import (the special order includes international express shipping, so you can pile up on a big order and not only save, but get it in a jiff), but I’d say you can probably wait for this to hit a Square Enix e-Store near you, whenever that may be.
FINAL FANTASY VIII CHIPS Release Date: September 19, 2012 Price: 2,100 Yen ($26) Availability:CD Japan Special Order Artist(s): BOKKADENcI, KPLECRAFT
Here’s Final Fantasy VIII Chips, which gets two more high-profile remixers on the scene to provide 8-bit versions of your favorite tracks. Whereas VII Chips was straightforward, the artists inject a little more style into this album.
I’ve never given a damn about “Liberi Fatali,” but the bassy evil pirate jig arrangement here is at least interesting. I love the layering in the overworld theme, “Blue Fields,” the slow and almost tribal “FITHOS LUSEC WECOS VINOSEC,” and the dreamy “Fisherman’s Horizon,” which I contend to this day is one of Uematsu’s greatest compositions. You’re also going to love the extremely quirky “The Castle” and the nearly 13-minute long “Ending Theme” which incorporates a crunched and digitized 8-bit vocaloid version of “Eyes on Me,” which is cute.
The highlights, however, are the battle themes. The main battle theme, “Don’t Be Afraid,” and the boss battle theme, “Force Your Way,” are lumped into an amazing medley with some great rhythmic variation that will have you bopping your head along, and the transition between the two pieces is the encounter jingle from the original Final Fantasy. Clever!
On the topic of the original Final Fantasy, “Man With the Machine Gun” gets original Final Fantasy-esque bass blended into the memorable Laguna battle theme. Finally, “The Extreme” is just as epic as the original with its lengthy build up and even some battling going on towards the end with the insertion of sound effects.
Overall, even though I like the Final FantasyVII soundtrack better, Final Fantasy VIII Chips is the superior album, and should be appreciated by fans looking to get an 8-bit fix off their favorite Final Fantasy VIII melodies.
FINAL FANTASY IX CHIPS Release Date: September 19, 2012 Price: 2,100 Yen ($26) Availability:CD Japan Special Order Artist(s): (S_S), ajiponn, Xinon, mochilon, Far East Recording
And we’re back to straightforward 8-bit demakes for the most part. After Final Fantasy VIII Chips’s more arrangement-oriented approach, I was expecting more from Final Fantasy IX Chips, but if you’re looking forward to authentic 8-bit versions of your favorite tracks from the game, this album has you covered.
There’s a simple rendition of “A Place to Call Home” which is actually off of the SQ Chips Preview Mini Album, which is great because fans who didn’t pick up that Japanese exclusive can now enjoy the track here. It does, however, give listeners a taste of the straightforward approach of the album. The energetic battle theme is here, as is the emotional “Roses of May,” the gritty “Gulug Volcano” (actually an arrangement from the original Final Fantasy), and the desperate “Not Alone,” a fan-favorite which is great in any way, shape or form.
The highlight of the album is actually a bubbly version of the overworld theme, “Over the Hills,” which sounds like it could be right out of a NES-era RPG. It has a great swing and some added percussion that lends the piece a nice punch, providing one great arrangement for this album. The bumpin’ percussion in “Aboard the Hilda Garde” also stands out as something different.
There’s not much to say about this one. If you love the Final Fantasy IX soundtrack, pick it up. The “Over the Hills” arrangement is fantastic, and the rest should be enjoyable to those who know their way around the original soundtrack.
FINAL FANTASY X CHIPS Release Date: September 19, 2012 Price: 2,100 Yen ($26) Availability:CD Japan Special Order Artist(s): ASAGEN, MJ & DJ OMKT, W2X, Bun, KPLECRAFT, Xinon, BOKKADENcI
I did not like Final Fantasy X. I did not like the soundtrack either. However, somehow, this album brings out the best tracks and corrects issues I had with their original counterparts, perhaps aided by the technical constraints of chip music.
“At Zanarkand” starts us off and gets a healthy dose of reverb and some tasty delay on the bass that makes it so spacious and wonderful, and the slower and more contemplative version in “Ending Theme” is also fantastic. Next, “Prelude,” which marked a radical change for the series, is presented here in al its bubbly 8-bit glory.
In terms of battle themes, “Normal Battle” and “Seymour Battle” both take a straightforward approach, really sounding like something you’d here on the NES (although I could do without some of the dissonance in the former). “Otherworld” on the other hand, gets some excellent bass and a distorted lead in place of the annoying vocals from the original.
“Song of Prayer,” a bassy choral track I hated in the original game after hearing it too often during the annoying trial portions of the game is presented here with an arpeggiated melody that is encompassing and comforting. Finally, the weird “Mi’hen Highroad” gets an awesome schmup-styled outer space arrangement during the chorus section that caught me off guard.
In all, I really loved this album. It’s better than the OST in my opinion, and fans of the game, its music, and chip music will want to check this out.
FINAL FANTASY XI CHIPS Release Date: July 13, 2012 Price: 4,177 ($53) Availability:CD Japan Special Order Artist(s): Various Artists
We are republishing this review to appear alongside the other Chip albums, and to describe it in similar terms, this one's pretty true to the OST. The problem that some of chip arrangements get into is trying to be too complex, so these are a nice treat for those who loved the original melodies.
You have the classic and memorable march followed by SEXY-SYNTHESIZER’s medley of the town themes, which is easily the best track on the album. “Airship” from Final Fantasy XI has always been one of my favorite Uematsu compositions, and the version here is absolutely delicious. “Mog House” is another favorite of mine, and while a chip arrangement sounds and is rather strange, I have to say I’m glad it’s here. Both battle themes presented are straight to the point, but great, and the “Shadow Lord – Awakening” track is gritty and dirty, and makes a much better 8-bit track than I would have ever expected. DIRTY-SYNTHESZIER closes with “FFXI Opening Theme,” complete with digitized choir.
I really dig this CD. So for that reason, it’s unfortunate that Square Enix is distributing it more widely. It’s available in Japan via their e-Store, which only ships to Japan. CD Japan is doing special orders, but it’ll cost over double the normal price for them to secure a copy for you. Still, it’s a great CD for hardcore FFXI fans and chiptune connoisseurs.
FINAL FANTASY XIV - Eorzean Frontiers Release Date: September 1, 2012 Price: $11.99 Availability:iTunes Artist(s): Nobuo Uematsu, Masayoshi Soken, Ryo Yamazaki, Tsuyoshi Sekito, Naoshi Mizuta
Well, it’s finally here, but not really in the form any of us were expecting. After the interesting Hot Pocket-styled mini album releases a couple years back, we finally have a more complete Final Fantasy XIV soundtrack, but only in digital form. Nobuo Uematsu is joined by several other Square Enix composers for over three hours of music, and I’ll say it’s a mixed back.
Most of my favorite tracks actually come from the mini albums. The moving piano melody from my favorite track, “Twilight Over Thanalan,” is simply beautiful, while other field themes, including the laid back and jazzy “The Twin Faces of Fate - The Theme of Ul'dah,” the adventurous high-fantasy epic, “On Windy Meadows,” the triumphant march “Navigator's Glory - The Theme of Limsa Lomisa,” the lullaby-esque “Emerald Labyrinth,” and the mischievous “Born of the Boughs - The Theme of Gridania” all still stand out among the album’s 38 tracks.
Similarly, from the battle mini album, the heavy synth rock “Quicksand” and “Desert Moon Defied” are still two of the best on offer. Fortunately Uematsu’s amazing 12-minute long “Tempest” and Masayoshi Soken’s organ-infused rock track, “Fallen Angel,” also add something new in the rock department.
Other highlights not found on the mini albums include the upbeat jazz track, “Starlight and Spellswords” (cool title!), the bass jumpin’ “Conflagration,” the Panzer Dragoon-esque “Whisper of the Land,” the ethnic desert track, “Pitfire,” and the spooky “Tears for Mor Dhona.” I must also mention Soken’s “Good King Moggle Mog XII,” which comes as a The Nightmare Before Christmas vs. “Mog’s Theme” hybrid with silly vocals, and, of course, the lovable “Mog’s Theme” as its foundation.
There’s a lot to like here, but again, most of my favorite tracks come from the previously-released mini albums. Even more, some of my favorite tracks form the mini albums are not found here. It’s still unknown as to whether Uematus’s score will be carried over into A Realm Reborn, so we’ll have to wait and see.
In the meantime, this offers three hours of music for only $11.99 on iTunes, which is a good deal.
Piano Collections FINAL FANTASY XII Release Date: November 7, 2012 Price: 2,800 Yen ($35) (stand-alone) / 5,250 Yen ($66) (with OST) Availability: CD Japan (stand-alone) / (with OST) Artist(s): Casey Ormond, Hitoshi Sakimoto
We recently mentioned this album, and while everyone chimed in that they were hoping for an HD re-release of FFXII, I couldn’t be more happy to finally get this album. Not only is Hitoshi Sakimoto’s Final Fantasy XII soundtrack highly underrated, but it’s the only Final Fantasy title without a piano arrange album, and I’ll take partial credit for finally making it happen (read here)!
The Final Fantasy XII soundtrack was certainly a regal and mature affair. It wasn’t as bouncy and melodic as previous outings which is why it takes more effort to find the musical gems hidden within. Arranger and pianist Casey Ormond does a great job highlighting some of the key story elements as well as the game’s most memorable melodies.
The more serious side is presented through the powerful “Opening Movie (Theme of FINAL FANTASY XII) ~ The Dream to be a Sky Pirate” and the dastardly “Theme of the Empire.” The latter’s arrangement sports tons of staccato (short) notes that remind me a lot of Kefka’s theme.
On the melodic front, we get the popular “The Dalmasca Eastersand,” but in a more upbeat form. “Penelo’s Theme” is as infectiously happy as you’d expect, and the bubbly arrangement of “Near the Water” is my favorite moment on the album with Ormond having a lot of fun with the rhythm. “A Moment’s Rest” also does some interesting things rhythmically, showing off Ormond’s skill, and the bass-heavy “Rabanastre Downtown” approaches funky jazz territory. The closer, The Skycity of Bhujerba,” is appropriately reflective, giving listeners a last look back at the world of Final Fantasy XII.
The album’s biggest surprise, “Eruyt Village,” trades the beautiful harp arpeggios and encompassing pads of the original for a much more interpretive approach from Ormond. The result, while impressive, obscures the original melody, leaving me a bit disappointed.
Overall, I couldn’t be more happy that this album has finally been made. It can be picked up alone or in conjunction with the Final Fantasy XII soundtrack which also comes highly recommended.
SQUARE ENIX MUSiC SAMPLER CD Vol.7 Release Date: September 20, 2012 Price: Not for Sale Availability: Tokyo Game Show 2012 giveaway Artist(s): Various Artists
Every year for the past several years at Tokyo Game Show, Square Enix has given away a free sampler CD to anyone making a purchase at their merchandise store. These contain samples from Square Enix’s upcoming music releases, and this year proved no different, featuring lots of Final Fantasy lovin’ given the franchise’s 25th anniversary is this year.
The unfortunate thing is that, by now, many of these albums are already released. We have Final Fantasy Legends, which was actually released in 2010 in Japan, but recently hit iOS and Droid. The music by Naoshi Mizuta is fantastic, and worth looking into. Then there’s a weird Nightmare Before Christmas vs. "Mog’s Theme" in “Good King Moggle Mog XII” from Final Fantasy XIV, a dancey remix of “Twister” from The World Ends With You -Crossover- for iOS, and a lengthy rock adventure from Bravely Default.
The big surprises here, however, come from the final three tracks. “The Dalmasca Eastersand” from Piano Collections Final Fantasy XII is quite lovely, providing a gentle touch the bold theme. A big band performance from Final Fantasy Tribute -Thanks- of the Final Fantasy main theme also appears, although I think I’ve heard enough arrangements of this theme to last a lifetime. Finally, there’s a sample from an album titled Military Tune that we still know nothing about. The pumping trance remix of my favorite track from Dewprism is a pleasant surprise, and I’m looking forward to hearing more about this CD, as it seems like it could be an SQ-style album.
Unfortunately these discs are handed out at TGS then tend to disappear, but it should still give you a preview of what to expect from Square Enix music through the end of the year.
I reviewed the new multiplayer-only indie FPS Ravaged today, and I thought it was OK! The vehicles and maps are a lot of fun, but the on-foot segments and general lack of polish held it back a bit. Check out the review, and if it sounds like your jam, why not play the game for FREE later tonight courtesy of your friends at Dtoid's Friday Night Fights?!
We've got 10 codes to give out, and all you have to do to enter is tweet the following:
Join @Dtoid for #FridayNightFights tonight and win a code for #Ravaged! http://po.st/IsZtDa
You can tweet as many times as you'd like, and you have until 10 PM Pacific tonight to enter. I'll be handing out the codes to random tweeters via Twitter DM, so don't forget to follow @Dtoid!
Once you've got your codes, hop online and give it a whirl! I'd love to hear what you think. Good luck!
New to FNF? Read this! Each week, a bunch of us Dtoiders get together to play videogames online! It's a 100% community-run event, so feel free to join in or even host something yourself!
The planning for FNF starts in the forums, where community members sign up to host matches and post their pertinent details (game, time, Gamertag, etc.). Then, every Friday, reminder posts go up in the community blogs thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers, and I recap it all here on the front page to give it a bit more exposure.
To join in, simply send a friend request to the match host! If you'd rather host something yourself, sound off in the comments section below!
Still confused? Check out our FNF FAQ! Big thanks to Dtoider ChillyBilly for all these awesome headers!
Tonight's Event:
Foom and the gang will be recreating all the Dtoid.TV broadcasters as professional wrestlers in WWE13! Tune in to Dtoid.TV to be a part of the fun!
Does this look at all familiar? Ace of Spadeswas one of the first Minecraft-esque first-person shooters I remember paying any sort of attention to, although I admittedly never did try it out. 2.5 million of you installed the game's prototype, however, and that number should climb drastically once RuneScape developer Jagex gets the game up on Steam next month.
This new "full version" from the Cambridge, UK-based studio is said to have an improved graphics engine and further weapons to choose from "for a small one-off fee." Perhaps more importantly, opening up Ace of Spades to a wider audience will keep those servers well populated. For a 32-player game, that's crucial.
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