White Knight Chronicles

White Knight Chronicles

2-21-10

Upon completing WKC it occurred to me that many game play flaws can be forgiven if I don't have to endure them for all that long. I hate reviews that proclaim something is flawed as if that were something new or unique. Every game has its flaws...this should go with out saying. The question is are said games flaws overwhelming enough that they kept you from having a good time? As far as I'm concerned that would be no in regards to WKC. Yes it has its share of issues. First and foremost its waaaayyy to easy. I think I died maybe once early in the game and that was it. I never once feared for my parties "life". Big boss fight...big deal. Just make sure Leonard has enough AC so you can morph into the titular White Knight and you're solid. Magic use was a bit...well it seemed useless. With the exception of the occasional healing spell and status boost I never used it (though the A.I. that controlled my other party members loved to lol) Also what there is of a "skill tree" is rather weak. Getting back to how easy the game is...I was never eager to get to that skill tree so i could boost my characters. Many times I would be in my menu and just happen to notice...oooh skill points...cool. The necessity was never really there to get new snazz moves I'll prolly never use. So add up all these negative qualities and It sounds like I didn't really enjoy this game. Well thats not entirely true...for two reasons. One the game is (as I mentioned earlier) extremely brief. Had this gone on much longer and I'm not sure I would have been motivated to complete it. Then there is the fun factor....I had a lot of fun with this game. The combo system was a blast as was commanding the knights. I also rather enjoyed the cliche'd but kinda twisty story. 

Final Fantasy 12

Final Fantasy 12

2-18-10

I've played through FF12 twice now and needless to say each play through left me feeling differently about the game. Unfortunately it didn't hold up well the second time through. Things like the games thin and ultimately faux complicated plot became glaringly obvious the second time around. Though I'm a defender of the games rather unique Gambit system it ends up taking a great deal of the fun out of the overall game play. Last but certainly not least..... the game is down right easy. I don't consider myself a hard-core gamer and certainly not an expert. I think I died like twice and one of those was during the final boss fight. So then why was I so blind to these blatant flaws the first time though? My former apologists stance regarding this game was due in large part to the fantastic production values. Nearly every superficial aspect on display here is just top notch. Even four years later the game still looks and sounds damn good. The art direction/design is second to none as is the fantastic score. Basically I was for all intent and purpose shocked and awed by the game. Though this is an awe that inevitably fades.