Almost.
Physical fitness is not the first thing that comes to mind when one thinks of videogames, but with the growing number of dance and exercise videogames, that may soon change. With camera technologies like Sony’s EyeToy, your videogame system can now monitor how well you follow along with a workout, rather than just display workout examples passively.
Who needs diet supplements and a Jane Fonda video when you can take on a title like Dance Dance Revolution 3?
The Xbox 360 is now officially the home of the best RPGs. Critical mass has been reached. The only RPGs on the PS3 are all Xbox 360 hand-me-downs, whether it be Oblivion, Eternal Sonata, Fallout 3 or whatnot.
To make matters more critical for Sony, they have virtually no system exclusive RPGs yet, and recently lost their exclusivity on their biggest such title, Final Fantasy XIII, which will now appear on Xbox 360 as well as PS3. Boom.
One could fill a few Amazon books on the mistakes Sony has made this time around; not securing enough RPGs is certainly near the top of that list.
Meanwhile, adding insult to injury is the growing list of Xbox 360-exclusive RPGs in Microsoft’s library. Anyone who snubs their nose at RPGs like Blue Dragon, Lost Odyssey, Mass Effect, Infinite Undiscovery, Fable 2, The Last Remnant, and Spectral Force 3 are simply trying to hard to ignore the truth: Even with holiday releases factored in, Sony’s PS3 has about seven RPGs either out or coming to their platform by the holidays. Xbox 360 has 28 RPGs.
Nuff said.
Created by developer tri-Ace, the geniuses behind three (and soon, four) Star Ocean titles, as well as some other well-thought-of one-off titles, have unveiled their latest RPG masterpiece, Infinite Undiscovery, which at least for a while will be an Xbox 360 exclusive title from SquareEnix.
The good news is: it’s a good one! Infinite Undiscovery revolves around the tale of a world where the moon is, for mysterious reasons, chained to the earth and unable to move in rotation around the planet. A lone hero rises up to undo these chains and become the people’s hero and he – is not your main playable character in this game. Instead, in Prince and the Pauper fashion, your hero is someone who just happens to be the spittin’ image of this hero of the people.
Complication matters is the fact that Capell is a bit of a pacifist; he’d rather blow a flute than swing a sword, but fate pretty much won’t allow him the luxury of that option. As the game begins, he’s been imprisoned by some folks who believe Capell is Sigmund the Liberator, and soon he rescued from that cell by Aya, one of Sigmund’s followers. As is usually the case with such games, Capell eventually gets caught up in Sigmund’s mission, like it or not.
The whole affair takes place in a nice-looking world that is somewhat photorealistic, but only if you painted reality over with an airbrush. Think of it more as a very sharp-looking cartoon world … for grown-ups.
Like the Star Ocean games before them, and most other tri-Ace games, Infinite Undiscovery is an action RPG that retains an RPG feel more than an action-game feel, which should be a good fit for all longtime, multiplatform SquareEnix fans. The battle system at its core is rather simple, but is given depth and complexity as the game evolves without ever becoming hard to manage. Quite a feat.
The game also offers up more than the usual dungeon crawl; there are puzzles to solve and mysteries to unwind and secrets to reveal. Some of these are accomplished using a “link system” that allows Cappel to talk with folks he meets with different party members sort of “along for the ride. While it doesn’t work on everyone, each area has at least a couple people who will either tell you something extra, or given you something they’d have held back otherwise, simply because your fellow party-member is with you.
Like most other tri-Ace games, the simple world is a bit deceptive, in that there are loads of new systems introduced as the game progresses. Examples include the aforementioned in-town link system, as well as a battle link-system, an item creation interface, and much more.
In the end, the game is exactly the sort of thing the original Xbox era lacked; a top-notch exclusive RPG release from one of the top names in RPGs: SquareEnix. Infinite Undiscovery could become the basis for SquareEnix’s newest franchise, and based on the high quality on display here, there’s no reason it shouldn’t spawn sequels. 360 fans, rejoice: not only is the 360 “in the mix” of the next-gen RPG market, but as of now, they’re well ahead of Sony and the PS3. That’s because, like a sizable handful of RPGs released to the 360 recently, Infinite Undiscovery is a must-have for any true fan of RPGs.
Of all the great games coming out across all platforms in October 2008, which one am I most dying to acquire, personally? That’s not an easy choice.
I’ve been anxious to see Fallout 3 since it was announced; and LittleBigPlanet certainly has aroused me curiosity. The band/music titles are always fun. But if I had to narrow it down to one must-play title? The kind of game that would make someone forsake crib bedding for their newborn over? (And no, I’m not a dad yet.)
Well, in this case, it would have to be Fable 2. Both my wife and I have been looking forward to it since its announcement and its a game we’ll both play to death.
And as a long-time Sony loyalist, I have to admit this: the Xbox 360 has become this generation’s home of the best and most RPGs. Sony needs to wake up or get left in the dust.
When it comes to handhelds, the PlayStation Portable Slim may have been overshadowed by the Nintendo DS early on, due to the touch-screen gimmick, but for over a year now, PSP’s been delivering some of the most desirable games on any portable platform. This October’s no exception.
Star Ocean: First Departure
A remake of a game whose first installment never made it to US shores, Star Ocean First Departure is from hot developer tri-Ace, whose game Infinite Undiscovery is making plenty of noise over on the Xbox 360 right about now. This is supposed to be a particularly strong remake of the SNES original, and the first chapter in a series I personally love. Available October 21.
While much of the PS2 release list is being surrendered to the pre-acne crowd, there are still hidden gems to be found, even at this late date in the console’s life cycle.
Dokapon Kingdom
Available from Atlus on October 14, Dokapon Kingdom is a role-playing title from one of the top middle-sized names in RPG titles. For those who over their RPGs with quirky Japanese flair and loads of throwback appeal, this one’s for you.
Mana Khemia
Available from Koei on October 28 for only $20, this is basically the next game in the Ateleir Iris series of strategy RPGs. Worth it for the price you’re paying!
Let me be as direct as a Dansko-clad kick to the keister: I’m not going to recommend the same four games here for PS3 that I did for the Xbox 360. That’d be boring and whichever platform you want to buy Dead Space, Fallout 3 or Rock Band 2 on is up to you. This’ll be more a more PS3-centric list, so deal with it.
BioShock
Sure, this was an Xbox 360 exclusive last fall, but who cares? There’s plenty of PS3-specific upgrades to be found here, and it’s still an awesome game. If you haven’t played the 360 version, get it this year on the PS3. Available October 21.
LittleBigPlanet
Supposedly launching at the same time as PS3’s new online community, Home, LittleBigPlanet is that unique kind of game that’s impossible to describe but highly addictive to play. Think along the lines of other fad games like Katamari Demacy and you’ll get an idea. Anyway, after about a year and a half of delays, it’s here on October 21.
Guitar Hero World Tour
Music game fans will be pleased with this upgrade that not only expands the game to catch up with Rock Band, but moves beyond it by adding in the ability to compose your own songs! Whether you prefer guitar, drums, or vocals, you’ll still want to be called a Guitar Hero! Available October 26.
Yes, we considered the NBA titles coming out this month, as well as the PS3 release of Eternal Sonata… but we’re out to help you spend wisely, not widely.
October is typically a crazy month for videogame retailers and this year is no exception; titles are flooding the market and sending GameStop managers into drug treatment for all the stress they’re under as their stores stock up for the holiday shopping season.
In fact, I know of a couple EB managers who are still going through drug rehab stemming from last year’s holiday rush, but that’s beside the point; as consumers, this is one of our top months, so we must spend our dollars more wisely than ever, so as not to get caught with a stink-bomb game. Here’s our list of the best Xbox 360 games for October 2008:
Dead Space
Available October 14, this is one of EA’s rare entrances into the popular survival horror genre. You’re a communications tech trying to repair the damage done to ship’s communication on a mining vessel in space, cut off from all sources of help, when you discover most of your fellow crew have been massacred by an alien entity that now has you in its sights. Looks to be can’t-miss stuff.
Rock Band 2
Available October 19, this sequel to last year’s genre-growing title guarantees your investment by being completely backward compatible with all original Rock Band songs: instant music library! And because we’re recommending RB2… no, Guitar Hero World Tour does NOT make our list for the 360.
Fable 2
Several years in the making, Fable 2 is the game many people bought their Xbox 360 to play. Well, it’s finally here October 21 and looks like it’ll live up to all the hype. Nuff said? You bet.
Fallout 3
Available October 28, the folks who brought you the first great RPG of the 360 era are back and pushing the envelope again! Bethesda’s Fallout 3 is among the most anticipated RPGs of the year, and a great way to round out a very very strong month for the Xbox 360.
You may need contact lenses to see our list of the top Nintendo DS games for October 2008… it’s not very long.
In fact, it’s completely empty, and considering there are over 50 titles releasing next month for Nintendo DS, that’s saying something. Sure, there’s a couple titles by SquareEnix, but they’re not RPGs and SquareEnix never does well at non-RPGs.
And then there’s one RPG, but it’s by Disney Interactive and is a sequel to boot. It just doesn’t capture my interest; sorry. And then there’s a Fantasy Harvest Moon title, but it’s a sequel that doesn’t look to bring much new to the table.
So let it be said this way: there are well over 50 DS titles coming next month, but not one of them are anything I’d spend my money on, so I’m not going to suggest anyone else does, either.
The Sony PSP has been home to a lot more great games in the past year than its console siblings, and this month is no exception. Here’s our guide, not to an admin job search, but to the best of the best this month:
Yggdra Union - Atlus
An Atlus RPG classic already on the DS, this game receives a complete makeover for its PSP release. Available September 16.
Yup! That’s the only one we’re recommending. Remember, our job is to help you spend wisely, not prolifically.
Even the aging PS2 platform is getting some September love this year. You can choose between Votive candle holders or these intriguing titles. Here’s our choices for the best of the few.
Lego Batman - Warner Home Video
Although its available on next-gen systems, Lego Batman feels most at home on the PS2. One of the few Batman titles that may actually be enjoyable, look for the same goodness that was delivered in Lego Indiana Jones and Lego Star Wars. Available September 23.
Unfortunately, that’s it.
All the fat burners in the world don’t get me as psyched-up as pouring over the PS3 releases for this month, one of the liveliest in several months. But instead of wasting money trying to buy them all, here’s VideogameVagabond.com’s selections for only the very best titles.
Disgaea 3 - Atlus
Disgaea 3 is the first installment in the series to appear on PS3. Although the graphics are not up to next-gen par, the story and gameplay are sure to be a hit with any fan of the series. Available now.
Silent Hill Homecoming - Konami
Whether you get it on 360 or PS3, this survival horror franchise is always worth the time and investment on any platform. While Resident Evil prefers the George A. Romero-style grossouts, Silent Hill is a more subtle, psychological style of horror game that will please Stephen King and Clive Barker fans. Available September 30.
And that’s it. Sorry, but we don’t care for Star Wars: The Force Unleashed. Not our cup of tea.
