Actually, I'm pretty excited after hearing this. I had a lot of fun with Dissidia although it was best played with other people like any other fighting game. My biggest problem with the game was once I got out of it, I couldn't get back in.

As for the gameplay, I LOVED fighting high level opponents because it was a challenge. In story mode they made had it so that those fights had harder AI, but they were all beatable with the right application of skills and abilities. The customization for moves was really attractive to me, so I really hope they expand on that as it more limited than I would have liked. Another thing was that playing through the campaign I found you never had to grind, to get the best stuff you would have to play through the board again, but I only did that for specific items or characters (I mained Firion so I played his levels lots).

Leveling up the Villians however was a pain. More grind than necessary. I have to agree with Kevadu that it suffered from some bad design decision, though. The sequel needs to take a look at what other fighters do to make the game better in a competitive enviroment. I'm definately not the best guy to say this, but that game was not balanced all that well and I would like to be able to use Kefka next time.

And/or look into Pokemon and have different abilities and move sets change stat growth. That'll fuck the balance attempts right up (or help it, I dont know), but it'd be more RPG-esque and possibly more fun.

Seconded Charles Barkley.

If not him we have Hoahmaru or Mario(dat Stache) for looks. Really though a badass is a badass no matter what, so looks only play a part in it. Unfortunately most badasses aren't the main character anyway. I always thought Gustav the Steel was manly as all hell though.

That headline gave me a friggin' heart attack. It looks like nothing is really changed though Atlus is still the same people and everything is still being released under the same name. So I'm going to still be optimistic, but if the next few Atlus games suck we have our scapegoat.

Just about to start The Strain by Guillermo Del Toro. I'm not too sure about it, but I like Del Toro's movies so it's worth a try.

Just adding my name to list of those who want this game now. It looks super fun and I've enjoyed just about every one of Shinji Mikami's games. I can't wait to powerslide my way to victory!

As for Casshern SINS, it's good if you liked the live-action movie (which I very much did) then you'll probably like it. Watch out for that ending, it was received poorly by most people.

It's sort of in order, but the numbers are fluid.

Persona 4
Buldar's Gate II
Planescape: Torment... although I  kinda agree with Rob Boyd. I just found the gameplay a little Boring.
Final Fantasy IX
DDS1&2 - I might be willing to replace this with Nocturne considering the general consensus, but I'm only a few hours into it.
Chrono Cross
Crisis Core - The only game that ever made me cry.
Vagrant Story
Pokemon Silver (and Gold too I suppose)
Xenosaga Series - completely subjective pick here. I really love the games, but each one has many faults and taken as a whole the series is just inconsistent.

Not too original, but these generally were the best. Err... maybe I'd replace Xenosaga with Deus Ex or Valkyrie Profile 1/2, I liked them a lot too.

Farron: The lack of Persona isn't too odd, since they said "This Generation" we can presume they don't include PS2 games and they likely skipped over P3P for being a remake. Or atleast that's what I figured.

High Fives Snow was awesome! The plot was good when it just focused on the characters in the earlier chapters, it just fell apart later on.

Can't believe I missed the news.

Satoshi Kon was a great artist and the world has lost something special.

RIP.

Just finished listening to Episode 8, really liked the discussion on control. Control is always something difficult to balance in all games IMO. I for one always felt in control of my team in FFXIII and very much enjoyed the game, but like ME2 that game has been talked to death. For me TWEWY wasn't hard to control, I played on both screens mostly, but it could get hectic so I eventually did just take control of the bottom screen. Maybe I'm just good with a stylus? Phantom Hour Glass would disagree. The problem for me was that it didn't really grab me. I played for a few hours and never picked it back up, the fate of too many games unfortunately.
I've gotta say that the Postcasts were the reason I joined, I used to check RPGfan every few months and read your reviews, but now I have a reason to stay. What I really like is that you guys host a very fun Podcast, I really like the idea of Podcasts, but normally the people don't appeal to me and I rarely continut to listen to them after one episode. Thumbs Up to Rob on getting this thing rolling. 

I am kind of dissapointed with the level of discussion in regards to each podcast though. Together we can bring the level of activity up! On the PS3 front, that sucks balls. Bad customer service can kill a company in some peoples eyes and I'm not surprised that you're mad. I've only had good goings with Sony so I can't help much. I hope that you get your problem sorted out, they really don't make 'em lihe they used too.

Oh! And since I've been going through each of Episodes have to give props to I believe it was Neal for mentioning Blind Guardian. Hail the Bards! or I misheard you.

Happy Days! Even if it's just a teaser this makes me feel great. Yggdrasil it's all thanks to you :)

Yep you're right, sad for me not remembering Iwata. Obviously because he shares many of his credits with Sakimoto. That and Soul Calibur IV, Shadow Hearts, Odin Sphere and Muramasa. Which means I also have to correct myself, I really liked Sakimoto in Odin Sphere and Muramasa as well and of course Final Fantasy: Tactics (everyone loves FFT). Which reminds me I really can't wait for Tactics Ogre, played Ogre Battle and OB64, but I missed out on that for the PS1.

Nakano get's props too, although I really only know him from FFX and FFXIII.

Suddenly, your post makes a whole lot more sense. Gotta agree on being weary, that's why I don't wanna get too hyped for this. It's got 3 things in it's favour though, Aya Brea, Yoko Shimomura and Hajime Tabata (I was very pleased with how he handled Crisis Core even when I expected it to suck).

Which is Awesome. It means I'll be able to get PE:2 without hassle and hopefully cheap. It already took way too much effort to get the first PE. Also, it's good for those who haven't played the games.

BTW I'm looking forward to Third Birthday, although I am keeping my expectations low.

I don't just want to be another stick in the mud, but I have to agree. I really like a lot of chiptune music, but Anamanaguchi doesn't do it for me. I tried to listen to their stuff and even saw them at Pax East, I don't know why, but their just missing that appeal.

To be fair, the stuff works well in game.

My fave has gotta be Yasunori Mitsuda there is no doubt about it. He could have just done Xenogears and Chrono Trigger and he probably would have made most lists, but he's given us much more.

Nobuo Uematsu
Yoko Shimomura
Hamauzu
David Wise (for Donkey Kong and Battletoads)
Yuzo Koshiro (ACTRAISER)
Akira Yamaoka
Shoji Meguro (although I have a love/hate relationship with his music Love: DDS2 Hate: P3)
Whatever talented group of people did the Megaman X 1-4 soundtracks.

Special mention to Sakimoto and Kenji Yamamoto. I really respect their soundtracks, but they aren't really my thing. I'm also sure I missed someone.