RPGFan Podcast (Random Encounter) Thread

[PaleRobbie]

Episode 39 is live!  Enjoy our look at the FF13-2 demo.

[Ivalice Alliance]

It's been awhile since i've posted but I'm looking forward to a Final Fantasy Retrospective Podcast.  Would this cover games like Final Fantasy Tactics, or just the numbered ones?  I would love to hear everyone's input on FFT.  I know i'll be in the majority here but after playing through all of the Final Fantasy games, V always comes up right near my favorite.  With the soundtrack being one of the best and the atmosphere.  People don't really care about the story and characters but something strange about that game that I really love.  Plus, "You Can Hear The Cry of the Planet" in that game.  Anyways, as always, keep up the great work.

[A.I.]

Just finished listening to the 39th podcast (had a fairly long trip)

first of all : Thanks to the Staff for making such enjoyable podcasts .. and this time..  special thanks to Zach pintchik for editing.


Hmm.. even though i have to admit that the monster system sounds fairly intriguing ... I will probably still skip anything ff 13ish .. since i don't really care abount the cast.

I am also looking forward to February .. and probably the Star wars the old republic Podcast ... since I would like to hear a general opinion about the game after the 30 free days of game time. I myself am still enjoying ToR a lot even though it is probably one of the buggiest games I have ever played.

[Dice]

You go, podcasters!  I've finally started listening in, I'm ashamed to say it took this long, but I do like.

Would like to see more and hope The 'Fan keeps growing too.

[Starmongoose]

You go, podcasters!  I've finally started listening in, I'm ashamed to say it took this long, but I do like.

Would like to see more and hope The 'Fan keeps growing too.

You didn't even listen when I was on it? ;_;

[Perigryn]

I'm a bit behind, just finishing up Ep. 38, but it's good times!

I like the predictions everyone has in mind, and also digging that everyone on the staff's as psyched for Amalur as I am. I think it's going to be a real gem and I feel like the company will have no probs taking off. At least, I hope so. I don't know, I'd have to be really picky to find things wrong with it.

As per the console discussion, it is rather hard to picture any of them really pushing boundaries at this point because they're all so establish, all look so good, and it's hard to imagine what could come next! Especially since they've all gotten on board with the motion control shtick, the latter two so late in their respective console's lifetime, whereas Wii developers had so much time to play with it, and now the WiiU is going back to classics! Heh.

Anyways, looking forward to 2012 and Ep. 39!

[PaleRobbie]

I think Nintendo has to be very careful with the pricing of the WiiU.  The screen in the controller is going to jack up the price considerably, and the probable/impending launch of the NextBox system details could derail things in a similar manner to the Dreamcast.  I also think the many core gamers feel slighted by the Wii's focus on casual games and motion controls.  Still, Nintendo managed to right the ship on the 3DS, so I can't see the WiiU being a total failure. 

[Perigryn]

till, Nintendo managed to right the ship on the 3DS, so I can't see the WiiU being a total failure. 

And they haven't even released a Pokemon for it yet!

Still, I think you're right about the dicey pricing. That's what gave the PS3 such a hard time at its launch as well.

As for the hardcore gamer end of things, I dunno' if that's going to hurt it so much anymore. The Wii really opened up the door to so many casual gamers that it's likely made a lasting market for them. So sure, maybe those badass hardcore games won't make it to the WiiU, we won't see a Nintendo Gears of War equivalent starring Shadow the Hedgehog or some nonsense, but they still have the lion's share of nostalgia-characters to keep long-time gamers who cut their teeth on Mario, Sonic, Link and Samus coming back, and as well those soccer moms that just love to be doing stuff with their kids have that avenue too.

Dunno', I likes my Forza, Modern Warfare, Halo and such as much as the next fratboy, (well, maybe not AS much...), but I certainly enjoy all the titles that I have on my Wii.

Honestly, I just hope they make online play with your friends an actual thing that's not a pain to get to. PS3's got a hub to organize it all, XBox pioneered it, Nintendo really should get on board with that being the way to manage online gameplay, because sometimes, you can't always get all your buds onto the couch, y'know?

Also, for the love of all goodness, Starfox. Please, just make another console Starfox!

[PaleRobbie]

I'd also like to see Zelda expand a bit and get out of the rut.  Not trying to start a flame-war here, but I really didn't like Skyward Sword.  I'm not a fan of motion control to begin with, and the constant backtracking and awful pacing really killed all of the momentum for me.  I remember playing Twilight Princess, loving it, and then thinking that it was now time for them to try some new stuff.  Skyward Sword just wasn't the game for me, and I'd really like them to sit down and think long and hard about how to make the series relevant again. 

[Yggdrasil]

Even if I never played the first one for the DS it was such a shame that Another Code: R for Wii got stuck between Japan and Europe. Many nice titles for the DS and Wii end up like that and really don't want to see that happening again with the 3DS and WiiU.

Or at least not as often.

[Lard]

I get what John is saying about cutscenes, but it depends on the context.

I hate games that have a cutscene, have you run three steps, then have another cut scene ala Uncharted.

If a plot is compelling, I don't mind cutscenes interspersed throughout the game. You guys kept bringing up Deus Ex, and I think that's a pretty good example of cutscenes done correctly.

And his point about Zidane and Dagger is a good one about JRPGs of today lacking a real sense of subtlety overall, especially with character development.

[Taelus]

And his point about Zidane and Dagger is a good one about JRPGs of today lacking a real sense of subtlety overall, especially with character development.

You refer to FF9 in a positive context. All our prior disagreements are forgiven.

[Lard]

Sweet. And who wouldn't refer to FF9 in a context?

Only those without a heart!

[PaleRobbie]

Let it be known that I brought up the Zidane and Dagger moment.  See, I don't hate all JRPGs!!!

[Annubis]

Let it be known that I brought up the Zidane and Dagger moment.  See, I don't hate all JRPGs!!!

The exception proves the rule ;)