The Long-Awaited Final Fantasy XIII

Somehow I didn't find much time over spring break to really get into the new and long awaited Final Fantasy XIII. I suppose it was all the other side projects I've had going. But I am several hours into the game, and it's just as great as I expected. The game's advertising slogan "The battle within begins" is just starting to come to Light - actually that's her name, the heroine - Lightning, but she says, "call me Light." She certainly has some problems within. Circumstances leave her with a group of strangers who become branded (literally) with a destiny they have yet to have figured out. There's deep history and myth involved on the exotic planet where all this takes place, although 8 hours into the game I am still on the mechanical outer surface where the story thus far has taken place. After each cutscene, your "datalog" gets updated with new information, usually giving, in prose, a deeper take on what just happened in the game - altogether it can be a lot of reading if you choose to get even deeper into the story than the movie-like cutscenes allow, but it's not required. I have found it to be a great game. I only wish I had a little more time right now :)

PSP vs. DS

The world of handheld gaming was revolutionized by both the Nintendo DS (Dual Screen) and the Sony PSP (PlayStation Portable). Offering the latest in graphics and processing power, both units have their strengths and weaknesses.

I purchased my DS a couple years before getting my PSP. The DS sports dual screens, with the one on bottom being a touch screen. This really adds a new dimension to traditional single-screen gameplay. For instance, in the first Zelda game released for the system, the player controls Link, the main character, via the touch screen only. All movement and gameplay takes place via the touch screen. When the map is accessed, the stylus can be used to make handwritten notes, draw routes, etc. Not all the games utilize the touch screen - some more, some less - but all the DS games use the monitor aspect of the dual screen in some way or another.

The PSP does not have 2 screens and neither does it have a touch screen. But the screen it has is about twice as big as either individual screen on the DS. The system is also a lot more powerful in terms of graphics. On top of this it comes with a built in web browser and a memory card slot to store music, videos, and downloadable games. This means different kinds of games than the DS. The absence of the touch screen makes for more classic gameplay, and games seem to be geared to show off graphic capabilities.

Neither unit is really better than the other since each have their strengths and weaknesses. Graphics alone don't make a great game, although they can add a lot to the user's experience, particularly ones with intense stories. Unique gameplay and dual screens don't necessarily make a great game, but great games can make use of these features.

Brainstorming a Literacy Narrative

It wasn't a specific a-ha! moment in my life from which my reading and writing world changed forever. There was no box of books in my attic, no prison stories, no specific person who inspired me by example or anti-example... I've probably only finished reading three or four works of fiction in my life. Reading and writing for me has always been a matter of motivation. If there is something I want to read, then I read it. If there is something I want to write then I write it. And so for this, the motivation, there was a turning point... It was a certain video game.

New Discoveries today

I downloaded this latest trailer for Final Fantasy 13 today and thoroughly enjoyed the song by Leona Lewis. Searching her out, I discovered new songs I liked as well (some I'd heard before but didn't know who sang them). The game featured here is due out in the U.S. in March this year. It will be a turning point for the series as it will be the first on the PS3 (FF12 was on the PS2). It seems when they jump to a new platform they really give it all they've got. In fact, I'm playing through Final Fantasy 7 again right now on the PSP (originally on the PS1). It is arguably the best game of all time. I have a feeling FF13 will also find its place amongst the ranks of the greats.

For those who aren't already aware of the series, it started on the original Nintendo, moved to the Super Nintendo, then it jumped to the PlayStation 1 with FF7. Making another jump at FF10 it went to the PS2, and now it is jumping to the PS3 with FF13. Each entry is a completely separate story line, with the game demanding at least 20+ hours of gameplay, with optional sidequests, stories, leveling up, etc., which can easily bring the entire game in completion to a good 60 hours or more. Although each entry contains unique story and main characters, occasionally some secondary characters make reappearances. Each installment also has very similar battle mechanics, items, equipment, etc., but also incorporates something new into each game. It's really a fantastic series, and a great opportunity for those in charge to really move people in this fantastic medium. Interactive storytelling at its finest.

I can't wait 'til March :)