<–The State of the Gamer: 1/24/17 The State of the Gamer: 2/7/17–>
A weekly post updated every Tuesday detailing my current gaming projects. I have quite a backlog of games to either play or watch, and I’m hoping a weekly article will assist with my progress as my other accountable posts have done with reading and writing.
I have an account at Grouvee, which is a essentially Goodreads for gamers, so please feel free to friend me there!
Original source of the banner art is located here.
Title: Final Fantasy I & II: Dawn of Souls
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square/Tose (GBA)
Original Platform: NES
Original Release Date: December 18, 1987
Current Platform: Gameboy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: July 29, 2004
Date Started: November 20, 2016
I’d put this on my to-do list so that I’d be sure to (more than likely) play it, then I realized that I really wasn’t that interested in continuing with I anymore. I’m really not up to all the grinding I have to do near Elfheim in order to continue on. If I could find a decent place to do it so it wouldn’t take forever, I think I’d be more apt to doing it. As it were, I think I’m going to see what this version of II has to offer. I’m hoping Squeenix fixed the horrible level up system, and if I don’t find this to my liking either, I’ll move onto DS III.
Title: Final Fantasy IV
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square
Original Platform: SNES
Original Release Date: July 19, 1991
Current Platform: Game Boy Advance
Current Platform Release Date: December 12, 2005
Date Started: October 24. 2016
The to-do list trick did work for GBA’s FFIV. I’m currently in the Dark Elf’s cave at the first save point. I haven’t faced the dark fiend himself yet, but I have the Twin Harp, and I’m more than prepared to kick his odd-talking ass.
Title: World of Final Fantasy
Series: Final Fantasy
Genre: RPG – Fantasy
Developer: Square Enix
Platform(s): PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita
Release Date: October 25, 2016
Date Bought: October 21, 2016
Date Started: November 5, 2016
I managed to defeat Omega God in the last Tearoom mission, and apparently when you do that, you automatically get him as a Mirage! That first day buy really came in handy, as I believe that’s what opened up the option for him. He has the Mirajewel for Meteor, so you know I’ve been spamming that. Speaking of the dark summon, apparently Sephiroth is considered an “anti-champion” in Grymoire. There’s a Tearoom mission where Cloud is musing over his location, and Tama gives that tidbit of information. I do find it interesting that the one-winged angel is the only “villainous” champion where all the others are considered heroic. Makes. You. Think.
I’m still leveling up, currently in the Crystal Tower, but I think I’m going to switch to Castle Exnine since the experience there is much better. I just hang around a save point, running back to it after every battle to heal up my HP and AP. Exnine looks like an MC Escher painting (not sure if I mentioned that before), and there’s absolutely no map, so I have no clue where the next save point is. I don’t want to accidentally finish the game, so I’m just hanging around the beginning.
My goal is to have all of my Mirages have their original board completely filled out. I also want to have one of each transfiguration (if that’s possible). I haven’t heard back from the lady who said she’d trade me Maduin for a Titan. I’m hoping I do soon, because I don’t have much hope of completing that mini-game.
Let’s Plays Finished This Week
Title: Miracle Warriors: Seal of the Dark Lord
Genre: RPG
Developer: Kogado Software Products
Original Platform(s): Sega
Original Release Date: October 18, 1987
Let’s Player: Hungry Goriya
Terarain (sp) has been defeated, and I can’t wait for the next YouTube or Twitch stream, but no pressure! Lol. If you want more details about the grand adventure, I suggest you check out Hungrygoriya’s own post right here.
Title: Limbo
Genre: Platform/Puzzle
Developer: Playdead
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, OS X, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, iOS, Android, Wii U
Original Release Date: July 21, 2010
Let’s Player: Vicious Computers
This is actually a combination of me playing and watching. I got around a quarter of the way through (about a half hour in) before I hit a snag spot and handed the controller over to my husband. He then played for another hour or so before he became stuck. I then realized I wanted to just watch how things played out/see the ending, so I found Vicious Computers’ let’s play. It was his first run so I had a few “yelling at the screen” moments, but then I was just as stumped as he was about things nor do I think I could’ve played half so well.
Limbo has a decidedly dark aesthetic so much so that I needed to watch something else before bed in fear I’d have nightmares. Though there are some definite terrors (giant spiders anyone), much of the horror comes from the ambience and sudden echoing noises. The game is mostly silent. You’ll find no background music, cheery or otherwise, here. It makes the sounds there are resonate louder, and in the surrounding quiet, even that’s enough to make you jump.
I’m going to date myself here, but the game had a Pitfall vibe to it,
Remember this?
and the LPer mentioned it reminded him of Metroid…only minus the super suit and abilities. I enjoyed what I played of it, but it would definitely be a game I’d only play once, because I’m a wuss puss. Also, the enjoyment of it is solving the puzzles, though I could see going through it a few times once you achieve expert mode in order to do a speed run.
Games Currently Watching
Title: Mass Effect III
Series: Mass Effect
Genre: Action RPG – Sci-Fi
Developer: BioWare
Original Platform(s): Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3
Original Release Date: March 6, 2012
Let’s Player: Olizandri
Date Started: January 23, 2017
I think between Miracle Warriors and Limbo, I haven’t watched any ME this week! A travesty :O I’ll remedy that tonight. I want to know more about this Prothean weapon, and I’m also wondering what Shepherd is going to do about Cerberus now that she and them are on opposite sides again.
Games Added to Playlist: 6
- Cthulhu Saves the World – Are you kidding me? Of course I added this once I knew it existed!
- Read Only Memories – Thanks to Cheap Boss Attack for putting me on this one’s trail. There’s an AI named Turing (brilliant) and transgender characters in the cast. I am all about representation. Plus this is a point and click style game. I haven’t played one of those in a long time. The fact that this has that style put me in the mind to add a few more of the games on this week’s list.
- Dare to Dream – Talk about old school…I first played this back when I was in my old school. I just remember the part where you talk to an alligator. I’m probably recalling the graphics as looking much better than they actually do, but that’s okay. This is another point and click.
- The Legend of Kyrandia – Let me tell you how long it took for me to find this game again. I thought the name in the title was Kyranthia, Kiranthia, Kyrintha, Kirantha, and a whole slew of other things. My old roommate had this game back when I was in college, and I had no idea it was part of a trilogy, nor did I know that the main villain is a wicked clown (not like that paradigm isn’t common). I’m sure I could find this for pretty cheap somewhere.
- Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions – I was told to play this particular version on the PSP. I forget who told me, but I know it was someone who gives good advice, so I shall heed it!
- Tokyo Mirage Sessions #FE – Another recommendation from CBA. I really should be paying him lol. I love turn based JRPGs, so it’s really not hard to get me to set aside my life for them. I’m pretty sure I’m set for the next 50 years with that genre alone. When am I retiring now?
Games Bought This Week: 1
- Limbo – Bought, played, and watched. Done.
So of course I have to talk about this. Today is January 31, 2017, which means it’s the 20th anniversary of Final Fantasy VII, the game that changed my life. You’d think I’d remember its anniversary, but I typically celebrate and post about it on September 7, since that’s the day it was released in Japan, and, well, September 7, 1997 is kind of a triple seven (September, 7, 1997). So I have to thank I ♥ Old Games for not only posting about it, but tagging little old me in the post ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ (seven hearts for yoooou!)
Final Fantasy VII, is (among many other things, but this is relevant for obvious reasons) a dystopian, futuristic (but not that far in the future) story where the ipso facto ruler of the world is a corrupt business man who only cares about lining his own pockets at the expense of the impoverished and the environment/planet. I am not the only person who has made this observation. The main characters are part of the resistance, and the narrative forces you to dig deep into what’s true, false, and really happening. Like many dystopian stories, it is dead on for events occurring today, and in that above all, it remains relevant now more than ever despite being in the “bastard medium” that many erroneously consider video games.
It was one of the main narratives that taught me to look below the surface and not just take things at face value. Critical thinking is of the utmost importance more than ever, and with this game along with other favorites, I’m reminded of how life not only mimics art, but art can predict and hold a mirror up to society, which we must face else we descend and remain in the depths.
I have many and more personal things to say about Final Fantasy VII, but I think I’ll leave them for another time, as I’m quite sleepy and I have more to accomplish tonight (editing anyone?).
What are you currently playing and/or watching? Is it something new or old? Is it a first time run or a replay? What’s the genre? Would you recommend it? What’s on your radar to play next?
<–The State of the Gamer: 1/24/17 The State of the Gamer: 2/7/17–>
The Shameful Narcissist Speaks 
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I really loved the creepy aesthetic of Limbo, how you were left to your own imagination to decipher the goings on. Inside is very similar, so if you dug the Limbo LP, definitely check that one out.
I’m so happy you put Tokyo Mirage on your to-buy list! It’s the small victories, really. Any time I feel passionate about an overlooked gem and people find interest by way of my ramblings, it makes me feel good.
Ah, I still remember the day Final Fantasy VII released. I remember being so excited for it and buying the first issue of PSM (the now-defunct unofficial Playstation Magazine, for you young’unz!) that ran a cover feature on it, and came with a PSone lid sticker. I played the game religiously for a week, until I got stuck at the demon wall boss near the end of disc one. I was trapped between boss fights (since you’re thrown in to the demon wall right after defeating the red dragon) with nowhere to grind, so I had no choice but to start over. Replaying one of the best and most influential RPGs of all time isn’t the worst thing in the world, right?
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Totally agree on Inside. It’s a great one to play after Limbo. I’d argue it’s easier too.
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It looks like PSN sells Inside and Limbo as a bundle. It’s around $20 by itself. I might pick it up soon anyway, and if it goes on sale, I’m definitely snatching it up. Limbo was definitely challenging. I like puzzle games and platormers, but I do hate when things chase you D: Thankfully, that doesn’t happen too often in the game.
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Getting other people into your obsessions in what life is about! I remember playing FFVII on my PC, the Eidos version. I remember I got stuck because I forgot to get the Key of the Ancients with the submarine. Then when I replayed it again years later, I forget what distracted me, but I have my project now, which will give me an excuse to finish it and probably write a novel, er review of it.
I remember that Demon Wall. Not only was it tough, it was creepy as hell. The Gi ghosts were also quite unsettling. Lots of unsettling things about FFVII. I’m trying to compile a list of creepy parts in video games. It’s such a subjective subject that I know the conversation will be interesting!
If I could spend my days playing the most influential RPGs (and petting cats) my life would be completel
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Right? Give me a backlog of good RPGs, the time to play them, a pile of soft cats, and a mug of hot tea and I could die happy.
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Omg this makes me want to do a coffee or tea poll. I like both (drinking coffee right now. This late. It’s terrible to do on an empty stomach.), but I’m also a major fan of Earl Grey tea and just tea in general.
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I *love* Earl Grey! Have you ever had a London Fog latte? Half a cup of strong Earl Grey, sweetened with vanilla, and half steamed milk. Hoooooly shit is that the best thing ever. I like coffee and tea, but I think I like tea more.
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NO and clearly I haven’t yet lived! Holy shit that sounds amazing. I have London imported Early Grey tea. I’m going to see if I can look up how to do something like that.
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I had no idea what a London Fog was until I saw it on a Starbucks menu. It’s really good.
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Ah Starbucks sells it? I have even more reason to go there. I was going to try to make it myself, which would more than likely be an utter disaster. I should leave these things to the pros.
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When my GF makes it she doesn’t follow the exact directions, but it turns out great.
She boils 4 Earl Grey teabags and mixes in one cup of sugar and a splash of vanilla extract. Then we use a cheap milk foamer we got from WalMart, where you just pour in milk to the line, microwave it for a minute, then pump it until it’s hot foam (I… couldn’t make that sound any less perverted, I’m sorry). Then it’s half of the tea mix, half milk foam, stir it a bit and done!
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I think it’s just the nature of tea making. It always sounds…nas-tea *runs away*
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Boooooo *throws rotten vegetables*
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I saw a Let’s Play of Limbo – very interesting! And happy anniversary to Final Fantasy 7… just cover the businessman in Cheeto dust and we’ll be all set…
For me, it was playing Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition that really made me examine how I viewed certain things and truly forced me to see “my convictions” from a different angle. It’s so important when games tackle these tougher themes, even if people don’t always realize the “real life” point they are making. But I’d be interested to hear your thoughts on Final Fantasy 7!!
And I’m currently playing Dragon’s Dogma, which is surprisingly fun, even though it’s a bit different than some of the other “Dragon” games I’ve played recently (although I can’t tell what my items are, due to CRT TV…), The Witcher (finally), which is actually hard to navigate on a CRT TV because again I can’t tell what my items are or read anything, and I’m about to pop in Demon’s Souls, because I apparently don’t have enough stress in my life and want to purchase a new PS3 controller after breaking mine in a rage (which is supposedly what folks do when they play this game)….
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I’m pretty sure all of my thoughts on Final Fantasy VII could fill a book hehe. Actually, I would love that to happen one day. It’s one of my pipe dreams to have my essays published, though I have many more I want to write.
Oh the rage quit. If you ever want a definite rage quite game, I’d recommend The Impossible Game. It’s on Xbox and I believe PlayStation (maybe 3?) along with Android and iOS. You will want to throw any device you have though.
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That would be very cool, and I would read it!
Also, just checked out The Impossible Game on YouTube. It looks amazing and irritating all at the same time! It’s only $2.99 in the Playstation Store… hm…
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The music is so amazing. Lol, and I just commented on a post of yours about the same, but with TIG it fits so seamlessly into the action of the game, which is brilliant in its simplicity. You are literally controlling an orange square. I’ve downloaded the soundtrack. It reminds me a bit of the music you’d hear in a Goth club :p
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I bought the game. It’s amazing!! I’m completely awful at it haha. The music is pretty cool, even though I think having different music for the “practice” versus “real” playthroughs is an interesting choice (that is, you’re suddenly adding a new variable when you exit” practice mode”).
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I don’t like the practice music as much. It’s kind of plan compared to the regular music, and I tell myself having the regular is sort of a reward for taking the risk hehe. I STILL haven’t beaten the first board, and I’ve had the game for at least two years now. I do like playing it sometimes before writing something, because puzzle games and platformers seem to hone my analytically thinking processes. I guess because TIG requires some serious concentration.
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I’ll have to try that. Maybe it’ll help when I’m having trouble focusing on my thesis to do something to systematic… hm…
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I used to play this game called The Adventures of Lolo 3 sometimes before writing/editing. It had a similar effect, because it’s a puzzle game that really makes you think! The Impossible Game keeps you on your toes. I just felt like it woke my brain up lol.
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Wait, wait, wait – “Cthulhu Saves the World” is a thing? Just by reading the name I’m sold.
I’m sad I never really managed to get into Final Fantasy VII for some reason, but I loved Final Fantasy VIII (and apparently many people dislike it) – I keep thinking that someday I’ll play through FF VII but I never see that day coming!
Currently, I’m not playing much at all, but I have The Elder Scrolls: V – Skyrim installed (and modded – extra stuff is welcome, as long as fits the game). I’ve lost track of my playthroughs since I have over 700 hours on it >< You could say I enjoy this game! Until I'm working and have a new PC, my list won't change much and I'll keep on playing Skyrim here and there.
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Right?! I added it immediately based on that alone.
There’s quite a bunch of people who like FFVIII in the blogosphere, which I’m happy to see. I enjoyed it. I think people didn’t like the Junction system, which I don’t get. It was very easy once you understood how it worked. I also hear complaints about Squall’s moody-broodiness, but giving his history, I couldn’t blame him for his standoffish attitude.
Oh my goodness! 700 hours! I can say I know I haven’t spent that much time on any one game, so I can tell you enjoy it. I’m not so into open world RPGs, but Skyrim does have an excellent soundtrack, and I’ve heard many wonderful renditions of it’s songs and score.
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Probably around 100 hours (give or take) without mods, the rest is modded – only lore friendly stuff or things that feel well in the universe even though they’re not part of the lore
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I hope that FFVII remake comes by the time of the September anniversary! Otherwise, a very Happy 20th to FFVII’s Japanese release! Square Enix sure is doing pretty well for themselves, between FFVII remake, FFXII remaster, KH3, and the Avengers game coming up. Heck, I just got and started two different Square Enix games last week, Kingdom Hearts 2.8 and Dragon Quest VIII! I’m all RPG’d out too!
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I could see them releasing it for that day. It would be so like Squeenix :p They’re making an Avengers game?? Wow, more work with Disney makes sense though.
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It’s really Eidos, who makes Tomb Raider, but Square Enix owns Eidos now, so that’s what they went with, haha. Either way, I’m looking forward to it!
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I’ve been watching my husband play the newest Resident Evil a little bit and the graphics are really good and he’s squealed a couple of times at being surprised lol.
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The squealing is the best part! I’m a wuss puss. I’d be curled into a ball from all the jump scares. I hate jump scares and chasing is just out of the question.
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lmao
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Cthulhu Saves The World? I’ll have to check that out! We have a little resident betta fish at work that I actually named “Count Cthulhu” (I bought him, so I named him!) and everyone there was like “What the hell kind of name is that?” So we just call him Count for short! 😉
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I’m thinking it might be part of my Four in February challenge. How do people not know what that means??! Maybe I’m too much of a dork lol.
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That would be cool! Haha no you’re not too much of a dork, they are just all ill-informed! 😉
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Uh let me do the grinding for you, loved doing that when I was still playing mmorpgs – like… meditation 😀
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It really is! Sometimes I’ll put a movie or show on my phone and listen to it while I level grind since it’s not like I really have to pay much attention lol.
Ah! Speaking of games, I recently discovered once called Cthulhu Saves the World, and immediately added it based on that name alone. Given you were the one who introduced me to that other Cthulhu game, it might be right up your alley 🙂
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Make that Dark Elf pay for his unforgivable crime of making you not use metal equipment in that horrible cave! Limbo looks really interesting and I love Metroid. I hope to play it some decade.
I HIGHLY recommend Cthulhu Saves The World. I started it and beat it yesterday. It’s a short sarcastic journey that had me smirking for the whole 6 hours it took me to beat it.
Happy belated anniversary to FFVII. I agree that celebrating the lucky triple 7 Japanese launch date is much more awesome. I love finding those special games that I have a connection with. 🙂
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He has been vanquished! I just need to return to Troia and board the Enterprise. The next part puts you right in the Tower of Zot, which is a pretty extensive part. I really wonder where Zot is in the world. You never see it on the world map; you’re just taken there automatically.
I’m thinking Cthulhu may be one of my Four in Feb games then, especially if it just has a six hour play time. I like those odds hehe.
I love how FFVII has a triple 7 thing within the game itself. I love when things make meta references :p
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