I really disagree with you on still images being more cinematic, that's actually the exact opposite in my opinion. Cinematography doesn't happen at a 100ft isometric view or straight on fixed side view. It happens in the story, and is part of the story itself based on how it's directed. While I admit RPGs haven't done…

That's still just moving characters in a dollhouse to me. I personally don't prefer that in a modern RPG, it's not immersive, even if it can be used for good storytelling. It's a nice alternative when the situation's right, but not what I would consider right for top notch role playing. That's just my opinion.

pre-rendered backgrounds/cities are one design element I could live without, at least on consoles and the vita. The graphics are decent enough that it's worth it for the graphics not to feel disconnected from the players on the field. The landscapes in FFVII-IX feel like playsets - you're moving in an invisible box on…

There are a number of very awesome Japanese games, but there are serious issues with the Japanese game industry that mean there is a high proportion of crap floating through the system. Seeing as several Japanese developers have admitted to the fact that this is a problem, I think that's fairly difficult to refute.…

That second screenshot just makes me wish for the return of motocross madness.

I'm guessing it's largely to help explain his deeper involvement in the Templar conflict (which up until this point has been eurasia-centric). But yeah, that was my first impression too.

And..... pre-ordered. ;)

"In her 58 years as a delegate, she has never voted "nay" against the Party citing that she "didn't want to give the Party trouble.""

heartily agreed.

Have you even paid attention to AC? In terms of politics to some extent you can expect both sides to be portrayed as the mixed bag of f***ed up humans they were. That's actually a good reason to believe that the protagonist would be a native american - for a more balanced view of the conflict than you usually get (as…

I believe if you look at the puzzles in 2/brotherhood, there are some examples from stateside Templar activity. Unlike traditional Templar mythos, the game portrays the Templars as involved in every major power struggle, political, religious, and scientific, wherever it happens, including the far east as well (which…

Hey, but who knows, maybe we'll get PS2 compatibility back. :)

I'm not making any insinuation or bias, it just posed some interesting interpretation. :)

"potentially being neutral, friendly, or antagonistic"

Except that that's already the case, and won't change because of the release of third generation hardware. The casual market isn't going to see a major shift because of this. The display in particular holds a lot more interest for business and design than it does for entertainment. The only reason I want one is…

I honestly don't see the new ipad competing with the vita. Already the differences between the two is much more about experience than horsepower.

....

$60 games are $60 because those are often big budget titles, and even at that price point, they may not make money.

I agree that it's a bit of a wide gap, but while this DLC was a way to purchase an extra (that probably doesn't matter nearly as much as some people think it does) that was otherwise included in a special edition of the game, the first FFXIII-2 character DLC was a way to play the main character of the series who…

He was specifically saying at launch day, which is what I was responding to.