There is a series of novels by Tamora Lynn Pierce, The Circle Opens. The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant, by Stephen Donalds. E.R.R. Eddings’ The Belgariad, Mercedes Lackey’s Collegium series, but especially Esther Friedman’s Coldfire Trilogy. I agree with your citing Chia Melville’s works - some of the weirdest and…

So, where’s the kick-ass Groom class, complete with custom tuxedo and black patent leather boots?

Kudos to the KOTAKU artist who channeled Rene Magritte’s iconic bowler hat into the artwork for this story.

If Square Enix had used that sort of bully tactic in the past, regarding releases of below-par games for the FF franchise (and quite a few of its other titles released after 2010) it would be giving out very few review copies indeed.

Kirk, you’re not old, just middle-aged. I was 47 when I was first called a ‘geezer gamer’ and that was 10 years ago. Things I’m too old for: Game Developers who keep thinking that they are improving their UIs when all they are doing is making them more complicated - don’t make me spend the first 30 hours of gameplay…

The Otherland series by Tad Williams is currently in testing as an MMORPG. It has its own FB page, if you’d like to check it out.

To be able to play Dragon Force, Shining Force 3, Mystaria and Guardian Heroes after all these years would be amazing!

Who is the voice-over actress? I have heard her voice talent before - but I can’t remember where!

The best translations of Japanese RPGS to English were done, in my opinion, by Victor Ireland and his team at Working Designs.

Yes.

Genso Suikoden Tsumareshi No Toki on PSP,and PS2's Devil Summoner 2:Raidou Kuzuoha Vs. King Abaddon.

Sorry, but it looks nothing like Final Fantasy Tactics. The animated sequences, perhaps. The gameplay - not at all.

There are some benefits :D

Anyone remember Yogurt from Sega's first SHINING FORCE?

SNES titles: Breath of Fire, Paladin's Quest, Ogre Battle, 7th Saga, Robotrek

You can use an angel wing or the hero's Egress spell to exit any battle before you kill the last enemy or the boss, as many times as you wish, and repeat the battle as many times as you wish. This holds true with every Shining Force game, as I recall. It helps a JRPG newbie to learn battle strategy.

It leaves no inkling of a storyline; all we get is a sense of government and anti-government. And, honestly, what intelligent person would go into heavy gunfire wearing steampunk style Victoria's Secret gear? If it's a shooter with a story, give us the story, to hook our interest or some shooter action to create…

I'M NOT CRYING THERE'S JUST SOMETHING IN MY EYE.