ffxpert's reviews!

[ffxpert]

I will review most of the games that I own, and when I get through more, I'll review them too. Feel free to start your own reviews thread if you want to give your opinion on games. You can comment on any of my reviews here if you like.

My scoring system for rating games:
I give ?/10 scores for- graphics and sound; plot and presentaion (if there isn't a plot, just presentation); gameplay; and longevity.
Then, for the overall score, I average the ?/10 scores and add or remove points depending on how I feel about the game as a whole. The final score is a percentage.

0-19% - Ever died? Well, this is ever so slightly worse.
20-34% - As enjoyable as being hit with a blunt instrument. Repeatedly.
35-44% - You''ll regret not taking my advice.
45-54% - Only if you really must.
55-64% - It has potential, but there are too many flaws.
65-74% - A decent game, but not the best.
75-84% - Good enough to merit a respectable Bronze medal.
85-94% - A great game worthy of a Silver medal.
95-100% - The cream of the crop, a game that earns a rare Gold medal.

A-Z index of reviews:

PS2
-Final Fantasy X-2

PSP
-Me and My Katamari

GBA

[ffxpert]

Well, it’s the sequel to Final Fantasy X. First impressions are that it’s a bit OTT, but still good. The story unfolds throughout 5 chapters, which each require you to accomplish various missions. Missions range from the very silly (like helping some dude sell concert tickets) to the very serious (the more obvious things like finding out secrets, etc). The gameplay is the usual turn-based affair, but with the active battle time gauge, it’s much quicker than, say, FFI.

Anyway, to go into more detail with the game’s presentation, there is a plot which is related to FFX, but you don’t really need to have completed X to understand this game. You control Yuna, Rikku and Paine, and work your way through the (slightly crazy) storyline. The graphics bring all the areas of Spira to life, and in the more important cutscenes, the visuals are extraordinary. The music generally suits the game, but at less serious points of the game (like aboard the motorbike-shaped Celsius), the audio used is pretty obnoxious.

The gameplay is pretty fast and furious, and the dressphere system which allows the characters to change both clothes and fighting style in the heat of battle, adds an extra dimension of strategy. You can choose which techniques each character should learn next for each dressphere available, and there are even special grids which give them a boost of a certain attribute when they change dresspheres. Also, each young lady has a special dressphere which, if found, allows them to become a huge… thing: a very handy ability when fighting the destructive aeons.

It’s a pretty big game, and with the “New Game+” mode which lets you play through the game again with all everything you collected before completing the story mode, giving X-2 quite a bit of replay value. Though some parts do make you wonder what Square Enix were thinking, it is mostly a pleasing game with some clever ideas.



Judgement:

Graphics and Sound
Excellent graphics, at some points more than others, and the music is often very appropriate. 9/10

Plot and Presentation
The storyline is well thought-out, and the game has a certain style to it which makes it a little different from other FFs. 8/10

Gameplay
Fighting is lots of fun, and the puzzles aren’t as infuriating as in some games. The mission idea is surprisingly effective. 9/10

Longevity
Many hours of gameplay, and then added replay value with “New Game+”, it’ll keep you going for a good while. 9/10

Final Score:
88% ^{- Silver medal}
An enjoyable game with great graphics and loads of gameplay hours, though some more “hardcore” fans might not enjoy it as much.

[ffxpert]

If you've played the PS2 incarnations of Katamari, you'll know what to expect from this version, but otherwise, first impressions are that it's completely bonkers. And it really is.

You roll a ball around different levels, and in a snowball fashion, things stick to it, making it larger. The bigger the ball, the bigger the objects it can pick up. The storyline is silly, with the main character, son of the King of All Cosmos, having to do these challenges in order to build islands for various talking animals.

The insane idea aside, this game is great fun. Completing levels can be a challenge, and though you return to the same places again and again, there are specialised tasks which help to vary gameplay. On the PS2, controlling the ball involved using both analog sticks at once, like a tank. On this version, the face buttons act as the second stick, which is at first confusing, but becomes simple enough eventually.

The game isn't very long, but there is replay value in the ability to unlock all the game's songs (which are brilliant J-pop numbers) to listen to at any time, and the Infinity mode allowing you to roll about as much as you feel like.

Though it has its faults in fiddly controls, repetitive levels and a short main game, it makes up for this with bright, cheery graphics, good music and enjoyable gameplay.



Judgement:

Graphics and Sound
It looks good, and the fun music will never fail to put a smile on your face. 9/10

Plot and Presentation
The game is set out well, and the daft storyline luckily doesn't attempt to take itself seriously. 7/10

Gameplay
Simple, but there is plenty of fun to be had. 9/10

Longevity
The game is short, but you'll keep loving it for much longer. 8/10

Final Score:
80%^{-Bronze medal}
It's very difficult not to have fun playing this game, and it will cheer you up endlessly. Definitely worth a try.

[Dark Cerberus]

come on final fsetasy x-2 was the first squel square made on ps2 the dresssphare system is fanastaic i have the game scence it came out

[ffxpert]

I know, it is great. That's why I said I like it more than a lot of people do.

[Dark Cerberus]

has anyone played a game called killzone?

[ffxpert]

I've not played it myself, but I've heard it's great. My favourite FPS has to be TimeSplitters 2 though. I might post a review.

[Dark Cerberus]

timesplitters is a good game. not bragging but i am unreal with the sniper rifal in that game i can take out 5 guys with out uesing the scope when they are at the other side of the map