Back to Zanarkand!! (Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Preview)

   

   So, after almost 13 years, it's time for us to go back to one of the most beloved worlds in Final Fantasy history... Spira! I can barely remember where I was or when it was that I bought the tenth chapter of the great saga. But I do remember the story. I was actually very anxious to play this game because of all the hype that had been going on back then. With this being the first FF to incorporate actual voices instead of blocks with speech dialogues, not to mention the updated graphics on the PS2, this was as anticipated as FF XV is for the PS4. And considering it had to compete with the great legacy that VII, VIII and IX left behind for the franchise, there were a lot of expectations for it to meet! Let me say this... It did not disappoint!
   Fast-forward to September 2011, Square-Enix announced they would be remastering (and not remaking!) this classic title and now, after a long wait, it's finally time to get our hands on it! The graphics have been severely upgraded, but that's not all that this Remaster edition has in store for us! The soundtrack of the game has been updated as well, so that it's on par with the graphics (although some pieces, such as the memorable "To Zanarkand" have remained the same). Also for the first time in North American territories the Expert Sphere Grid has been implemented along with the Dark Aeons and Penance super hard bosses. And the features don't stop there. The extra episode "Eternal Calm" that features the events between X and X-2 plus the extra game content "Last Mission" have also been added.

    Graphically, this is a great step-up from what the PS2 was ever capable of. Tidus and Yuna's faces specifically look as if they've been done from scratch. As for the rest of the main cast, they look just as flashy. It's obvious Square-Enix put all their emphasis on the protagonists, since the rest of the people of Spira look much more "last-gen" than the main cast (that's not to say they look bad, just less noticeable). The surroundings have had an obvious upgrade as well, with things such as trees, the sand, the water or buildings looking more livelier and colorful than ever! Even Blitzball is more fun to play!
   Some people have voiced their opinion about the changes in the soundtrack. It's obvious that this was not a welcome change for all the series hardcore fanatics. But, we have to appreciate the effort that was put into the upgrade and the fact that the most memorable songs were left untouched. Perhaps the change will be better appreciated once the players actually hear the upgraded versions during their play-throughs.
   The extra content was something a lot of people were concerned about. They had asked for it ever since this Remaster was announced, considering this was something that only the EU and Eastern areas got ("Eternal Calm" and "Last Mission" didn't even make it to the EU!) and when it was finally announced that everything was to be incorporated in one disc, everyone felt a weight off their chests. The extra content has been updated as well of course.

   Recently there have been some rumors going around in regards to a possible continuation to the X saga. People have been wondering if a X-3 title could be in development. And all this is due to a 30 minute audio dramatization at the end of X-2 HD, that leaves a big plot hole. Could it be that Tidus and Yuna will be back for even more adventures after all these years? I guess that's up to Yusuke Naora, Yoshinore Kitase and the rest of the staff! (I, for one, would welcome it with open arms!)
   Regardless of that, this week all Final Fantasy fans get to visit one of the most popular settings in the saga's 27 year history! For the old fans, it will be a very pleasant trip down memory lane, with modern sound and graphics! For the new fans, it will be a glimpse on what made this franchise go from "good" to "epic". No matter what though, this is a title no one should miss (considering what it has to offer for such a low price!).

Japan-imation!

   It's been quite a while since I've been meaning to write an article about how the animated series (also known as "anime") in Japan have made their way to the west, gaining more and more followers every day. These shows are rapidly rising in popularity and my personal belief is that it won't be long until we see Hollywood make an approach towards that area (not that it hasn't already happened with "Dragonball: Evolution" and "The Last Airbender", but those attempts are better forgotten by everyone).
   The base difference between these so-called anime and anything created in Hollywood (and as such, broadly advertised and shown worldwide) is that the characters in the anime are usually forced to overcome problems larger than themselves. They are ordinary people, that are suddenly placed in a situation that is beyond their comprehension and they're forced to deal with it. And, for some odd reason, it feels realistic.
   This was a format originally used by popular manga (Japanese comic) Dragonball. A child goes on a journey and the enemies and problems he encounters on the way get stronger and more difficult, making him become stronger and wiser in the process. That particular format is used today by other manga such as Naruto, Bleach and Hunter X Hunter.
   But there are other life lessons that manga and anime speak about, without actually shoving them down our throats. Some of those are how a parent should behave towards his child, friendship, self-sacrifice, hatred, loneliness and many more. And the way these sensitive matters are addressed is very subtle, without the audience even noticing it.
   It is very obvious why the younger generation is taking a preference to manga and anime instead of Hollywood-created material. Hollywood has become stale, preachy and out of ideas. Meanwhile, manga and anime speak of real life problems that this generation can easily relate to. F.e. in the story of Naruto, the so-called protagonist spends most of his youth without his parents in a village full of people that hate him. He doesn't know why. He just has to put up with it.
   Hollywood has run out of ideas. With sequel after sequel to Marvel heroes, Disney movies and ancient Greek legends, it just seems like we've seen it all before. It came as no surprise that one of the biggest hits in the box office last year was Pacific Rim, which was heavily based on Japanese manga Neon Genesis Evangelion. People crave something different. Something more realistic.
   Naruto Shippuden, Bleach, Hunter x Hunter, Death Note, Code: Geass, Neon Genesis Evangelion, Guilty Crown, Dragonball Z, Yugioh, Fullmetal Alchemist, Sword Art Online, One Piece, Attack On Titan, are the most popular trends right now worldwide. The fact that the series are animated does not make them equal to "Spongebob", as some people might foolishly think. There are episodes that you just skip ahead because of all the brutality that's going on!
   Akira Toriyama set a very high standard when he created the Dragonball series. Now a lot of people have followed in his footsteps and the Japanese entertainment industry is flourishing. Sure, maybe they don't have awesome CGI, incredible scenery or highly paid actors to hire, but they do know how to get their message across to the viewers. And that seems to be what the viewers want.   

The chance of a meeting

   I would like to share a story with anyone who is reading this blog. A story of how I got a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet with some people that I never would have thought I would see up close and my impressions of those people.
   While in London, job hunting for a couple of weeks, I kept an eye on the calender. And that was simply because I had one thing on my mind: Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII would be released on February 14th. I wanted to keep this date open so that, if the game's company, Square Enix, were to host an event for the release in London, I could definitely go. After all, this is the franchise that I grew up with we're talking about!
   I continued to look into it until about a week before release. And on the official website of the company, it was announced that there would an event at which the game's program developer, Yuji Abe and one of the Final Fantasy legends (the producer of Final Fantasy VII, VIII, X, X-2, XIII, XIII-2, Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII and X/X-2 HD), Yoshinori Kitase would attend to sign autographs and speak about the game. This event would be held at a store called GAME. that was located on the lower part of Regent Street.
   As soon as I saw this I decided I was going to go, but something troubled me. During my walks around the center of London, I had been to Regent Street (more than once) and I could not for the life of me remember any video game store called GAME.. In fact, I couldn't remember any video game store in that area at all! All there was there that was remotely interesting was a five-story toy store called "Hamley's". That's it. Everything else was clothes stors. So where did I have to go? But, as I usually do, I decided to worry about it when the time came. Besides, I had the address, what could go wrong?
   And so, the thirteenth day arrived (13/02). The event would start at one o'clock (13:00, get it?), but I left a bit early so that, if something went wrong I would still have time. It's a good thing I did too! As soon as I got to the address, I realized that there was no GAME. store there. It was just "Hamley's"! I noticed a bunch of people outside the store but I just went on my way, down Regent Street. I kept thinking I had written the address down wrong and that it was closer to Piccadilly Square than I remember (Regent Street leads to Piccadilly Square). Unfortunately, I went all the way down to Piccadilly, and then some. But no GAME. shop! So, I decided to go UP instead.
   I followed Regent Street as far as it went, until it eventually ended in front of the BBC building. Then I pulled out the tablet device I had with me and tried to find some wi-fi signal, but to no avail. My next thought was to randomly ask someone, but the people on Oxford and Regent Streets don't seem very sociable. It's like they're all late for something. Everyone's in such a hurry! It's best not to disturb them.
   As I was going up and down Regent Street I was noticing the crowd at the "Hamley's" store. There were more and more and more of them each time I went by. But I didn't pay any attention to them, thinking that they were probably there for some kids' party or something like that. In the meantime, I was getting very irritated. There I was, less than two steps away from the creators of Final Fantasy, people I've only seen on YouTube and livestreams and I couldn't get to them. I began to just give up. I asked for a sign to show me the way.
   And just as I was making my way back to the bus station, there he was. He must've been in his 25's, wearing his earphones, walking carelessly down the street. And he was admiring his Lightning Returns: Final Fantasy XIII copy, signed by Kitase-san himself. I jumped at him like there was no tomorrow and asked him where he got it. He seemed to be frightened and told me he got it from "Hamley's". And I said that they were holding the event at a store called GAME., and that's when he replied that GAME. is in the basement of "Hamley's". If I had time on my hands, I would've felt so stupid, but I didn't. I ran to "Hamley's" and jumped to the basement.
   And there was everything. A gaming event just like the ones I usually read or write about. IGN.com taking interviews, Abe-san and Kitase-san signing copies of the game and hundreds of Final Fantasy fans! It sorta felt like I was at home between these people. I immediately got in line to purchase a copy of the game and while I was waiting, I had some very pleasant conversations about the franchise. Meanwhile, I was noticing Abe-san and Kitase-san. They were constantly smiling humbly to every single person who asked for an autograph. 
   Eventually and after some waiting in the line (which I didn't mind at all), it was my turn to meet with Abe-san and (more importantly) Kitase-san. They smiled at me, signed my copy and when I asked them to take a picture, they gracefully accepted. Even when the picture came out awful and I asked them a second time, they still had no problem, smiling at me throughout. I thanked them with the tidbits of Japanese that I speak, and then I continued to watch them from afar.
   These people are millionaires. They don't need to be at these events. Heck, they could even stop making these games and still have enough money to feed their grandchildren. Yet, they continue to strive and work and labor for this franchise. It was more than obvious while watching them: the smiles on their faces were original simply because they enjoy what they do. This is their passion. And they are thankful to us, the players, for sharing that passion. This is what happens when people actually like getting up for work in the morning.
   After that meeting, it was obvious to me that the future of the Final Fantasy franchise is in more than capable hands. People may bicker about their quality, but these people put their heart and soul into what they do. And that's why the fantasy will carry on strong!
   Arigato gozaimasu, Abe-san, Kitase-san!!

     

Through the looking glass...

   Greetings to all! How did February treat you? I suppose since it is the shortest month of the year, it's come and gone by the time we even get to realize it. On my side of things, I tried to make the best of the month. Seeking a new life, some better opportunities for myself, I ventured to England once again. Yet what I found there was nothing less than disappointment.
   From the outside looking in, a place like England (and especially London) seems ideal for a person to begin a new life. So many nice areas to live, so much youth gathered in one place, and a concentration of education, entertainment and employment, all neatly packaged in one town! Not to mention the safety you feel from the moment you first land, you feel right at home! Now, let's just see how each and every one of those myths is easily shattered.
   At first glance or from far away, one might consider England a nice place to live. Yet, the small apartments (or should I say, flats) that provide you with the bare necessities but cost you more than half of your monthly earnings is not what one would give the definition of nice. Also, the fact that you have to open your windows (if you're lucky enough to have any!) to the same grey weather almost every single day doesn't help at all. If anything, it makes your soul go grey with it.
   The younger people that have gathered in England have their own agendas. They either have their lives already planned out for them (f.e. studying at a high-profile university, acquiring their Master's degree and then moving on to a high-paying position in a firm), or they are struggling to survive (the ones that usually come from the Mediterranean or South-American regions). None of them are there to make friends or have fun. But even if someone tries to do that, the meaning of "fun" in England is going out, drinking beer and cider (seriously, people should inform the British that there are other drinks in the World!) until they are so inebriated that they become obnoxious and annoying, making everyone want to just leave. Not to mention the early closing time of local clubs and pubs.
   The educational and entertaining part of England is satisfactory. A plethora of museums that are free to access allow for a lot of fun learning. National History Museum, National Science Museum, even the National Football Museum let you learn while being a part of the process, not just blankly staring at some old ruin or canvas. The same goes for the fun part of England. Theaters, musicals, cinemas. But for all these, there's a downside. It's all incredibly expensive. For a middle-class or lower-class worker that makes about 1300 pounds p.m., a ticket to London's notorious musicals is nothing but an unreachable dream. On such a wage, one can go out for a drink once, maybe twice a month. That's it!
   On the employment front of things, one would think England is some sort of haven: a refuge for those whose homes and lives have been turned upside down from the financial crisis raging all over Europe and the South American countries. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Employers who do not take foreigners seriously, minimum wages that are barely enough to keep workers on their feet, and now a government that decided to close the borders by altering their social benefits eligibility. It seems the economical plague that has been going all around Europe finally found its way to the United Kingdom as well.
   And as for safety? Even though there are cameras all over the city, sirens are heard at any given time of day and you can even see horse-back riding police officers patrolling the streets at early hours in the morning, none of that should fool you. The violence that occurs in the streets, the gangs that pop up every now and again and the high level of inebriation is the reason why people do not walk the streets at night. This country is anything but safe!
   This place is nice on the outside. It maintains its image of a high profile, glamorous place where only the best come to rest and uses that as a reason to keep its prices sky-high. In the meantime, the people are suffering, the financial refugees that took the bait are being pushed around like slaves and the fascism levels are rapidly rising because of all the incoming foreigners. This is England!