Got a copy of FF13 right now that my brother borrowed. I don't even feel like playing it and I've been a long time FF fan. FF games have always been rewarding with lots of content and difficult enemies. You had to use the right combinations of spells and techniques rather than the random mash-em ups you have now. Its lost its challenge, and Square Enix has lost its credibility with me for looking to fans for ideas to maximise profits rather sticking to their guns and creating a truly great product. Now all we have are anime-like lame shonen storylines and gothic/lolita/gay characters that are typical of bad Japanese storytelling.

Nah. People like to talk about its story and graphics as the reason for the hype but what I think makes a great game personally is how all these dynamics mesh with the gameplay. I don't like FF7 as much as FF8 but it was certainly challenging and rewarding as a game. Who remembers fighting the emerald and ruby WEAPONS? They were hard as ****. Beating them was momentous itself. Acquiring the Knight of the Round, or Ultima Weapon? Or getting Aeris, who was one of YOUR characters that you leveled up killed? If you didn't like it, tough, but it's not overrated, especially not when it succeeded in an era of amazing games.

I made a thread a few days ago complaining about these exact same things. Wasn't very popular. But the author of this article is so much more comprehensive. This is exactly what I hate about the gaming industry now. Wtf is with the touch controls for Uncharted on the PSV. Where's the challenge and the fun in that?

It's a mess. The way the industry's going, it's all going to tank or we'll see another revolution again.

And I'm not just speaking for Japanese games. We're getting less and less variety of original material in general somehow and we as gamers will ultimately suffer for it.

It looks to me like all the originality is shifting towards the games made available on Xbox Live and PSN instead of the big budget games.

Dude, there was plenty of Japan there. Like all of Nintendo's stuff.

enterawesome

Nintendo's games do NOT represent all of Japan. You should make a stronger case.

If you had seen E3s from 5-10 years ago and beyond, you'd be shaking your head at what's being shown here.

Is it just me or has this E3 been completely dominated by shooters, action/adventure games, sequels and gimmicks?

I remember when the previous generations of consoles had large varieties of JRPGs, fighters, strategy games, puzzles, etc.

Quite shocking to me is the almost non-presence of Japanese developers. Their games have made a large bulk of our collective gaming

experiences in past generations. It's upsetting to see nothing and I wonder if it's a sign that they're losing fight.

And what's with all the sequels? Most of the big games are coming out in their 2s and 3s. It seems like games these days

are going the way of movies, which means less risk-taking and originality while sucking up as much money as possible

from consumers on existing franchises.

Not to mention, I'm not feelin the "3D" gimmick these big media and game companies are currently pushing. First of all, we've

had 3D technology for decades so let's cut the c**p about calling blurred/sharper visuals 3D.

This new wave of so-called 3D just sounds like a big marketing push. Why wouldI want to hurt my eyes by wearing glasses for my

movies and games? The last time I did that was for Avatar and at a theme park in Australia. It was and still is a novelty. Dumbest idea ever.

[QUOTE="nutz2thegrave"][QUOTE="Always-Honest"]thanx, there is a GAmeplay HD video blowout on Gametrailers.com too.Always-Honest

if you press download, and then right click (save as) on the menu that comes out.. ?