I really hope Chrono Break continues on with Chrono's story rather than Serge's :)

TRC I've heard good things about the second one. I will say the first one though, only because that is the one I have played. So NAH! And everyone knows Chrono Break will be a mix of the SaGa games and Chrono games, why? Because Square-enix likes to see you cry and enjoys your tears. ANDREW The part I like here is how you're both assuming Chrono Break even exists. It's a TRADEMARK, people. I could go out and TMify Chrono Couch if I wanted to. I bet I could start some pretty good rumours too, as long as I legally changed my name to Mr. Square Enix and got myself a really badly made website.

You: "I was very embittered when my cousin puked all over my copy, which I nevertheless kept after it was dried and cleaned for some reason because it had a mini-preview of MARIO 3 and even slightly inaccurate tips for Zelda!"

Me: "Hahahaha! Man, this kid so funny! I bet he's so crazy he kicks sand in peoples' faces!!"

Ghost of Christmas: "I wish Christmas wasn't so commercialized! Whatever happened to values in our society?!?!"

Me: "Shut up Ghost of Christmas, and buy some stupid over-priced item that I'll forget about in a year! I don't want you to really show you love me, but bake me tons of delicous food!"

Ghost of Christmas: "EARTHBOUND RULES!"

Written by - Dr. Rebbie (with props to Andrew Long and Ghost of Christmas)

ANDREW I hope you showed that Ghost who was boss, man. Earthbound definitely isn't a high-priced holiday item, nor is it sumptuous holiday food like those delicious little cameroons my grandma makes with tiny marshmallows or nanimo bars or mmm.... Christmas... SUPER FORTUNE TRCOOKIE: Good luck comes to those who wait Lucky numbers 4-9-22-33-12-7

Castoooo and rudyxxxxxxx (echo in the distance),

1. I can't lie and say that the PS was my first system, even for the sake of this letter getting printed. However, if I were to attribute the Playstation as my first dominant gaming console, then I can apply to that section of society. The Playstation was really the first system that dragged me, hand and foot bound, into the gaming and RPG world. My first system was the NES, but the Playstation was the first console to have some effective dominance on my life, so maybe I can call it my first "Gaming system". Or maybe my logic and brain power just sucks. Go figure.

2. I'm quite surprised that you have yet to finish Disgaea. I mean, you really dont HAVE to do every darn thing in that game, since it could very well last you a few months, and in retrospect Disgeaea to me can be finished faster than most RPG's. If you go through it at top playing speed that is. I'm just hoping that the reason you haven't finished it isn't because you keep starring at Etna's improperly clothed body.

3. And you really should get to go and play Suikoden 3. The game's pretty rare now, and having an unplayed copy sitting in your house is a travesty to those who want to play it. A TRAVESTY I SAY!!

4. I'm left to wonder why rudy isn't at the channel anymore. Not having him there really kills some of the conversation, and now we have no one to make fun of! But I'm one to talk, since I haven't been there recently myself. =P

MeoTwister5 -- Gabe "Castomel's rudy's sidekick" Ang

ANDREW I'm wondering where rudy is myself. I can only assume he's gone off to some sort of dwarf-tossing event, which is for some reason still legal around here despite the vehement protestations of various throbbingly voiced and hearted activists who are convinced they know what's best for the little people involved (who literally don't give a flying fluck themselves). TRC I tried to read this, believe me, I tried. All I saw "BlahblahblahblahI'mamoronYackitysmackityblah." Just because I said I would help Andrew out with Q&A doesn't mean I would actually answer questions. I'm hateful like that. ANDREW It's true, he stole my lunch money yesterday after he said he'd use it to get me some medicine which I need to live. TRC At least you aren't Lordbrian, who I hate like no other, he is now locked within coffin inside a cement block, he has only 2 hours left of air and a little chisel to get himself out with. I'm sure he'll be fine. And all he did was look at me cross. ANDREW Sure thing, Stalin...

Just wondering if you planned on playing Fire Emblem, if you haven't already.

To the guy who said that the new FE is easy and the story sucks. First off, for anyone else, that's just this game and the previous GBA game. The previous games on the Super Famicom hard better AI and overall difficulty. The story in those games are also really good.

From what I've played and heard the GBA games are ten times easier. I have problems starting with the fourth or so level in the fifth FE game, which was on Super Famicom. But I have no problems getting to the 14 level of the first GBA FE, which was where I stopped.

But I believe in the first GBA FE, after you beat the game you can play on a harder difficulty, so who knows if it offers a challenge.

Basically you can blame the difficulty and the story on the fact that Nintendo probably wanted this series to sell in the US. Honestly, I think if some of the previous games got released here, especially the fifth one, people would complain about it's difficulty. Not all people, but the more casual gamers who want to play a game without being stressed or angry. Hopefully with this entry into the US, future FE's will be harder.

And I use to get Nintendo Power too, but stopped at the time right before the GBA got released. For a couple years before that it just didn't interest me anymore either, but I hoped it would get better. It was cool before that, especially with it's Epic Center, which was for RPGs. It was especially cool when they covered Japanese games, like Tactics Ogre and Fire Emblem 4. When did you stop getting? And what do you actually remember? I believe I finally started getting the magazine when Breath of Fire 2 first came out. By then the magazine was real nice and had lots of stuff in it, especially on RPGs. I've known about the magazine for years since there was always a slip with the games you got.

Anyway, it would be cool to have the first two games, because I never owned a Nintendo. But do I need three copies of Ocarina of Time, and a second of Majora's Mask? I bet this will not be the last time we'll have a chance to get copies of these games. It might not be soon but it will eventually happen, and possibly with graphic upgrades. I was thinking about subscribing again to get the disc, but I really don't have the money or the time to even enjoy the games.

At least the disc is really in the end just a bonus. At least they aren't selling it as a 45 dollar game.

Tristan Aenslen

ANDREW Are you suggesting Square Enix is evil or something? ^^ Also, what is it with guys named Tristan and FE? Over the past few years this dude named Tristan Adnade (who may or may not be you, I don't know) emailed me without fail to point out niggling mistakes in every single freaking FE article I have ever posted. It was like clockwork: finish the story one night and wake up to an indigo-fonted email of death the next morning. Thanks for the deja vu you astrojerk! Oh, and finally: as I mentioned in my NEVER-BEFORE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC response to you last night, you can't trust kupomogli's opinions on games because he hates every game that is good and holy. TRC Yes, God forbid I play a game to have fun and relax! Hurt me more daddy, yes abuse me with enemy encounters! Nintendo Power was good before the N64 came out, after that I avoided it since I didn't get a N64. Also around that time I started using the internet near fulltime. Ah, has it been that long since I meet my one true love? Internet, have I told you how much I love you recently, because I do.

Actually, I only have one copy of Shadow Madness. It's just that I've played the game already, and I've never opened the copy I got, but I said Shadow Madness or an unopened copy of Shadow Madness, well, actually, I don't know why. Maybe I meant to say another game, because Shadow Madness is one of those games Squaresoft can make if they put their heart into it, which means that, the game is way better than any recent games they've made, even with the ridiculous story.

So, anyways, the one guy said that Final Fantasy Anthology is said to not work properly on the PS2. Why doesn't it work properly, because I haven't played the two games on the PS2 at all, because I've did everything on them when I still owned the PSX.

Also, for your information, that's the exact reason that I don't ever get greatest hits games, other than the fact that the Final Fantasy games I get will never be greatest hits because I purchase them as soon as they come out, seeing as how I own everyone, it gets in my mind, it's like, yes, yes, I know I'll hate myself, but I have the entire series, and collecting all the games. But yes, if I had a game for greatest hits, I'd sit there while playing, and if it's a PSX game I'd most likely see it due to the fact that my parents bought me this one thing you can spin around, and so I'd have it spun on the same side to take the game off, and I'd keep glancing at the box, and being like, "da**, it's greatest hits." And when I take out the CD I'd be like, "da**, not the original cd cover, greatest hits, this sucks."

But then when I take into the fact the fact that I own FF Origins as well as the original, I go, "da**, why the hell did they ruin FF, and FF2, I hate FF2." So all of this stuff is in my mind when I'm playing, then I just happen to go into a mental breakdown and kill people in the name of Final Fantasy 1-6(except for 2) and then thinking in my head, "yeah, now they'll make another good FF for sure," except for the fact that I get arrested, for killing people, and then they decide to use the electric chair, and they put it on me 27 times but it still doesn't work, and I'm thinking, "AHHHHH, IT HURTS!!!." And then I wake up, and then I'm thinking, "Whew, it was a dream," but then, I see my games when I get up and see the green border, and then I'm like, "da**, greatest hits, this sucks."

But then I'm all better, but that would be what I do if I owned a copy of greatest hits.

-andrew- -kupomogli-

ANDREW You know, it's okay if you say "darn" in this column. I'm sure the little boys and girls won't be offended. TRC There was a production error on the first few runs of the FFA. If my brain hasn't failed me. And since I am still getting radio signals from mars, it seems to be still working! Also: Seek help. The men in white love you and want to help.

...yeah...most of them sucked. I mean, what the hell is this? http://www.game-revolution.com/articles/rants/mario3.mpg

A couple of them did shine, though. Do you remember the Final Fantasy VI commercial, where Mog was taking job interviews? That entertained me for about six seconds more than any other commercial of that day.

I also don't recall ever seeing any commercials for Chrono Trigger...that's the strangest thing...

But now for the real point and question of this letter - did you ever see the Secret of Mana commercial? I recall it being a very dramatic anime scene with some snooty accented narrator...though I can't find it anywhere. Maybe there's a Nintendo commercial repository on the Eeenternet somewhere...

- Sqrfrk

ANDREW I don't know what scares me more, the fact that I remember that commercial or the Super Theta Chi Brothers. As for the rest of that advertising, it came during a period when I wasn't allowed to watch much TV since my mom operated on the theory that TV.. something. Brain. Work melt glub. Entertain! TRC I remember the Chrono Trigger Commercial. It was a crazy one. But Video Game advertising has always been lame. Anyone remember the old zelda commercial with guy looking for zelda? ANDREW It scarred me for life, so yes, yes I do.

The playstation was not actually my first console, the Sega Saturn was. Now my dad decided one day back in 96 to trade it in, being only 7 years old then, i was not much paid attention to when it came to 300 buck game consoles. I distincly remember wanting a N64 so badly, but instead, i got a playstation. I never really got into it until 1997, now we ALL remember that year. I was checkin out a gaming magazine and i stumbled upon "Final Fantasy VII". I thought it was pretty sweet lookin so i ended up buying it......and those were some of the finest moments ever....yup, playstation was one of my best friends from there on.

Good times....

ANDREW Thanks for sharing, Ben. I also saw FFVII in a VG magazine for the first time, although for the life of me I can't exactly remember which one it was. Then I saw the commercial and immediately set to drooling all over things. That really irritated my parents, as I recall. TRC God this makes me feel old. I remember when my parents brought the Atari home the first time... And I remember hearing about FF7 when they did the test of the 3-d engine with the FF6 characters. This was before they decided to go to the PSX.

Another question; this is for you rudy: Since I didn't bother throwing a question over to you last time, it's due. What did you think of Breath of Fire 5? It looks way different than BoF4, but I don't know how it plays exactly.

The tired, tired guy with many games to play,

Alchemist

ANDREW Gee, you make it sound like 10 was so very long ago. Moreover, you make it sound like "Real FF Game" means anything anymore. Let's face it - there is no such thing, since it's a definition that changes every few years with each new entry. For instance, when FF7 was in its heyday, you had oldschoolers grumbling about how real FFs involve pure fantasy settings and evil empires. FF8 brought about more of the same, except now people included FF7 with 4 and 6. Then we were hit with a wave of mediocrity that encompassed 5, 9, and 2 in their North American debuts and for some reason a lot of people don't like 10 either, leaving the definition of "real FF" in some real disarray. Face it - just because you don't like a particular Final Fantasy title doesn't mean you can dismiss it outright - I hated FF2 and FF5, but without them we never would have had Secret of Mana or the Job system, so you have to take the good with the bad, and for most people, games they would consider mediocre outnumber the good entries in the series (well, I like FFs 1,4,6,7, and 10 and think 8 and 9 are okay, so maybe I shouldn't say that.) TRC My name is TRc, you have have disgraced Final Fantasy XI's Honor, Prepare to die! >TRC readies Wasp Sting >TRC Excutes Wasp Sting >Alchemist has died! >TRC gets 0 XP. Damn. You aren't worth the effort.

-The Nameless Translation Dude

ANDREW Thanks for the info, dude. If only my newsies had been as on the ball as our media department, perhaps we'd have something to that effect posted by now since we did get tipped off about a gajillion times, but as it stands, I must regrettably sentence the lot of them to eternal punishment by staff cactus, exposing the hitherto undiscovered dark side of our entirely innocuous-looking news department mascot. Bet you didn't see THAT one coming, turkey! ONE HUNDRED BILLION NEEDLES! AHAHAHAHA! TRC This is why I hate You all with a passion, I know you mean well, but honestly when any information of any new Final Fantasy game comes out, we get deluged with emails. Some if it is helpful, most of it is not. Next time you want to be helpful, stop and ask yourself, "What would Andrew do?" and then proceed to spend the next three days on the worst bender of your life. By the time you crawl out of the bottle, the urge to help will have past. ANDREW HEY! My benders are strictly illegal pharmaceutical narcotically based adventures into the land of crack, if people can be trusted. They probably can't, but who am I to squelch some fancy rumours once they get started? Actually, "crackhead" doesn't sound too good on a resume. Give me a box of vodka and some coke and we'll call it a date. TRC If the Russian can elect an admitted alcholic and the Supreme Court of the United States can install a 'reformed' coke addict, maybe there is hope for you yet Andrew. I'd doubt the people of the Great White North would mind if their leader needed fixes. At least people here would care about him then.

Today was quite interesting. After driving to school, a teacher came to the car to inform me that school was cancelled. What happy thoughts sprung up in my head, a whole day dedicated to games! (or so I thought) Around 8ish this morning the power went out. "Ahh, the bloody hell!", methought..., "Just give it 1 hour or so". Too my disappointment, the power did not go back on until 6:50p.m.. So, my day was a waste... at least I got to sleep. ^_^ FFXII screens look interesting. Did ya notice that in RPGs more guys are losing clothes, and girls gaining more clothes? Tomorrow will definetly be a night of playing all the games I was planning to today. Bah. Speaking of tomorrow, what kind of cage should I use to hold Rudy, Andrew? Capturing Google will have to wait for another week, so I figure why not capture Rudy?? Tomorrow is another day...

Oooo that's a genius plan!

O' Shrouded One

ANDREW Hmm...To be honest, I've noticed both genders losing clothing. If female characters seem to be gaining any it's just because they kind of started out in skimpy leather bikinis and tight skirts so they really didn't have much in the way of leeway as far as dropping the vestements is concerned. Anyhow, there's a line they'll probably hit before too long - I mean, characters like Laharl are already pushing it on the male side of things and the FFX-2 posse on the female end of the spectrum. I very much doubt, at any rate, that even softcorey VG characters will ever take hold anywhere but in the frightening morass of deprativity that is the H-Game market. TRC Rear end nearly hanging out != getting more clothes. I long for the days of pasty faced rail thin characters. Damn Nomura and his bondage fetish. ( Honestly, can you look at them and not think of that? Either that or he takes dressing tips from Micheal Jackson. Either way he needs to be stopped.) Two words: Div Luv. ANDREW Bondage? Nomura's just into belts - lots and lots of belts. Maybe he got too many whuppin's as a child... TRC Quistis. defense rests ANDREW Whuppin's, whippin's... It's all good. I hate his character design anyway, so he deserved every one he got. Assuming he got any. Which is actually pretty presumptuous, but that's one of the perqs here - as long as I throw in enough "allegedly"s and "imaginaries" and "Bob Dole"s, I can get away with a certain loosity of factual expression. To wit: BOB DOLE Bob Dole thinks TRC should give up!

OK, I have a nice fairy tale to weave for you...

Once upon a time, there was a young boy who had an NES. This was fine, except that the N64 had come out, and he *still* hadn't played any system above 8-bit. *weep*

Fortunately, one day, the Console Fairy appeared, and waved her magic wand, and lo! a playstation appeared! Sure, it belonged to his brother-in-law, but it was still magic! He got his first Final Fantasy experience beyond the first title... Final Fantasy VIII... the worst FF game of them all (except maybe IIj).

But, he loved it, for it was his first RPG with more than 8 bits, and he proceded to save up and purchace his own! And from that day on, his soul belonged to Squaresoft! *swoon*

NeoCarbuncle

You cast spells, I reflect spells. Any questions?

ANDREW Yeah, actually. Does that big red thing jammed in your skull taste like cherries or cinnamon? TRC See Timmy, he wasn't the console fairy and what he had you do for the console wasn't legal or healthy. I'm sure, in your mind, you reflect others feeling onto them, but what about your mother... did you have a good relationship with her? Because projecting is not a healthy thing to do... Come sit on the couch, and tell me all..

I have no idea if this is the quote i'm sipposed to be guessing =P But the title of your column yesterday I believe was from a 1990's movie called "The Wizard" or something, when the co-star girl is trying to draw a angry mob until the would be bad guy of the movie, so as he won't take the star of the movie home to his loving nurturing parents...

And a question! Why do you think every harvest moon game in the history of Farming Sims get pushed back over and over until the final dat is almost a half-year later? I mean can't Natsume figure it out at the beginning, or at least after one push back?

And a second question! Do you think its possible that we will see a North American release of Mother 1 + 2? I loved Earthbound so much... I think I played and finished that game over 30 times X.x on my old SNES (And I only got the Sword of kings once -.- Damn Starman Deluxeseses).

PS

My cat loves it when I read him your column in the morning, half way through he falls asleep and starts twitching...

PPS

French manuels for english only games is very very illogical... Why do I live in Canada again?

Steve

ANDREW Yep, the Wizard it was, although that isn't the quote. As for the first question, I guess Natsume likes to have very thorough Farming Sims, operating on the theory that if you dig up those carrots too early they're not gonna go over too well with the carrot crowd. Moving along, I think Nintendo has been warming up to North America tremendously of late and so I think the chances are better than they would have been, say, a year ago. P.S - My cat loves it when I whisper crap with rolly R's into his ear. P.P.S - Probably because it beats the hell out of living in most other places like, say, downtown Baghdad. TRC P.P.P.s - Nothing to add here. P.P.P.P.S - On second thought, living in canada isn't that bad as long as you don't mind the wild polar bear raids. P.P.P.P.P.S - I have been informed there are no such thing as wild polar bear raids. There should be. Andrew What are you talking about? Obviously you've never heard of Churchill, Manitoba, where the polar bears wander the streets with impunity thanks to their attraction to the local dump. If that doesn't qualify as a polar bear raid, I don't know what does.