Matt Demers - 15:16 EST

AH, THE JOYS OF SCHOOL have begun once again. This would now be the beginning of my...let's see, fourteenth semester in a row that I've spent doing academic or academically-related things. I won't really say that it's getting tiresome, but it's certainly not as exciting as it used to be.

School isn't about excitement though, is it? It's about cracking the whip, getting to work, drowning in due dates, and hating your life. Yay, fun! Then, I get to come home every day and get pissed off about it in my lovely intros, which all of you get to bear. My first day really wasn't that bad; it could be better described by the word "boring", but I can tell that my professors aren't going to give me an easy ride this semester.

Anyway, I love you all, and I love all of your letters, so let's focus on the positive things, yes? Optimism is good, allegedly, after all.

-->Many others, sadly, do not receive such absolution, though, and the problem remains one of my biggest stumbling blocks in finishing games (I'm looking at you, Star Ocean 2).

That was Andrew's take on Star Ocean 2. And it reminded me of something that really angered me. (First of all, for the record I blasted through Star Ocean 2 and loved every minute--I've played it through several times even, and on the highest difficulty levels). Star Ocean 3 was to me what Star Ocean 2 was to Andrew. It was a fun game, but it just seemed to drag and drag and dragggggg...and the battle system got just a little bit more complicated, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Anyways, I was not able to finish the game as I got stuck on one of (what I think) are horrendously made puzzles.

Now, I failed general music, and so I went and got my self confuzzled when it came to the point where you have to use that musical instrument to open doors or some silly thing. I could not, for the life of me, do it, and I also couldn't seem to find any decent help on FAQ's at the time. Do you think you could find me some help and let a fan of the series finish a game that's been collecting dust pretty much since it came out? Thanks.

Oh, that. Yeah, I didn't understand it completely myself until I discovered it accidentally. There are four different tunes that your instrument can play, if I remember correctly, and they depend on a) how hard you press the button, and b) how long you hold the button for. Each song corresponds to a different-emotioned door, or something. Come to think of it, I thought that that was one of the more enjoyable puzzles in the game, once I had it figured out. If, on the other hand, I don't have my facts straight, I encourage you to continue your search for the truth elsewhere.

Hey Matt,

Is it bad that I'm running a monopoly of sorts on SOCK points?

Oh, ARM stands for "Ancient Relic Machine." If you haven't gotten to that point in the game yet, then it probably won't make much sense anyway.

I guess I can ask some stuff, or at least rant.

So, I got WA:ACF and DQ8 for Xmas, and bought myself FFIV. I've beaten FFIV with everyone except Edward (that spoony bard...only does 1000 damage and not much else), so now I just have to trek through the 50 level dungeon. The ATB issues with the game, as well as the timing with button presses is REALLY annoying, but other than those flaws, it's a great game.

WA:ACF...I LOVED the original Wild Arms. When it first came out, they had it on demo at the nearby PX in Colorado...I stayed there for 2 hours playing it, enough to get all the characters together and do Lolithia's Tomb. I've been busy with DQ8 recently, so I haven't played too much of it, but some of it drove me nuts for the first few minutes. Take the Berry Cave, for instance. In the original, it's SE of the town. In WA:ACF, it's WEST!!! I wasn't paying too much attention to the townspeople's rantings, so I spent like 20 minutes looking for the damn place. Sigh...I'm gonna have to treat this like a whole new game...heheheh.

As for DQ8...I love it. I'm planning on going through again once I beat it, using only Fisticuffs on all my characters (and their non-weapon-based trait). [...] so far, it's an incredible game.

Anyway, just thought I'd rant. Now that I don't have classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays...I'll have plenty of time to beat RPGs!! Weeeeeee!

~Ourobolus

Ha, you ARE watching me closely... that's exactly what I've told several people I plan to do on my second playthrough, mostly to see what kinds of crazy abilities are unlocked, if any. For all of you who are raising your hand going "ME ME ME I KNOW I KNOW!!!" ... well, I don't want to. I didn't get a strategy guide for a reason, so don't you dare e-mail me giving away that stuff.

Also, you are a lucky lucky man, with your three-days-a-week situation. Give ME a free day off, and I'll give you an instant virtual sloppy kiss. Or an instant something else. A tilde? Isn't that lame? What can I give, anyway? I have nothing of material goodness that any of you would be interested in, do I?

Anyway, good to hear from you, Ourobolus, as always.

Yo Matt,

So, the time has finally come for Mother 3 to release, as I hear it is coming out this spring. Alls I gotta say to that is...IT'S ABOUT DAMN TIME!! It seems like ages that it's been in development, or perhaps 'on a hiatus' is a more proper phrase for the game.

Well, my question is, with all the anticipation for the game, or maybe lack of anticipation, are you excited for Mother 3? And do you think it's realistic that we'd get it localized over here?

Sincerely,

Aleksander

Hahahahahaha. What have we heard? Almost nothing at all. Anyone who reads this column often knows that I love Earthbound, but I'm sorry; I'm just completely unconvinced that this alleged GBA release will ever be released.

Yeah, I know I said something about optimism way back above, but take a look at the facts: What screenshots have we seen? Have we heard a morsel of news about game details? Hell no, we sure haven't. If all of these things weren't enough, it's being allegedly released for a system that Nintendo has kind of abandoned as far as development is concerned. They care about competing against the PSP with their flashy new Dual-Screened toy right now... how could they possibly waste time on a project they've been working on for ten years, for a system they don't care about anymore?

SHOW ME PROOF, I say, that you're working on something, Nintendo, and then I'll show you one of Earthbound's biggest fans gushing about its upcoming sequel, day after day. Until then, all bets are off.

77) I don't think you got D, Radiata stories. This is the only GC game in the group (the others are DS or GBA) and you might not have a Gamecube? Because you never praise GC games??

Matt AHH no! I actually really like the Gamecube; it just doesn't possess a great wealth of wonderful RPGs. Tales of Symphonia was a strong showing, and it was liked by many. I didn't play it all the way through, myself. I've also heard good things about Fire Emblem. Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year door was fantastic as well, as far as I'm concerned, though I'm sure that could be widely contested. You're right that I don't own a Gamecube, as I have to play while I'm at home where my brother's is stationed; however, you're not right about Radiata Stories, which is certainly a PS2 title, and not a GC one. *smack smack* (those were loving slaps)

78) D. And who still plays wizardry? Apparently Xlash!

A comment for the reader, who, yesterday, inquired about PC RPGs: I have played Icewind Dale (though not to the end) and thought it was an enjoyable experience, and I hear Baldur's Gate and Neverwinter Nights are also good choices (though I haven't played them myself). The system requirements for Baldur's Gate and Icewind Dale are rather light; both will run on a Pentium 500 MHz machine.

Another comment: If you are thinking about giving Fable (the PC version) a try, you will need a rather powerful machine. The experience isn't enjoyable on my two years old machine (due to hardware issues).

Finally a question: PSP or DS? My feeling on this is that there are too few RPGs for both systems and no must-buy titles for either (yet). I am trying to decide which one to get. I know which way you went but can you please tell the readers why?

Flamethrower

You're right, there aren't many on either. Out of the two handhelds, though, my support still has to go to the NDS, which is showing some real promise for the coming months. With Final Fantasy III, Xenosaga I & II, and Children of Mana announced, it could set up to be a very exciting system for an RPGamer to own. The PSP doesn't seem to be entirely devoid of promise either, but I just don't expect as much at this point. If you're a longtime Valkyrie Profile fan, though, you might think differently.

Thanks for the letter, Flamethrower. Hopefully you'll figure out which one is for you before the companies all decide to come out with their NEXT systems... they seem to come faster and more furiously than they used to, don't they?

Hello Matt my condolences on starting school, yes the luxery of homeschooling in high school. I feel for you particularly since next year I go to collage as well, and will no longer be able to bask in my sheltered life. I have to be responsible and get a job and all that nonsense. Any who You know I was rooting for the bucket way back when, but I guess it all worked out since I haven't stopped visiting Q and A since you showed up. Still miss Googlshng

Sadly, I'm too lazy to send in all the time so I will not try to answer the sock questions, not this time anyway. But so you won't be bored I'll just go a little off topic

Can you think of any game with a "mini" game that is so fun it actually motivates you to come back after collecting all the post boss stuff, but still has enough purpose to LvL you up that extra five levels to 99?

Also on the note of FFXII one of you're "Qer's" mentioned that the real-time engine offered extra strategy. Having played Morrowind, Kingdom hearts, KOTOR, and Legend of Mana, I point out that yes it offers a strategy, one that's as buggy and gimmicky as a certain gummi stage in a certain FF/Disney game. I'm not saying it's an invalid point or that I disliked any of them, I'm just saying it needs a miracle to be done right and I don't have THAT kind of faith in Square Enix.

Last question to you and your readers, what do you do when you are strong enough to escape 100% from the enemies in all previous areas, yet if you go to the next area you get right near creamed? How do you motivate yourself to keep leveling up? In essence what do you do to turn training into a fun part of the game? This is particularly for Suikoden 3 as I'm in the latter areas, with maxed weapons, all characters I'm just waiting for items to respawn in the FC's hideaway to make Sgt. Joe viable for one of the latter battles.

Kit Cloud

Enh, I've never been one to run away from a fight unless absolutely necessary; this is probably a product of my Dragon Quest upbringing. In almost any RPG I play, I don't run from anything, anywhere, and then I almost never have to worry about levelling-up or being outclassed by my foes. Maybe I'm more patient than most. Maybe my real life is just more boring. I'm not sure... I have fun, anyway, just by seeing my characters gradually grow and improve. If you're one of those people that just can't stand battles at all, for whatever reason, I'll bet that action RPGs are more up your alley... or non-action "vanilla-flavoured" RPGs, but those easy ones without much battling (of which there are none).

Greetings Matt!

Just wanted to drop in with my opinion on the whole Chrono Trigger thing.

I don't think you're bad/evil/misguided in your opinion of CT. I must admit, myself, that the game is not the most difficult RPG I've ever encountered, but it will always be one of my favorite none the less. Mostly this is because of the storyline; what can I say, I'm a sucker for humor and a good plot. Otherwise, yes, it is easy to memorize how to beat bosses/enemies and forthwith destroy them the same way each time.

I will say, though, that CT is an excellent starter RPG. I usually recommend it to friends and/or family who are interested in getting into the genre but don't know where to start. This is where the easier fight/shorter game play have an advantage. Again with the good plot and great humor carrying a significant part of the fun.

Speaking of starter RPGs... which RPG(s) would you recommend for someone fresh to the genre?

I also wanted to make a comment regarding the use of FAQ/'cheats'/flaws in the game in RPGs. I'm right with you on the 'not on the first time through' mentality. Usually I play through the game once on my own, to see how far I can get and how much 'cool' stuff I can pick up. After that, it's no holds barred, I go find a book or online FAQ and plow through the game again, this time looking to get everything!

Do you have any particular cheats/flaws of games you really like yourself? Mine all time favorite is in FFIV (at least the original FFII SNES version).

********Cheat warning********
The cheat was regarding creating duplicate weapons by unequipping in the middle of battle and running away, then re-equipping in the menus.
********End Cheat Warning********

Come to think of it, does that exploit still exist in the later two ports of the game (PSX and GBA)?

Curiously Sleepy,
MagRowan

Oh, yeah, I heard about that one and actually gave it a try once or twice to see if it was true. My personal favourite wasn't in an RPG, but in Mario Kart 64... falling off of Rainbow Road at just the right spot could land you on the track some 35 seconds ahead of everyone else. Of course, if you missed by the slightest bit, you ended up behind everyone else by 15, so it was a bit of an interesting gamble. I could never use it while playing with my family, though, because anger resulted, but it was fun nonetheless.

Also, I'm not sure if it still exists. Does somebody out there want to give it a whirl and let me know pronto? I might even throw you some delicious kudos if you do. *wink wink*

That's all for today! Well, not quite all... more questions are awaiting you, first, so read them, and then I can wrap things up.

Let's look at the answers to yesterday's questions, shall we? Most of you did absolutely terribly compared to normal (I think only one person got both questions right!), but let's see why.

Firstly, #77 asked about my Christmas presents, of which I received too many this year. The only one out of the list that I did not receive was b) Final Fantasy IV, which I've hinted at in the past, as I've only played my brother's copy. Several of you guessed Golden Nugget, and you'd be wrong. While I'm not into casino games, generally, my boyfriend caught me having a bit too much fun at the Dragon Quest VIII casino. Thus, I'm now the owner of this DS title, which isn't really as bad as you might think; it's good for whiling away hours on a train, at any rate.

Question #79: Follow me!-->In Chrono Trigger, which item can you discover on Ozzie VIII's kitchen counter? (40 points)

a) A Speed Tab
b) A Power Tab
c) A Magic Tab
d) Nothing except a basket of bread
e) Nothing except a plate of some non-descript 16-bit red stuff

Question #80: Ask Arros!--> In La Pucelle Tactics the character Captain Homard shares a name with a character from which other game series? (30 points)

a) The Legend of Zelda
b) Guilty Gear X
c) Perfect Dark
d) Pokémon
e) Metal Gear Solid

Anyhow, thanks for all of the letters. Keep sending them in!

For next time, try and remember back to the first days of your RPGaming life. It seems that there's been a lot of talk going on about how amazing it is that games like Final Fantasy VII are now getting close to being TEN YEARS OLD. How hard is that to believe? Is it strange that these are now becoming more "nostalgic"? What games are now nostalgic to you? Which ones got you hooked as an RPGamer? Let me know, and I might just post your letter! Take care, guys.

***Matt could use a good beet. "Carrots with character", they are!