Opinion Fest 2009: Best Soundtrack

Though – as I mentioned previously – games are mainly a visual medium, other elements make up the overall experience. One of those elements that plays a large role in a game’s subconscious identity is its music. Music has been in games for so long that most people pay it little conscious attention, though I’m willing to bet that most of you can still hum the Chrono Trigger theme.

The winners of this award were able to not only implement memorable or ear-pleasing tunes, but were able to do so in a way that compliments the presentation and adds personality.

3rd: Ar Tonelico II: Melody of Metafalica – Gust Sound Team – PlayStation 2

Haunting and dissonant at the same time, the composers that make up the Gust Sound Team – Akira Tsuchiya, Ken Nakagawa, and Daisuke Achiwa – have again created a soundtrack that carries the sub-standard visuals that Gust is known for into fantastic and memorable worlds. The returned involvement of Haruka Shimotsuki, Takashige Inagaki, and (of course) Akiko Shikata help set the music in the Ar Tonelico series in their own field.

Though the soundtrack isn’t as memorable, as original, or as pleasant as its predecessor, Ar Tonelico II’s OST is worth listening to, and is one of the high points of an otherwise disappointing follow-up.

2nd: Black Sigil: Blade of the Exiled – Jan Morgenstern – Nintendo DS

Jan Morgenstern’s work is well-respected in many underground communities and projects, and is recognized even by mainstream outlets. It should come as no surprise, then, that his score for the unfortunately squandered opportunity known as Black Sigil, is similarly praiseworthy.

At once both fresh and nostalgic, the combination of epic scale and retro sensibilities gives much of the game an air of believability; if you didn’t know better, you might think this was once a great SNES game. Since this was the goal of the developers, its soundtrack, at least, got it right. It’s too bad that there is not outlet to buy or download the soundtrack directly at the time of writing, but I will keep my fingers crossed, as it is well worth listening to.

1st: Magna Carta II – Jang Sung-Woon – Xbox 360

At times charming. At others, evocative. Occasionally chilling. Often gorgeous. Jang Sung-Woon – though a name in music composition I am not familiar with – has done some wonderful things with Magna Carta II’s soundtrack, and the effort is recognized and appreciated.

Though, as I noted earlier, Magna Carta II’s visuals are stunning, the music really helps to solidify them in the player’s mind and give them a sense of character that carries them beyond the ending credits. I can still remember the first time I set foot into Navyblue Marsh, or the blood-stained rocks of Dunan Hill. Such is the signature of a great soundtrack: musically worthy of solo listening, but so complimentary to the game that the listener can’t help but see and feel the world from the game all over again.

RPGs of the Week: More Sand, Less World Edition

Welcome to a new week of RPG stuff.

Sorry Opinion Fest is taking so much time. Sometimes describing why I think a game deserves the award it gets is a lot tougher that I would imagine. I guess I could just say, "this is good" or something, but that just doesn't seem to do it justice.

Regardless, I hope to be finished with it and back to regular updates soon.

In the meantime, here's what new RPGs are going on sale this week (January 11 - 15, 2010):

North America
Sands of Destruction - imageepoch, Sega - Nintendo DS

Japan
Bleach: Soul Carnival (The Best) - SCEI - PSP

Europe
none

Nothing much to speak of this week. North America finally gets the year-and-a-half old World Destruction under the much more pedestrian name of Sands of Destruction, while Japan gets a budget reprint of Bleach for the PSP.

Between Darksiders and finishing up my 2009 backlog, though, I suppose it's nice to have a break.

Anything looking good to you this week?

Opinion Fest 2009: Best Graphics

Though gameplay and story are what every game needs, gaming is a visual medium. Indeed, many games are (often unfortunately) held up to scrutiny based on their graphics first, and the actual core of the game as an afterthought.

Though many "mainstream" gaming publications like to talk about technical things like framerate, lighting, anti-aliasing, and bump mapping, graphics - in my mind, at least - are most important in their creation of a game's look and feel. Any readers familiar with my observations of games will know that I will take a beautifully styled title over one with "realistic textures" or "cutting-edge bloom lighting" any day of the week. With that in mind, check out what I thought the most graphically impressive RPGs were in 2009.

Honorable Mention: Borderlands – Gearbox, 2K – PC, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

With the myriad of brown and grey post-apocalyptic shooters on the market right now, Borderlands needed a facelift - something to make itself stand out. When it resurfaced last year with a new cell-shaded look, it was the talk of the town, and for good reason. With a colourful, more imaginative feel about it, Gearbox was able to give Borderlands the identity boost it needed, and its success speaks for itself. That said, the game could really use some variety in its locales. Beautifully painted or no, a wasteland still looks like a wasteland.

3rd: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story – Alphadream, Nintendo – Nintendo DS

Generally speaking, DS graphics are awful. Blocky models with low-res textures over ugly environments are, unfortunately, the rule on the system. Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story, however, is not a subscriber to that rule.

With detailed and colourful sprites, complimented by imaginative and lively environments, not to mention fluid and fun animations, Mario & Luigi 3 really exemplifies what can be achieved on the DS hardware. 2D graphics are not dead, and, as this award proves, can compete with even high-def console offerings, given the right care to detail and commitment to quality. If only games like this were the standard for DS rather than the exception.

2nd: Magna Carta II – Softmax, Namco Bandai – Xbox 360

Like Tears of Blood before it, Magna Carta II’s developers have proven that they have an eye for beauty and detail. From the stitches and embroidery on the townspeople’s clothing to rolling hills, mystic swamps, and cursed mountains of the continent of Lanzheim, Magna Carta II is teeming with variety and life.

Though occasionally awkward character animations keep this title from the gold, the visuals here are as beautiful as they are artistic. Magna Carta II is one of the most gorgeous looking RPGs of 2009.

1st: Muramasa: The Demon Blade – Vanillaware, Ignition – Nintendo Wii

I have always been a firm believer that any game with enough style – and enough courage to stand behind that style – could stand out above even games employing the most powerful / most expensive technology on the market. Vanillaware’s Muramasa: The Demon Blade is a testament to that. Using “obsolete” 2D graphics, and running in inferior standard definition, Muramasa exudes art and beauty out of every pixel.

As is to be expected from the creator of Odin Sphere and GrimGrimoire, Muramasa looks and moves like an interactive painting. Gorgeous sprites beautifully animated on top of a variety of picturesque locales not only prove that 2D still is a force to be reckoned with, but can outshine even the biggest budget titles. Muramasa: The Demon Blade is by far the most aesthetically pleasing game of 2009. (Now if we could just get it in HD…)

Opinion Fest 2009: Most Innovative

Many critics of the RPG genre like to complain that the RPG formula (especially the JRPG formula) has become stale and outdated. Though this criticism may hold true for some games, it is my experience that many developers are constantly trying to refine and innovate within the genre. The Most Innovative award seeks to recognize those games that rocked the boat the most this year. Even if the games themselves aren't as highly venerated as other, more pedestrian titles, these games will build stepping stones for more creative content in titles to come.

Honorable Mention: Mario & Luigi: Bowser’s Inside Story – Alphadream, Nintendo – Nintendo DS

Mario & Luigi 3 takes ideas from its predecessor and expands on them to create a truly enjoyable little title that utilizes the DS in almost every capacity. From blowing fire with the mic, tapping the touchscreen to execute special attacks, and timing different button presses to knock things back and forth, Bowser’s Inside Story is a title that proves that Nintendo is still finding new things for the DS to do, even in a relatively stiff genre, like RPGs.

3rd: Half-Minute Hero – Opus, XSEED – PSP

The demon lord is planning to destroy the world, the princess has been kidnapped, and the fate of humanity rests on your shoulders alone. Sure, the plot of Half-Minute Hero sounds like about as cookie-cutter as you can get; why does it deserve an award for Most Innovative?

Well, take that basic concept, and then squeeze it – and just about every other classic JRPG cliché you can think of – into 30 seconds, and you suddenly have something so different, no one else has ever done it! Not to mention that saving the world in 30 seconds gives gamers with less time on their hands something interesting to do on a quick break. ;)

2nd: Might & Magic: Clash of Heroes – Capybara, Ubisoft – Nintendo DS

The Kingdoms of the world are on the brink of war as an army of demons threatens the world with destruction. With all the legendary heroes slain in a surprise attack, the next generation of the champions of justice have only one choice: match up three 16-bit sprites of the same colour so they can charge up a few turns and hopefully get to the top of their opponent’s puzzle screen. Obviously.

Clash of Heroes combines linear RPG storytelling with unit-based puzzle combat that extends beyond Puzzle Quest’s “match up coloured gems” for something that feels incredibly fresh, and manages to stay interesting both in and out of battle.

1st: Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles: The Crystal Bearers – Square Enix – Nintendo Wii

By now, waggle controls are old news. Most core gamers are tired of and maybe even a little vexed by the term “motion controls,” mainly due to the seemingly constant stream of waggle-based mini-game compilations.

But what if there was an RPG with high production values, a legitimate storyline, and motion controls that were actually made for the title, and not just tacked on? That is what Square Enix set out to do with The Crystal Bearers, and while it not be as epic as the upcoming FFXIII, its clever and meaningful utilization of the Wiimote to do everything from butt-battling to throwing huge boulders at monsters stands as a testament to legitimate motion-controlled RPGaming.

Opinion Fest 2009: Best RPG Console

As any fanboy could tell you (even if you didn’t ask), not all gaming platforms are created equal. With different media formats, different storage methods, different processing methods, and different feature sets, no two consoles are the same. However, what really separates consoles from each other in most gamers’ minds is just one thing, that rarely has anything to do with the console itself: the games.

This award goes to the platforms that had the most and best RPGs released in 2009.

3rd: Nintendo Wii

Though the Wii has received the stigma of a console for little kids and senior citizens, its respectable lineup of RPGs this year has proven that it is far from irrelevant for gamers. From sleeper hits like Rune Factory Frontier, to mainstream attention grabbers like Crystal Bearers, the Wii has done a lot to keep up with the best of them. Still, the abnormally long wait between Japanese and Western releases, and the delay of several titles we really should have seen this year (Fragile? Arc Rise Fantasia?) kept the console from moving higher on the list.

2nd: Nintendo DS

Still the undisputed king of RPG exclusives, the DS seems not to be aware of any economic slowdown that other consoles have been feeling in 2009. With titles ranging from quirky to innovative to downright fun, the DS may be the ugliest duckling in the pond, but has plenty going on for it to keep it ahead of the pack.

1st: PC

Though many PC gamers may have felt forgotten in years past, it is difficult to believe so this year. With superior (and less expensive) versions of the majority of big name RPGs this year, the PC proves it still has a lot to offer. Additionally, with the most accessible development tools in the industry, and an outlet for almost anyone to earn some spotlight, the PC also has plenty of original content to keep even the most obsessive RPG fan content.

If there was ever a year to finally get around to upgrading that old graphics card, 2009 was it.

Opinion Fest 2009: Best Battle System

Though it is rare for an RPG to be remembered for its battle system only, a good battle system can push a good game into greatness, while a poor battle system can drive away fans. This year’s Best Battle System award recognizes those games that made monster killing both fun and interesting.

Honorable Mention: Super Robot Taisen OG Saga: Endless Frontier – Banpresto, Atlus – Nintendo DS

Besides the copious fanservice, Endless Frontier is really only notable for its battle system. Giving players the opportunity to unleash a flurry of gravity defying attacks, and encouraging them to prevent their enemies from ever being able to touch the ground again is surprisingly entertaining. With wonderfully animated sprites and cool-looking attacks, Endless Saga’s battle system never got old for me, though almost everything else eventually wore out its welcome.

3rd: Magna Carta II – Softmax, Namco Bandai – Xbox 360

As I previously mentioned, Magna Carta II has made a huge effort to correct the issues of its previous title, the main problem being its battle system. Unlike Tears of Blood, Magna Carta II leans more on the side of an action-RPG, giving the player full control of all party members. However, unlike most action-RPGs, characters cannot attack indefinitely, forcing the player to either wait for their character to “cool down” or, ideally, chain attacks with other party members.

Magna Carta II succeeds at creating a battle system that is both dynamic and strategic, adding plenty of variety for players who prefer to change things up with multiple fighting styles, special attacks, and magic spells. The only thing that holds it back is the sometimes “clunky” feeling that comes with the turn-based elements.

2nd: Muramasa: The Demon Blade – Vanillaware, Ignition – Nintendo Wii

Unlike Vanillaware’s previous action-RPG, Odin Sphere, Muramasa is distinctly focused on combat over story, and it shows. Even with no experience going into the game, the player will be able to easily pull off elaborate combos and special moves, sending enemies flying in all directions.

Muramasa does an impeccable job of making the player feel awesome about his or her skills (or even lack thereof). With multiple weapons, tons of different combo variations, and over-the-top awesome special moves, Muramasa’s battle system continues to be fun, even once you realize there’s not much story to back it up.

1st: Star Ocean: The Last Hope – tri-Ace, Square Enix – Xbox 360

While tri-Ace may not always tell the best story in the business, they have proven many times over that they know how to make RPG combat (typically remembered for its monotony) fresh, fast, and fun. Star Ocean 4, while perhaps not their most innovative battle system, gives the player so much variety and strategy, while simultaneously cranking up the speed, it’s hard to really hold anything else up in comparison this year.

If jumping behind a giant dragon robot, pummeling it with a sword, punching it up into the air, shooting it millions of times over, blowing it up with an eruption of fire, then sending a flaming hell beast to rip its face off is wrong, frankly, I don’t want to be right.

RPGs of the Week: RPGs for the New Year Edition

Happy 2010! I wish all of you all the best in the New Year!

I will wrap up Opinion Fest 2009 this week for those of you who like to read other people's favorite lists. In the meantime, check out what RPGs are shipping out to ring in the New Year (January 4 - 9, 2010).

North America
Darksiders - Vigil, THQ - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3
Divinity II: Ego Draconis - Larian Studios, cdv - PC, Xbox 360
Fable II (Platinum Hits) - Lionhead, Microsoft - Xbox 360

Japan
Kingdom Hearts: Birth by Sleep - Square Enix - PSP

Europe
Darksiders - Vigil, THQ - Xbox 360, PlayStation 3

North America gets the turn-into-a-dragon WRPG, Divinity II, which Europe has already been playing for over a month now, as well as a budget reprint of Fable II.

North America and Europe both get a chance to try out THQ's Zelda-meets-the-apocolypse action-RPG, Darksiders, which I know a lot of people have been looking forward to.

Japan, meanwhile, gets the latest Kingdom Hearts, and all portable-like for those long commutes.

Overall, its not a bad haul, especially for the first week of the year. It happens to be my birthday today (!!!), so I believe I will treat myself to a new game. ;)

Anything looking worth it to you this week?

For the first week of the year, not actually a bad showing.