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Final Fantasy XIV has become the big news, now that it's in a closed beta. I hear that the servers aren't up very often, though, so if you're not in the beta you're probably not missing much yet. (Source: none, the beta players are under NDA.) Squenix has been releasing a bit of information about the game, though, and it seems that if you want to run it at full power, you're going to need a reasonably recent PC. In short, the company is recommending that you have Windows 7 running on an Intel Core i7 with four-plus gigs of RAM, and a screen resolution of 1280x720. I assume this is the recommendation to get a full sixty frames per second, though, as it seems a pretty robust recommendation. One would hope it's still plenty playable on a lower specced machine. Squenix also announced this week the eighteen player classes of XIV, split into four groups. Many are certainly not instantly recognizable, though a great many classic types seem to be represented, such as different mages, a knight-style class, an archer/ranger, and so on. There also appears to be a class who is standing near a sewing machine? I hope I'm just not up to speed on MMO classes and seamstress/tailor is not a class.

Also this week, Square Enix announced a remake of Tactics Ogre: Let Us Cling Together for the PSP. I know a great many folks consider this Tactics Ogre to be at the very least on par with Final Fantasy Tactics, and this new PSP version will be getting new graphics and a new arrangement of the score, new characters, and new game mechanics added to the original game. There's no release date yet for Japan, which means there isn't one yet for the West, but I think the odds of us getting the shaft on this game are exceptionally low. And I'm excited - tactical RPGs on handhelds are a great idea, particularly, I think, if they're from the FFT/TO/Disgaea series.

Finally for this week, Squenix has announced a new Final Fantasy Legends property for mobile phones in Japan. This one is called "Final Fantasy Legends: Warrior of Light and Darkness," and it looks much like an updated 8-bit Final Fantasy, much in the same way of the Game Boy Advance Final Fantasy "Souls" game, but with an episodic release much like Final Fantasy IV: The After Years. What makes this more interesting is that unlike every other game branded with the "Legend" moniker, this game is not a SaGa game at all, but instead a brand-new property, marketed as a Final Fantasy branded game even in Japan. Of course, it may never make it over here, but The After Years did after starting out as a mobile platform game, so you never know.

Source: Final Fantasy XIV Official Site, Kotaku, SiliconEra

Even though I don't have a PSP, hearing that Tactics Ogre was getting a remake is _almost_ a deal-maker to getting one. [The only reason it isn't is 'cause I have it for PSX.] But yeah, as a huge fan of the TO/OB games, this is ridiculously awesome news, simultaneously showing that it hasn't been forgotten by those in the know, plus giving hope for a new installment. It's been, what, eight years since Knight of Lodis? And even though that's the weakest entry into the series, it's still ridiculously fun. Overall, it's like walking on sunshine. I know a lot of other SRPG enthusiasts are rejoicing too (if the messageboards I've seen lately are any indication!).

The only thing I had a "problem" with is that the new character Ravness is a silver-haired spear-user. She reminds me of Sisteena without that old-timey, fat-bottomed hoop skirt outfit! I know sprites can add twenty pounds but c'mon...

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It's gonna be a glorious day
I feel my luck can change

I've been teetering on the idea of purchasing a PSP because I had recently heard about Dissidia being released for it (tried to find it for NDS but clearly I am uninformed).

Also being a HUGE fan who really loved the story of Ogre Battle 64: Person of Lordly Caliber, I've always wanted Quest to make more games for the franchise. And since I've been too lazy to get around to playing the original, hearing the re-make piqued my interest. Maybe I am getting closer to a PSP purchase afterall....

The official website for the Tactics remake has an option for English text, which I hope I can interpret as an indication that it's coming to the English-speaking world. I'm doubly excited because it sounds like Squeenix hired on much of the staff of the original game including my own personal Jesus, someone to hear my prayers, Matsuno himself.

http://na.tacticsogregame.com/

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"If art doesn't risk upsetting expectations and challenging its audience, it can only stagnate."

I would have said it's interesting they're reviving the FFL name, though I guess it's going to be far different from the originals if it's not just being used to front the SaGa series (which, frankly, I didn't mind).

All I'd ask for, though, is a bit of musical tribute to the original FFL series, if nothing else. At least, keep that awsome FFL1 battle theme.

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Check the "What games are you playing at the moment?" thread for updates on what I've been playing.

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