Game of the Day: Baten Kaitos

I know I haven't been around much lately, my reasonings for doing so are explained below. In order to make up for my lack of presense around here lately, I would like to introduce a new feature here at my blog. I would like to call it the "Game of the Day" feature. Basically, each day I will select a game that I deem to be one of those games that must be played for one reason or another. I will then proceed to give something of a short features listing of why you would enjoy it, I will throw in a few screenshots, and hopefully you will come out with a little more information or at least a good media record of the game in question. Without further ado...

Baten Kaitos: Eternal Wings and the Lost Ocean

Baten Kaitos (BK) is shaping up to be one of the most beautiful games I have ever laid eyes on. It is easy to note that the developers are really taxing the Gamecube's power to limit. Each and every environment looks so lush, so incredibly detailed that it comes across like a beautiful merger of an acid trip and a funky dream.

Past the aesthetics, BK looks to be a very original RPG (finally!). After years and years of non-stop repitition, a developer has finally gone ahead and done some remodelling work to create a better gameplay experience.

The battle system for instance is basically a card based experience. Now, I know some of you may be turned off by the whole card based motif (PSO III anyone?), but BK is promising a merger of both old and new. While the entire battle system will rely heavily on cards, it will throw strategy into the mix along with turn-based goodness.

So while collecting of cards will no doubt play a large role in the process of BK, old-school gamers will enjoy the twist it performs on RPG staples such as combat, item management and perhaps a few surprises.

Sporting a soundtrack composed by Motoi Sakuraba (Tales of Symphonia, Star Ocean 3, etc.) the soundtrack is both beautiful and haunting. I have heard samples of it and love it, it feels very much in the same vein as Sakuraba's previous ventures, and that is a very good thing. Those that pre-order (I suppose it is too late for that now?) will receive the soundtrack from Toys R Us, which is a very nice incentive.

BK is a true culmination of many experienced developer's concepts. Some very talented people, including those whose credits include Chrono Cross and Xenosaga, have come together to form what very well could be the finest RPG on a system whose selection of RPGs is rather limited. All in all, I am as excited as can be to pick up BK and will be doing so as soon as my bank account will allow me to.

Screens (Courtesy of RPGFan)

On Another Note...

So what has been keeping me so busy lately in the mornings? Well, I have been going hard at finally completing Star Ocean 3. I am about a day away from the end. My characters are pumped up to insane proportions and are currently plowing their way through the "final" dungeon at an insane rate. I say "final" because SO3 has some surprises for those who play afterwards. Do I have time for that? Hell no, not with Phantom Brave and Baten Kaitos both waiting for me. In any case, I will have a review up hopefully sometime this weekend just in case you wanted another opinion on SO3.

Comments (1250) | Permalink | Lee Babin | 11.18.2004

Must Have List Expanded

Does it ever seem that the more you cannot have, the more you want? It certainly seems that way right now for me, or perhaps all of us are going through a little something like this, what with all the great games that are being released. I had posted a while back (check my blog archives) my list of games that I must own at some point in time. Though it has been less than a month, I am ready to expand on that list. Without further ado, here we go!

Nintendo DS

I know this is strictly not a game, but the system itself has been drawing me to it ever so subtly. Perhaps it is the new, crazy websites that have been drawing me to it. Or perhaps it is that Wal-Mart photo spread I saw over at the soon-to-be inlaws the other day. However you look at it, the DS looks damn spiffy. Two screens, one stylus, back lighting, reverse compatibility; this baby has it all!

Sony PSP

Not to be outdone by it's rival (the DS), the PSP is only second on my list of must haves because of the fact that it is not being released yet for a couple of months. Packing widescreen capabilities (ALL portable should be from now on), PS2 quality games and a sleek, sexy design the PSP looks ready to put Sony in a competitor spot for handheld gaming. I am teh excited!

Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories

I got berated by my fiancee for forgetting to put Kingdom Hearts: Chain of Memories in my previous must have list. The Kingdom Hearts games are interesting anomalies in that they bring out the gamer in both hardcore and casual gamers alike; not an easy thing to do for an RPG. This game continues on from the awesome first game but fits itself right into the palm of my hand, which means I might actually have time to play it!

Final Fantasy I + 2: Dawn of Souls

Sporting a hell of a long name, this cartridge contains a game I have played about 53 thousand times since it was first released. I played the heck out of it on the original NES, then played it again on the PS1. So, why is it that I still want to play this? Well, there is something truly addicting about the first Final Fantasy (the second is kind of ho-hum), but in reality I am highly excited about the brand new dungeons available. Plus it's a handheld, so I can fit it into my schedule!

Comments (0) | Permalink | Lee Babin | 11.12.2004

No Longer Niche

So, it's becoming pretty apparent that gaming has gone mainstream. We no longer even need games like Halo 2 and Grand Theft Auto to prove to us that many people who once found gaming to be the epitomy of geekiness, are now playing games right out in the open.

As I received my very first Nintendo (the original NES) back in good old 1987, I have been gaming for quite some time and have seen the changes (for better and worse) that have affected our hobby of choice. I distinctly remember being picked on or at least being laughed at for wearing my Super Mario Bros. t-shirt back in elementary school.

I thought it was pretty slick. It had Bowser on the front with Mario kicking his arse (or something of that nature) and I was wearing it proudly. I remember Zellers and all those places selling all sorts of Video Game shirts and clothing (underwear? Yikes!) but by even pretending to like that sort of thing, you would be labelled the nerd of the year.

Times, they have a changed. Now, sporting my brown (Yes, Brown) "Keep it Real" Nintendo t-shirt gives me great comments wherever I go! And the range of people who compliment me on this shirt is crazily diverse.

I had to take a class to get married in the Catholic church (surprisingly not as lame as you would most certainly imagine, they even had booze!), and it immediately broke the ice with the couple me and Dianne were sitting with. The other day I wore it to the gym and couldn't get out of the locker room without guys telling me how cool the shirt was. Hell, wearing that baby into a locker room 10 years ago would have been tantamount to suicide!

So, where exactly is this post going? I suppose I am just happy to see the change that has come over the community supporting my once looked down upon hobby. I no longer need worry (not that I ever did) about people not accepting my nerdish habits and can wear my style proudly. In any case, I look forward to the future when the generation who grew up on video games takes over the world!

Comments (0) | Permalink | Lee Babin | 11.11.2004

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