This time around we are giving away 3 special Final Fantasy: Dissidia prizes!

We are giving away:

1) A copy of Final Fantasy: Dissidia PSP
2) “Cloud Strife” Trade Arts Vol.1 Figurine
3) “Squall Leonheart” Trade Arts Vol.1 Figurine
To be entered into this giveaway you can do 2 things:
1) Comment below!

or

2) Follow us on twitter! (http://twitter.com/eddiecho)

*tip* – Following us on twitter counts as 2 entries!  (if you have 2 separate twitter names, let me know so I know who it should count towards).  DO both and you have 3 entries, NOT Shabby right?
Here is a closer look at those figurines:

Contest ENDS on Oct.16, 2009

Damn these things are cool…

Good LUCK!!

In my opinion the success of the PSPgo will largely be determined by how SONY handles the compatibility issue with existing UMDs.  One of the main reasons by the PS2 was so successful was because of its backward compatibility.  This was a smart move because it assured Sony consumers that their investment in previous software titles wasn’t a waste.  Even the PS3 followed this design scheme for PS2 compatibility.  Anytime you extend the life of a product it’s always a good idea for both consumers and developers.  Its great for the consumers because, hey its more bang for you buck right?  On the developer side its great news because it lowers the costs of developing games.  Working at a video game publisher I know that dev kits are expensive and anything to lower the costs of making a game helps.

As a current PSP owner I am a bit discouraged to buy the PSPgo.  The fist question that came to my mind was, “What about my UMD library?” (Still hasn’t been answered).  Although the digital download service does sound great and I’m not spending $250 for a product that is basically repackaged.  If Sony is expecting me to buy another PSP system they are largely mistaken.  The UMD compatibility is my deciding factor on whether or not I will purchase the PSP Go.   Besides having some core aesthetic design modifications, the PSPgo certain is not a HUGE upgrade from its predecessor.  It doesn’t really have much to offer besides being a digital only/PS3 friendly console.

My UMD collection so far…kinda hate to see it go to waste.

No details have been mentioned about how SONY will address the UMD issue.  They have been talks about opening up kiosks to accept the physical UMDs and transfer them into digital versions.  I can tell you right now this is NOT going to happen.  It will be impossible for Sony to coordinate the logistics of millions of UMDs being turned in, not to mention very costly.  The only thing I can think of that will be good for both Sony and the consumers is a partnership with retailers for store-credit.  Sony could partner with GameStop or Wal-Mart and have some sort of trade in program within existing brick and mortar retailers.  Either that or have an online redemption program.  I am really interested in seeing how this all works out.

If I can successful have all my UMDs into a digital library I will be 1 happy camper.  I will gladly spend $250 for an upgraded PSP.  When the PSP first came out my older brother bought it for me as a birthday gift.  One of the best gifts I’ve received in my lift.  I’ve loved it ever since.  Ever time a new PSP was released I traded in my old PSP and got the newer version.  In my own mind I justified this as keeping the “gift” that my alive.  I still use it everyday for music, movies and games. I think it’s a great system with a lot of potential that STILL has not been reached.  Sony I really hope the PSPgo doesn’t flop.

While it has hasnt been official announced yet, here is what we know so far:

- The PSP Go will have 16 gb of flash memory built into the system.  The UMD drive is gone.

- It will have great connectivity to your PS3 and it sounds like the rental service through PSN will extend to the PSP Go.

- It will arrive this fall! WOoo!

- Its 43% lighter than the PSP 3000.

- 3.8 inch screen, which is 11% smaller than the PSP’s 4.3 inch screen.

Hopefully the official announcement at e3 will have more info!

By Brian Ashcraft, 5:50 AM on Fri Apr 10 2009

Or play it on your PSP, even. That is, if you have a Japanese PSN account. Today, Square Enix released Final Fantasy VII International on the PlayStation Network.

Final Fantasy VII International is how Square Enix re-released the new and improved American version in Japan on the PlayStation. The International version featured improvements like on-screen arrows, an enhanced management system and an added cut scene that helped explain Cloud’s past.

The Japanese language game is priced at ¥1,500 (US$14.93) on the PSN.

I really want to tell you that this game is perfect.  I want to tell you that CC is everything you’ve always dreamt about.  Regretfully Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core is one of the biggest disappointments in PSP history.  That’s right, Crisis Core is a disappointment. I’ve waited roughly two years for a game that is mediocre at best. CC had the potential to be a legendary RPG but fails miserably.

One major flaw with CC is that the gameplay is very repetitive and extremely easy. You only have 3 combat options: “dodge”, “attack” and “Command”. 3 combat options!? Enemies are unimaginative and all have the same weakness. If you attack them from behind you can hit them with a “Critical” strike. What is this a game for ANTS?!

CC also features a new materia fusion system. On paper this sounds extremely cool but in actuality it is horrible. Let’s say you want to fuse “Fire” + “Blizzard”. You’d expect something cool, perhaps a new material called “ArticBlaze”. WRONG. You end up with “FIRE +1 Mag”, which basically means you get a slightly better “Fire” and lose a perfectly good “Blizzard”. Half of the time I end up creating garbage and losing valuable materia. Sometimes you can make really good material but it takes a lot of experimentation and resets to make it worth while.

CC has a ton of side quests called “missions”. At first I was really excited at the sheer amount of missions but as I started to hammer away at them I noticed that they are all variations of button mashing. I swear, every mission involves running around a small dungeon and killing everything in your path. CC takes absolutely no skill and just a lot of repetition/button smashing.

The DMW slot system is one of the worst gameplay elements I have ever experienced.  I thought it might be interesting but it’s completely random and involves NO SKILL.  How do you level up?  You DMW slot system has to hit 7 7 7.  Yes, it doesn’t matter if you want to level your character.  I don’t believe SquareEnix made this the core gameplay system to level up and use summons.

I feel as if a lot of reviewers gave CC a decent review solely based on its title and story.  They overlooked huge gameplay flaws which really hurt the game.  It’s like the cops pardoned a convicted felon just because his older brother saved the world.

Despite these glaring flaws I did manage to have a few good times with CC. The story is really what saved CC from being a total failure. Riding on the success of its older brother ‘FF7″, CC manages to hook fanboys in for one last ride. I don’t want to ruin anything but CC has a decent story that any FF7 fan will appreciate.   Another positive note about CC is its over the top graphics. Square-Enix really knows how to make a game look pretty. I am still taken aback by the amazing summon CGI sequences.

In conclusion, Final Fantasy 7: Crisis Core is a decent game with great graphics and mediocre gameplay. It’s a disappointment in my eyes because it could’ve been so much more. Crisis Core should’ve been 3 UMD discs long, had huge maps, 15 party members, Ad hoc party support and weapon customization.

wriXeL gives Final Fantasy 7 :Crisis Core a disappointed 6.7 out of 10