Engaging the Fantasy

What I have shown you is reality. What you remember... that is the illusion.
- Sephiroth

It has been almost 15 years since Final Fantasy VII was released and I can still remember almost every detail about my first encounter.  It was a Saturday afternoon in September 1997 when my cousin walked into my house (well my parents house, but whatever I was only 13) holding his new copy of FFVII.  Now my cousin and I were not on the same page when it came to game choices.  He was all about the role playing games, platformers, and puzzlers or as my older brother would call them, “stupid games” (and he still does) and I was playing NFL Madden, NBA Live, and the occasional beat-em-up.  During this time in our lives we were in a steady rotation of staying over each other’s house every weekend and the unwritten rule was that you play what the host is playing (in retrospect it should’ve been the other way around, but whatever its family).  Needless to say, I was pissed at him for bringing a “stupid game” to my house.  After a couple hours of destroying him in Madden 98 and Twisted Metal 2, I finally consented and allowed him to play his single player “stupid game” and that’s when it all changed!  The opening cutscene was unlike anything I’ve ever seen in any game and that was all I needed to see to give this game a chance.

Now in '97, these graphics were stellar, but of course they might not hold a candle to today's visuals.  Needless to say, after about 10 straight hours of gaming (we alternated every few hours) I tried to convince him to let me keep the game until next weekend.  I failed miserably, but I was able to get my mom to take me to Blockbuster to rent the game. Now that I think about it, we never actually beat Final Fantasy VII because we could never breed a gold chocobo, which allowed you to traverse water to attain the Knights of the Round materia.  Yet knowing that I didn’t beat the game doesn’t hinder my admiration for the game, but goes to show how important this game is/was.  Without FFVII, there is a good chance that I would’ve never given games like Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, Lost Odyssey, or The Elder Scrolls a second look.  So with today being the 15th year anniversary of Final Fantasy VII, I say stand up and show your respect!

Strength without determination means nothing, and determination without strength is equally useless. 

Suckidy Suck Suck

I.Sucked

I guess its confession time again!  Every year, I run out and buy the newest edition of NCAA Football and NFL Madden without fail and every year I wind up playing for 3 months and shelving the game (NCAA gets a little more run because of Online Dynasty).  It’s like getting back with an ex knowing good and damn well that they are still only good for one thing!  Every year, I say to myself “I’m done with Madden, unless they fix…” but see I’m already setting myself up…leaving the door wide open for the mookie-fluke.  I know this because this is the same thing I said about NBA Live year after year.  After the wackness that was Live ’04, I knew there was no way I would spend my money on Live again…

I.Sucked.Less

but then came NBA Live ’05 and I was right back in line (to my defense it was given high marks by other gaming critics) and within a matter of weeks I was right back to being disappointed.  Luckily, ’05 was the last time I bought Live and couldn’t be happier.  Now here we are just one month away from NCAA 13 dropping (July 10^th) I’m starting to get that itch; as in I’ve already pre-ordered the game and took off a half day from work.  I’m sure you’re thinking that clearly I need some kind of intervention (which is true) but honestly I do play the HELL out of NCAA because of Online Dynasty and this year I’ve got some big plans for our OD to keep things fresh and I plan on sharing them here regularly.  And after hearing about Connected Careers for Madden NFL 13, I’m willing to give it one last shot.  Well, that’s until Madden NFL 14 comes knocking on my door, telling me how much things have changed.

Help. Me

Please don't suck

Please don't suck more